How to treat 13 year old with migraines

[LittleMissMe99]

Twice this has happened and I'm pretty sure it's a migraine. She complains she has a blurry blind spot in her eye, then develops a headache, then is really nauseous and throws up. After being sick she feels much better, but needs to lay down. Both times were after physical exercise funnily enough. I've never had traditional migraines (only occular) so I'm not quite sure what I can do to help? I've given her a paracetamol now and told her to lay down for a bit. Any advice for future episodes?

I suffered migraines when I was younger, have you taken her to have her eyes checked? If they are severe enough she is vomiting you could ask for a referral to neurology for further investigation.

Gp.
I had them from a VERY earlier age. I started preventative meds and a reliever medication.
When very bad hosp advised ibrophen&co-codamol for pain

I've had them years, paracetamol, hot water bottles and drinking plenty even if it's little sips but often and maybe talk to a GP when you can about the best course of treatment for her x

DS had exactly this from about 13 to 17, usually triggered by sport and/or bright light. He had Imigran or the generic equivalent, in a nasal spray, plus buccastem (anti sickness meds in a form that dissolves against your gum). He would take paracetamol as soon as he got even a slight headache, then the other meds if it developed and he knew it was a migraine. I have to say, though, the onset was sometimes so quick- less than 30 mins from 1st onset to being sick- that the meds did not stop it. He was always very drowsy afterwards, either because of the migraibe, or as a side effect of the meds. He's nearly 19 now and hasn't had a migraine for about 18 months.

I too go with co-codamol - Solpadeine Max is very good, so is Syndol, one paracetamol won't do much, never touched mine.

At your daughter's age she can have co-codamol but only to use during migraine, it's not good to take all the time (though people do and if not over the top, seems to do no harm).

PS: Your daughter may outgrow these migraines, let's hope so, it's very worrying.

Thank you all. @bunnybaubles she does wear glasses and is up to date with her eye checks. @fozzleyplum Interesting as both occasions was after excercise. First was after a disco and this time doing the Joe Wicks excercise videos. I'll be sure to give her painkillers as soon as it starts if it happens again.

Pink migraleve. It helps with the nausea and the pain.

Syndol, the proper stuff is likely to send her to bed for the rest of the day totally drowsy. Try one of you're going to try Syndol and be prepared for her to zonk out.

Red coke is good too, helps the blood vessels contract or dilate. Can't remember which.

Lots of reassurance. Plenty to drink. Plenty of rest. You can feel crappy and out of it for a good couple of days after all the symptoms have subsided.

My DD(11) has had these silent migraines for several years now. Recently the GP prescribed Sumatripan, which we have yet to try as she's often sick before we realise it's a migraine.
The thing that has massively reduced her headaches though is seeing a light sensitivity specialist (Irlen's syndrome). She has special filters in her glasses and I can't remember what she looks like without them in anymore!

My daughter has had two MRI scans as she also has shoulder pain. She's been on amatriptyline and sumatraptan and prozotofen, none of which worked. She missed a month of school last year. I think it might be hormonal but she says not. They are less frequent now but I also think she has learned to live with a certain level of pain. She hates taking any medication and normally refuses any painkiller unless in tears with the pain. Her dad also had migraines and if they were still occurring at the level they were I'd have asked about botox which I've heard may be helpful.

Poor thing. Mine started at about that age and although they’ve continued into adulthood I’m no longer sick with them which I think is the worst bit. Tablets and food early on really help but it will take time to learn her early warning symptoms (yawning excessively is a key one for me). And then just keeping comfortable in bed. I personally like to have my body really warm with a cold patch on my head. I used to listen to audio books during that phase when I was younger which kept me calm. It’s probably not the best time to be visiting the GP right now, but do take her at some point. I tried many different painkillers and preventative treatments over many years before I found the right combination for me.

Sorry, I second going to your GP - phone them up and have a phone consultation if they are closed at the present time because of Covid-19.

I had my first migraine aged 6, then developed monthly menstrual migraines around the same age as your daughter. They floored me and made me ill for 2-4 days a month around my period. it made school and university a nightmare - especially during exams and I had to take at least two days off a month once I started work, not good.

I tried herbal medication, paracetamol and al the usual painkillers, but to no avail each month I had to lie in a quiet dark room for days, in horrible agonising head pain, feeling very sick and vomiting.

Finally I went to the GP and was prescribed one of the triptan drugs which were quite new at the time but remain a frontline treatment - this was quite a few years ago now - These drugs are highly effective and I haven't looked back since - the Migraine Trust has more about menstrual migraines here .

I'm now menopausal, but still get the odd migraine - currently on Naratriptan, it still works.

Has she started her periods? They may be hormone- related if she’s only had this twice. Also, is there a family history of migraines? Possibly with the Joe W exercise she was a bit dehydrated and perhaps is going to bed later/ waking later given the current situation. Keep a diary so that you can work out the triggers, which can be hormonal, dietary, weather-related or due to body- alignment issues. A small glass of flat, full-sugar Coke with ice And very small sips can help with the nausea and the aftermath of excessive vomiting, as it is a way of upping blood sugars without eating food.

I had migraines for over 20 years and my DD2 first had one aged 9. I found Imigran really worked for me - a total life changer. It also worked for her. The medical room at school kept a small supply and she went to see them if she felt ill at school. Luckily she didn’t get sick.

DD1 had ocular migraine a few years ago and I had to say the Imigran tablets were for me when I managed to find a chemist that would serve me! They are now controlled. She was stressed out regarding a course she was doing. She’s only had it once! We brought her home and she was sick on the way back.

With Imigran, I always took one tablet the minute I got a headache. Then another two hours later if the symptoms remained. I used to think mine was hormonal and it was nearly every month. But I couldn’t drive, slept for hours in a darkened room and really couldn’t do anything, sometimes for 2/3 days. The invention of Imigran totally changed my life. I realise it doesn’t work for everyone but ask about it. It could really help.