ISSUE
History 9 yr old, internationally adopted at age 2. Birth mother- homeless drug addict. Child had drug withdrawals at birth. At 3yrs had 1st absence seizures. Seizures stopped by age 6. EEG-normal. Other -chronic UTIs, some incontinence, frequent sore throats and gastric reflux and some mild headaches Had a concussion to the back of her head after a fall with some bleeding in her brain at age 4.
One year ago she began experiencing worsening headaches many times per week. Local pediatric neurologist said migraines -gave preventative drug. She then began experiencing intermittent sharp burning pains which would come on suddenly in different parts of her body- they have occurred in left eye, inside her head in forehead, feet, neck, spine and the back of left knee. Lasts about 15 minutes then go away. She had one complex partial seizure last yr. She then began having intermittent double vision and sudden episodes of blurred vision. She also has times where her left eye closes and she can't open it for up to two days. She had an MRI without contrast last summer. Dx -some minor brain damage in her cerebellum from a prenatal stroke but her MRI was considered "normal". We live in a small state w/only one pediatric neurologist who says she only has migraines and is engaging in "attention seeking behavior" regarding other symptoms.
After eye symptoms started- took her to opthamologists who tested her vision and found it normal and DX her with migraines w/persistent aura and megalcornias which explains blurred vision but not 2x vision or burning pains.
Question: she still has many headaches (she is on her 3rd diff migraine preventative drug), and burning sensations and bouts where her eye closes and she can't open it.. Do you think she would benefit from additional evaluation in a larger city or should I accept the diagnosis of migraines and just help her learn to live with the pain?
Thx