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Dr. Loftus feels there are 4 phases of migraine treatment in women who plan to become pregnant
Phase Zero is the pre-conception phase.
This is a time that one can safely experiment with treatments that are safe for conception, pregnancy, or breast feeding while still using treatments that are not safe for pregnancy as a backup. Unless you are taking only acetaminophen for your headaches, most women are going to need a back-up plan for their migraines at some stage of their pregnancy. For acute treatment of migraine the FDA has approved more than 22 forms of triptans, 3 forms of dihydroergotamine, 3 acute CGRP agents, one 5HT1F, one prescription NSAID, and 5 electronic devices.
Why you should test out acute migraine treatments before you become pregnant.
Unfortunately, during the 2nd and 3rd trimester, only the 5 electronic devices are ideal for acute migraine treatment. None of the other treatment categories mentioned above have been proven to be safe for during the 2nd and 3rd trimester. If your headaches are relatively infrequent, then you are going to need a while to test the newer treatments while your current treatment can still be safely taken.
You may also need some form of prevention for your headaches during pregnancy.
If you have more than two headaches per week, then you already need prevention. If you are needing headache prevention prior to even thinking about becoming pregnant, than statistically, you will probably need Dr. Loftus when you are trying to become pregnant. Migraine prevention is intelligent trial and error and finding the right option can take quite a bit of time. Some of the devices to treat migraines also work to prevent migraine headaches when they are used on a regular schedule.
Once good migraine treatment options for conception are identified, it is not uncommon to then shift to cheaper options until one is ready to try and get pregnant.
What if I am already pregnant and didn’t see you for Phase Zero?
It is never too late to get started. Learn more here.
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Jenifer S.(Patient Since 2019)
So happy I finally found a very knowledgeable migraine Specialist. Plus his staff is just amazing!
Silvia N.(Patient Since 2022)
Dr. Loftus has extensive knowledge in his area and he is extremely vested in his patients well being. He takes time to understand the patient’s heath history to this date and he communicates through his portal amazingly often (mainly) with new patients still with acute pain, which is pretty uncommon (at least I haven’t experienced with any other type of doctors). This demonstrates how truly vested he is in his patients well being and how down to earth he is, despite being an expert in his area. His office and staff and great. They have the ability to perform onsite treatments if needed, which is a huge relief. I highly recommend Dr. Loftus and appreciate his true help!
Providing headache and hyperhidrosis care & wellness for over 25 years.
Dr. Brian Loftus, M.D.
Dr. Loftus is Board Certified in Headache Medicine as well as Neurology. In private practice since 1994, Dr. Loftus’ practice has gotten busier and he has decided to concentrate his practice in areas that he can make a particular difference compared to other neurologist. Therefore, Dr. Loftus has chosen to focus his neurology practice on headaches & head pain, headaches during pregnancy, and hyperhidrosis. In the spring of 2006, Dr. Loftus relocated his practice from the Texas Medical Center to Bellaire, just 5 miles west. He has been named a Texas Monthly “Super Doctor” and an H Texas magazine “Top Doctor” multiple times.