Migraine

Hi everyone

Just found this site and am hoping that someone might have some new information we can use. My daugher Elizabeth is 16 years old and has been suffering from daily headaches and severe migraines at least 2-3 times a week for about 4 years now. We have tried all the traditional preventative medications, (elavil, topomax, depakote, inderal) the list goes on and on -

We've also tried acupuncture, bio-feedback, chinese herbal medicine, and are now doing Dr. Doris Rapp's method of food and environmental allergy testing and allergy shots. NOTHING works!

Has anyone ever tried hypnosis or botox injections? Or is there anything new that seems to be working?

Hope to hear from anyone who can help.

Thanks

Hello and welcome!

The Migraine specialists I know and work with consider a 16-year-old an adult for purposes of treatment. IMO, the best thing you can do is to get her to an actual Migraine specialist.

Yes, it's very easy to feel as if you've tried every preventive out there, but with over 100 medications in use for Migraine prevention and virtually endless combinations, it's literally impossible to have tried them all. Take a look at Migraine preventive medications: too many options to give up! for more information.

It seems that many people ask about the complementary therapies such as those you mention, but we hear of very few successes with them.

Our Community Manager, Nancy, lives in the Buffalo area, and I'm sure she'll be along to reply to you too.

Welcome again!

Thanks for the reply, Teri

Unfortunately, we have seen a pediatric neurologist locally, a neurologist specializing in migraines and also a pediatric neurologist affiliated with the Jefferson Headache Clinic in Wilmington Del. She advised that Elizabeth should stop the medications because they were not helping and she was having terrible side effects (nausea, dizziness, etc).
She was also on Cymbalta at one point and I was very concerned about Seratonin Syndrome - the doctor didn't seem to be - but when she stopped taking that she had terrible withdrawal symptoms, even though we weaned her off as was advised.

She has been through so much and nothing has given her any relief - she feels like there isn't anything that will help. I'm always the optomist, thinking that the next thing will do the trick but so far no luck ---

It's so hard to watch your child in pain all the time - she's a wonderful kid who gets great grades in school. I don't know how she can do her work in her condition but I guess she has had it for so long now that she just functions on auto-pilot.

I'd love to hear from Nancy to see if there is another migraine neurologist we can try.

Thank you for your encourgement - I know I'm not the only one going through this but sometimes it feels that way!

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection.

Yes, it is awful to see our children in so much pain. Let's see if we can help.

I don't mean to state the obvious, but have any of these "Migraine specialists" asked your daughter to keep a Migraine diary? Do you have any idea if she is triggered by any foods? She has nothing to lose and it is quite easy to do. We did this with our son, who is now 13yrs. old and found chocolate, dehydration and changing his sleeping patterns can trigger a Migraine attack. Click HERE.

There are some good clinics, but why don't you email me and we can "talk" about the "Migraine specialists" in Buffalo?

My email is highlighted in blue....

I just wanted to post and say welcome. My chronic headaches and migraines began around age 14, so I can empathize with what your daughter is going through. (I wasn't diagnosed until I was 20 though.)

Please let us know how else we can help you.

Hi, desperate mom, I'm sure you are truly desperate. I'm so sorry for what you and your daughter are going through.

I'm glad you are always the optimist. The trial and error required for migraine treatment can be very discouraging for both the patient and the family. It is so important not to give up. Quality of life can be improved for nearly all migraineurs.

Take care of yourself. Look around the site and take advantage of all the info here. We will be here to support you as best we can.

Hi, desperate mom!

Your daughter's lucky to have you and your optimism. She's also lucky to be older, too. That increases her treatment options substantially.

I know it's a long haul you've gone through together. I'm glad you found us, though. We can't promise we have all kinds of answers, but we've got plenty of support to make up for it.

Welcome to both you and Elizabeth!

Hi desperate mom,

I am 15 and have had severe migraines since I was 12. Luckily, I have been a lot better latley. A combinations of acupuncture, supplements, daily exercise, elimating MSG and nitrates from my diet, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and tinted glasses to block out flourscent lights is what finally worked for me.

I have taken a class in hypnosis. I have not used it much but it didn't hurt me and it is worth a shot.

I have never tried botox but I guess anything is worth a try in your situation.

Have you ever tried chiropractics? I know that has worked well for some people.

Good luck to both you and Elizabeth. I hope you find something that works.

Hi

My 14 year old son has been in a similar situation for over a year except his daily headache is now gone. He has had some periods of relief. He is currently in Status Migraine. He is taking some meds to end that. I have my fingers crossed.

We have tried some different meds. I am sure we will continue trying new ones. He is currently taking 100mg elavil, 1500mg neurontin and several supplements. The neurontin made a huge difference rather quickly. We just increased the dose.

We are now trying acupuncture. I hope it will help. We have done biofeedback, chiropractor and massage. Those things are helpful, but do not provide full relief for him.

I also saw a dr. in Buffalo. I am about 3 hours away near Elmira, NY. I did like the dr. we saw, but he ran out of options fairly quickly. We then moved onto Dr. Yonker in Delaware. Is that who you saw?

She referred us onto Jefferson. Have you tried Jefferson? Since your daughter is 16 I don't think she needs a referral from Dr. Yonker. I would advise you to not go into the fellow program at Jefferson. I know the doctors are wonderful there, but not all the fellows are. It would be worth the wait to see the doctor of your choice.

Dr. Yonker also referred us to Dr. Gladstein in Baltimore, MD. We are currently seeing him. I really like him. He is a pediatric specialist.

Good Luck. Something has got to help.
Jean Ann

Good luck finding solutions for your daughter. My heart goes out to you. I have no great advice as my daughter is only 6 and too young for a lot of the alternative medicine choices. I hope to try biofeedback when she is a little older. I hope something works out for your daughter soon!
Lynn

Im so lost on this I dont ever do forums...but I came across this wonderful site. My daughter is 6 and suffers terribly from migraines with vomiting and excessive sleep. I am really looking for a specialist in the atlanta area. We have been getting no help from her ped. or neurologist.I desperately need a dr. who can educate me explain etc. not just write a drug in the 5 min she spends with us. please help my little girl is in such pain.......

Welcome. I'm sorry you have to be here, but we'll try to give you good information.

We have a list of member recommended migraine specialists. Here is the link:

Migraine Specialists

If you don't see a pediatric specialist listed, try calling a few of the offices listed and see if they can recommend anyone.

Meanwhile, maybe these links will help.

Anatomy of a Migraine

Migraine Preventive Medicines

Welcome to the forum, livmom. We're so glad you found us. After you look at the articles Deb listed (click on the blue words to get to the articles) let us know if you have any other questions.

Hi, livmom! Welcome to the forum!