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Original poster

11yo DS2 has a migraine...any advice? Also concerned about upcoming school residential...

27 replies

LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 19:36

They have been happening more and more frequently....GP has advised Calpol and keeping a headache diary and going back in three months.

Some of the headaches are so bad, accompanied by vomiting I bought some Migraleve...I could see by the look on DSs face this was going to be a bad headache and tried to get him to take a pink tablet, but try as we might, he couldn't get it down.

(DH was Hmm about it anyway the Migraleve info in the packet says from 12years, but on-line on thier website says from 11years - and also says it's adictive in big letters on the packet.

So, the up shot it, he hasn't taken the Migraleve, he has eaten and had 5ml of Calpol (instead of the recommended 10ml) , and DH has gone out to buy some more).

DS is now in my bed, with the curtains closed and the radio on low, with a cold flannel on his head. He has a towel for when in case he vomits. I know from the look on his face this will continue until lunch time tomorrow.

I wouldn't normally worry, as although DH and I both work, and obviously tomorrow is Sunday so that's not a problem, and my DM is happy to have him if it's a school day (sorry, rambling here)......BUT he's off on a residential trip for three days in a weeks time. What if he gets a headache on the trip? It's unlikely it will happen, but if it does, what can I expect them to do? He needs 1:1 care when he's this ill. Should I insist I'm called to bring him home? The school refuse to administer any medication normally....

OP posts:
Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 19:50

...And the vomiting has started!

As soon as he finished vomiting he begged for Calpol - which I gave him as DH has arrived home with more.

I know this will go on well in to tomorrow. Sad

Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 31/05/2014 19:58

I saw something on FB (sorry) recommending immersing hands and feet in really cold water - apparently it draws blood from the head into the extremities, and this can. Help.

Otherwise, have you tried neurofen syrup rather than calpol, as it has an anti inflammatory effect that might help. Or crush the migraleve tablet and give it to him in jam, maybe?

Ds1 gets migraine-type headaches - blinding pain, and eventually he throws up, sleeps for a while, and feels better when he wakes up, but I can see how much it hurts him, so your ds has my sympathy.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 31/05/2014 20:01

Aspirin in coca cola if you can get it down and keep it down. It's best at the onset.
I also take solpadeine max soluble .
Feel so sorry for him, I got them from a very young age and have suffered since.
Eating regularly, not sleeping in longer than usual will help too.

MimsyBorogroves · 31/05/2014 20:02

I would insist that you are phoned for him to come home. I had a migraine on both school holidays and guide camps and it was bloody miserable as I was expected to still participate as there was no 1-1 care available for me and I wasn't injured - each time it ended in me blacking out and vomiting spectacularly and publicly.

My 6 year old was prescribed domperidone alongside calpol which he took as soon as he started with one to ensure he didn't vomit so that the calpol could work. I need to go back to the GP now that domperidone is no longer available though to try to get something else. Other than that, he follows the same rules as me - dark room, medication, sleep. It's worth keeping a food diary and a record of when he gets them to see if there are triggers or patterns. If they are regular and debilitating they can medicate to stop them, but I would advise against that unless the migraines are really affecting his life - it tends to be a bit zombifying. Ensure school knows he suffers from migraines.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 20:02

Neurofen seems to make him be sick.....I actually thought he was alergic to Neurofen before I realised he was having headaches, rather than just being unwell.

Crushing a tablet sounds like a plan....

Will get him to try hands and feet in cold water...worth a try, but not right now as I'm trying to get him to sleep.

Thanks for posting...it means a lot Smile

OP posts:
lougle · 31/05/2014 20:04

Tablets are easier swallowed if crushed and mixed with jam.

He's too young for aspirin (16 yrs + due to risk of Reyes disease) but sometimes a migraine can be 'caught' with a full dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen together as soon as he's aware of it coming, then lie in a quiet dark room.

I wouldn't wait three months before going back. Keep a diary but go sooner. Sounds like he needs a preventative plus a triptan for during a migraine.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 31/05/2014 20:06

Ah I didn't realise that ! Sorry.

insanityscatching · 31/05/2014 20:06

Dd aged 11 has migraines. She has been on three residentials and hasn't had a migraine but school and myself were aware she would need to come home. She is always sick and can't do anything until she falls into a deep sleep and wakes twelve hours later. It wouldn't be possible for her to stay on the residential as the migraine won't go until she has slept and woken naturally.
Dd has nurofen and calpol together after she has been sick it doesn't prevent them but does ease the pain somewhat.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 31/05/2014 20:06

I also have a hot wheat bag for my forehead which helps

SizzlesSit · 31/05/2014 20:08

Not much help once a migraine has started but make sure he drinks plenty of water and eats regularly. Dehydration, skipping meals (or even just eating late and not being able to snack), tiredness and stress are my major triggers.

Try and find someone sympathetic for the residential trip. I find that few people are sympathetic to migraines unless they get them or are close to someone who gets them.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 20:08

I will speak to HT, who is going on the trip on Monday, about the trip.

I keep looking for triggers, but can't find any, apart from when he's over tired or possibly stressed which doesn't apply today.

One headache started at school at lunchtime, DS was sick, he wasn't sent home because no one had seen him be sick...he then suffered all after noon until he was collected. How the first aiders couldn't tell he was ill by the look on his face, I've no idea!

OP posts:
NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 31/05/2014 20:09

Ask for a referral to a paediatrician with an interest in childhood migraine. If you are in the south I can recommend an excellent one.
My ds was prescribed Migralve by the paed when he was 8.
Is he having any aura with them? If he is get him to take the Migraleve as soon as possible, before the headache sets in.
You can crush Migraleve in yogurt and see if you can get him to take it that way .
Headache diary is a good idea, also try food diary. Tomatoes are a trigger in my ds.
School trip! My son had to be nursed through the night by head teacher on his PGL trip, they will be able to deal with it.
Personally, I would take him back to doctors and check that it is ok for him to take Migraleve and push for him to get checked out by hospital .
I have been dealing with my ds migraines since he was 3 now 13 so please ask if you need any more help .

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 20:12

DH thinks he may have been hungry today, as we had lunch at one, then nothing until 6.30pm.

OP posts:
Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 20:17

DS says there is not aura.

It's good to know (in a way, in a way it's not, because I hate to think of others suffering) that we aren't the only ones experiencing this. Smile

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 31/05/2014 20:17

Kool 'n' Soothe patches on the forehead are fantastic for migraines. I use them when mine are really bad. I, also, use ice packs on the back of my neck.

Forehead sticks are useful too.

Keep a food diary, although my migraine specialist tells me not to avoid the things I know causes them because my body has to get used to it. I say bugger that, I get enough migraines without adding in the ones I know I will get eating chocolate, drinking wine etc.

A drug like Pitzotifen or a beta blocker might help. Also ask for an anti sickness drug.

Nuerofen is good for migraine if he can get it to stay down.

Poor little mite has my sympathy. I get terrible migraines, I have Botox for them now, but they really are an under estimated condition.

TheFairyCaravan · 31/05/2014 20:19

Low blood sugar and dehydration are a trigger for me. I had to have a GA yesterday and was last on the list. I ended up with a cracking migraine last night. I should have spoken up and asked to go up the list but didn't want it make a fuss. I will do next time.

HolidayCriminal · 31/05/2014 20:23

You need to ask the school what they want to do, I think.
Is he able to administer his own medication?
There have to be able to accommodate kids on regular meds, like asthmatics.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 31/05/2014 20:30

Could well be blood sugar for him. If I miss lunch or eat really late then it's game over for me !

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 20:31

I saw Kool 'n' Soothe in Sainsbury's but they said for age 12+....why would that be?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 31/05/2014 21:44

I'm not sure why Kool'n'Soothe would have an age on them, tbh. You can buy them for reducing temperatures in children, so maybe the migraine ones are bigger I don't know. They do work though, I would recommend you getting some.

Hope he is sleeping now.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2014 22:24

He's sleeping now, in my bed, with DH. Smile

I've always wanted to sleep in a messy boys bedroom, in a bed containing actually scooter parts (when will he grow out of sleeping with things in his bed???) Grin

So far the triggers seem to be; over tired, stress, and also low blood sugar.

Which makes me feel like a rubbish mum, but we've always had to stick to routines because of DS1. DS2 did go on a sleepover on Thursday night, and I thought it might be a trigger, but he seemed OK; went to bed early yesterday, but was fine. Blimey, this is tricky!

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 31/05/2014 22:36

Don't beat yourself up about it.

When DS1 was a pre-teen/early he got a lot of migraines. The paediatrician we saw said it was quite common. Sometimes it's hard to pin down the triggers. I get loads, and still get caught out.

I hope he manages to get his trip away with the school, it would be a shame for him to miss that.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/06/2014 10:19

How is he today ?

CiderwithBuda · 01/06/2014 10:37

Poor kid. They are horrible. My DS is 12 and he gets them too. He hates Calpol so we use Neurofen. Sometimes he finds the cool patches useful on his forehead but not always.

Magnesium deficiency can contribute so try a magnesium supplement. I got a liquid one on Victoria Health although haven't started DS on it yet. You can also get a spray as magnesium is absorbed through the skin as well. Also on Victoria Health I got an acupressure thingie - you put it on the hand between the thumb and forefinger. DS reckoned it definitely helped with the headache.

Being out of normal routine def contributes to DS - he has had two this week - sleeping late and eating at random times.

tobiasfunke · 01/06/2014 10:49

He needs to take the Migraleve at the first sign of the migraine and take it with a full can of coke- full sugar. Even if he shoves it in a marshmallow and crunches it up if he can't swallow it.
As I understand it your digestive system shuts down during a migraine so if you don't take it ASAP it doesn't do much good.
Go to your GP as there are other migraine medicines out there if migraleve doesn't work.
DH started his migraines about 14. Apparently hormones can trigger their onset. He used to have to suffer during school as no-one treated them seriously including his parents.
He gets an aura though so it's easier to spot when their coming. They are shit- I get them too. Your son has my sympathy.

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