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Pedatric migraines and leg pain

My 7 year-old son has been getting weekly migraines since age 3.  They are greatly under control with Cyproheptadine (given 5 mL daily).  This year we've noticed he now reports "tingling" in his legs, or a feeling like they are falling asleep…and often he has a headache right after that.  My son was hospitalized 7 months ago with symptoms of meningitis (8 day fever, back pain, inability to walk at times with leg pain, severe head & neck pain, vomiting )…but 2 neurologists and 5 pediatric/hospital doctors could NOT figure out what was going on.  Has anyone experienced a similar thing with their child?  Any leg pain or back pain with the migraines, or with illness?  Thanks!!
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Avatar universal
That was a spot on from jemma116. Stress can have a major impact on a child
Which leads me to challenge the medication.
Cyproheptadine is classed an antihystomine. These can have an almost narcotic effect on children which, if his headaches were stress related, would account for thier cessation.  But. If you look at the adverses for cyproheptadine, you will note there are several triggers that could cause some nasty side affects.
Try replacing it with a simple benidryl or even stopping it altogether for a time and see if he improves. Were the causes for the migraine headaches ever finately diagnosed?
Reread jemmas' comments and then consider some simple experimentation.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
Sorry to hear that your son has been so ill and is still having problems.

Has your son ever been checked out for worms or parasites?  
Has he been checked for mineral and Vitamin D deficiency?  Vitamin deficiency can cause rickets and bone deformities.
Tingling sensations in his legs may have something to do with his lower spine.

I presume that the meningitis symptoms have all cleared, but that he is still experiencing the migraines and tingling sensations.

Has your son ever been tested for any food or drink allergies?
Migraines can be triggered off by some foods, chocolate, red wine, oranges, cheese, caffeine drinks.  Some people get migraines from different trigger foods.  He may have an intolerance to lactose found in cheese and milk, or to gluten found in bread, biscuits, cakes and other food products.

Stress, anxiety, being exposed to flickering bright lights and glaring at a screen for a long time as well as lack of sleep can also trigger off migraines.

As your son is 7 now, perhaps you can calmly speak with him to see if there is anything at home or at school that is bothering him.  Also speak with his teachers to see how he is getting on at school and if there are any subjects that he does not like.

Young children cannot express what is bothering them, but will present with physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches.

My son was a little older than yours and was very ill with migraine headaches with vomiting and having a dislike to lights.  After observing him over a period of a few weeks I found that there was a pattern to this.  He had his brain tested for any problems and all was fine.  It transpired that he hated playing football and I had to write to the school to excuse him from that game.   His migraines stopped, but he did get problems from time to when he was stressed from being bullied at school.

Keep a food and drink diary and what lessons he has when he goes to school.  This will help you to find a pattern if his problem is related to food or drink or stress and anxiety.

Best of luck.


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