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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
        
(Message started by: jenrob2006 on Jun 30^th, 2006, 10:09am)

Title: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by jenrob2006 on Jun 30^th, 2006, 10:09am

My husband and I are going to try and have a baby. [smiley=laugh.gif] I have a nine year old daughter and I did not have any CH's during her pregnancy, but I had a cycle right before and right after the pregnancy. My GP at the time said that if I had breast fed, I would not have started a cycle. Has anyone ever had an attack during pregnancy or during breastfeeding? I am scared out of my mind about possibly having to go med-free if I do. Also, if I breast feed, I will not be able to take any meds also.

In addition, I read somewhere that the birth control pill can bring on a cycle. Has anyone heard of that and is it true?

Title: Re: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by Sean_C on Jun 30^th, 2006, 12:43pm

on 06/30/06 at 10:09:33, jenrob2006 wrote:

My husband and I are going to try and have a baby. I am scared out of my mind about possibly having to go med-free if I do. Also, if I breast feed, I will not be able to take any meds also.

All I can say is NEVER let CH hold you back from anything Jen ;) Its your life to live, don't let the beast decide it for you ;)

If you want a family, then I say go for it, its definately worth it ;;D

The other stuff I have no idea ;;D

Sean................................

Title: Re: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by NotH20 on Jun 30^th, 2006, 12:44pm

Jen...I have good news and bad news ;) The bad news is that I've had ch's during my 2nd pregnancy and I also started a cycle 2 weeks after the birth of my twins. I've breastfed all four of my children. You need to talk to your OB instead of your GP. The good news is that during certain trimesters of your pregnancy you can take Verap. Also while nursing you can take Verap - or at least I was able to. My neuro talked directly with the CDC in Atlanta. Yes it does pass through the breastmilk, but it's not at a high level. Now I'm not a doctor - just passing along my personal experience. If you have a neuro - have them talk with your OB to get a game plan for your care. Also remember O2 - it could be your best friend during this time.

Good luck to you,
Mia

Title: Re: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by frizzle on Jul 5^th, 2006, 9:23pm

I'm in the exact same boat right now. My 2nd son was born on the 31st of May and not 48 hours later I started in on this cycle.

I've found a website from the dr who wrote "medications and mother's milk" and I posted the link over in the treatments forum (under my I hate Anesthesia thread)

You can take things during breastfeeding. My usual meds are verapamil, imitrex nasal and prednisone. Right now I'm trying to get through this one with just oxygen and the water x3, plus a little caffeine here and there. This is a personal choice by me, but I'll tell you if this cycle gets any worse I may be rethinking this. This has been a killer week so I'm just trying to get by day by day here right now.

Best suggestion would be to contact a La Leche person - the one I talked to at the hospital was incredible helpful and kind about the issues I was concerned with.

Fortunately for me I didn't have any during either of my pregnancies, even though this last cycle "usually" would have started when I got pregnant this last time.

Frizzle

Title: Re: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by mzrolwes on Jul 7^th, 2006, 5:03pm

I got pg the summer before my cycle *should* have started in november. I had no CH's or migraines while pg. I breastfed my son for 14 mo without CH. My cycle only came back 2.5 yrs AFTER my cycle was supposed to be. My cycles have typically been every 3 years in November. Also this cycle was about half as long as my other cycles. But that's just me. I'm currently trying to get pg now and on verapamil. My OB's office said that its fine to take while trying to conceive and then i could just stop once i found out i was pg and you can sometimes take it during pregnancy if need be. Should you have a cycle while you are pg or breastfeeding I'd say look into O2...works wonders.

Title: Re: CH during pregnancy/breast feeding
Post by starlight on Jul 12^th, 2006, 6:19pm

Jenrob--

I was totally cluster free when I was pregnant with my son (who just turned six) as well as when I was breastfeeding (but I only breastfed for two months). I did have a cycle shortly after my son turned a year old. For me anyway, pregnancy didn't seem to have any negative effect on the clusters. don't let it hold you back.
Starlight