13-year old DD with 2-3 month headache and noise sensitivity

[plummet]

We're seeking professional medical advice for our issue, but interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience.

DD has had headaches occasionally since she was about 9. They often last for a few days and are accompanied by a general 'floppiness'.

Around 2-3 months ago she had another bout but this time the symptoms were different. She had stomach/stitch type pains as well as the headache, and developed sensitivity to light and noise.

The GP didn't like the way it was progressing, so off to hospital for neuro tests and a CAT scan, which thankfully were all clear. This left them suspecting some form of migraine.

We are lucky enough to have BUPA cover, so had a paediatric consult and an MRI (also all clear).

The consultant also thinks the symptoms look a lot like migraine - except that it has lasted for so long. He prescribed 1mg/day of Pizotifen and a migraine diet. That was 3 weeks ago though and there has been little sign of improvement.

She seems basically OK in herself and has occasional periods where we notice that she is complaining less of the noise sensitivity, but most of the time we have to whisper around her. She's missed nearly the whole term of school.

I'm still thinking it could be migraine, but concerned that the treatment hasn't helped so far.

Has anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks

I've had this when i was a child. I'm no 36 and have chronic migraines that are currently under control. I take preventive medication twice a day and 2 diferent drugs (sometimes 3) when i feel a crisys is abou to happen. Have a normal and happy life but it was very hard at first and it took a ling time to find a good neurologist that specializes in migraines.

Sorry for any mistakes, english in not my mother tongue.

At her age i had

• noise sensitivity
• harder time remebering things
• was sometimes melancholic durings crysis
• was sometimes nauseated
• had very rarely facial pain
• had very rarely partial loss of sight (could see but very blury)

My dd similar age has recurring headaches. Gp blood tests no answers.

Thanks @Inthetropics. It does sound similar to your history. It's encouraging to hear that you have a happy and normal life now.

@MsTSwift thanks, yes we didn't learn anything from blood tests either.

My 15 yo DS has been suffering like this since September. MRI, bloods, eye tests etc all clear. Am going to a chiropractor tomorrow with him in case they can do something. I am no doctor but have thought perhaps he has had covid and this is long term symptoms?

Did she have a covid test? Headaches are very common in children with covid and not necessarily other symptoms.

Interesting thought @ButterMeUpScotty & @Witchend. No, she didn't have a covid test as she didn't have the obvious covid symptoms. I suppose some form of long covid is possible, although none of the rest of us in the family have had it.

@plummet my DS is the only one of the four of us who had no symptoms at any stage, none of us tested positive though. I just thought it strange as another lady I know has had similar and been hospitalised for it, though she’s much older. I have been wracking my brain thinking of a cause and more importantly trying desperately to think of a cure- my DS has barely been at school.

How old is she? Migraines can often have a hormonal component, so perhaps something to do with development?

I guess you’ve gone through checking water intake etc...

The sound issue makes me wonder about something like Meniere’s but doesn’t fit a classical diagnosis.

Migraines can be pretty debilitating though.

Chronic migraine
Referal to headachd clinic
GOSH has one but there are regional heachdecljnics too
Propznolkl worked well for dd at hat agd
She missed a year of scchool though but got support from lea (small tutor group)

Propanolol