Headaches/Head pressure_Pls help!

[S2017]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing okay. I need advise and hope that anyone can help.

I was scheduled for ERA and was put on ooestrogen. This gave me headaches and high blood pressure hence the medication and cycle was stopped. It was then decided that we will do another IVF cycle before doing the ERA test and although I am no longer on ooestrogen, the headaches are still there (have had them since end July to now). Blood pressure though has stabilised.

Went to the GP and they have not found anything wrong. I am currently on Meriofert (FSH & LH) which does list headaches as a symptom but I have taken this for 3 cycles at double the dose with no headaches and am now at the 4th cycle with half the dose and having headaches.

The headaches feel like pressure in the head or a tight band. Has anyone else experience this? Do you think it could be vaccine related? I took Pfizer in May and August but headaches only started end July?

I don't know what to make out of it and honestly am getting worried. Can anyone please share your experience or any advice??

Thank you.

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi S2017This is praying on your mind & giving you more stress which will not be helping your headaches .Best discuss your worries/concerns with your nurse /GP or clinic

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids as being dehydrated can make headaches worse

- be kind to your self

Thinking of you

Janet

[S2017 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Hi Janet,

Thank you for your reply. I had already raised this with my GP and fertility doctor. I was concerned as the headache was lingering for sooo long even during periods when I was not taking any medication.

Anyway I have started progesterone pessaries (just a day ago) and they are working so well for the headache/head pressure. I don't understand this well, but I think the progesterone hormone is countering the high levels of FSH/LH and or/ooestrogen.

Either way I am so glad and I hope this remains this way.

Thank you for coming back to me.

[Ladybugluck in reply to S2017]

I’m sorry for what you are going through. IVF is stressful enough without additional worries! I hope my story offers some reassurance. I’m not one to get headaches but had them on and off through IVF and pregnancy pretty terribly in my second trimester (currently pregnant with my miracle!)… the hormones they put you on simulate pregnancy abs beach aches are so so common. I’ve been worried but my OBGYN says not to, as long as ky blood pressure is normal it should be ok. Also what you describe sounds like a pressure headache. I did a few things which have helped immensely:- hydration!! I’f I’m not drinking jugs of water a day they are worse

- magnesium supplements. Recommended by my OBgYN. I take it in powder form every morning mixed into water.

- see a chiropractor/massage therapist bi-weekly. This has probably made the biggest difference. He works on the tension in my neck and pressure in the back of my head and it’s been really helping.

Hope these tips help you get through! Glad the projesterone is helping— I found that happened to me also!

[S2017 in reply to Ladybugluck]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. For 2 days post starting the progesterone pessaries, I was headache free and super thrilled as I’ve had this headache for about 1.5 months. Now it’s back and I’m so disappointed. The process itself is hard and all these other factors make it worse.

I have noticed that with all the jabs, I am very bloated and drink less water as my belly already feels too ‘full’, so you mentioning hydration got me thinking that this could be one of the factors. From now on will consciously make an effort to drink more water and will also take magnesium supplement.

I will consider the massage once Covid cases drop a little, not very comfortable with the close proximity but I agree with you this is very relaxing.

Thank you for coming back to me and sharing these suggestions. Wishing you a smooth pregnancy! 🤗

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi S. So sorry to hear this. It could be because the fertility drugs act largely on the pituitary and hypothalamus glands in the brain. Try drinking extra water, which sometimes help with relief. If itcarries on, then you need to speak with your GP again. Hope it soon settles. You are safe to take paracetamol, unless you have been prescribed something else, but no anti inflammatores such as ibuprofen. Good luck! Diane

[S2017]

Hello Diane,

Thank you for coming back to me. I am scheduled for an eye sight just to rule out any vision issues as that too can cause headaches. If there is no concern on that front, then I will go back to my GP again. Currently am taking paracetamol and avoiding ibuprofen. Hoping everything will be okay.

Thank you.