Just wanted to put some info out there to say Cluster Headaches ARE possible during pregnancy. I've had 2 doctors over the years tell me I didn't have CH because 1) I'm not a 40 year old man or 2) that CH typically go away during pregnancy.

It's important to remember everyone's bodies are different and respond differently to different things. I've had CH for 10 years and am now 31. My cycles typically last 4 weeks with 2 headaches a day at the peak.  After the cycle ends they stay gone for 1-2 years.

I recently became pregnant and at 7 weeks I started a CH cycle. I'm three weeks into the cycle and I'm having up to 8 a day (mostly at night- which is not good for newly pregnant momma). I'm assuming my raging hormones have triggered this intense cycle. And just in case anyone out there needs the info, because I've had to scrape and fight for it, CH CAN OCCUR during pregnancy. Pain meds do not work. My doc kept prescribing me high powered pain meds, which we all know do not affect CH. He blew me off when I asked for O2. Luckily, I had a family member who had access to some, so I tried the 02 and it worked fantastically. I called the doc back to let him know what I was doing and it was the only thing that works for me, and he said it was perfectly safe for baby.

Since this info wasn't out there for me, I just wanted to put it out there in case someone else finds themselves in this unfortunate and excruciating situation!

Welcome to the board Ashley, what a beautiful first post! Way to be your own best advocate and push for the oxygen. Please stick around, we can use people with your style around here! :)

Joe

Quote:

...CH typically go away during pregnancy.

The operative word being "typically."

I too had CH during pregnancy. I am so sorry you have to endure them during pregnancy of all things. Oxygen will be your best friend.

Just think though.. labor will feel like a breeze compared to CH!
Pain Free wishes sent your way!

Ashley,

I'll echo Joe's welcome aboard CH.com and also thank you for the wonderful post on the use of oxygen therapy during pregnancy as a safe and effective acute treatment. 

Please check your PM inbox by clicking on the bold "1 new message" in the upper left corner of this screen.  I've sent you some additional information of oxygen therapy that may be helpful.

Take care and thanks again for joining us at CH.com.  I look forward to more posts from you.

V/R, Batch

I also had a cycle with two out of my three pregnancies. At the time I still had no idea what was wrong with me. Thank you for sharing your story, I know it would have helped me a lot. And Jen is right, labor, even all natural us nothing compared to a 45 minute kip 10! Good luck and congratulations!

You have my heart felt sympathy that you are experiencing these while pregant, I can't even fathom what that must be like. Honestly, CH played a role in my decision not to get pregnant again.

Take care of yourself

Ashley, first off congrats on the pregnancy!  I hope that it goes well and that you are as CH pain free as possible.

I had them with my first pregnancy (23 years ago) and they were NO fun. But my OB worked closely with my neuro and they came up with a plan that was safe for me and the baby for the various trimesters.  You might want to try that.

You are doing what is NEEDED as an advocate for both you and the baby.  CONGRATS!

Mia

I have had cluster headaches since I was 16 years old. I am now 29 and pregnant for the first time; I experienced lots of CH attacks from about week 7 until week 15. It got so bad, my neurologist & pcp had to work together to finally get me O2 for both home and my office. Insurance wouldn't pay for it so I was connected with a foundation at the hospital who was more than willing to cover my costs. It was a huge blessing! I still have and use O2 even at 27 weeks but thankfully, only getting CH occasionally compared with more than 5 daily for over 2 months during this pregnancy.

I'm glad you advocated for your own O2 treatment because most doctors really just don't know how to work around insurance with CH not being listed as an approved diagnosis for O2 coverage. Hopefully with more research, that would change.

Although, I've seen a few comments about labor being a breeze and much less painful than CH. I've dreaded labor as I keep thinking I may experience an attack while in labor but hoping for the best. Still have 13 weeks to go and I'm just thankful the daily cluster headaches have stopped.

I'm interested to know how it all turned out for you as you got closer to delivery. Did you experience any CH interference during labor?

Hey Dee,

Even though you're not having cluster headaches daily, you should talk with your OB about a lab test of your 25(OH)D and about taking at least 6400 IU/day vitamin D3 along with your other prenatal vitamins and minerals.  Taking 10,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 is also very safe for you and thumper.  It will also help prevent future CH when they're most unwanted.

Vitamin D3 is very important during pregnancy and while breastfeeding for you and the baby.  Grassrootshealth has an excellent program and track record on expectant mothers taking vitamin D3 during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  See the following link.  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

We've also had several expectant mothers here at CH.com taking the anti-inflammatory regimen with 10,000 IU/day to prevent cluster headache throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  You can download a copy of the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol at the following link.  Take a copy along to discuss with your OB.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I've had my daughter on this regimen taking 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus the vitamin D3 cofactors through both of her pregnancies and have two very healthy grand kids for proof.  Both pregnancies and births were flawless... and she doesn't have CH.  She also continued this regimen through breastfeeding and stays on it year round.

Take care and please keep us posted... particularly with the results of your 25(OH)D lab test if you want to share that with us.

V/R, Batch

So glad I found this! I've been trying to get informed before my husband and I try to conceive, so its such a relief to know others have gone through it!

On a side note, my research lead me to a lot of doula websites and I've found that doulas actually have a lot of great ways for managing pain when meds won't work or can't be used (like during a CH attack). The techniques aren't enough to make an attack go away, but they can still provide some comfort.

My current favorite is squeezing a hard tooth comb in my hand to try and disturb the pain pathways. It gives me some of the same relief of banging my head, but without scaring the people around me! ;)

The comb method you describe is where you're using distraction to divert your concentration away from the CH pain to something else. This can be quite effective for many people where other methods aren't working too well or their side effects are causing unacceptable issues.

There are a lot of books and websites which cover dealing with chronic pain which include lots of non-drug related approaches which you might benefit from and avoid issues from banging your head and scaring people.