Teen with severe migraines and backache

[Anonymous]

I am trying to find some help for my DD, 16. She had migraines when she was younger (primarily in the spring, although no doctor thought that was a trigger). But she rarely has had them in the last few years until she had one moderate one while on vacation in Florida in early April.

A few weeks ago she started having back pain. At first I thought it was related to her period, but it persisted, so I took her to her pediatrician, who referred her to an orthopedist. He saw nothing amiss in an Xray and exam and prescribed higher doses of ibuprofen and back exercises.

Then last weekend, she got a terrible migraine. We went to urgent care. The doctor didn't think there was a link with her back and prescribed two medicines, neither of which helped with the migraine much. This weekend she has another horrible migraine. Her head is a lot better today, but her back hurts. She says she feels like an old woman!

Anyhow, we're going to a neurologist at Children's on Wednesday. But I thought I'd see if anyone has had similar issues with both their backs and headaches or anything I should specifically be asking at the appointment. Also, what drugs work for you if you have migraines?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure they're migraines? It's not just a fancy word for "severe headache", you know. It's a specific physiological event, akin to an epileptic seizure.

If it is migraines, imitrex is good.

[Anonymous]

It could be alot of different things. I have borderline Chiari malformation and syringomyelia which would have both the headache and the backpain. Headaches are primarily in the back of the head for Chiari. I don't want to scare you, this is very very rare. It is much more likely to be something else. I would demand an MRI if it keeps up.

[Anonymous]

OP here. She has been diagnosed with migraines in the past. Only once has she had the aura thing, but often she gets nauseated. Sometimes the headache is diffuse, but lately it's been at the front of her head, PP. Of course, in my most worried moments, I think brain tumor rather than migraine, but try quickly to banish that thought.

[Anonymous]

It could be hormonal. Is this occurring around the time of ovulation?

[Anonymous]

Her best bet is a neurologist. I have had them since I was a child and honestly, very little helps. It really depends on the individual. Until I got to the neurologist, who is amazing, I just got blown off. If the neurologist does not listen or help, find another one and keep looking till you find the right one. We have never been able to find my triggers and I've done all the diets, etc. It could be genetic. Generally, the first rule out they do is an MRI to rule out a brain tumor. I do them about every 5-7 years. Most likely it is not a brain tumor but I would ask for an MRI just in case.

Ibuprofen does nothing for a true migrane. She needs an abortive medication and if they are more than 10+ a month, then she needs to consider a preventative.

[Anonymous]

It could be hormonal. Is this occurring around the time of ovulation?

+1

I suffer from migraines. My triggers are hormones, lack of sleep, allergies (worst in spring/fall), and stress. Generally, I will not get a migraine when only one of these triggers are present. If 2 or 3, I might get a migraine. All 4 is a sure-fire recipe for a migraine for me.

Although I've had migraines since around 10/11 years old, I only recently identified the hormonal trigger.

Relpax has helped me tremendously when I do get a migraine. For prevention, going off BCP & using non-hormonal birth control has helped, as has aggressive control/prevention of allergies (with antihistamine/inhaled steroid).

I've heard for some women BCP may actually help with hormone-triggered migraines. If you get aura with migraines, you should not be on BCP.