Daughter had "migraine" for 5 days now

[naughty40me]

Please anyone with any experience?

My daughter age 10 has never suffered with headaches before. Started complaining of a bad head on Sunday morning.

Now, unfortunately her step sister whom she has contact with a week ago (as of that day) is in hospital with bacterial meningitis and is obviously very ill. She is still in there now.

So, being cautious I explained the situation and 111 said to go to a&e...he ruled out meningitis due to no fever or rash.

She was still no better come NYE so took her to drop in. Dr wasn't happy and sent her to children's assessment ward telling me they would run tests.

Drs there again ruled out anything but did not perform any bloods or scans and diagnosed migraine. Said to give calpol and ibuprofen which we have been doing already. Also had 2 doses of sumatriptan over the past few days and that doesn't work either.

We spent NYE in hospital more so because I couldn't get home (no car and no taxis available and we live 30 mins drive away)...nightmare.

Got home yesterday and come last night she was crying and holding her head.

She has slept last night for 13 hours which is long for her but I thought it would help so left her.

She's now up and refusing to come downstairs. Just wants to stay in bed. Have just given her calpol and a sumatriptan but I'm so so worried.

Surely she shouldn't be in this much pain for 5 days?? Even if a viral thing she would be fighting it off by now?

I'm not concerned about meningitis but I do think the drs focused on ruling it out rather than trying to find the cause of this pain.

Tbh I'm thinking of brain tumours now and all sorts

I'm going to ring GP and ask for bloods and a scan or is that being dramatic?

Single mum with no help and no one else really to sound off. Help please.

I hope she's better very soon. What an ordeal this is

Sounds like ds (14). He has vestibular migraine. It’s quite well under control now with medication but took ages to get diagnosed. Sometimes he was so dizzy he could hardly walk. He also had horrendous buzzing sound in his ears.

Oh FFS
Now I've had a phone call from school asking for evidence and saying can she do reduced hours cos they don't want to see her off any longer.

She can hardly walk right and pain is so bad.

God I'm so tired now and so stressed.

I have long term condition myself and all this is really not helping. I just want to sit and cry now.

Oh love she definitely can’t go to school like that.

Where are you at on finding out what’s going on?

I myself have just had a brain mri for the same thing. On day 19 now. If they didn’t do the whole head they won’t have seen the sinuses I don’t think? They’re two different things according to the place I went to x

Contact the Migraine Trust. They can advise you on how to access a peadiatric migraine/headache clinic. If its the vestibular form of migraine your poor daughter will feel dreadful. I am an adult and until the specilaist headache clinic sorted out a drug that reduced the effects of chronic vestibular migraine I was house bound and could not do anything the vertigo and pain was that bad.

The Migraine Trust can also advise about reasonable adjustments at school.

My daughter was allowed her meds when requested, had a pass that allowed her to leave classes and lie down in the first aid room. The SENCO authorised an additional pass that allowed her to arrive late or leave school early if a migraine hit without incurring detentions or late marks. She also had a pass that gave her access the the accesible student toilets - it meant if she was being very ill she could use the emergency cord there to get help. [Throwing up then passing out from pain] I think she was making 2 1/2 days out of 5 but tried her best to get to school and catch up with work. That said she did have medical evidence and her school was supportive.

Don’t worry about school. It’s their responsibility to check with you as they have to explain to the local authority their absenteeism rates. Just email the Headteacher.

I think it might be hormonal too. I get migraines when my blood sugar levels are not good. I have to have regular sports massage for my shoulders otherwise the combination of tightness in neck/shoulders and low blood sugar levels makes me feel sick & I get migraines.

Have you tried massaging her neck/shoulders? Also maybe try migraleve - half a tablet??

I also find lavender helps. There is also a Tiger Balm Neck & Shouider rub on Amazon. That helps too.

I also find sleeping too much makes it worse! Hard to know what to do for the best.

I’ve just had my MRI back and it’s all clear but said some minor changes in the sinuses so headache is likely to be caused by that for me. Did they comment on her sinuses? X

@converseandjeans thank you for the suggestions...I will definitely try them. I've had her in the bath just now and washed her hair for her. I tried to give a gentle massage as I did it but she said it didn't help. I will look into migralieve aswell

@aNonnyMouse1511

Aww glad to her your MRI results aren't too bad. Hopefully you will get the right treatment and get better fast.

No one has mentioned her sinuses to me but I will bring it up with the GP.
School can jog on for now. She's only technically had 4 days off due to this (poorly over Xmas holidays and inset day)
I know her attendance is poor but it has been all genuine. I'm hoping the new glasses will help when we get them and maybe a bit more time on the pizotifen will help.

If she really is no better in another week we will have to consider reduced hours. X

This all sounds dreadful the poor thing. I’d definitely contact the migraine trust for advice. Sending you too as it must be so stressful x

Has the gp (or anyone) suggested amitryptyline?

I take amis for nerve damage pain, my ds was prescribed it as an AD when a teen as apparently its the preferred option for teens with chronic depression. (I am not a doctor. Please don't buy ami on the street.)

It's also prescribed frequently for migraine. So worth giving a try.

Sorry if it's been mentioned but I had labrynthistis last year and had a headache and severe dizziness and nausea / vomitting for about 3 weeks.
Any chance it's that? I know mine was viral and has never come back. Travel sickness tablets helped me with the dizziness.

I wondered about labrynthistis too.

I had labrynthitis too but no pain. Hideous drunk walking and room spinning. I remember crawling across the floor to be sick. Such awful, dramatic symptoms for quite a harmless virus!

I did have a headache tho. Severe for weeks which is what made me think of it.
Like you @lilgteen It was very dramatic.i thought I was having a stroke at first and I was even sick if I moved my eyes 😳

OP I have just seen where you are. I live close to pinders and I work locally for the NHS (Not pinders another hospital) so if I can be of any assistance with information or anything please feel free to DM me.

How is she?

God this is awful, your poor daughter and you for having to watch her go through this.

I would just invite school round to see her. She probably still looks deathly so definitely ask them to come round and show them that she can hardly walk.

Schools clamp down on attendance around the holidays as lots of parents do take their children out of school just before half terms etc to save money on flights. So they paint everyone with the same brush

Can I suggest you start giving her dioralyte in water. Aim for two sachets dissolved invaluable bottle the size of a large Cole or lemonade bottle, then try and keep her drinking more water.
It's hard when you are dizzy or nauseous but after a prolonged headache you tend to become dehydrated and your mineral and salt balance can become uneven. The rehydration sachets can really help with rebalancing the body, but it is important to increase and maintain water intake. Dehydration can hugely increase headaches.
These has been a very bad headache virus going around with symptom you are describing, I suspect she may gave started with this but is now suffering possibly from chronic dehydration. Do give it a try.
Also if you can try to sit her outside (sunglasses might be necessary) the air may help too. Good luck.

I get migraines alot and I also get hormonal ones and they can be really hard to shift. I would be careful with migraleve because the codeine in it can make it worse when it wears off. If you use triptans daily it can also trigger them. Can't believe the Dr isn't doing more. Some things I do to help mine is wearing sunglasses in doors and having all my tech set to night mode. I also listen to migraine relief sounds with my headphones on. They help me relax and sleep. Drinking plenty fluids, and eating crackers to keep my blood sugar up. Also if sumatriptan isn't working they should be trying another triptan.

en.waterdrop.com/apps/help-center this might help with fluid intake.

Hi OP, my DS (now 18) suffers from migraines. His started when he was about 12, I believe it's quite common when they're entering into puberty because of the changes in hormones. Has the Dr given her any medication for migraines? (I've skimmed though the thread, so apologies if I've missed this). Migraines are really difficult to get rid of unless you catch them early. A look won't touch it. The first time DS had one, he was ill for days, just like your DD. There are some prescription medications children can take. I can't remember what DS was given but I think you really need to go back to your GP and insist they give her something. DS now has medication at home which he can take when he feels a migraine coming on.

I hope she feels better soon. I do feel for her, and for you as well as I know how worrying it is. I had the same issue with the school as well 🙄

How are things @naughty40me ?