I'm curious if anyone else is suffering from migrains? If so how often out of a week do you get them? How long do they last? and do you lose part of your vision or does your vision sort of go swirly?

I suffer from migrains and it set off really easy sometimes if I don't eat soon enough or if I'm stressed or its to loud around me. My head sensitive LOL. I have noticed since I was pregnant that my migrains have slowly and now rapidly increased and are getting worse. Out of a week I end up with a migrain at least 5 days out of 7 and sometimes they last all day long, and now I'm getting them in the middle of the night. Last night I woke up and my head was "POUNDING" and my right eye I got partial swirly vision happening LOL, fell back asleep and it stayed with me all the way up til morning and late morning. Its not just fading away.

Is it worse from pregnancy hormones? I have a OB appt tomorrow so I'll be bringing it up to my doctor. Anyone else a suffer?

i had migrain problen 2 years back...and after 2 months medical cure i got ok...now it comes rarely....i know its really painful...make sure u have enough sleep...avoid cold drinks...when ever u feel it just switch off light...and take rest..and tel us home members to keep quit...i think it may work..always mention this problem to ur dr

Hellooo, I've suffered from hemiplegic migraines since I was 15. They're rare for me and normally I get one once a year or less. But since becoming pregnant I've had 6 or 7. The consultant said the type I have are T.I.A's (mini strokes)...they've been different in this pregnancy though as there is no headache. I just start off with the visual aura (the swirly pattern you mentioned) which progresses into me going completely blind in that eye....followed by numbness down the left side of my body and in my lips and chin...that lasts about an hour and when that's all gone I end up very confused and I slur like I'm drunk and talk complete gobbledegook and don't make sense to anyone.

It's definitely worth talking about this with your gp or midwife or consultant, because the other day my consultant got very very angry that I'd been left since I was 15 with this and nothing had been done about it he said that I should have had brain scans etc and more care should have been given since becoming pregnant. He arranged an appt with the anaesthetist because aparently this may affect things like epidurals and spinals as it;s all to do with the nervous system and could be dangerous.

And I agree- I think that it could be surges of hormones that have caused to increase, or as you say, just your head being more sensitive. Either way I hope you get it sorted and don't suffer from many more, I know how frightning and awful it is to experience them. Just make sure you don't let them palm you off like they did with me!! xx

Hey... I've been on medications for migraines since the age of 7 so I know exactly how you feel. I've noticed just taking it easy and getting plenty of fluids helps.

Also.. Do you get sickness when they've REALLY kicked in?... If sooo get lots of sleep.. That's the only way I find helps.

Was strange my migraines calmed down whilst preg.. And luckily i've learned to deal with them much better now.. Which is essential with a 10 month old to run round after x

I got a lot of migraines in the second trimester, one lasting for 5 days non-stop. I was about ready to chop my own head off to stop it hurting. And I nearly killed the pharmacist who told me off for taking paracetamol for it!!!

Before pregnancy, I'd never really identified a trigger for my migraines; I think it's just being generally tired or stressed for me, but I think that pregnancy made my body a lot more sensitive. I found that I was getting migraines while pregnant because I was using too many pillows in bed (can't take antihistamines for my allergies so I added an extra pillow to stop me sniffling all night). The extra pillow was giving me neck ache and causing the migraine. So even if you think you already know your triggers and are avoiding them, it might be worth looking again at anything that might be causing it.

I've also found that lavender oil really helps with migraines. I put a few drops on a tissue and put in next to my pillow, or take a few deep breaths of it. It instantly relaxes my head and stops the nausea, and after a while the pain calms down too.

Sarah K, Thank you for your advice will avoid cold drinks, the lights I turn off when they get bad, I have noticed that helps a lot.

Katieeeeee, Thanks for your advice to I will talk to my OB about it tomorrow, I admit I have put it off thinking it was no big deal. Your post reminded me it is and can become a big deal thanks sweetie, and thanks for sharing your story.

xmum, Okay will try warm fluids thanks for your advice too! Yeap I get the nausus feeling drives my boyfriend batty with me moaning about it LOL. That when you know its a BAD one coming!

Rachel C, I will try putting lavender on my pillow case too!!! Great advice (thanks everyone) I wish I could figure out the trigger just when I think I narrow it down it will hit out the blue.... CRY. My mom also a suffer of migrains and was at one time put on shots because of it to help her manage with the pain, she don't take it no more (expensive) but it appears to be common with women in are bloodline.

I know when I don't eat soon enough I get a migrain and sometimes if I do eat its too late, blah.

I also noticed stress brings it on

And loud noises. But then there other times where I cannot explain it GRRRR.

Thank you everyone taking all of your advice to heart!

I have had migraines since I was about 13 years old. In early pregnancy they where more frequent, now they have calmed down to about 3 a month (touch wood). When I do get the migraines they always last 3/4 days, If I try to focus on anything, it gets worse so I just have to lie down, its so time consuming!

I did get tablets from the doctor b4 i was pregnant (obviously cant take when preg) but I was a bit wary of them anyway because they made me very tired and dizzy xxx

You cant win!! But I feel ya hun xxxx

ps. I also bought some of these cooling pad things (filled with gel) you put them on your head. For me,It dosent take it away but relieves it while its on, there not cheap but boy there good! Nice and cool xx

I'm one of the fortunate migraine sufferers who has had relief from their migraines during pregnancy. I dont wish to scaremonger, but I did read an article which said that if you have highly increased frequency and severity of migraines during pregnancy to definitely see your doctor as it can be a sign of something more severe. I'm sure this isnt the case with you honey, but its definitely worth getting checked out anyway.

Like Katieeee - I get the aura, numbness, gobbledegook speech, forget how to read, fail to recognise friends faces, and on one particularly bad day, had to ask my husband to confirm his name.... poor chap, so I know how distressing it can be.

Hope they get you sorted out sweety.

xx

I was told hormones may change my migraines which worried me as I get very severe ones which have on times put me in hospital. I've thankfully only had a few while pregnant but I had one for 3 days which was horrendous. I tend to get tingling in limbs, loss of vision, severe pain, constant vomiting and dizziness.