My Son

[sueogg]

My 12 year old son has been suffering from Migraine headaches for 2 mos. now.  He has an eye appt. coming up as well as a CT scan.  Even with daily admin. of Mortin/Claritin/Nasal spray, he STILL gets them daily at 10:30am.  Just yesterday he told me that he saw a flash of yellow on the side of his vision where the headache is.  Also, he told me that at night, when he closes his eyes to sleep his "vision" (dreaming/daydreaming) is spinning around.  I am very worried and would like some help.  Incidentally, my Mothers instinct keeps telling me that i's serious.  Although I am a worrier at heart... this worry seems justified.  

Thanks

[noops01]

hi,
Imitrex works very well in children suffering from migraine but it cannot be obtained without prescription from a physician. Flashes of light that he gets is aura which usually precedes a migraine attack. Also if possible try to identify the trigger, in most cases it is in the food like peanuts, caffeine, beans, avocados, canned soup, ripe banana, soy products, sodium nitarate which is used to preserve hot dogs, bacon and cured meats, MSG, and sourdough bread. Also make sure that he is physically active and eats meals at regular time.Good luck!

[sueogg]

Thank you so much for the prayer and support!  I picked up some homeopathic remedy for Migraine today ( phosphoricum ) Hopefully it'll help....they're sweet little pellets that go sublingual so he'll have no problem taking those!!  My husband seems to think that the headaches are due to playing video games.... I don't think so.  We've limited them anyway...just for good measure!  

Thanks

[LifesAHeadache]

Headaches that start at 10:30 every day probably aren't brain tumors - I know that is what you are probably nervous about - I went through the same thing when my daughter was diagnosed with Migraine.  As a whole family of migraine sufferers, your son really does exhibit the symptomes of migraine.  Vision that is spinning around is most likely his way of saying vertigo.  And that can really get bad with a migraine.  The flashing lights might be the aura - even after the headache started.  I too am the mother who is a constant worrier so I completely understand.  I'll say a prayer for you both tonight but I really think you have a kiddo with migraines.  Let us know the outcome of the tests if you don't mind.  Good Luck.

[sueogg]

Thank you for the info.  I am a migraine sufferer as well so I'm sure, being my son, he's subject to them as well.  The flases of light and spinning concern me most of all.  He is so young and I hate to see him going through this

[jcverive]

Motrin is fine for stress/tension headaches, and Claritin + Nasal spray will help with sinus/allergy headaches, but none are specifically tailored to treat true migraine headaches. Real migraines respond to abortive meds like the 'triptans and ergot/ergotamines. Ideally, your son should see a pediatric neurologist or headache specialist. His diet, sleeping/waking schedule, stress levels, and other daily routines need to be monitored carefully to identify possible headache triggers. To a large degree, migraine management is lifestyle management, but the first step is to determine if the headaches are true migraines. Once you have a definite diagnosis, you can work with the doctor to help your son manage his headaches.  Best of luck!