54 answers

7 Year Old with Migraines

My 7 year old was recently diagnosed with migraines. She has all the classic signs of migraines(the same as I have....light sensitivity, intense pain, seeing spots). Our ped's doc said to increase her fluid intake, especially give her Gatorade(because of electrolytes) and decrease caffeine consumption. He said to give her Tylenol when she is having one. Any one out there have a young child with migraines and any relief suggestions. I started getting migraines when I was about 12, I've never heard of a child her age having them and it breaks my heart when she is in so much pain.

What can I do next?

Featured Answers

Have you ever thought about a cyropractor(spelling ?) My daughter is 10 months and she has been to one a few different times. Getting adjusted really helps a child from getting sick and also very good for headaches. Just a thought.
C.

I see you have received tons of responses, so I will make sthi short: Have you looked into any allergens that may be causing this? When my daughter was 5 yrs. old, we had her tested due to other health issues and found out she was allergic to corn. I got tested: allergice too. Now, I only get migraines if I eat something which unknowingly has corn in it. It is great to finally know what was CAUSING my migraines. Best of luck to both of you.

I was skeptical of using chiropractic but my teenage daughter was suffering with headaches and fatigue. I knew something was wrong when I had more energy than she did. She took tylenol almost every day. She also suffered from frequent sinus infections. Following three months of seeing a chiropractor she can't remember the last time she took tylenol, hasn't had a sinus infection for a couple months and is bouncing around the house again. A friend recommended a chiropractor, with much hesitation and skepticism, I took her to a chioropractor (2 years of an ENT, family dr, and allergy dr. hadn't helped) and can't believe the difference. You may want to try it.

More Answers

Hi,
My son started having them when he was 3 yrs old. I know it is heart breaking. They are hereditary so it is very common.
Mom has them, passes them to child. This has happened for more than 5 generations in my family. Unfortunately she probably won't outgrow them. Boys have a 70% chance of out growing them, girls have nearly 0%. My son is now 12. At the age of 6 he was admitted to Children's Hospital for 4 months for medication studies and treatment since he had them every day. I lived there with him. Good luck. Keep up the work that you are doing but also seek out a good Spine and Brain specialist for your daughter. There are much newer and better medications out there than plain Tylenol for her. There are also preventive medications that she can take daily to keep her from getting them very frequent. Word of warning when she hits puberty they will increase in intensity and quantity. I feel for both of you. I've spent many days and nights in the ER when my son was so sick with them that he had thrown up to the point of dehydration and had to have IV fluids to get him back on track. Good luck and email anytime you need an ear.
Tonda (____@____.com)

Have you ever thought about a cyropractor(spelling ?) My daughter is 10 months and she has been to one a few different times. Getting adjusted really helps a child from getting sick and also very good for headaches. Just a thought.
C.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Although none of my children have experienced migraines (yet), I have. Mine are mostly allergy induced (who knew). My suggestion is to watch what she eats and drinks as corn and corn derivitives such as corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, dextrin, maltodextrin, etc. cause them. Gatorade is loaded with corn. If you find they are worse when she has had that, I would look into the allergy aspect of it. I suffered for years (and with other health issues) before we stumbled upon the food allergy. Also, a naturapathic dr. can give you some treatments. I am pregnant for my 4th child and have been having a lot of migraines again and I have been seeing a naturapathic dr. and she recommended I take a homeopathic approach to prevent and treat them. I have never felt better. Good luck. I really hope you can find the trigger to make these stop.

H.

My son was in Kind. when he first started getting them. come to find out he was allergic to milk. You might want to keep a journal of the foods she eats and see what she is eating when she has one.

My youngest son (now 24) had juvenile migraines starting around 7 or 8 years old. Our pediatrician put him on a medication that was new at that time (something they were trying at Children's Hospital) and said the migraines would decrease as he aged. He started to get them back occasionally when he was 18 to 20 years old. The doctor was concerned because he was still taking the same medication. But then my son informed us that because he felt better and the headaches had gone away, he had stopped taking the pills!!! Because he was older, the doctor switched him to another medication that he took when he felt a migraine coming on (big red horse pills). I can't remember the name of the medication he took when he was little, but they were little white pills that he took every day. Your doctor might be trying other remedies before he resorts to medication. My son occasionally has a migraine even now, but they are infrequent and not as strong and debilitating as when he was younger. Ask your doctor about medication if his other treatments don't work.

I agree with other posts about potential food allergies and the importance of hydrating - a daily diary will help to determine some triggers (chocolate is a big one). I suffer from migraines and while I was pregnant could not take my prescription meds. While tylenol normally didn't help - I found the following would help me: I would take tylenol with a coke or cup of tea (to add a little bit of caffeine) then I would lie down in a quiet, dark room with a cool cloth on my head and neck. Normally after a half hour I would feel better - not normal but functional. I suffered from migraines all my life and was not diagnosed until college. I feel for your little one!!! Good luck!

Don't know of it's effectiveness with children but I have two friends who suffered from migraines for years. They started a vinegar therapy about 8 years ago and haven't had one since. They take 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of water a day. It apparently works because it balances the acids in the system. They swear by it. Can't imagine it tastes good but it has to beat having migraines. Best of luck. God bless.

Angela,

I am so sorry you DD has to deal with these I know mine are horrible. My nephew gets them all the time, my sister prevents them with water believe it or not. When he forgets to drink water on a regular basis he will get a migraine so really push the fluids. In the summer have a water bottle everywhere you go. I hope this helps you I know it helps my nephew.

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