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Newbie here....questions about 8 yr old daughter possible migraines?

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 12/1/2006 2:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi lovinlife-

I'm glad you got an appointment with the neurologist, it just stinks that it isn't right away. I'm not sure about the numbness in the forehead. I have numbness from mine, but I don't have typical migraines. However, the numbness that I have does eventually go away and it is not considered harmful. Hopefully, someone else will come along who has some knowledge with this.

I know it is hard to watch your child go through this and feel like you should be doing something else. But you are doing the best you can with the situation. Just keep being there for her, and doing what you are! Don't doubt yourself.

If you aren't already, keep a headache diary it will be a huge help to doctor for when you go. Take care!

Posted 12/4/2006 3:01 AM (GMT 0)

Lovinlife:

How is your daughter doing?  I hope she is feeling better!!!!!!!! Let us know

Posted 12/4/2006 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Well....I actually thought we might be in the clear. She began to feel better Friday night and she slept through the night and and she felt good on Saturday. However, yesterday right after church around 1:00.....she said "mommy, my head hurts again" . I thought OH NO, here we go again!! It took me forever to get her to sleep last night and when I woke her up this morning she was sick to her stomach and head so I just put her back to bed. Her pediatrician said that if I was hesitate to try the Topamax, then I could give her Inderal which is a beta blocker. How does everyone feel about this drug? Does it seem to work? I did give her Topamax two nights last week but after reading up on it, I am not sure that I want her on this drug.
Posted 12/4/2006 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lovinlife,

I would be unsure about giving Topamax to a child myself so I fully understand your hesitation. I wouldn't be thrilled about Inderal either but you daughter needs some releif!! The only trouble is with both Inderal and Topamax, they need to be taken regularly for optimum effect! The most immediate effect you should find is from Inderal.

Maybe try the Inderal for a while and see how she responds, you don't necessarily have to keep her on it, all she may need is something to give her a break and her head may settle down then. At the end of the day it is up to you, I am a great believer in Mum knows best!!!

Let us know how she gets on, take care

Ann
Posted 12/5/2006 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
We did not get to start the Inderal tonight as planned. I dropped the prescription off at 1:00 today and went to pick it up tonight around 6:00. They did not fill it because it did not come in the mg prescribed so they needed to speak to the doctor to see what mg to use. Why oh why they did not figure this out and call before the dr. office closed is a complete mystery to me! We will start it tomorrow though hopefully. She still has a bad headache tonight ....... have I said that we are really looking forward to our appointment on Monday.........I really do not know how much more of this we can take...she is exhausted and so am I, really. I am sorry to whine , I know that it could be so much worse.

Thanks again for everyone's input, advice and kind words, they have really helped so much!!
Posted 12/5/2006 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Aren't pharmacies and doctors fun? That stinks they waited until the last minute to realize there was a problem and the dr's office was closed. At my pharmacy, they go through everything when you drop it off (really annoying at the time- but well worth it in the long run)- so any possible issues/allergies/interactions are discovered then before they attempt to fill the rx. Hopefully in the morning they will get it fixed so she can get on the meds tomorrow.

And, no you are not whining so there is no need to apologize! You are just concerned, overwhelmed, and worried.

Keep your chin up!
Posted 12/7/2006 6:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi lovinlife,

I'm sorry your daughter is suffering so badly. I've been away or I would have posted sooner. I too suffered migraines as a child and they didn't have any of the medications they have today.

My mom found that a cold cloth on my head with Childrens Tylenol and Childrens Gravol worked. I still take the adult versions of these medications. Medications often don't work because your stomach can't digest anything. I have found that gravol settles my stomach and relaxes me so the tylenol can work. I do take stronger medications as well but I think it would be dangerous for a child to take anything else.

I take Topamax and I really recommend talking to a neurologist who has worked with children and Topamax. The side effects are really severe and I suspect they would be even worse in a child. I wonder if Topamax has been tested on children for migraines. There are more gentle anti-epileptic medications such as neurontin that don't have the negative side effects Topamax has. I know Topamax is the latest and greatest, but I don't think it has a history with children.

It sounds like you're on the right track with an allergic reaction to a medication or something else that has come into her life suddenly. When someone goes from no (or few migraines) to a constant one for weeks, that tells me something has changed - though I'm not a medical professional just an experienced migraine sufferer.

Your daughter mensioned her head was numb and you thought it might be swollen. After a really bad migraine my head may feel numb or bruised from the blood vessels expanding. Her forehead may be swollen from pressing on it or rubbing it from being so sore. Though it's still good to discuss / show the neurologist.

Good luck finding a solution and keep in touch.

Posted 12/7/2006 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Might want to check this out... see the dark bold print just below the safety info and above the Ortho McNeil Neurologics copywrite.

http://www.topamax.com/html/ptop/topamax-isi.jsp?

I'm not sure why your doctor prescribed her Topamax as I'm 20 years old and many people are adament to put me on it. Also, with medicine, adults are considered ages 12 and up. If she's only 8, I would try something different... unless he has her on an EXTREMELY low dose?
Posted 12/7/2006 10:27 PM (GMT 0)

hi lovinlife--

Just thought I'd check in on you and your daughter and see how things are going. Did she end up starting on the Inderal, any changes? I really hope you guys are getting a break and your daughter is finding some relief from her pain! December 11th is almost here--keeping you in my thoughts!!

Take Care!

Posted 12/12/2006 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am sorry that I have not been able to update until now. We went to her neurologist yesterday and he wanted to take her off of the Inderal. She was on it a week and while there may have been a little improvement , she has been VERY fatigued and just plain worn out. She could not function daily while taking it. He spent about 40 minutes looking her over and decided that he wants her to take her off of all the medication and have her to take 1 Amitriptyline at night. He says that if her pain is still continuing after a week to a week and a half, that it may be possible that she has a leak in her spinal cord and she is having spinal headaches......from the spinal tap that they did 3 weeks ago. If that is the case, they may have to do a blood patch. Has anyone experienced this? I have not gotten to look into it very much because this morning my dad was scheduled for a Cardiac catheterization this morning to detect artery blockage. Well it turns out that they cannot just do a stint as hoped and he is having open heart surgery in the morning. Of course I am very upset and nervous about this. I am very close to my dad and I just hope that everything goes well. Please include him in your thoughts and prayers.

I will keep everyone up to date on Hannah. Thank you again for all your help!!!
April
Posted 12/13/2006 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi April,

So sorry to hear about your Dad! You are all in my prayers, and I hope everything goes well for your Dad tomorrow.

Also I do hope that the Amitriptyline works for your daughter, and if not they get to the bottom of this very soon and find her some real relief!

take care, (((hugs)))

Ann
Posted 12/13/2006 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi April-
Keeping you guys in my prayers.

I'm glad to hear that you had a throrough exam with the neuro.

How will they be able to test and tell and decide if they have to do the blood patch??

:)
Posted 12/13/2006 7:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hi April

So much all at once. I'm glad the neuro spent time with you and gave you a starting plan and what to do...I don't know much about blood patches, sorry...

Take care and I will keep everyone in my prayers...I hope everything goes well with your dad today!!

Posted 12/15/2006 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,

My dad did really well with his surgery. He ended up having 5 bypasses done!! The dr. said that it is just a miracle that he has not had a heart attack. The scary thing is that he has really had NO symptoms at all except for shortness of breath. My mom wanted the both of them to have a through exam before their insurance changed over at the beginning of next year. We are all just floored and so glad that this was found before he had a heart attack.

The Amitriptyline seems to be working well for Hannah. Her headaches have been coming back every evening but they do not seem as intense as before. I plan to do some research tomorrow on blood patches as well as the Amitriptyline she is taking. Take care everyone and again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

April
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