Migraines in children

[Nutsy]

I had migraines (thumpers) until I was about 16. Doc told us that I would grow out of them and I did. I do still get bad headaches from time to time but nothing like what I went through as a kid.



ETA... Not to scare the OP, but just to say that I worked with a girl many years ago who was being treated for migraines. Sad thing is, turns out it wasn't migraines at all, but a brain tumor. It claimed her life at age 19.

Also, a specialst told me a few years ago that certain foods can trigger migraines.. a couple he mentioned were Chocolate and Grapefruit (when in season).

 

[RNMOM]

My son also got them from about age 8-12. He was having them 1-3 times per month and would start vomiting and be down for the whole day once he could fall asleep. We had to give him tigan suppositories for the vomiting it was so bad.

So, during an oral exam his dentist wanted him to see and orthodontist. The orthodontist said he still had 5 baby teeth that hadn't fallen out as they should and needed to have them pulled before he would be able to ***** need for braces. We went to an oral surgeon and had the teeth extracted. Actually, they were just "lifted" off the permanent teeth that were errupting. He didn't even need sedating.

Guess what, no more migraines. Honestly it was the last thing I expected to happen but apparently the change in his bite was enough to trigger migraines and getting the baby teeth out of the way changed his bite. He didn't need the braces either.

I kinda agree about the CAT scan just for a precaution but have you asked his dentist if all is well with his bite/ teeth falling out, etc?

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I had migraines throughout adolescence and adulthood, starting around age 14. But I rarely get one nowadays. I actually figured out my trigger, and it was a chiropractic issue. If I bend or twist my neck too much to the right or downwards, or if I have too much pressure on my right shoulder area (like a heavy backpack), I can get a migraine. And even just a few seconds of this could cause a migraine. Nowadays I am very careful about posture and how I hold my neck, and no more migraines. I can't even tell you how awful it was to live in fear of those headaches, but now, I hardly worry about them at all!!

I like to tell my story, since so many people have migraines, but not too many seem to consider a physical/chiropractic cause for them.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DH has had them since he was a kid and now gets them infrequently, but nothing has ever shown up, The last dr. said it was his posture i don't get it?? I hope they figure it out

 

[Sleepy]

I started getting migraines when I was 7 years old. They have done many tests and tried different meds like beta blockers over the years and unfortunately, sometimes there is no explaination for why you have migraines.

Please be careful with the fioricet. It is highly addictive if used very frequently.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't know if it's safe for kids, but when I start to feel a full fledged migraine coming on I take Excedrin Migraine. It works better than anything I've ever been prescribed to stop a migraine.

It has alot of caffeine. THat might be why it works for you.

 

[barkley]

i get terrible ones-bad enuf that i'm one of the very rare (according to several neurologists) cases wherein twice they've been bad enuf to trigger a stroke. so i take them very seriously.

ds (9) has started getting them and they wipe him out (even when it's not a painful one-just the aura's) for up to a full day after. since he's a lightweight (still has'nt cracked 50 pounds) i can't give him much beyond an advil gell cap. so we've taught him to be aware of signs one is coming on so he can try to force himself to sleep it off. we also ruled out any food allergies contributing to the problem-but i do try to keep him away from stuff i know can be contributory for allot of sufferers (msg, processed meats, pork). we also had a cat scan run to ensure no underlying brain injuries/issues (i'm realy aware of this because i had a friend in college that had migranes like i've never seen-after years of this he learned a minor fall he'd had as a young child had resulted in minor damage to a blood vessel in his brain-over the years it got worse and worse-he got surgery just before it was about to burst ).

ds currently has an appointment with a pediatric neurologist wednesday. one of the issues we need to address is appropriate meds for him-he (like i) has a wierd body chemistry such that allot of meds work the opposite of the way they should (and the last thing i want is for him to have my experience of taking something for pain that's supposed to relax you-only to have it keep you awake for 48 hours such that you tail spin right into another migrane). i am hopefull that he will be like the majority of boys who in getting them young in life cease to have them following puberty.

btw- i have'nt finished reading it yet, but oliver sacks (the neurologist on whom the movie 'awakenings' is based) wrote a book called 'migrane'. it's not a light read-but it's realy interesting to learn about allot of triggers and untraditional migranes (like the 'smell ones'-i get these, everything will smell like bacon despite going from place to place and not encountering it). the book also talks about how some people experience a huge 'creative burst' right before one comes on (many incredible artists and scientists attribute their greatest works to these instances). def. an interesting read.

 

[MushyMushy]

Wow, I'm surprised at all the kids who get them. I didn't realize it was all that common.

Migraines run in DH's family. DD gets them -- she runs a fever, can't stand light or sound, feels nauseous -- we just treat it with Motrin right now. Her doctor doesn't want to treat it with anything else until puberty. At any rate, she only gets them once or twice a year, just like DH.

 

[Missy Mouse]

My DS11 had been complaining of frequent headaches for quite some time. I mentioned it to his pediatrician at his well check, and he referred us to a pedi neurologist.

So we went last week, and told us its consistant with migraines. He gave him a prescription for Maxalt and Fioricet. THis is what I take for my migraines too. He also is scheduled for an EEG this week.

We have to keep a diary to see what the triggers are and if he gets them too frequently then he will put him on preventative meds.

Any thoughts and experiences with your kids and migraines would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi, my migraines began at 6 years old. I had one or two a week for years, and mine didn't have any particular pattern. They just came and came often. I was prescribed those medications you listed, plus Imitrex. After my neuro consult and EEG they prescribed Neurontin daily to try and prevent the migraines altogether. It didn't work for me, unfortunately. None of the meds did. Most meds out there are known as migraine escape medications. You take them when you feel early symptoms come on. You're supposed to take them when you get the aura, or the tingling, or the dull ache in your head/behind your eyes. For whatever reason, the meds just didn't work for me. The only thing that worked was laying in a dark room with an ice pack on my neck and just sleeping it off into the next day. They were the most debilitating headaches I've ever had. I missed a lot of school, and the day after a migraine I felt really wiped out. Doctors often ask how you know it's a migraine...you just know. It's unlike any other headache. Mine finally decreased in the past couple of years when my body chemistry changed. I get them about once a year now. Much more manageable. Good luck to your son and I hope you get some answers!

 

[Horseshoes]

Thank you all for replying.

DS woke up today with one and is resting, he says its now down to just a slight ache, so thats good.

We are keeping a diary and so far I can't pinpoint any definate trigger.

To the poster who warned about the Fioricet, thank you, the MD said to use that as a last resort.

We have a very strong family history of migraines. Me, DS's paternal grandfather and paternal great-grandmother.

After reading some of your responses I will insist on a CT scan at our next visit.

THe MD did say that he could outgrow this when he hits puberty.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

The medication that causes the weight gain that insurance companies usually make you try first is Depakote which I had to take for a month before they would approve Topamax for me.

It was Periactin for my son, it is a type of antihistamine.
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/per1328.htm

It worked, but he gained some weight. Took the weight off and then some after a growth spurt though. I am thankful the nightguard seems to be the key for DS, he won't sleep without it. I also think the chiro helped my son. His backpack had really messed up his upper back.