DS w/ Autism/Epilepsy, getting headaches after Brain MRI

[sharadoc]

Hi. Any of you have experience with this? My DS with autism started having seizures in June, went on Keppra and had to get an MRI under sedation w/propofol and contrast dye. It was 3 weeks ago today. After that, he started getting headaches at the back of his head, behind his ear. When we ask does it hurt, he says yes and points to the same area of his head every time.

We took him to his reg. dr. and talked to the neurologist. He has no ear, nose or throat issues, no swollen lymph nodes, no sort of infection. But the headaches go on for 4-6 hours, with an obvious change on his face like a veil went over it. We try Tylenol, Motrin and aspirin. Nothing seems to help right away.

His doctors say it's not the MRI and it's not the Keppra. Yet this started AFTER the MRI and also after his Keppra dosage was increased. Neuro says it's too long for any side effects from the meds or the MRI. The MRI is clear, nothing in there.

We feel at our wits end with him, he seems to be suffering so bad. We are supposed to check in to OKW in 2 weeks and WDW is his absolute favorite place to go. I don't want him to miss the trip, but I don't know if it's a good idea.

I'm looking for any and all information, help, experience - anything you can offer to help.

Thanks,
Sharon

 

[gap2368]

I am sorry you are going through this can you ask for a second opinion to look at the MRI and just what has been going on with your son I sure hope he feels better

 

[redberyl]

For the Mri itself absolutely no way it can cause headaches. Propofol or the dye could have caused a headache initially, but after 3 weeks they are both out of his system. Keppra takes time to build up in your system, so often you won't see side effects immediately. However, everyone is different, your son could just be more sensitive. Headaches are a known side effect of keppra, I think there's a very good chance the keppra is causing the headaches. I would insist they try a different medication, if they won't then get a second opinion. (I'm a pediatric nurse, plus my daughter has had multiple MRI a and is on keppra, if that makes me more credible.)

 

[zumbergc]

Call your pharmacist and ask about side effects.

We did have issues after getting an EEG. The neurologist mentioned ds may have gotten a migraine from the flashing lights. But your are talking MRI.

 

[aejammers]

I agree that it's probably the increased Keppra dose. I take an anti-seizure drug for migraines, and when my dose was increased, I also had an increase in headaches. They did go away after a week or so, so I assume my body adjusted to the new dose. However, it sounds like your son is not tolerating the higher dose. Is your son having better seizure control with the higher Keppra? If not, ask for a different med. There are so many seizure drugs. Sometimes it's just trial and error. (My son suffered seizures when he was younger--outgrown them now-- but we went through 5 before we found the one that would control the seizures.) Best of luck to your son.

Edited to add: Do the headaches occur within an hour or two of taking the Keppra? If so, that's a clue that its the med.

 

[zela02]

My daughter has autism, and had to have a contrast MRI due to what was eventually diagnosed as migraines. These present anywhere from pain and vomiting (mild), to pain and symptoms that actually mimic a stroke (severe resulting in a trip to the ER for IV pain meds). After tracking her symptoms and the occurrences of her headaches, we found that even small amounts of caffeine (from the occasional soda when we ate out or had a special occasion) were enough to impact her sleep pattern, which we now know is a trigger for a migraine. She hasn't had caffeine for years, but a lack of sleep will bring one on every time. I know this isn't your situation, but perhaps tracking the specifics of his headaches - when, where, duration, what happened before, during and after would help determine a specific pattern or trigger that might lead you to the cause. This could also provide some support to the theory about the Keppra.

 

[sharadoc]

Great info, thanks all of you. We're going to the neuro this afternoon. The headaches are not related to the keppra timing, and the higher dose started about 7 weeks ago.

 

[zela02]

Great info, thanks all of you. We're going to the neuro this afternoon. The headaches are not related to the keppra timing, and the higher dose started about 7 weeks ago.

Hi! Just wondered how the neuro appointment went. I hope your doc had some suggestions!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. Update, neuro says it's possible that he's having a teeny seizure, not likely but possible. MRI, EEG, and blood all normal. We are increasing keppra, so either a. It will stop, b. It will get worse ( then we know it's reaction to keppra), or c. Nothing changes.

He's been good, started the head rubbing today, but never went into the typical behavior that signaled the headache. We're feeling positive, neuro said go to Disney and have fun.

Glad there's nothing wrong in his brain, but that makes it harder to understand the seizures. But we shall press on!

Thanks everyone for your help and concern.