young kids with migraines/updated

[shelbyjosh]

I have had headaches and migraines since I was around 14. I don't get them as bad as I used to. DD9 has gotten a few. Last one was at WDW in March and she got so bad she vomited and slept it off from 6:30 pm-8 am. Today DS6 complained of having a headache. He had to go to his speech class and after that we came home. I gave him a dose of Tylenol and he fell asleep until I had to pick up DD from school. He has been fine since. Around 8:20 he said it was coming back. Same side (temple) as earlier. I did not give him anymore meds, just put him to bed for the night. When is it time to consult with the ped?? I know migraines are hereditary and my mom also had them. I do not wish these on anybody as they can be so (temporarily) debilitating. Anybody have kids with these? What age did they start getting them? Are they on meds? Thanks!!

 

[cynsaun]

I had my first migraine when I was about 6 or 7! It is horrible, so I feel for your kids! I think you should take your son to the ped now, just to nip it in the bud. It could be something completely else, like a sinus infection (let's hope!)

Good luck! And, I hope he feels better soon!

 

[aprilgail2]

I would take that child right to the Dr. When my Matt started with headaches they said "oh its probably migranes"...well it was NOT..it was a brain tumor. Dont just assume that headaches are innocent things, get it checked out.

 

[sk8belle]

I didn't have migraines as a kid. I do get them now, in addition to pressure headaches. I know it's sometimes difficult for me to tell the difference between the migraines and the pressure headaches. The symptoms are very close. Perhaps your kid might have the same thing? Definately sounds like something you need to get to a dr. for fairly soon. Neither of those are fun!

sk8belle

 

[Barb D]

I think 10yo DD has migraines. The clue is that she sometimes gets blinding headaches IN CHURCH. Sure enough, I sometimes get migraines in church, too. In my case, I know that it is partly because our service cuts into our normal lunch time (blood sugar dropping) and partly because of the really bright (and sometimes flickering) flourescent lights in church. The last time it happened to DD a friend suggested a combination of one Tylenol and one Ibuprofen for her. It knocked it right out. If it happens again and that doesn't work, I'll take her to the doctor.

I'm also going to start bringing snacks for between the service.

 

[Snowysmom]

I started with migraines at 9 and my younger DS did too. We did take him to the doctor to get it checked out. He had alot in 5th grade but probably due to the stress of the crazed teacher he had. Since then, he gets then once in a while and he just takes ibuprofen to take the edge off and sleeps. We had the option of medication but we wanted to see if the frequency went down and it did as he got older (he is a teenager now.) I would definately go to the doctor just to be sure.

 

[lucky_bunni]

I feel for your children as I too experienced migrains frequently growing up. I'm unsure when they began, but I'd say probably from 7-14 years old. I rarely have one now, and never to the intensity that I used to. They are aweful though, I would come home from school feeling like I couldn't even move and much of my memory during is like having a blackout. I too vomited and most of the time I would go to bed in the afternoon and not get back up until the morning. It really interferes with you life becaues you can't eat, think, or anything. Many times I couldn't get my homework done and teachers really weren't understanding. Almost always my pain was concentrated behind one or both eyes.

Most of my migrains occured in the Summer. I really think it had to do with going in and out of airconditioned areas and the outdoor heat, as doing so still gives me headaches sometimes. I never went to the doctor, but I really wish I had.

 

[CBRorBust]

I started getting Migraines when I was about 14. My mom made me go to the Nation Convention when it was in town here in Dallas. They were saying that Young Boys were one of the number one people effected with Migraines.

All I can suggest is to just make sure he has plenty of caffeine in his system and let me do whatever makes him feel the most comfortable. My migraines are triggered from stress. Maybe something is stressing him out and he just hasn't said anything.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

DS started having migraines last year at age 12. Very bad. We went to a neurologist a couple months ago. The theory now is to "prevent" the headaches in kids. I have read and learned a lot, many Dr's are prescribing this: He takes 2 Periactin tablets each day. He will continue this for 6-12 months. This is suppose to break the cycle. He also has a pack of Imitrex should he have a "breakthrough" migraine.

We know 3 children who have had success in this medication stopping the migraines during and after use. Another friends daughter had success with a chiropractor, but her headaches were top and back of head. DS's are frontal. I read just yesterday something about Q12 supplements etc. helping with migraines. I read any news that comes out about migraines!

Periactin is a antihistamine and can increase appetite and cause sleepiness. DS will be reevaluated in 2 weeks. There are some other drugs that can be used preventively to break the headache cycle. Some are actually seizure meds! Periactin is a good choice for DS as he does not have to take his allergy meds at this time!

I would have your children evaluated as help is out there!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

If you don't want your child to constantly take meds for a headache/migraine try a Chiropractor. I used to live on Advil. It would take 4 just to make it bearable. Now, when I feel one coming on, I get an adjustment and it goes away quickly.

Edited to add: I get all kinds of heachaches:sinus, PMS, ones on the left side that start in my shoulder and go up my neck to my eyebrow. An adjustment, (and some times a nice massage by the Chiropractic assistant) all help.

 

[AmazingGrace]

I have one son who had a brain tumor, and one son who has migraines and there are both differences and similarities that can be confusing. I really worried about Josh's migraines after Benji had his tumor. His Doctor said that usually, a brain tumor will present a headache along with neuro symptoms such as fainting, seizures, or hemisplasia(one sided paralysis). That makes sense because Benji's tumor presented with seizures.
Josh's headaches start out with an aura and one sided pain that feels like sinus pain. Luckily, Josh has gotten to where he'll tell me when he has auras, I medicate him, and cut the worst of it off at the pass.

AprilGail, I'm so sorry about Matt. I love seeing his picture in your posts. He was a handsome young man.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Ok, he went to bed just fine. Josh woke up at 2:25 crying that his head hurt. This time is was the opposite side from yesterday afternoon. He woke up this a.m. saying it was still there..a little. So, I just gave him Motrin and he is eating cereal and OJ. Today is his last day of school (kgtn) and they have their award ceremony. I would really hate for him to miis today. He will only go until 11:30. I will call MD at 9 when they open and see what she thinks. It was 90 here yesterday and they are calling for 85 today. We have air in here so I am not sure if I can blame the heat. He was not out in it all that much yesterday.

 

[Serena]

Yeah, I think I'd take him to a doctor as soon as school is over if you could.

I have only had one migraine in my life and it was horrible. I hope you find something that will help him.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Does he sleep on his stomach?

 

[luvwinnie]

I wouldn't wish migraines on an enemy much less a kid! I'd go to the dr. with him. I don't think kids can take Amerge, but that is my LIFESAVER. I hope he doesn't have anymore!

 

[cynsaun]

Good luck Shelbyjosh! Keep us posted!

 

[Piglet]

I have a 7yo DD that gets headaches like those. She takes reflux medicines and her doctors seem to think that these are causing them. I guess they are a side effect.

Please give us an update when you can.

Melinda

 

[shelbyjosh]

Well, he went to school. He seemed to be ok. He has an appt. with the ped at 3:50 (after DD gets out of school). Let's see what she has to say. Otherwise he is a healthy kid. When I used to get really , really bad migraines I would take Imitrex. Now I can take Excedrin Migraine at the onset and that usually nips it. If I can't get it to go away I will take a Vicodin or Darvocet. That is last resort, though. Thanks for the support and replies! You guys are great!

Here's my baby!!

 

[cynsaun]

Shelbyjosh, have you thought of any foods that he may be allergic to? I found out that I am allergic to seafood, which sets of debilitating migraines. I can't eat anything with worchestshire (sp?) in it as it has anchovy paste as an ingredient.

I don't get them nearly as much as I used to now that I know this.

Just something to think about!

 

[shelbyjosh]

I was able to get him into the doc at 11:45. She seems to think it is allergy related. Ears, lungs, throat all look normal. She was concerned about the night waking. She did say if it happened again this week, to call her and she would order a CT. But in the meantime we will start Zyrtec and see if that works better than Claritin.