Migraines & Headaches

Hi Vida! Welcome to the forum. I am so glad you have joined us, but sorry to hear about your son's pain. Do you get migraines too?

How often is he getting the migraines? How often is he getting headaches? Does he take Imitrex for every migraine and Ibuprofen for every headache, or only if needed? Any thought of putting him on a preventative medication (taken daily to reduce the frequency and/or severity of migraines)?

Even for infrequent migraines, some doctors will put someone on a preventative if the migraines are severe, or difficult to treat. There are several medications that I have heard of being used in children as preventatives. Most are used off label, such as anti seizure, anti depressants, and beta blockers. I have specifically heard of Elavil being used in children. I think it may have even been approved for this use?

That is great the Imitrex seems to help him. Did the doctor suggest he's allowed to take two doses in a day? For future reference, many people do not absorb a medication/pill for 45 minutes to an hour, so the second dose after 45 minutes could have been too soon. I usually hear to wait 2 hours between Triptan doses.

Have they tried an anti nausea medication for him? Phenergen is a common one, as far as I know ok for use in children, and can cause drowsiness so that could help. Sounds like he does well sleeping them off once he gets some relief, which is common for children. I would ask his doctor about a nausea medication as sometimes even if you can't do much for the pain, reducing the nausea will significantly help. Many people will take the nausea medication with the Triptan, or even a bit before it. Triptans can increase stomach upset for some.

Are you keeping a migraine log for him? I'd suggest noting the day/time of each migraine, potential triggers, what medications or treatment (such as rest, ice, hot shower) were used, and if they helped. This can find patterns as well as track medication usage.

Hope to chat with you again soon. Best wishes to you and your family. I know this must be so tough. Please remember it is not your fault. It sounds like you are doing all you can to help your son.

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Hi Kate...
I smiled when I noticed your username -- my son loves tortoises and turtles.  We have a pet Russian tortoise named Sputnik.

Nope, I don't get migraines, though I do deal with headaches -- mostly tension/stress, and some due to TMJ pain.
Yes, Andrius takes the Imitrex for every migraine and ibuprofen for every severe headache.  I do try to avoid the meds at all costs if it's a minor thing, of course.  He doesn't get them VERY often (I really should have kept a journal, didn't think of that, thanks for the suggestion) so I'm not sure that a preventative stance would be something to consider.  ?

We've been dealing with major stress for a long time, so most of the time these headaches are caused by that.  Our financial troubles are rough, unfortunately both children are aware (I have a 7 yr old daughter, too), and sometimes it's difficult to hide things.  On top of that, the new school year has brought on some major stressors, with a heavier workload.  (Don't even get me started on the curriculum, LOL.  I get too ugly over it!)
Then, to top of that "fun stuff" is going through my Dad's cancer diagnosis in July '08 (he's now in remission, since around Easter time) and the passing of my sister in January.  Needless to say... we're in need of a vacation.

I have a Russian tortoise names Trevor who is a year old. :) I'd love to hear about Sputnik sometime. Awesome name!

How often is not very often? Once a week? Once a month? If they are at least once a week, some doctors would consider a preventative, but typically it would be only if they are at least a couple times a week, or untreatable with abortive medications.

That's interesting it is written as soon as 30 minutes after. My body takes an hour to absorb a medication, and at least 30-45 minutes is not uncommon. I would recommend limiting the Imitrex to 2-3 days a week, and Ibuprofen to 2-3 days a week. This is to avoid rebound headache.

Yes, please ask about the nausea medications. Hope the migraine log can prove helpful. Let me know if you want me to give you some links, or if you do a Google search you'll find some great starting points if you wanted to print something out. This could help identify triggers.

Does he mostly get them when home in the evenings and weekends? Ever at school? Any more questions?

Are you having trouble paying for the Imitrex? There are some assistance programs for that. Let me know.

Best wishes.

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Hi again, Kate!

Sorry it took a long time to get back over here.  Life is chaotic...

It's so very cool that YOU have a Russian tortoise as well.  :)  Sputnik has been with us since Andrius turned 4, we don't know how old he was at the time (Sputnik, not Andrius, LOL).  I'll never forget the time when Andrius, who didn't realize that I was watching him, took Sputnik out of the cage the next day, put him onto the kitchen floor, and pushed him as if he was a toy car.  Sputnik went sliding across the kitchen floor.  I couldn't get angry with Andrius, it was funny as heck!
He never did that again, though, LOL.
Attached are some pics... Andrius on his 4th b-day holding Sputnik, Sputnik the computer geek, photos I just took yesterday -- two of Sputnik in his cage and one of Andrius holding him.  (You can see how much both of them have grown!)

As I mentioned previously, Andrius doesn't get the migraines often.  I would say they occur on an average of 2-3 times/month.
Yes, the Rx is written to be given 30 minutes after if needed.  It's only 25mg. 
He hasn't been hit with a migraine at school so far, what a relief.  I'm sure that one of these days I will definitely get a call from the nurse, though, to let me know that he has one.  She has his meds there, and is to call when she has given him a pill so that I can come get him.
He HAS been hit with the start of a migraine during two hockey practices so far. 
He has come home from games and has been hit with them. 
One came about when we were out of town and watching the fireworks -- this was the 4th of July this year. 

Thankfully Andrius has CHIP, so we're getting the Imitrex at no cost.  OMG, when I saw the cash price of it I had a heart attack!  Close to $450 for 15 tablets!  Holy cow, how do people do it?  That's just plain wrong.

I better get going... Andrius has a game in a couple of hours.  My daughter Vilija and I finally get to attend a game, they're usually on Saturdays when Vilija is at her Nutcracker rehearsal!  (She danced in it last year, too, the performing arts centre with which she dances had their first ever Nutcracker then.)

Awww both of them are so cute!

FYI the tortoise's beak is overgrown. I suggest feeding him on a slate tile so it will naturally get filed a bit. If that doesn't help, a vet can Dremel it down. If it gets worse he can have a tough time eating. I'm on www.tortoiseforum.org under tortoisenerd if you're interested in chatting about tortoises more. :) His little computer is cute! Our tortoise Trevor likes watching Nascar with his daddy. Sputnik is huge for Russian! Did someone say for sure he's a boy, or are you not completely sure? Usually only the girls get that big (over 6 inches in shell length). If he's a boy his tail will be really long and curve to the side. Girls have a shorter stubbier tail. Our little one is too young to tell, but even if he ends up being a girl I don't think we could change his name from Trevor. No kids yet so he's our little baby and quite spoiled.

Do you think the activity of the sports is a trigger, or something similar? Dehydration, exhaustion, over stimulation, and similar can all trigger migraines. Writing down the specifics of these episodes may help identify triggers to avoid. As electrolyte drink as well as a snack with protein and complex carbohydrates (fiber, whole grains) could help if this is dehydration or low blood sugar related. Look up exercise triggered migraines if you think this is a possibility. Heat or sun can even be a trigger. I can't do anything exerting without triggering pain so I had to give up the gym and anything but walking, light stretching, etc.

Even the generic Imitrex is still very costly. No idea why some of these drugs cost so much, while others are scary cheap (how they can manufacture something for less than $4 amazes me, although I know pharmacies sometimes take loses on some meds to make huge gains on others). Glad you have the support. One of my medications also has a cash cost that high. My copays alone are about $100 a month for prescriptions. Ick!

Best wishes. Hope to chat with you again soon. Let us know if we can answer questions or help with anything.

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