Migraine every morning - DS(15) - now on day 11

[CiderwithBuda]

As above we are now on day 11 of DS (15) getting a migraine every morning. It seems to be shortly after he wakes up and happens even if he doesn't physically get out of bed.

We had a spell similar to this last May and June and we tried some preventatives - Pizotifen and beta blockers which didn't seem to help. He was thn prescribed Topiramate which we thought was working but when I took him back to GP last week we discovered he had been on half the dose he should have been taking - 25mg a day rather than 50g. He is now on 75g but it's not doing anything. He also has tried Sumatriptan and another triptan but they don't seem to help.

He had an MRI in July and thankfully all was fine there.

It's not rebound headaches as he is not taking pain killers as he says they don't do anything. He just tries to sleep it off.

It's classic migraine with aura.

I took him to a chiropracter yesterday - he reckons there is a lot if stiffness in his neck muscles but although that wouldn't help it wouldn't cause it.

Had a really detailed eye test in June - all was clear.

Went to dentist - no issues with jaw or bite or grinding teeth.

Tried cranial osteopathy last time round but it didn't really seem to help much.

He is thoroughly fed up and is missing so much school which is not great with GCSEs this year. He claims he isn't stressed about anything and is generally a fairly relaxed type.

I'm taking him back to GP on Monday and on the advice of a doctor friend will ask to be referred to neurology. Last time we were just referred to a general paediatrician.

Just wondered if anyone had come across or experienced migraines like this?

[CiderwithBuda]

Sorry that was so long!

[CiderwithBuda]

Hopeful bump.....

[SamPotatoes]

Last time I got stuck in a migraine cycle like that I ended up in a&e where I got given a massive dose of asprin which seemed to break the cycle. They suggest I use a dose of between 750- 1000mg for future attacks.

[CiderwithBuda]

That's interesting Sam. The GP mentioned aspirin as being useful for migraine but apparently it is not licensed for under 16s.

[Windanddrizzle]

When she was younger, DD was referred to the migraine clinic at GOSH and we received much better help than we had got from our local hospital paediatrician. Unfortunately medication seems to work for a while and then she seems to get used to it and something else has to be prescribed. GOSH were also prepared to give her adult doses of medication which her GP was not (she was very tall for her age).

Good luck -

[CiderwithBuda]

Thanks Wind. We are in Somerset so not sure if we can get referred to GOSH. It's worth an ask. I'll ask if there is a migraine clinic here too.

DS is also tall. 6ft 1 currently!

[Windanddrizzle]

If he's 6' 1, I am sure he could tolerate an adult dose!

I have found really emphasising the impact on school work and making the GP aware of DD's academic ambitions seemed to resonate and make the GP more willing to refer.

Have you identified any triggers ? DD's are light flicker, tiredness, dehydration and stress.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Definitely not sinusitis, is it? As that's a classic sign, waking up with a terrible migraine type headache that eases once you get up.

[flissfloss65]

This time last year my ds was suffering with frequent migraines and being sent him from school as his vision deteriorated. The consultant prescribed three lots of tablets but all had awful side effects. Luckily his Gp does acupuncture and this put a stop to them. He went for treatment once a week for six months. Worth a try. My ds was also in year 11 and I made sure the school knew the situation as he was frequently off.

[Farmmummy]

Oh I feel for him at 15. I'm daily although I'm worse at night with the topiramate I was on 200mg a day and told that was the max but that have just doubled it to 400 in combination with candesartan (normally a blood pressure med) which was started at 4 and increased up to 16mg. The Triptans alone don't break a cycle for me but almatriptan in combination with 600mg of ibuprofen and metoclopramide (for nausea) every 6hrs sometimes works for a bit. Now I know meds are different but this programme was devised from some of the American headache specialists and is being picked up by the neurologists over here

[monsterbookofty]

I was hospitalised when I was stuck in a migraine cycle. Its exhausted and scary as it feels like it will never end.

[CiderwithBuda]

Wind - dehydration def is a trigger and I'm trying to get him to drink more. Light flicker - hadn't thought of that but I don't think so as his come on every morning whether it's dark or light. He claims not to be stressed and is generally pretty horizontal about stuff.

Dame - not sinusitis I don't think as he gets the typical migraine visual aura.

Flissfloss - I think you may have suggested that last time I posted about them. He is needle phobic so wouldn't entertain the idea. But it's def worth thinking about. My Chiro does acupuncture and I really rate it. I'm keeping school well informed - emailing his housemaster every morning to let him know he will be off and keeping him updated on what we are doing to try and sort it. They have been good. Teachers are sending him catch up work and DH is working on maths with him.

Farm - that all sounds complicated! I'll bear it in mind and ask about it.

Monster - being hospitalised sounds scary. I don't think we are that bad. Once they pass he is fine. And they tend to go after a few hours and he is not sick with these ones.

[stirling]

Hi, I know this may sound strange but could it be a viral thing? My son aged 11 is currently on day 8 of daily migraine, right behind his eye, it appears in the morning, v strong, has to miss school. I'm giving him sinus medication and it seems to be helping. He suffered years ago from headaches, so like your son, v worried when returned

[TyrannosauraRegina]

Maybe ask the GP about a referral to a sleep clinic, I know waking up with a severe headache is a classic sign of sleep apnoea.

[CiderwithBuda]

Stirling - interestingly he does have a cold at the moment. I hadn't connected it to th migraines as he gets the classic visual aura rather than just headache.

Tyrannosaura - I don't think it's that as he doesn't actually wake with a headache but rather the aura of th migraine starts within 20 mins or so of waking. And I've slept with him a lot and he doesn't snore.

[LuluRay]

Hi there,

It might be worth him having a CT scan to see what's going on in the brain, or even a lumbar puncture which I had done myself on Tuesday. An LP tests for any bleeds in the brain, pressure in the brain, amongst a lot of other issues.

The neurologist should be doing all he can to look into things further, but a private LP is around £200 after a CT scan first...

Hope he's ok and that helps. :)

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I also get visual disturbance with sinus pain plus sickness. It really is so painful, like a full blown migraine.

[Dudleygirl85]

Hiya, sorry to hear your son is having so many migraines. I've been through this a few times. All my doctors didn't have a clue what to do or what it was causing it until I went to one doctor who had suffered it herself, she told me it was my sinuses. I was given antibiotics and within a week I was fine. Just mention this to doctor. I've had it a few times now and away see same doctor who gives me a prescription for antibiotics.

[TheFairyCaravan]

I'd recommend trying Accupuncture.

I get migraines. They were horrendous, I was getting in excess of 15 a month. I take Atenolol, Topiramate, Gabapentin and Amitryptiline. I've, also, had 4 or 5 Botox treatments on the NHS.

My migraine specialist retired and the new one was going to do trigger point injections but suggested I try Accupuncture first. I go to see a lady in our village for it as the NHS doesnt provide here, although my mum gets it on the NHS for hers. I had six treatments initially and now go every 6 weeks or so. It's made a dramatic difference to my life. I get hormonal migraines and the odd one or two. I still have diet limitations, but the Accupuncture has been amazing, and I don't get the 8-9 migraines anymore.

[Imnotaslimjim]

I know you said he's seen the dentist they've said there is no damage caused by grinding etc but he could be clenching his jaw in his sleep. I do when I stressed and wake daily with a migraine when I'm bad (worst ran for a month)

I had a gum shield made by the dentist. It cost me £70 but was worth every penny. You can buy self-forming ones online that you soak in hot water and bite into to create the shape which are much cheaper if he wanted to try it. Also, a cranial osteopath has worked wonders for me - clenching causes the jaw muscles to tighten. As these are connected to the skull, they can trigger a migraine.

[CiderwithBuda]

Thanks for all suggestions. Another one this morning. . He is so DD up.

Off to the GP in a few minutes.

I'm noting all suggestions to ask about.

Ha had an MRI scan in July which didn't show anything going on.

He has had cranial osteopathy but it didn't seem to make much difference. Although maybe it did but took a week or so. Will def give that a try again.

He is needle phobic so acupuncture wouldn't be easy although I KNOW it doesn't hurt. I have it regularly. My Chiro does it but would we need someone different?

[CiderwithBuda]

DD up should read 'fed up'

[WendlaBergmann]

That does sound rotten. I have chronic migraine and seeing a chiropractor alongside meds does help me.

Have you had a referral to a headache clinic? Mine offers nerve blocker injections which can help.

[CiderwithBuda]

Back from GP and feeling slightly deflated as she wants us to try increasing the dose of the preventative and just wait and see. He is currently on 75mg and can go up to 200 mg per day but needs to increase by 25mg per day every two weeks.

I asked about a referral to a headache clinic or migraine specialist and she said she didn't know if there was a paediatric clinic. I did point out that officially he is still classed as under paediatrics but at 6ft 1 surely he could see a regular specialist. She is investigating.

I laid it on about school and just the fact that he is generally really down with it all.

Am going to investigate acupuncture as she said it might help but couldn't recommend anyone.

Sigh.

[elfonshelf]

I had this when I was 19 - they then settled into a more 'normal' pattern and I've never had a block of them again.

I was taking just about everything I could at the time (my dad was a GP) and other than taking enough opiates that I was pretty out of it, nothing touched the pain.

Been to several migraine specialists over the years, the last one tried me out on Zomig and it's been amazing. I take a tablet with a cup of coffee when the aura starts, and generally I need to sleep for at least 1-2 hours, but generally it's gone after that. Occasionally I need to take another dose the next day.

Hope your DS feels better soon. 25 years on, I remember that fortnight rather too well, it's miserable.

FWIW, I've never tried acupuncture for migraine as the zomig works so well, but my father has tried to convince me as he does it and I use it for other things. He says it's nigh on miraculous for some people.