TOPIC:

Hi!

First of all I'd just like to say thanks so much for taking the time to read this.

I was dx with ITP in Dec. 2008 and recently found out that I’m pregnant! We are so excited! However, I’ve been having a lot of headaches lately, and I’m not sure if that’s normal or a result of the medicine I’m taking. I’ve been on IVIG since February (I get it about every 3-6 weeks, depending on CBCs, bruising, etc.) and have had it twice since we found out that I’m pregnant. I just switched hematologists in order to be closer to home, but they do things very differently in my new hematologist’s office and I don’t really know them yet, and they’re just getting familiar with my case, and can't really see me for a while unless I have an emergency (which I'm hoping not to!).

I've read that headaches during pregnancy can be normal, but I've had a headache pretty much all day every day (except for about 15 minutes to an hour after I wake up) for almost four weeks now (I’m about eight weeks pregnant). I usually get a nasty headache with nausea about 2 days after getting IVIG but it usually goes away about 2 days after that. Last time I got IVIG (about 4 weeks ago) I got the headache and nausea 3 days later and while the nausea comes and goes, the headache, while it is not as intense, has not gone away since (except right after waking up). It is not the end of the world and I’m getting by all right but it’s making it very difficult to work, drive, take care of my family, or do anything around the house because I'm so focused on the headache. I don’t even want to talk to friends because talking exacerbates the headache, and the only thing that seems to help is sleeping, which I don’t really have a lot of time for. My next OB appt isn't until Oct. 17 and my next hematology appt (aside from CBCs and maybe getting IVIG, which I guess I won't need to see the dr for at the new office) isn’t until the 26th, so I'm wondering if I should see a doctor before then. Does anyone know if an ongoing headache is normal and pregnancy-related? Or is this something I should ask my primary doctor about? New hematologist? Former hematologist? OB? I just don’t even know who to ask.

Please help! I’m usually a pretty optimistic person, but I’ve been irritable all the time since the headache started and I’m afraid I’m not very pleasant to be around right now(especially to my poor husband!), and I’m even finding it difficult to pray bc it hurts to think. I’d really like to get back to being optimistic. If anyone has been through this before, please let me know what you did or what your advice might be. Thanks in advance to anyone!

*Vannah*

Hello Vannah,
I would say any headache that is lasting that long would and should be checked out, pregnant or not. I do get a slight headache, flu feeling after Ivig but it not for that long, pain for that long will make you feel pretty down so you really should contact a Doctor maybe start with your primary care Doctor, let us know how you go.

Yes I'd go to the primary care doctor and ask their advice. They'll either know what to do about it or will know who else you should see.

Thank you, Milly and Ann! The OB and hemotologists called me before I had the opportunity to call anyone, and they didn't seem too worried... which kind of worries me. My OB thought it was probably sinus-related and told me to take Tylenol cold and sinus (acetaminophen), and my hematologist is going to check out my bloodwork, so we shall see. I may go to my primary care doctor after all, since they will actually see me in the office. Thanks for the advice! My headache was a little better yesterday so I'm hopful; if it gets worse again I'll probably take the Tyelnol and call my primary care doctor. I'll post if they find anything out. Thanks again!

Vannah