Migraines

I had problems with migraines starting at 17 and know that can be horrible.

I was given several medications that worked but most put you to sleep. If you want her not to be drowsy, definitely don't try midrin or amitriptylene (elavil). They will definitely cause drowsiness.

I was given Oruvail once to take during the day and 800mg Ibuprofen. Also, Imitrex doesn't cause drowsiness. They will usually give you the shot first and then decide if you can take the pill daily. I couldn't handle the side effects from the shot and opted not to take the pill.

Topomax is another medication. It is used to prevent migraines and is to be taken daily. The only side effect is loss of appetite. I was taking this and I REALLY didn't have an appetite and loss weight.

I'm not sure how these would be given or if they will be given to a 14 year old but you can still ask the neurologist about them.

Hope I've helped.

Tamara

My 17 year old son has had migraines since he was 10. He's been under a neurologist's care since then. He, too, has migraines that cause loss of vision, loss of feeling in his extremities, and vomitting. From time to time he takes a daily medication, amytriptyline, in a very small dosage. It's used to "break the cycle of pain". Until recently, he was able to go on the medication for a while and then wean off it. However, he's currently so sensitive to his migraine triggers that one missed dose of amytriptyline can allow a migraine to break through. So, he's using it daily without any future "weaning off" periods. I know the frustration of just using the "rescue" migraine medications. Because as you've already discovered, the ones that work are the ones that generally put your child to sleep and that means missed school; which causes more stress, which can trigger more migraines, which ... well, you know that cyle.

Do take your peditrician's advise and re-vist your neurologist and ask for a daily medication to help your daughter. And, sometimes, it takes several "trys" to find the right medication. Just hang in there, the docs are there to help.

Good luck,
R.

Hey S.,

My name is Tiffaney and I have been dealing with migraine since jr high and I am 37 now. Have the performed CT scans and MRI's to detertine the cause of her migraines? Also have they had you to monitor her diet? Sometimes things like, chocolate, breads or anything made with yeast can trigger migraines and since you said they occur at schoo is it the food she's eating there or the surroundings? Does she have allergies that may be triggered by something at school? THere are so many different medicines out there and usually the preventative ones are referred to as Beta Blockers and the have to be taken every single day and usually that will keep most migraines at bay. See if any of those things help and if not, you may want to consult a neurologist that is also a headache speacialist.

I have struggled with migraines since I was 14, and I am now 37. My migraines have changed through the years, and so have the treatments. Currently I am having pretty good success with Topamax, which someone else mentioned. It's been difficult for my neurologist and I to figure out the dosage I need, and I'm not sure we have it exactly right yet (75mg morning and 75mg night). I do know from experience that migraines can be tough to treat, so I would take her back to the neurologist and try again. I'm so sorry she is suffering. Migraines make life so very difficult and I know it must be hard for you to see her hurting.

I have had migraines since I was 16 and I'll be 50 in May. I've learned a lot over the years! There are many medications that can help prevent migraines and there are a lot of other factors that help prevent them. I am very sensitive to chemicals in foods, cheese, chocolate, chicken (the hormones in it), cleaning products, bright lights, and other things. If I get my sleep schedule off it can triger one. There are some things I've found that can help me fight one off when I'm in the early stages.

I'd be happy to talk to you if you want more info. Just send me a message. There are solutions that won't make her sleepy and will allow her to be a teenager. And there are doctors that know more than others about migraines.
L.

I am 25 and have had diagnosed migraines since I was in the first grade. Now that I am older, I am able to "control" them much better. I have made countless trips to nuerologists, cat scans, mris, you name it and they have found nothing, but I can tell you they are hereditary. Here are a few things that help me:
Steer away from certain foods - citrus fruits and cheese are some of the main culprits. I cannot even take vitamin C!
My doctor put me on Amatryptalyn, an anti-depressant. Its is the lowest dose possible, and I have no idea how it works. since the doseage is so low, it doesn't really effect my "hormones". All I know is after I started taking it, I went from having 3 per month to one ever 5 months or so! It does make me sleepy, but I just take it an hour before I go to bed each night. Hope this helps!! Feel free to write if yo uneed more info!

Migraines can be caused by chemicals found in everyday household cleaners. If you would like to learn more check out my website at www.tx.parentsunited.com

H. M.

One thing I have not heard anyone say is vision.. I personally found out about 2 yrs ago that my life long migraines (started when I was 5) were because I have a form of narcolepsy... I was struggeling so hard to stay awake I was giving myself a migraine... hmm.. wish I would have know that before.. the sleepiness gradually got worse and I finally went and had a sleep study done..and now I get one about once every 3-4 months.. and that usually b/c I hadnt taken my medicine or something. Back to the vision thing though. My husband has perfect vision.. however.. our doc referred him to an optom. and he sugested a small script for reading glasses.. when my husband is on the computer or reading he tries to wear them and you would be surprised how much difference it makes in his migraines.. I dont know if it was the lighting or what.. but he said it made a world of difference.. he doesnt strain so hard to read or see the computer.. just a thought..

Hi there...I have suffered from migraines for YEARS, literally. I am 31 years old now..I was put on Imitrex, but I did not like the side effects from that, made me feel jittery, clumsy, light headed...Anyway now I take Topomax, 50mg in the morning and 50mg in the evening, and it works wonders. I havent had a migraine(knock on wood) since i started taking it, and that has been at least 5/6 months...I do get headaches around the time of my cycle, but other than that, nothing....If you have never experienced a migraine, then you have no idea what they are like, and I hope that you get the help your daughter needs, for her sake, and of course yours I am sure...Good Luck to both of you!!!!

Hi S.. Have you ever taken your daughter to a chiropractor? I am a Radiologic Technologist (plain and simple - I take X-Rays). In my field of work we are required to have 24 continuing education credits every two years. During a recent seminar I attended one lecture was one of a chiropractor out of Amarillo, Texas. He spoke of how the natural spine curvature is first messed with with during childbirth when the baby is pulled out by the head. Maybe a talk with your doctor and a visit to a chiropractor might be just what your daughter needs. I sure hope this works for her. God Bless.

I had migraines from about 18 to 33. I started taking Zoloft for PMS and my migraines went away. During PMS is usually when mine would occur... so maybe the Zoloft to prevent PMS was the key for me. It might not work for your daughter. My friend has mirgraines and her doc tried Zoloft for her and it did not work. Now she gets Botox shots ever 3 or 6 months in her scalp and that helps. Hers were very severe. Mine were bad, I couldn't see and would be out of it for a few days, but I could talk to the kids, from my bed, and get up if needed.

I'd try a different neurologist. They might have a different treatment or ideas for treating your daughter. My friends neurologist is a woman and she practices in Irving. If you're interested I'll get her name/number.

I've been dealing with migraines for a while now and i've found that if you keep a log of what you eat/drink and find out what's triggering them that helps! also, if she's on any hormones...birthcontrol or certain vitimans...that too can be causing them. my doctor put me on some heavy stuff (can't remember the name) but didn't help at all. she took me off my BC and i stay away from my certain list of foods and i haven't had a bad one in months. i was ALWAYS, maybe 3 or 4 times a week, having migraines and camping out in the dark bathroom. it was bad but maybe she can try that...if you haven't already! good luck!

Hello, I used to take Imitrex for about 10 years and then it was making me sick and groggy feeling, so my doctor recently put me on Maxalt and it works great, I can take it during the day and not get sleepy and the migraine is usually gone within 30-45 minutes and doesn't make me sick! I love the pill.

Good luck and hope your daughter feels better soon, I know how ugly them migraines are. Hopefully it is something she will outgrow.

Take Care,
B.