Migraine

I believe my 7 year old niece will be the next to be diagnosed with migraines in my family. I have been concerned about her for a little while. My SIL did have her to a doctor previously, but didn't know or remember about our family history at that point and her headaches seemed to go away for a little while - she also said she forgot about me and didn't know about another niece with migraines (if you found your way in here and you're reading this, you know I still love you!).

I've given her links and a lot of information from this website to start reading before her next appointment (including the anatomy of a migraine, the general trigger links and the different types of migraines/headaches of which I pointed out specific articles to look at) and of course offered to help her however I could. I didn't want to overwhelm her too much, but wanted to try to touch on the important stuff to get her started. I also picked up a copy of Teri's book to give to her the next time I see her. My brother asked me about possible triggers since he knows about my food triggers. She is a very picky eater who doesn't drink much either so I told him not eating or drinking could be triggers too as well as smells, sleep and other things, but they should look through the trigger articles where there is a more comprehensive list.

My question is, my brother asked what he can give her for her headaches as aspirin really doesn't seem to help. I know you can't give advice so what would you give or do for your 7 year old to make her feel better? They will ask the doctor when they bring her back.

This is always a tricky question, because most medications haven't been studied for use with children. This does limit options substantially for kids.

So...for the most part you have to wait and see what the doctor reccommends. For us to try and come up with something suitable would be verging on medical advice, and while that is taboo and dangerous for us laypeople to do, it's even riskier when there is a child involved.

I know that I wouldn't ever give any 7 year-old aspirin, though. I was under the impression that more and more doctors are reccommending that aspirin never be given to anyone younger than at least twelve, not only because of Reye's syndrome, but because of other reasons as well. It's been a while since I read anything on that, but I have the impression that it should be avoided.

In the meantime, while waiting to see the doctor, the very best we have to offer the younger crowd is comfort measures. Ice, heat, warm baths, a favorite pillow, a dark, cool place to go, snuggle time, love and understanding, and all that.

Yes, aspirin was not allowed at all for my kids at all (now 16 and 17). The only things allowed were advil and tylenol. My son has migraines (starting around age 7) intermittently and when it first started advil was used. He had been given that before as a pain reliever so I knew he was not allergic to it and it worked for him in other circumstances when pain was involved. I gave him the advil and he saw the doctor within a few days of the first migraine type headache he had. If a parent had not given something like that to the child, I wouldn't start until it was advised by the doctor. The reason I add that is many parents now of young children do not routinely give pain or fever reducers as readily as in the past. So depending on the parent, the child may not have been introduced to these medications.

I would encourage your brother to return to discuss the situtation with the child's doctor as soon as possible. I would not wait until the next rountine appointment. My son's pediatriation helped us put a plan in place at school and at the after school program so that he could receive the medication (advil) as soon as a migraine started. This reduced the amount of time he spent in pain greatly. Also it helped him understand the need to eat well, not skip meals or snacks. For my son, that seemed to be a trigger.

Cindy

I agree that getting the child to his doctor as soon as possible is a good idea. He'll be able to give guidance on what medications can be given, and when.

I don't have any personal experience for you. My son doesn't appear to have inherited my migraines, thank goodness.

We're here to help.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Someone else above mentioned comfort measures - perhaps taking a look at our "What's in Your Toolbox?" thread may give you some ideas. The thread was focused on adults but I would imagine some of the ideas could translate to a 7-year-old as well. Link is HERE.

Thank you for all of your responses. It is harder to know what the right thing to do for a child is especially since they don't have all of the same options that adults have.

I called my SIL and told her that I posted this question. She logged in and we went through some of your great responses. She's a little under the weather herself right now and was trying to prepare for work tomorrow before her kids started demanding her attention so she was a little preoccupied. She did want to correct my brother. He uses the word aspirin when she actually will give their daughter Tylenol or Advil. Although I never gave my kids aspirin either, I think my brother and I still use that wrong, old school terminology at times for which I have to apologize too. I probably should have questioned him more about that when he said it.

My SIL has gone through many of the articles already and has been learning a lot while getting confused by others. I do remember learning about headaches and migraines in the beginning and getting very confused too. We only had a little time to talk as my family was yelling for me too, but I'm sure we'll talk a lot more. My niece has had this current headache for about two weeks now and my SIL will be calling the doctor tomorrow morning to make the appointment.

We did go through some triggers, some of the comfort measures and what the toolbox is. I am hoping that she will be posting out here soon too or even adding to anything I have said in this post. Thanks again for your responses.

Your SIL in very fortunate to have your support through this. Please let us know how we can continue to help and support. Somehow I missed that the child has been plagued by the headache/migraine for 2 weeks. I'm glad to hear they will be calling in the morning for an appointment.

My son found it sothing to have his temples and forhead area massaged with oil infused with peppermint and/or rosemary. Even now at 16 he'll let me do that.

Cindy

I'm glad the info here is helpful. Hopefully, she'll be able to get in to the doctor soon, and that will be better yet.

I'm glad the aspirin wasn't, too, by the way.

Cindy gave you a great idea about massaging oil onto the temples. I've got a good friend that liked to use Mentholatum or Vicks on her temples with headaches. It doesn't do much for me, but it is a good comfort measure for a lot of people.

Hello,
My son who just turned 8 has been getting Migraines since he was 5. I have found that the best treatment is Advil (works better than tylenol for him) and rest. He has to get the Advil ASAP or the migraine goes full blown with vomiting.

We are working on finding his food triggers. It used to be just chocolate but recently he has been getting 2-3 headaches a week. I cut out Peanut butter, pizza, fresh yeast breads. I have contacted school and he is allowed to bring a water bottle and have a snack at 1:30pm to prevent hunger between lunch and the end of school.

He hasn't had a headache or stomache (possible abdominal Migraines) in 5 days!! I am hoping it is the Peanut butter causing the headaches. He has an appointment to get an MRI of the brain and the Neuro Dr wants to put him on low dose blood pressure meds. These are just a few of the things that we are doing in regards to the headaches.

Good luck with your niece. We have a strong family history too and it is terrible when you know what they are going thru and you have to sit and watch it.

Oh, You know that Asprin warning. I am living proof that Asprin isn't recommended for kids. I had Guillain-Bare' Syndrome (virus of the brain)similar to Ryes syndrome. My mom gave me baby aspirin (those yummy orange ones) ate the age of 7 during the chicken pox. I became paralized and my organs shut down. I was on a respirator at Children's hospital of Phila for 11 days. At the age of 7 I was 35 lbs. I had to learn to crawl, walk ect. again, all the things babies learn. Anyway, I was very lucky to survive and not have any permanent paralysis. DR also recommend that adults don't take Asprin when they have a virus either. Good luck with your niece

Cheryl

Wow, Cheryl! I'm glad you made it through Guillain-Bare', and without permanent damage. Thanks for sharing that.

Good luck to your little guy! I hope he keeps improving.

My SIL lucked out when she called the neurologist yesterday. The neuro had a cancellation and since my SIL was home sick, she jumped at the opportunity to bring my niece in. Our fear was brought to a reality and she has been officially diagnosed with migraines. She was given an Rx for a preventative too. My SIL is researching it right now.

Although I am happy with Topamax for myself, I gave her my three cents worth about giving it to a child. She is also getting the opinion from a pharmacist friend of hers and will decide what they want to do afterward. I have encouraged her to read as much as she can here and at this point, I will support them in whatever decision they make. I just want what is best for my niece and I know her parents do too. I was able to get the book to my SIL yesterday so hopefully she is enjoying it as much as I love my book.

Cheryl - it sounds like you're making a lot of great progress with your son. That's great! I hope it continues for you and him. I know what you mean about knowing what they are going through. When I look at my niece, sometimes I feel like I'm looking in a mirror which brings me back in time. I want better for her than what I had. I'm glad you pulled through the Guillain-Bare' Syndrome too. You really went through a tough time with it. You were very lucky. I wish you the best with your son too.

Pam

Did your niece get prescribed Topamax? I would not give it to a child, either.

Good luck to you and you SIL and niece.

Thanks Deb. Yes, she was prescribed Topamax. I am really not comfortable giving Topamax to a child either. We talked for sometime, but I am glad she is doing her research into it now too and not just giving it to her.

It is very good she's doing her research. If I had kids, I'd hesitate to give them Topamax, too, since it sounds like such a strong med. I'd imagine potential side effects might hit harder in the younger crowd.

I'm glad she was seen and got a definitive diagnosis, though. At least now you all can work on a game plan, whether it includes Topamax or not.

Hang in there and let us know how things go. I'll keep rooting and hoping my heart out for her.

Hi! First of all I am sorry to hear what your niece is going through, but I am glad she has someone who understands.

I was put on topamax at the age of 13. I had terrible side effects, I had kidney pain, I was cranky and stupid. I had a terrible sore throat so bad I had trouble swallowing. I know we cannot give medical advice, but I personally would not give this drug to a 7 year old. I would worry that they would be too affected and might not be able to communicate the severity of their side effects.