Teenager with migraines?

[katie111]

My DD14 has been having migraines for about a year. They started off with just about 1 a month but now she is having 1-2 per week. She started high school this fall and puts a lot of pressure on herself so I think they are at least somewhat stress related. She is missing air of school but they have her in a special program For kids that miss school for medical reasons and that has helped a lot. Her migraines aren't horrible but they are painful and last 4-6 hours typically.

She has been on preventative Amnitryptalin for about 6 months but even with dosage increases it doesn't seem to help. Her Dr (a Harvard grad from Boston Children's Hospital) called last night and now wants to try Topamax. She gave me a list of potential side effects so I started doing some research on it last night. The reviews seem rely bad. Lots of depression, hair loss, even suicidal thoughts for some. Wondering if anyone has been on this med or has had a teen on it? I know people tend to post negative reviews than positive ones. Anyone have other suggestions for things that have worked for teen migraines? Some friends have suggested the birth control pill, but her neurologist has not mentioned that.

Thanks for any ideas! Neither my husband not I get migraines do we are really struggling with this!

 

[Southernmiss]

Has she been tested for mineral/vitamin deficiencies or food sensitivities? Magnesium and vitamin d deficiencies can prompt migraines.

I would look for a functional medicine/holistic doctor to see if there's a 'organic' reason for her migraines before trying something with such side affects.

We have 2 chiropractors in our area who do good work and test much more than standard blood tests. Getting a good blood panel often shows deficiencies that are reversed with good quality supplements. They've helped me where regular MDs were not able because the regular MDs lack training in nutrition and how all body systems work together.

 

[dosekies]

I had them very often in middle/high school. My first two weeks of middle school I think I left with a migraine at least 6 times. Unfortunately back then they only thing that helped was going home and sleeping for a while. I tried taking a migraine pill that didn't work. I also went on BC, but it is VERY difficult to find one that works. I'm now 24 and can't even tell you how many types I have tried because many have made the headaches and migraines worse. It is definitely tricky to get this right.

I would suggest keeping a list of everything she is eating and drinking. Mine was super random, but I found that I cannot eat Fannie Mae chocolate, any kind of dark chocolate, or drink orange juice unless it is freshly squeezed, as they all trigger migraines for me.

 

[nkereina]

I got what I thought were migraines in my late teens/early 20s. I went to a neurologist and they put me on Topamax. I took it for a while and didn't experience side effects, but it also wasn't helping me with my headaches. They switched me to another drug that was considerably more expensive, so I just stopped going to them. Shortly after, I started experiencing hair loss and ended up discovering it was all a result of my birth control. I switched to a different birth control and the constant headaches (and the hair loss) went away. So, if she's not on birth control, it could still be hormonal.

As I got older, I still had dull headaches maybe once or twice a week, less frequent. My primary care doctor determined it to be tension headaches, and said I likely just carry stress in my neck/shoulders which causes headaches. I've also noticed I can get headaches when I'm eating more junk food than usual and not eating a balanced diet.

 

[gotomu212]

Long time sufferor. Birth control helped a lot, it normalized hormonal cycles which CAN be a trigger, have her keep a food journal since some foods trigger migraines, along with a weather journal (I can tell when a big storm is coming with a smaller headache).

Another big help for me was getting a massage every two weeks. Yes it's expensive but knots I need my neck, shoulders, and arms trigger migraines. Acupuncture was so so, but it really helped someone else at my doctors. I'm not against medicine, but I wanted to try a few more nature remedies before adding drugs into my system.

What works for one, might not work for another, but it can be a bit of a process to figure out what works

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I am not a teenager I am 46 but I started getting migraines triggered by my arthritis drug when I was in my 30's. Like your DD they started out one a month then twice a week. I tried botox which worked well the first time but not the second. Then Topamax. It reduced by migraines a lot. Now I get one every 2-3 weeks but it is not as intense. When it strikes I take imitrix nasal spray.

The topamax side effect list is scary. I would say go for the lowest dose you can that is what I did. I am only on 12.5 mg. you introduce it slowly. The only side effect I got and still have is appetite loss. So you have to watch weight loss in your DD. But for me I feel I have my life back. I was sick half the week anyway.

 

[Poohforyou]

Has she been tested for anemia? My daughter had all kinds of issues including severe headaches.

I insisted on an in depth blood panel and that's when the anemia was found. It was bad. She's on a high dose iron and it's done wonders.

She's only missed 1 day of school this year because of a severe headache vs. 7 or 8 days in previous years.

Good luck, I'm sorry your daughter is suffering like this.

 

[HeatherC]

I was going to suggest magnesium too. The liquid version apparently is absorbed better and can play a big role in migraines. Birth co troll pills can also help.

Migraines are awful! I hope you are able to find relief for her soon!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Have you considered a daith piercing? A lot of people I know with migraines (I work in a neurologist office) got this done and their migraines have disappeared. If she has already been tested for the vitamin deficiencies this would be a non chemical option if you are worried about side affects.

 

[SanderMC]

I started having migraines in my teens. It started as an once in a blue moon type of thing (but extremely intense when I did have one) and they gradually increased as I got older. By the time I was in my mid 20s I was getting migraines 3-4 times a week. My doctor put me on Topamax and for me it was a godsend. I dropped from the 3-4 times a week to once a month in the beginning and then the longer I was on it the longer it became between migraines. I actually stayed on it for years without issue. I came off when my husband and I decided to start a family. For me personally it worked out really well.

 

[Elleshoodat]

My teenage migraines were also related to hormones, and my symptoms improved dramatically once I started birth control.

In my early 20s, my migraines came back, but that time they were related to stress -- the stress of graduating college, finding a job, etc. Those went away once those large stressors did.

I guess what I'm saying is, her migraines could be related to any number of things, and it may be a matter of trying a number of things to see what helps alleviate them. Good luck! Migraines are no fun, no matter your age.

 

[lanejudy]

I think they are at least somewhat stress related

If they are at all tension/stress-related, even if the stress just exacerbates a tendency towards migraine anyway, she needs to find some coping and relaxation techniques to relieve that tension/stress. Has she tried yoga? Or maybe the PE or Health teacher at school can give some relaxation strategies. That helped me a lot when I was in high school and college. It didn't totally stop the migraines, but reduced the frequency. Make sure she is getting enough exercise as well; I need regular walks outside (around a track at the gym doesn't have the same effect for me) and that also helps me with tension and stress.

I also second the food diary. It can seem daunting to write down everything she eats, but well worth it if she discovers a pattern over time. I found certain brands of my beloved gummy bears were triggers as well as some other foods (and red wine -- not discovered in high school, though ).

Has the doctor tried something like propranolol? It's mainly a blood pressure med but has success with migraines as well. Triptans don't work for everybody, but there are some older meds that might help her if you are willing to try. Regarding Topamax -- I believe it's a different dosage for migraines versus the more common use for seizures, so be sure you are looking at reviews based on the migraine dosing.

Good luck!

 

[rastahomie]

Sounds like menstrual migraines to me. Putting her on birth control to regulate her periods might help.

 

[Disney Ella]

My daughter started taking Topamax for hemiplegic migraines at 16 and has now been taking them for five years. They do a good job of preventing migraines and also stopping the numbness/temporary paralysis in her arm or leg. She never had any serious side effects, although Topamax does decrease her appetite (not surprising since it's also used for weight loss).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have to argue all the put her on BC to stop the migraines. My dd GETS migraines from BC. She was just diagnosed with the hypothyroidism.

I would try the med sooner rather than later just because taking a med that is not working is not something that is good either.

Good Luck as I sit here with a 2 day headache for allergies!!! UGH.

I do recommend a CAT scan on the sinuses.

Also, get a full blood panel that includes some hormones, glucose, & thyroid.

I think getting a full blood panel is something that should be done IF you are having issues. Doctors do not want to do it on kids so you have to push.

 

[piglet too]

My daughter is also 14, and has been getting migraines for over 3 years. She also deals with a constant daily headache for the same time period.

Her neurologists have tried topomax, but it didn't help her. She did not experience any side effects from it. I'd say it's worth trying, and just keep an eye out for negative side effects.

 

[DLgal]

I had migraines from a very young age. I took Topamax for a couple years when I was getting one every week. It did help decrease the frequency. The only side effect I had was weigh loss and tingly hands. I was in my 30s though when I took it.

I wouldn't recommend supplements at age 14. They are often designed for adults and the dosages are too high. I do use magnesium at 400mg/day but I would not give that to a teen. Less than that has not been found effective for migraines but that does is too high for a child.

I also would NOT recommend birth control. If she started getting the headaches in adolescence they are likely hormone driven. Any alterations to hormones can cause the migraines to get worse. Happened to me. Any type of hormone I take makes me very sick. I even had blood clots develop from them which can be fatal! Don't go the hormone route yet.

I would try the topamax. It's relatively safe and very effective. And maybe have her do some biofeedback training for relaxation.

 

[nkereina]

I have to argue all the put her on BC to stop the migraines. My dd GETS migraines from BC. She was just diagnosed with the hypothyroidism.

I agree. In my post up-thread, I mention how my birth control gave me severe headaches (as well as hair loss) and it wasn't resolved until I changed birth controls. I still got headaches occasionally, but they were tension headaches and not a result of the hormones.

 

[Westcoastwild]

My eyes/stress are one trigger. Food is another. Pressure at the base of my neck or behind my ears is the worst. But I'm assuming the latter is not a problem for her. I can't wear lanyards, heavy necklaces, or hard headbands. As a teen I thought those were all in my head. But it's definitely not.

There's a good chance that a better diet and more exercise would reduce them quite a bit. Mine tend to be the most frequent when I've let things slide and my stress is on the rise. That's tied with my eyes- abuse of my contacts and glasses, lack of sleep, are all things that start that sort of thing. Excessive screen time. I have no idea why, but written books and a cheap nook do not bother me the way a backlit device does.

I don't know what it's like for other people. But for me it's like stress. I have to catch it at early stages and do something to mqnage it. By the time it turns into a full blown migraine, it's too late- I'm puking and curled up in a dark, cool room.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My two nieces both suffered from migraines, and they were put on Maxalt, which melts on the tongue. It's only good for headaches which have already started, but it worked well for both of them.