Constant Headaches

My first blood work was when I was 2 months, I am almost 4 months.
Everyday I am having headaches, even having to wake at 4am to take some tylenol.

My mom said I should call the OB/GYN office tomorrow, maybe they need to do more blood, maybe I am low on some levels.
I take a prenatal Vit, and get a B-12 shot 1x a month, down from 2x a month.

Do you take just one prenatal vitamin every day?  Is that in addition to your normal RNY vitamin regimen or is that it?

Be careful with the Tylenol; if you get into a habit (pattern) of taking it "everyday" it can cause rebound headaches and not work as effectively. I have had severe Migraines since I was 13 yo and when I got pg this last time they were SO bad, everyday, I had to be on narcotics. NO Tylenol though. You absolutely should keep your OB informed about the headaches!

Hope you get it figured out. I know it's frustrating.

I take just one prenatal vit, and a monthly b-12 shot

I think you need more than one prenatal.  Prenatals are supposed to be enough for "normal" women.  But you have the RNY factor and that should AT LEAST bump you up to two.  And do you really not supplement additionally for your RNY?  Have you had thorough labs run to make sure everything is in tip-top shape?

I really don't think one prenatal is enough.  I'm not a doctor but you should really consult with your surgeon and your OB about this.  You have different nutritional needs than normal women.

(As a DSer I take two prenatals plus a multi, a bunch of calcium, and ADEKs--just to give you an idea.  I know RNYers don't have the same level of malabsorption but you do have some that you need to take into consideration here.)

Oh and please please make sure you're getting enough folic acid.  It's so so so important to the baby.

You're setting yourself up for a whole lot of trouble.  I know, I was taking minimal vitamins with my two post-op pregnancies (more than you, even) and ended up with RICKETS, severe iron deficiency, and very low B12.


I cannot stress to you how important it is for you to take more vitamins.  You MUST take calcium citrate (2000mg a day) if you want to maintain your bones, vitamin D for the same reason.  Iron plummets very quickly in us before pregnancy -- adding in a fetus only amplifies the deficiency rate.  B12 probably should be more often.  And possibly even a b-50 as well.

Headaches can be a sign of pregnancy hormones, a deficiency, caffeine issues, dehydration, or just a way of life.  I was laid up with daily migraines and on oxycontin with my first pregnancy.  I didn't have the luxury with my 2nd and was on vicodin, lorcet, and darvocet as well as multiple preventatives for the 2nd.  So I do understand the frustration of headaches as well.

But please know that I've been there and I do speak from experience -- you really need to take the supplementation seriously.

Headaches are really common during pregnancy, so i could just be the pregnancy hormones too. This is the first pregnancy I had headaches, and my first girl, so idk if its related. ;p

I got a lot of headaches while I was pregnant. They say that it can be because you are carrying a girl (hormone overload) but I think that is an old wives tale - I did have a girl though! Also just your hormone levels are so much higher then they have ever been.

I'd up that pre-natal to 2 a day if you are an RNY patient, I forgot to look. You should also take 800 of folic acid and 1200 of calcium (I always forget if it's mcg or mg). I'd have your OB do a full set of labs though, might even want to call your surgeon and have them do it or at least get them copied on the results.

I didn't take tylenol for mine most days I just toughed it out, especially at home. But I am stubborn like that. You can also try ice packs / hot packs on your head or the base of your neck to help them go away.

Oh and are you getting enough fluids? That always made my headaches worse.

Good luck and feel better!

Liz

I figured out mine were caffiene headaches. I don't drink a lot of caffiene but I was getting a chai or latte to go every morning and when I cut back for the pregnancy, it caused headaches everyday that I didn't have some. Now, after 2 weeks of quitting cold turkey, the headaches have gone away.

My advice is the opposite of PP- I never drink caffeine for numerous reasons. However, when I get the pregnancy headaches- right around 4 months or so too, I drink a little something with caffeine and it helps- Don't know about your caffeine consumption. I like the Crystal Light energy- Now some people get bent out of shape about drinking Crystal Light during pregnancy, but occasionally the caffeine helped a ton!

Carrie