And You Thought I Hated Complaining

I never get headaches.  I consider myself very lucky.  When I was pregnant with Bailey and Cooper I had a few headaches but only once was it so bad that I took ONE Tylenol and laid on a heating pad (because it was accompanied by a backache that I believe may have started the headache).  That was the only Tylenol I took that entire pregnancy.  I don't like to take painkillers or any other kind of medicine unless I deem it absolutely neccessary.  I might take Tylenol or Aleve four times a year when I am not pregnant.

This pregnancy has been different than my last in so many ways.  But one way that appears to be standing out to me more and more is my health.  I have been sick more this pregnancy than any other time I can remember.  I have had the flu twice this season.  I never get the flu twice.  But one thing that has really been bothering me is the number of headaches I have been having.  I have probably had between 12-20 headaches in the past two or three months.  Some of them aren't so bad, maybe tension headaches or something, and usually go away on their own.  However, some of them have been bad enough that I have resorted to taking Tylenol.  I think most of the time that has helped. 

This past Saturday I started to get a headache about 3 p.m.  I thought about taking something and decided I would wait and see if it passed on it's own.  By about 9:30 I decided I needed something.  I took one Tylenol.  It may have eased the pain but it definitely didn't end the headache.  I decided or something, to go to Walmart late that evening.  It only got worse.  I was so ready to just go to bed when I got home that I only put the cold things away.

The next morning I woke with a sore throat, aches and pains and an even worse headache than the night before.  I took two Tylenol because I felt I had been hit by a semi.  The pain again eased but did not disappear.  By afternoon the headache was back in full force.  I slept horribly last night and woke with a headache like my head against a board.  I took a long hot shower that didn't help and somehow made it through the morning routine with the kids.  I emailed my doctor's office to find out how much Tylenol was safe during pregnancy, as I do not want to hurt the baby, and asked if I could take anything for the sore throat. 

I got an email about 15 minutes later saying I needed to make an appointment with my family doctor.  I was rather angry.  They can't recommend how much Tylenol to take?  So I cancelled Romp and Roll and loaded the kids in the car and headed to Walgreens where I decided I would consult a pharmacist on the matter.  The pharmacist recommended that I take NO more Tylenol.  That I find someone to watch my kids and put a cold compress on my head.  I am not going to lie.  I really wanted to cry.  I just said thank you and bought my Sucrets.  I didn't ask the pharmacist if they were OK.  My doctor said they were.  I wasn't taking any chances.

So I went shopping with my mother-in-law who helped a good deal with the kids and my headache came and went as the day went on.  By this evening it was as bad as it has been.  I used to think I was a tough sick person.  Now I don't think so.  I just want to be well again.  I tried a cold compress.  It didn't help.  I tried a hot one, it seemed to work better.  But then I did the worst thing.  I took another Tylenol.  I couldn't help it, I really want something, anything to work.  Of course now I am terrified that I am effecting the baby and I don't plan on taking anymore if I can make it.  I just don't know if I can make it. 

The headache is not gone but it has subsided.  Instead of pounding there is a more dull throbbing when I turn my head.  If I sit prefectly still, I almost think that I am fine.  Then I stand up.  I realize I am not. 

It's been going on for more than 55 hours.  How long can a headache really last?  I mean enough already.  So is this the pregnancy?  Are hormones doing this to me?  I am pretty sure this is the worst headache I have ever had in my entire life.  However, I can be a bit dramatic at times.  I need to go lie down.