Question: 13-year-old son with frequent Migraines...
Answer:
Full Question:
Hello. My son who is 13 just started having migraines. The 1st headache he had was in June, 2004, and had another in early August. However, once school has started he gets one or two a week and it is greatly affecting his grades and life. Sometimes they last hours; sometimes it’s a day or two. Have you heard of someone so young having this many headaches??? He gets pain in his right temple area and has aura that basically blinds him. We have had an MRI done, eyes checked, tried Imitrex, blood pressure medicine and Relpax. The Relpax has worked the best so far, but our insurance won’t pay but one prescription every 30 days. (It’s dispensed in a pack of 6 pills) We have also started going to a chiropractor since he does play football and thought maybe something was pinching a nerve or something, causing the headaches. We have an appointment to see the pediatric neurologist at Riley’s Hospital in Indianapolis, but can’t get in until March 1st. Any other suggestions of what to try?
Answer:
Dear Concerned Parent;
Unfortunately, yes, we do hear of children this age having this many Migraine attacks. One thing you need to know is that Migraines aren't actually headaches. Migraine is a neurological disease that produces flare-ups or attacks. The headache is a symptom of the Migraine attack.
One thing you can help him do that will help him and his doctor is to help him keep a Migraine diary to try to identify what triggers his Migraines. See:
Keeping a
Headache and Migraine Diary
One of the most helpful tools for you and your doctors is a Headache and
Migraine Diary. It’s useful to track triggers, the effectiveness of meds, and
patterns to your headache pain. There are many ways to do this, but for the
purpose of your doctor reviewing it, printed pages are usually preferable to a
bound journal. We have a diary ready for you to print our download to use on
your computer.
New guidelines for the treatment of Migraine in children and adolescents were just released. They found Imitrex Nasal Spray to be very effective. It also works more quickly than the tablets. That's something you might want to discuss with your son's doctor.
At the age of 13, your son is old enough to see an adult Migraine specialist if necessary. Hopefully, the neurologist at Riley's will be able to help him reduce the frequency of his attacks. Please keep in mind, however, that neurologists are not necessarily Migraine specialists. Neurologists treat a great many illnesses, conditions, and injuries. In some cases, it's necessary to go on from a neurologist to a true Migraine specialist. If that turns out to be the case, you can find a link to our directory of recommended specialists, including pediatric specialists, below.
Good luck to you and your son,
Teri Robert and
John Claude Krusz
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