Pediatric migraines...help!

[Anonymous]

My 10 year old DD has had headaches every day. Dr says they're migraines with visual disturbances. Is there anything that people have done that helps?

Currently trying a supplement (coenzyme q, magnesium, b2), and trying a headache diet, although it's hard to follow.

We did an antihsitamine, which helped for awhile but then it wasn't as effective and there was a lot of weight gain. Interesting thing is it also helped with her motion sickness. Next step is an antidepressant for pain, but I kind of want to avoid if at all possible.

[Anonymous]

Is she drinking enough water? Electrolytes? Try coconut water or salt free electrolyte water daily. If she feels thirsty she’s already dehydrated.

Stick with the diet, often times too much salt, msg, any nitrites/nitrates Can cause it, especially if not hydrated. Dairy, gluten, artificial ingredients, overly processed foods, seed oils, other food allergies Can cause it too. Might want to see an allergist.

Also are there fluorescent lights at school? That can cause them.

It’s really just trial and error. Track time of day they start and look back an hour or two to see what she’s eating or environmentally what might be causing it.

Have you consulted a neurologist?

try excedrin migraine, probably just 1 if she’s 10, has caffeine but no more than a soda. Can start with half to see if it helps and give other half in an hour if it doesn’t. Dark cool room with an ice pack on back of neck should help most until you figure out the cause.

[Anonymous]

Get to a pediatric neurologist who specializes in headaches. She needs both a preventative and abortive. There are lots of things to try but many are not approved for kids. Make sure they do an mri for a rule out and take her for a full physical with bloodwork.

Be careful, with things like excedrin. Overuse can cause kidney issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get to a pediatric neurologist who specializes in headaches. She needs both a preventative and abortive. There are lots of things to try but many are not approved for kids. Make sure they do an mri for a rule out and take her for a full physical with bloodwork.

Be careful, with things like excedrin. Overuse can cause kidney issues.

Antidepressant is a normal migraine treatment. Work for some. Some insurances require at least three failures of older cheaper medications before the newer more expensive ones that costs thousands a month.

[Anonymous]

We had a very good experience at the headache clinic at children’s national.

Staying hydrated, eating regularly, a little caffeine has all helped. Taking Tylenol and Motrin at the same time. Ice pack on the neck. Dramamine for car rides longer than 30 minutes. Sunglasses. No devices in the car.

[Anonymous]

Childrens Hospital has a "Pain Clinic" that sees kids right away to analyze and treat headaches/migraine. If child need IV medication and imaging tests, they do it while you are there. Kids are sent downstairs to the ER for immediate treatment. Very happy with our experience.

[Anonymous]

Weight gain from an antihistamine??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weight gain from an antihistamine??

Op here. Yes, it's an allergy med that is used off label (?) for migraines. It's also used to stimulate appetite for kids who are underweight. (My dd was significantly hungrier on meds and ate a ton more )

We do go to the headache clinic at Children's hospital, and she's had an mri to rule out other issues.

I'm very happy with the doctors, but I'm looking for any answers I may have overlooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weight gain from an antihistamine??

Yes, apparently it is used to increase appetite in adults too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Childrens Hospital has a "Pain Clinic" that sees kids right away to analyze and treat headaches/migraine. If child need IV medication and imaging tests, they do it while you are there. Kids are sent downstairs to the ER for immediate treatment. Very happy with our experience.

This clinic no longer exists. I was an earlier poster who discussed the electrolytes, etc. We took our son to the headache/pain clinic when it was a group treatment program (neurology & behavioral health/psychology) and we saw 2 wonderful providers. Dr. Mark DiSabella and Dr. Angela Fletcher - one was neurologist and the other was a psychologist but honestly i'm forgetting who was who because they were both excellent. I just sent my friend there recently but she told me the clinic closed -something to do with funding. I would imagine the doctors are someowhere in the area.

[Anonymous]

Does she have a PFO?

[Anonymous]

Heat and dehydration definitely contributed to my kid's migraines

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Childrens Hospital has a "Pain Clinic" that sees kids right away to analyze and treat headaches/migraine. If child need IV medication and imaging tests, they do it while you are there. Kids are sent downstairs to the ER for immediate treatment. Very happy with our experience.

This clinic no longer exists. I was an earlier poster who discussed the electrolytes, etc. We took our son to the headache/pain clinic when it was a group treatment program (neurology & behavioral health/psychology) and we saw 2 wonderful providers. Dr. Mark DiSabella and Dr. Angela Fletcher - one was neurologist and the other was a psychologist but honestly i'm forgetting who was who because they were both excellent. I just sent my friend there recently but she told me the clinic closed -something to do with funding. I would imagine the doctors are someowhere in the area.

Children's Hospital is affiliated with Peadiatric Specialists of VA, and they have a Headache Clinic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she have a PFO?

Op here. Ty. I've never heard of this before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Childrens Hospital has a "Pain Clinic" that sees kids right away to analyze and treat headaches/migraine. If child need IV medication and imaging tests, they do it while you are there. Kids are sent downstairs to the ER for immediate treatment. Very happy with our experience.

This clinic no longer exists. I was an earlier poster who discussed the electrolytes, etc. We took our son to the headache/pain clinic when it was a group treatment program (neurology & behavioral health/psychology) and we saw 2 wonderful providers. Dr. Mark DiSabella and Dr. Angela Fletcher - one was neurologist and the other was a psychologist but honestly i'm forgetting who was who because they were both excellent. I just sent my friend there recently but she told me the clinic closed -something to
do with funding. I would imagine the doctors are someowhere in the area.

Its still listed on the Children’s website with those providers: https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/headache-program/meet-the-team