Plus one for celiac panel. That would explain the migraines, anxiety, panic attacks, GERD, and also painful periods. Do you have any autoimmune in your family, "touchy stomachs", etc.?

Also plus one for caution on antianxiety meds. My celiac kid was diagnosed after way too many years chasing down the wrong neuro/psych paths for issues very much like those described here. A few weeks after diagnosis, she was put on citalopram since the anxiety didn't clear up immediately after going gluten-free. (In retrospect, her doctors were clueless - of course it didn't clear up immediately, her numbers were literally off the charts. JFC, doctors can be clueless.) The meds may have helped a little (hard to tell), but I'm fairly confident that it also exacerbated (vs helped) her reaction to a gluten exposure during that time -- and tapering off was a **nightmare**, really really horrible (and the doctors refused to recognize that the issue was discontinuation - they clearly thought it was just the anxiety coming back as we reduced citalopram dosage, but there were a whole new set of symptoms (dizziness, nausea) that weren't there before and the irritability was AWFUL. It sucked.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that treating anxiety may help her migraines. Kind of wish I took her to the psychiatrist first.

Emailing with the neuro asking him if it makes sense to swap the Topomax to Prozac makes sense, specially is she is scripted a migraine abortive.

Just worry that by the time we get her into see a shrink (waiting on a call back), she will have to be weaned off Topomax.

Hate doctors.

Op, I know how you feel. Each doctor focus on their specific parts and rarely see the whole. This is very frustrating for you and your dd. You're being a good mom. It can be a long road turning over many rocks til you get answers.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that treating anxiety may help her migraines. Kind of wish I took her to the psychiatrist first.

Emailing with the neuro asking him if it makes sense to swap the Topomax to Prozac makes sense, specially is she is scripted a migraine abortive.

Just worry that by the time we get her into see a shrink (waiting on a call back), she will have to be weaned off Topomax.

Hate doctors.

Abortives are different than preventatives. You should not use an abortive daily (though I have). Her neurologist not her psychologist should be doing this. She should be on a triptan in less she cannot be for the abortive.

Migraines and anxiety are two different issues but can be treated with the same drugs. Please consult a doctor and don't just take advice on here. Some do great on topamax. I did not and the side effects were rough but others do great. The neurologist not the psychiatrist should be treating the migraines. Most people aren't making up migraines. The are painful and horrific.

Just for another perspective, my DS has been taking topomax for 2 years and it's been amazing.

He had very significant side effects to an SSRI and had to be taken off immediately.

The topomax helps with his anxiety and his migraines and both are at very acceptable levels. Just letting you know some of these drugs are better for some kids and some for others.

Maybe a genetic test should be tried if you can't get the meds right.

OP here. I agree that treating anxiety may help her migraines. Kind of wish I took her to the psychiatrist first.

Emailing with the neuro asking him if it makes sense to swap the Topomax to Prozac makes sense, specially is she is scripted a migraine abortive.

Just worry that by the time we get her into see a shrink (waiting on a call back), she will have to be weaned off Topomax.

Hate doctors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Neuro scripted Topamax, Fioricet. My insurance denied whatever abortive med he req'd. I guess we will be picking another one?

Since she has panic attacks and we are going to see a Psychiatrist, I am hoping the neuro would script her daily Prozac, low dose. I would like to get her off Topamax. She's only been on it 4 days and its such a serious drug. She is definitely fighting side effects.

If the psychiatrist treats the underlying anxiety that might help the migraines and GERD b/c the anxiety might be exacerbating them.

Eliminate epilepsy and celiac.

Does she do CBT therapy for the anxiety?

I was going to suggest a celiac panel too.

Read up carefully before putting anyone on anxiety meds. I'm not saying not to do it, but the tapering off process when you are ready to go off can be excruciating, depending on the med.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Neuro scripted Topamax, Fioricet. My insurance denied whatever abortive med he req'd. I guess we will be picking another one?

Since she has panic attacks and we are going to see a Psychiatrist, I am hoping the neuro would script her daily Prozac, low dose. I would like to get her off Topamax. She's only been on it 4 days and its such a serious drug. She is definitely fighting side effects.

I have the migraine/ panic attack combo. For whatever reason, they tend to be co-morbid.

OP— I would very, very strongly flag Topamax. It is Informally known as Dope-a-max and it is a really awful drug. It made my brain really foggy, hard to find words, hard to express myself, confused and uncoordinated—I had a car accident and fell down several times. I took it postpartum when I lived in a more rural area with one neurology practice. My neurologist said I had to stay on it to stay in his practice. I ended up trying to kill myself and the MD in the hospital was appalled that I was on it with a co-existing mental illness. When the dust settled, the feeling was that the Topamax played a not insignificant role. I would never let a child of mine take it. And I am not alone. I have heard so many horror stories about it. Take the side effects very seriously.

Also watch the fiercest. It has caffeine, which can stopmgraines, but cause rebound headaches and make anxiety worse. They make a version without Cafferine— Butalbital. If you DC is anxious, I would ask for the caffeine free version.

Besides that, you need a neurologist and a psychiatrist who are communicating. At least sending each other chart notes. But better if you can get them in one practice, or both at children’s. There can be a lot of cross prescribing. For example— propranolol is an old BP med. but it also is a migraine preventative and it can prevent or lessen panic attacks. You need someone looking at the big picture.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plus adding to her medical issues, DD is on birth control pills and refuses to even have her period every 3 months. Too painful.

Have to take her to OB/GYN to discuss low estrogen/no estrogen pills. Calling around tomorrow.

Neuro was helpful but mentioning above. He seemed to understand Dysmenorrhea.

I just feel like SO many doctors. Her primary is useless.

Maybe the pills are causing the issue. Most primary cares cannot deal with any of those which is why you go to a specialist.

The psychiatrist should be prescribing an antidepressant. She may not be needing migraine medication if her anxiety is under control.

Anonymous wrote:Plus adding to her medical issues, DD is on birth control pills and refuses to even have her period every 3 months. Too painful.

Have to take her to OB/GYN to discuss low estrogen/no estrogen pills. Calling around tomorrow.

Neuro was helpful but mentioning above. He seemed to understand Dysmenorrhea.

I just feel like SO many doctors. Her primary is useless.

Maybe the pills are causing the issue. Most primary cares cannot deal with any of those which is why you go to a specialist.

Anonymous wrote:The three migraine preventatives are all bad. Topimax is most likely going to cause bad cognitive side effects. The only thing that will change her life is being able to take a triptan (Sumatriptan 100 mg) at the first sign of a migraine starting. It will relieve ALL pain within 1-2 hours. I also wear the Cefaly device every night for 20 minutes which cut my migraines in half. No side effects, but you need a prescription from your neurologist to buy it. I’m getting ready to try the Aimovig preventative shots too. Good luck!

You cannot get the Aimovig in less you have tried multiple preventatives, including Botox. I got Aimovig easily but a lot of people are having issues. A triptan will no relieve all pain for everyone. Glad it helps you. Doesn't help at all with my periods.

Plus adding to her medical issues, DD is on birth control pills and refuses to even have her period every 3 months. Too painful.

Have to take her to OB/GYN to discuss low estrogen/no estrogen pills. Calling around tomorrow.

Neuro was helpful but mentioning above. He seemed to understand Dysmenorrhea.

I just feel like SO many doctors. Her primary is useless.

OP here. CBT is on our list of possible solutions. I am hopeful the psychiatrist can recommend a CBT therapist.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Neuro scripted Topamax, Fioricet. My insurance denied whatever abortive med he req'd. I guess we will be picking another one?

Since she has panic attacks and we are going to see a Psychiatrist, I am hoping the neuro would script her daily Prozac, low dose. I would like to get her off Topamax. She's only been on it 4 days and its such a serious drug. She is definitely fighting side effects.

If the psychiatrist treats the underlying anxiety that might help the migraines and GERD b/c the anxiety might be exacerbating them.

Eliminate epilepsy and celiac.

Does she do CBT therapy for the anxiety?