MIGRAINE

[sylvm]

My 14 yr old DD has suffered from migraines for the last 2 or 3 years. They are infrequent but very distressing when they happen. We visited the Dr about 2 yrs ago and she gave her Migraleve. DD finds it impossible to swallow tablets so they have to be crushed for her. Dr said there was no nose sprays etc for children her age.

I want to go back to Dr well prepared as the Migraleve does not seem to be helping. She can keep the 1st (anti sickness dose) down if it is taken when first aura occurs. By the time 2nd dose is due, it just comes back up again.

It seems some trials have been carried out successfully using nose sprays on adolescents. Does anyone have any experience of this or generally on migraines and teenagers? The info on the Migraine Website is not particularly enlightening.

is the dr she's seen a gp or a specialist? Radio 4 has a phone-in on headaches this Thursday at 3pm with headache specialist Prof Peter Goadsby, you could call in or post an email query (the link has last week's programme on it, on eyes

\link{http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/checkup.shtml\check up programme}

Just the GP. Thanks for the link Bundle - I shall look at it now.

Just the GP. Thanks for the link Bundle - I shall look at it now.

How often does she get them? could they be linked to her menstral cycle? mine usually are.

sylvm she sounds just like me at that age! I had the most horrendous migraines.

then I went to see a cranial osteopath who said there was a lot of tension in my head. I had 2 treatments and didn't suffer from another migraine in over 2 years!

would strongly recommend it

also there are trigger foods that can be linked to migraines.

chocolate, cheese and pepperoni are 3 of them

I used to have migraines a lot from 11-18ish, still get them occasionally.
Chocolate was a trigger for me, as was staring at a screen, UV lights or strobes. The weather is also a factor, as I discovered when a colleague and I started to get them on exactly the same day. The effect of several triggers is cumulative.
Has your dd tried herbal remedies made from feverfew? They used to have a fantastic effect on me - just stopped the migraine in its tracks. I believe there is some scientific evidence for this working (I am normally a sceptic about such things - don't believe in homeopathy etc.) Do give it a try - it used to do wonders for me and I think it's pretty safe unless you are pregnant.

Well I've submitted a question now!

It doesn't coincide with the time of the month, nor can we work out any pattern with eating. She can and does eat both chocolate and cheese without any problems on many occasions and we can't think of anything different she had in the few days beforehand.

Kathy - it's funny but I found something about Feverfew a little while ago. I must investigate further.

Do you just take it when an attack is about to happen?

Yes sylvm, I used to take it as soon as I got the beginnings of the aura.

About trigger factors - the fact that it is cumulative means that it can be quite hard to identify which ones they are: eg, chocolate might be one but sometimes you will be fine with it because there are no other triggers affecting you that day. It's not as simple as 'every time you eat chocolate you will get a migraine.' My last bad one happened the day after I went to Imperial War Museum North (where they have a sound-and-light show with flashing lights and lots of loud bangs) and ate chocolate on the same day. It is really worth keeping a diary of possible causes, though, as you might find a pattern begins to emerge after three or four attacks.

Starlover - meant to say I was wondering about cranial osteopathy. When she was about 6 she started getting lots of tummy aches - no physical explanation. She had a few sessions with a cranial osteopath and they did disappear .. don't know whether it was coincidence or not!

I have suffered with migraines since I was 2. During my teenage years they were more frequent. I was unable to keep tablets down due to vomiting. One side of my body would go numb etc. I was eventually given immigran (sp) injections. It comes in a handy little case and you insert the drug and then push it against your leg and push button and it injects it in.
They worked perfectly.
I only get them occasionally now.
Just a note: I am unable to take the pill or the mini pill due to migraines as it could cause a stroke. (just for when your DD is older).

Salsa - thanks. Yes I had noted that she might not be able to use pill/mini pill.

Bundle - are you involved in the prog? I won't be able to listen at 3pm (DD2's school run) but I will listen tomorrow from the internet.

yes, sylv, I am a producer but my colleague is doing today's

Hi - has she had her eyes tested? My DD (10) started getting migraines and we had her tested and it turns out she's long sighted. No migraines since getting reading glasses.
Also my mum used to grow feverfew in the garden and swore by it for migraines :)

Yes Aggie. She has her eyes tested every 6 months (she is short sighted). She has suffered headaches in the past when her glasses have needed changing but not like this. There's a world of difference between a headache and a migraine.

I suffered very bad migraines for a couple of years, it took ages for anyone to take any notice, in the end I was back to the Dr's every couple of days, so maybe try and be a little more forceful with your Gp to get things done.
I was tried on lots of different drugs, amytryptilene (sp?), propranolol, something elese beginning with I (sorry), saw a specialist and had 2 brain scans to rule out any underlying problems.
At the time somone suggested a migraine cap which was devised by a welsh guy who suffered for years and this has been a great success and sold millions across the world.
Oh I know it sounds horrible but diclofenac suppositories were the best thing I used to combat the pain and domperidone for the sickness
HTH

interesting, am going through this with my son who will be 10 tomorrow.
started in the summer and gradually increased in frequency and severeity.
managed to get william referred to a pead last dec, but appointment is april 18th!!!

He has been of school today, and was sobbing last night in the dark of his bedroom.
We have been left with only calpol type meds which only work to give a mild headache if given enough.
Have had eyes checked , ok, was told that it might a food intolerance. But as he has many allergies I have been on the alert for the intolerance side of things for years! I dont think this intolerance thingy is the trigger.

am frustrated with the NHS at this point, that a child has to wait so long and in pain to get things sorted.

Hello Williamsmummy - think we've met over on Education! Sounds like your poor boy is going through it - are you keeping a diary of everything and anything?

Hi sylvm ..wasn't meaning to suggest they were just headaches, I know there's a world of difference :) ..my DDs were definitely migraines too though- auras, visual disturbances, light intolerance, nausea etc.

Update - took DD to Dr - he was happy to prescribe Zomig in "oral dispersible" form (means it dissolves in the mouth).

Sylvm - glad to hear re the Zomig for your daughter. I was reading through the thread thinking oif this but your dr pipped me to it! I find that I still have to lie down when I get an atack, but I usually manage to avoid actually throwing up. I really hope that they help her and will be following this thread wih interest - would love to find someting that would stop me getting migraines altogether :)