Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Pregnancy and clusters
        
(Message started by: nighthawk on Jul 17^th, 2003, 12:34am)

Title: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by nighthawk on Jul 17^th, 2003, 12:34am

Hello, I'm new to this website but I hope that I can get some help here.
I've suffered Clusters now for about 11 years. I did go through a pregnancy about 7 years ago. And as I have been reading, I went into remission through the pregnancy. Even while nursing, they were alot less frequent, and alot weaker.
In about the last two years they have gotten chronic. Now I'm 10 weeks pregnant and I am suffering the attacks as commonly but stronger now. My doctor has me on tylenol ones, but I am taking them so frequently now that I am getting quite concerned about my baby's well being.
I also have diabetes and am over 35, so I already have factors to worry about.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice I'd be so grateful. I have been reading on oxygen and am calling my doctor tomorrow to find out about this treatment.
Thankyou so much and thank goodness for such a terrific site!

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by Nathan on Jul 17^th, 2003, 2:10am

hi and congradulations! (about the baby lol)
i have only 2 comments, 1) stop the tylenol, it will give you rebound headaches like you wouldnt believe. i started out the same way, taking about 8 of em a day untill my doc told me about rebound ha's. 2), do what you can to get that o2, its a good treatment for chs and it cant be bad for baby either! (can it?) good luck and get pain free!! ---N

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by Melissa on Jul 17^th, 2003, 3:11am

Welcome to CH.com Nighthawk and congrats on the pregnancy!

Nathan is right, please try to get O2 from your doctor and if he/she won't prescribe it, get a doc who will! It is best used at the first hint of a cluster attack with a non-rebreather mask, at a flow rate of 8-12 liters per minute. (enough to keep the bag on the mask filled with O2) Click on the "medical info." link to the left of the screen for more info.

I just had a baby on June 23rd, and my ch's came back about 3 weeks after. I wish I could just stay pregnant all the time now! ;D I really hope for your (and babys) sake the attacks go away. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Take care,
mel

Title: Medical journal articles
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 17^th, 2003, 7:27am

My first reaction is that your doc doesn't understand cluster if the primary treatment is Tylenol. I'd be more comfortable if you had a headache specialist who could balance the needs for effective treatment with considerations around pregnancy--what drugs should not be used, etc.

You can get these articles from your local library: they can be ordered at nominal or no cost or, if you are near a large hospital, you might find them in their medical library.

Re. special needs of women. Both of these in HEADACHE QUARTERLY, Vol X, #2, 1991: "Women and headaches:a comprehensive approach", p. 31-36. "Special considerations in the management of headache in women", p. 37-43. The last one focuses on role of hormones in headache and how medications must be altered.

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by hdbngr on Jul 17^th, 2003, 12:19pm

Most headache specialist will not treat a woman who is expecting. They usually ask you to coordinate any medications through your obstetrician, hence there may not be a knowledge base for treatment.

I know they will usually allow Periactin while pregnant. It's an allergy med that has been around for about 30 years and showed limited benefit for headache treatment of headaches. It is safe for use during pregnancy.

Good luck,

V

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by Tessa on Jul 19^th, 2003, 7:58am

When I saw your post I had to reply. I have 3 children, my Ch's started 4 months after the birth of my 15 year old, although I had had some irregular episodes starting a few years before my pregnancy and could not get them diagnosed. When I got pregnant with my 11 year old and my 3 year old, I didn't have them at all. So all 3 of my pregnancies were CH free, ALMOST worth being pregnant again for. Anyways, the oxygen is the way to go. I did have a cycle start when my 3 year old was 6 weeks old, and I was breastfeeding. I wasn't willing to give it up, so I got some oxygen and had my doc follow the directions given to me on this website. It works GREAT! The only problem is getting it at the onset, and sometimes when the beast wakes you up in your sleep or you can't get to your oxygen at the very onset, it is too late to abort it. It was a very short episode and hard to do without the benefit of any drugs, but it was the best decision for my baby's welfare. Take everyone's advice like I did, and get the O2 at your home, it is the best course of treatment in your condition!

Tessa

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by kim on Jul 19^th, 2003, 8:57pm

Hi Tessa,

I have clusters over half my life and have three gorgeous and healthy kids. I did not ever get cursed clusters while pregnant. Must agree look into the oxygen as abortive. You really need to be communicating with well-advised neuro if you are going to use other medications, especially since you deal with diabetes also......some would disagree, but I would suggest a strong cup of coffee and NIX the tylenol! Coffee is a natural anelgesic vasoconstrictor and can really help aborting if ya catch it fast. The tylenol (or excedrin, etc....) = nasty stuff!

Hang in and well wishes************!

Congrats too on lil one!!!! :)
PFDAN

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by Tessa on Jul 20^th, 2003, 6:33pm

Kim, I'm not pregnant, nighthawk is! OMG don't wish that one me again, three is enough!!!!

Teresa

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by kim on Jul 21^st, 2003, 1:53pm

woopsy ;D

tessa, LMFAO!

nighthawk, i fergot. :D there is some brain damage ........... :D

if ya get clusters for a long time, yer brain gets shortwired.

I SWEAR! It's true. :)

Title: Re: Pregnancy and clusters
Post by NotH20 on Jul 25^th, 2003, 1:21pm

Hey hawk....congrats on the pregnancy! ;D Sorry that you are having a tough time right now - but glad you came here for assistance.

You need a GOOD neuro that will work closely with your OB...that is a MUST. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I started a cycle right in the middle. I was able to take Verap and it helped tremendously. :) There are certain meds that you can take during certain trimesters of your pregnancy. You need BOTH a good neuro and a good OB that will help you and will discuss your case together.

I agree with the others - get rid of the Tylenol - rebounds are just horrible and they make me sorta outta my head (more than normal ;) )

Don't allow the Beast to take such a precious time in your life away - fight with all you have - you and your baby deserve it!

Good luck to you,
Mia