Migraine

Hi All,

I'm new to this website and was wondering if anyone out there can help me.

My 11yr old daughter developed nighttime headaches about 2 1/2 months ago. They come on every night at roughly the same time 8:0-0pm. She has had an MRI, blood work and all is clear. WE are currently waiting for our appoint with pedi neurologist.

I am very concerned as she also has alot of other symptoms that I haven't seen listed anywhere else. I've listed them below. Has anyone elses child experienced these symptoms???

thanks any help would be greatly appreciated!!

- severe nighttime headache
- extreme dizziness
- numbness in legs
- itchy eyes, itchy body
- body weakness (unable to walk)
- wet her bed in the beginning a couple of times
- can't tell if her eyes are open/closed (in the dark)
- body over heats (but no fever)
- difficulty swallowing

Hi!

I just wanted to let you know that I have expierenced dizziness, dumbness in legs, itchy eyes and body, body weakness, not being able to tell if my eyes are open or closed, body overheating, difficulty swallowing, and a lot of other wierd things that you did not mention during a migraine. I am 15. I just wanted to let you know that I too have expierenced these symptoms.

Good luck to you and your daughter,

Welcome headaches.

I'm sorry your daughter and you are having to deal with this. Michelle, the 15 year old girl, hopefully relieved some of your worry by telling you she has some of the same symptoms.

We have a couple of articles that may help. I'll post them for you and please let us know how your appointment goes.

Anatomy of a Migraine

Adolescent Migraine May Subside With Age

My daughter had migraines starting at 10/11 and hers did subside; I suspect hers were connected to puberty and starting her period.

Headaches, welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us.

Hi, headaches! Welcome to the forum. Hugs for you and your daughter!

Many of us have certain times of day when our migraines tend to strike, including nighttime. Dizziness is a variable thing from one of us to another. It isn't unusual to feel all out of sorts in so many ways with migraine. Ditto on the numbness. Mine is generally limited to the left side of my face and my scalp, for the most part, but others report limb numbness. Many of us will feel washed out and tired, too, sometimes feeling lethargic. There are times I feel like I've taken my Midrin, with the sedative, even though I haven't. Sometimes I feel overheated with migraine, and sometimes I'll feel cold. Many of these things are things some of us have experienced with migraine. I don't know about the bedwetting, itchiness, or swallowing difficulties. Those are excellent things to ask the neuro about. How far out is your appointment?

Hello, headaches, and welcome. Glad that you and your daughter have found us, though sorry that you have need to be here.

I suffer from migraine without aura and have had a few of the symptoms you describe in your daughter. In particular, my migraines are often the worst at night. I also suffer from very frequent vertigo (diagnosed as migraine associated vertigo). I sometimes get hot flashes with my migraines, but more frequently I get cold chills. Any itchiness I get tends to be allergy-related, however, not migraine-related.

It is pretty common for headache and migraine patients to have MRIs come back clear. Good to hear you have an appt with a neuro - when is that scheduled?

Welcome again - take a look around this site and let us know if you have any other questions.

Thank you all for your very quick responses!! Although I do not want to have to use a forum like this (wish the headaches weren't there) it is nice to be able to talk with people who understand.

Thank you Michelle. I wish you did not have to go through what my daughter goes through but it is nice to know that these symptoms are normal with migraines.

Our neuro appoint should happen in the next week or two. Just waiting for the final date.

My daughter is also currently going through a treatment process using accupunture. The accupuncturist claims he can get rid of her migraines. (We do have a friend whos son went to him and has not had a migraine for over a year since going). Has anyone else used accupuncture with good results?
Thanks
Denise

We have members here who have used acupuncture, I'm sure someone will post their experience.

But remember, migraine is a neurological disease. Acupuncture may help eliminate some of her sensitivites that lead to triggering a migraine, but it is not curable. If you daughter can find relief, that would be great.

Hi

My son is 14. We tried acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and biofeedback. The acupuncture didn't do anything at all for him. I would be willing to try another acupuncturist in the future though.

There is another folder called alternative treatments. I think there are some discussions there about acupuncture. The alternative therapies are worth trying, but just remember there is no cure. But they can help get the migraines under control.

Good luck with your dr. apptmt. Are you seeing a headache specialist?

My son experiences a lot of dizziness sometimes. He also has nausea.

I'm glad you found this forum. There is a lot of great info here.
Jean Ann

I started acupuncture last April and the results have been amazing. I have gone 6 month without a migraine. It has worked for me better than anything else has.

Here are links to a few of the acupuncture threads in the Complementary / Alternative Therapies folder:

Any Acupuncture updates?

first acupuncture appointment

Hi Denise!

Just wanted to welcome you and your daughter to the forum.

I know that this is probably very scary for you! Most of the symptoms you stated your daughter gets, can be part of migraine disease.

I personally get nausea, heartburn, chills, aura, photophobia, phonophobia, sometimes tingly but that could also be from my medication as well....

Please keep us posted once you've seen the doctor. I would think some of the original symptoms you mentioned (bedwetting) may have also been from being scared or not knowing what was going on! I would be too waking up and not knowing if I could see or not!

Good luck on your doctor visit. We are here if you have any questions.


Oh and on a side note: any doctor or acupuncturist who states they can "cure" migraines - is blowing smoke. Migraines are a neurological disorder to which, to date, there is no cure.....So if ends up that your daughter does have migraine disease, any doctor who states they can "cure" her - run!

We are scheduled mon 24th for her neurologist. Had to have a friend pull some strings. I don't know about the US but I was looking at waiting a possible 3 months more before getting into see someone. (Canada) I couldn't wait that long!!!

thanks for the info on acupuncture. We are going to continue treatment looks like about 12 more sessions. I'm trying to do everything without meds if possible.

the last week has been horrible. Her headaches are getting stronger and instead of once a night we are now looking at 3 times a night. I'm worried about it impacting school now as she is exhausted. She is still continuing with daytime activities (soccer/horseback riding)for now.

I'll let you know what the neuro says.
thanks
Denise

Glad that you could get in so fast! Here in the US it can sometimes be 3 months, 6 months or even longer if you're a new patient with a headache specialist. That's not uncommon, unfortunately. I'm not sure if anyone's linked you to this yet, but we have a couple of articles that can help you prepare for your daughter's appointment.

Migraineur's Guide To a Successful Doctor's Appointment

Coping With Busy Doctors

When to See a Doctor for a Migraine or Headache

Let us know if you have any other questions, ok? We are happy to help.

Denise,
You and your daughter have been given great info by the other forum members and by parent of kids with migraines and by on of the kids themselves. Good luck on Monday. I know the information on the organization of your inforamtion can be very helpful to make the most of your time.

Keep us posted.

Cindy