a worried mother

I need some answers, my 16 yr old daughter started out with a headache 4 months ago on the left side of her head. The Doctors told us that she has migraine headaches he gave her some midrin for the headaches. The meds did not work. The headaches eaze up but did not go away completely. Then on January 31, 2009 the headaches came back really bad so bad that I had to rush her to the emergency room and she has had the same headache since. The Doctors change her meds to Tompax and Maxalt but that don't seem to be working. The doctor order a MRI on Feb 10, 2009 but have not heard from it yet. We went back to the military doctors but saw a different one this time. And we still could not get the results. But now my daughter is complaining of tingling and hurting in the face, legs, feet and waist down she's very weak, lay down at all times when home dont feel like getting up out of bed. I notice that her left eye lid droop a little and she says that she gets some blurred vision and sometimes the she sees a different color in her eyes. She has to have some kind of support when she walks.My daughter plays tennis, cheerleader and plays basketball very active in school now she dont function like the active teen she has always been. She has been keeping a journal on all of the different eposides.
I am a very concern mother and wish I could get some advice from someone. I know this is alot but someone please help

[PastorDan]

Keep pushing, keep advocating for your daughter's needs; she's depending on you whether she realizes it or not.  She'll sure thank you when she's older.  This site has lots of good resources and great people, so put on your reading glases, put your feet up, and settle in for a while.

[Karen99]

I am sorry your daughter is having such a difficult time.  My suggestions are to get on the phone and INSIST that she gets in to see a neurologist right away.  Make in-person appearances to whomever is appropriate if you hit a block wall.  Maneuver your way through the military medical care system the best way you know how.  Contact military personnel advocates, medical plan administrators, etc.  A neurologist is the ONLY type of physician who can address the neurological issues she is possibly experiencing; vision problems, tingling, eye droop, weakness.  Stress to them her rapid decline in activities.

Has any physician who has seen her done a basic work-up?  Glucose, CBC, Sed rate and chemistry panels?  These are the basics.  Make sure she gets a good work up if she hasn't already.  These are the quick and easy ones and she should have had these long ago.

They may be dismissing her because no one is really listening.  She has a recent history of headaches so they may not be looking much beyond that.  The other symptoms could be from a neurological cause and you have every reason to want prompt attention for your daughter.  So go voice your concerns as many times, and to as many people, and as loudly as necessary for your daughter to get the medical attention she needs.

Good luck.  Someone will listen and take action on your behalf.  The difficult part is finding that person, but you will.  

  

[sllowe]

Hi GA Peach Mama,

I'm sorry for what you and your daughter are going through.  You know you daughter best, and you know something is up here.

What type of Dr. dx'd her w/migraines? Was it a neuro?

As for the MRI that was ordered.  You can call the facility and get copies of the films and the report yourself, and you do not need the Dr to do this.  That way, you are prepared with it when the Dr. calls with the results.

So is she seeing a different Dr. from the original group that initially dx'd her? Just trying see if I got this right, to be able to help out the best we can.

Your concerns are completely valid, and persistance is in order.  

*her face, legs and feet feel weak and tingly
*her eye lid drooped
*her vision has been blurred and sometimes the she sees a different color in her eyes
*she has to have some kind of support when she walks

When did she start having problems with walking? Before or after the migraine meds?

This is an MS forum, but we have many folks who are knowledgeable in so many areas and I hope you find some direction and support here with us.

If it were me, I'd go into the next appt. armed with questions regarding her situation.  If you feel uncomfortable, moving on to another Dr. may be in order.
See you around,
Shell

[gapeach34]

Hi, thanks for helping me out. No she has not seen a neuro yet waiting on referral from tricare. My daughter is seen a regular doctor on military base. But right now i'm in the process of changing my kids out of military doctors care and into civilan doctors. I am getting so upset, I call the doctors office on base today about my daughter not getting any better they had me to take to the er but all they did were give her 2 shots for the pain, The walking started thursday 02/12/2009, after the new meds were started about a week. I know it may or may not be MS but I just didn't know were to start with getting answer from. I am so overwhelm i don't know what to type right now or what to do.
Again thanks

[saveone]

I agree with everything karen and ess said.  My only other suggestion would be to check out our health pages.  There is a lot of good info in them.  Just go to the top of the page right hand side and click the yellow button where it says health pages.

I hope you find your answers
terry

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Mom, I agree that you are going to have to be an insistent advocate for your daughter.  What she is going through is NOT normal.  I'm glad she has gotten an MRI, but I would question whether it was done using an MS Protocol and on a sufficiently strong machine.

Another question to ask is whether this could be a Chiari Malformation showing up.  This is a problem with the spinal cord that gets stuck in the spinal canal.  Then when the teenager suddenly grows it may show up with headaches, leg weakness, and many other symptoms.  Your daughter's age and the severe headaches make me think of this.

You can get info on the problem on our Chiari Forum.  At the top of the page where it says "Forums" click on that and scroll down to the C's on the left.  Chiari Malformation.  Ask them the same question.

Basically your daughter needs to see a neurologist ASAP!  Do everything you can to speed up the military medical system and do not rest until she has been examined by a neurologist.

Stay with us through all of this and we will help where we can.

Quix