Migraine

Hi guys,

I know you can't give medical advice, but I'm just looking for some thoughts...

My son's pediatrician mentioned using Imitrex Nasal Spray for his migraines. He's just 5 years old and I'm wondering if this med is used often with kids this young???

Thanks for your thoughts!

jenny

Hi Jenny, My son is 11 and started taking Initrex 25 mg pills when he was 10. I remember asking about Imitrex when he was younger and his neurologist said he had to have a body weight of 60 pounds before he could take it. I'm not sure what your son weighs, but that's what we were told. It does work for my son but he gets very tired after taking it. Best of luck to you, I know what you're going through.
Alison

Jenny did your peditrician talk about there being a pediatric dosage available? What did he cover with you as to the pros and cons of using it? I confess I did not think abortives could be given so young.

If you are unable to talk to your peditrician again soon, you might talk to your pharmacit about age requirements for the drug. I'm sure they would be happy to provide you with that information.

Cindy

Jenny,

There are three strengths of Imitrex Nasal Spray -- 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. I've heard of the 5mg being prescribed for children.

Here's the only info about children that's in the Imitrex NS prescribing info:

"Two controlled clinical trials evaluating sumatriptan nasal spray (5 to 20 mg) in pediatric patients aged 12 to 17 years enrolled a total of 1,248 adolescent migraineurs who treated a single attack. The studies did not establish the efficacy of sumatriptan nasal spray compared to placebo in the treatment of migraine in adolescents. Adverse events observed in these clinical trials were similar in nature to those reported in clinical trials in adults."

Thank you Alison, Cindy, and Teri!

I guess I'm hesitant about ANY meds for my little guy...he's my baby, you know!

Right now, he weighs about 45 pounds...And Teri, yes, he's talking about the 5mg Imitrex NS.

I think I will talk with my pharmacist about this a little. Also, I may make another appointment with my son's doc to discuss it further.

The pediatrician told me that the Imitrex may make him sleepy or dizzy. Right now, my son's migraine attacks are infrequent. But when he gets hit with one, he's REALLY bad (vomiting, crying, resting in his dark bedroom). It's really hard to see my little guy so miserable!

Thanks for your help, guys!
jenny

My daughter takes a differant tryptan (she is 6). Not all kids respond to the same tryptan and her doctor (a pediatric migraine specialist) tried differant doses (but pill splitting) to find the lowest possible dose of the right tryptan (drugs in the same class as immitrex) that would work best for her. RElpax did not work as well for her and required a comparitively higher dose, but Zomig at half a dose usually is all that is required. Not only is she not at such a big dose it is disolving and so easy for her to take. It has been an amazing response for her. I am curious what type of doctor you child is seeing. Nasal sprays are harder to dose control, and the taste down their throat is supposed to be terrible too. I hope this helps so that you can have a discussion of your options with you doctor.
Lynn

How'w he doing, jenny?

Hi Jenny! Aww Im ss your lil guy has migraines. I know exactly how hard it is to see your little one so miserable!

My lil man is 9, he takes Maxalt for his migraines. His are becoming more frequent unfortunatly. He does pretty well on it. it helps his migraines quite a bit, with few side effects. He has never tried imtrex though ss I cant help you with that one!


Tawsha

Hi guys,

My little guy is still doing well--no migraine for three weeks!

I feel just terrible when they do come, though. My side of the family seems to carry the "migraine gene." Being such a terrible migraine sufferer myself, I know exactly how he feels when he does get one! (This knowledge is sometimes helpful--but often it's just awful!)

His only doc for migraine care is his PCP. I've considered the possibility of consulting with a pediatric HA specialist, but I'm not sure that's necessary right now...(or am I wrong???! ). I think his PCP would give me the referral with no argument, but I just don't know if we need a specialist right now.

Lynn, thank you so much for your response! I've heard of children being treated with abortive meds in pill form before. I think it was my son's doctor's suggestion of the nasal spray that surprised me! I hadn't heard of other children using them before...

Nancy, thank you for checking up on us!

Tawsha, does your son use the tablet form of maxalt? Or is he able to use the melts?

One of our issues with abortives for my son is his vomiting. He seems to throw up LOTS with migraine, so pills are tough...

Love you guys! You're TERRIFIC!
jenny

Jenny,
My son uses the melts. They work wonders and dont take long to melt. The taste isnt so horrible that he wont take it. He never refuses it. He knows how much it helps! With real nasty medicine he usually rushes for a drink right afterward, but he doesnt do that with the melts so they must not be too bad.

It would seem to me that if he vomits frequently the melts would be a much better idea than pills. TJ rarely vomits though he gets very nauseated. He also gets sound and light sensitive. Sound is worse for him most of the time.

How often does your lil guy get migraines on average? How long has he had migraines? Do you keep a migraine log for him? Do you know his triggers yet? Sorry just a few questions


Tawsha

Thanks for the info Tawsha!

I've tried the maxalt melts for my own migraines and they're really not that terrible. They have kind of a bitter, minty taste...not too strong, though. You're probably right--the melts would be a lot easier for my son than the pills!

My son just got his first "real" migraine last October. He tends to get one every 2 weeks, on average. I think he may have experienced abdominal migraines, too. (He had many bouts of stomach difficulties as a toddler--he was diagnosed with several food allergies and the docs always said his stomach trouble was allergy related.)

My son's triggers include: onions, bright sunlight and strong odors (especially chemical smells).

I haven't really kept a formal migraine log for him--I've just noted his migraines on my kitchen calendar. I suppose it's time to start a migraine log for him, huh??

jenny

Melts definetly would be worth a consideration due to his vomiting. Lauren had a lot of abdominal migraines at age 4, but not so many now. It seems her prodromes consist of GI pain though. I wonder if it is related to her GI slowing just based on observations. Anyway I hope that your son is feeling better soon. I don't have migraines, so I can't even relate with what Lauren is going through.
As to who you use to treat your son, that is such a personal decision. We originally had a pediatric neurologist who I really liked, but she has clearly done best under the headache specialist's care. We still keep in touch with our original doctor through. He is really caring and helped us so much in the begining. I gues it depends on how well you feel your son's needs are being adequately addressed. PCP's just don't have the comfort level with ALL the meds out there to treat the kids that the specialists do. Having said that some kids don't have their lives as severely impacted the way others do. I can say that no PCP wants to touch Lauren's migraines due to their original severity and frequency. She had a pattern that was rare in its severity. Good luck to you and your son in finding him relief and comfort!!
Lynn