daughter with migraines

[evag4]

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with migraines in Sept. She has had an MRI, CT and EEG, all neg. Most of the time they present with a feeling of dizziness, or wavy lines, also a numb knee, occasionally with the severe pain. Since the middle of March till now, she has only been in school for 8 days due to these. When they start, they stay for 3-4 days. She is on 25 mg. Topamax in the AM and 50 at night. We have also tried Imitrix pills, Advert pills and Butalbital/Apap/Caffine/Plus, none of which take it away, as I've said they last 3-4 days. Is there anything else I can do? I've been tracking everything from weather to foods eaten to her moods, activites and where and what she is around. I can't find any similar things to feel it is a trigger. During the winter months she only averaged 3 each month and they only lasted a few hours. Could this be spring? and when does the 'spring' migraines end? I know hormones play a part, she's not regular, or even close to it yet. I've even thought of trying biofeedback and acupunture. Any help would be appreciated.

[LauriePri]

My daughter is 15 and was diagnosed with migraines at age 3.  We are still trying to find the right combination of meds for her.  We did just see a new neurologist who feels that she has hemicrania continua in addition to "regular" migraines.

Unfortunately for your daughter quite often the treatment is hit or miss until you hopefully find the treatment that works.  And in my experience, it isn't just one preventative like Topamax and one abortive like Imitrex.  My daughter is currently on Topamax 50mg in am and 50 mg in pm, 10 mg of Elavil at bedtime, Phenergan as needed, Percocet as needed, and Maxalt as needed. We still haven't hit the magic combination, but we keep trying, because the alternative is sooo much worse.

Good luck.

[Carol761]

I had almost exactly the same symptoms and I figured out what it was after much suffering.  She might be reacting to radiation from the following sources -- wifi (wireless router), cordless phones (esp. DECT), cell phones -- so long as they are on (even if not in "use") or gaming systems (they transmit from console to joy sticks). shutting them off is the first step to recovery -- then check out electro sensitity or electromagnetic sensitity.  at least make sure they are not near your bed when you are sleeping -- also move electrical appliances away from your bed (i.e. alarm clocks)  MRI's and CAT scan are super high in radiation -- so they will only make people like us feel worse.   Also see Canada's WEEP intitiatve.  You are not alone!

best of luck and feel better. Carol761