9 year old son migraine diagnosis

[Ceebeen]

Hi, newbie here. My son has been diagnosed as having migraines via telephone consultation with a GP as they are restricting in person appointments due to covid. I'm just wondering how everyone got their diagnosis and whether there are any tests I should be asking for. Just a bit of background, my son started having migraines out of the blue about a month ago and has had 5 so far to varying degrees. The GP diagnosed him with migraine after his 1st episode, maybe because it affected one side of his head and he had vision disturbances. I'm just worried that they diagnosed him so quickly and without even examining him. What are your thoughts on this please?

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there.I had my first migraine at school when I was 14 and was terrified.I thought I was having a stroke.My eyes had zig zag sparkly lights and one side of my face , my tongue and arm went numb.I went home for dinner and my mum looked in a medical encyclopedia. I t listed all the symptoms there.The headache and vomiting came on too.This was in the late 70's before the internet.I can't even remember going to a doctor about it. There is alot of migraine in my family so I just took paracetamol in those days.As I got older I did see a doctor and got things on prescription as more things became available.Hopefully your son will grow out of it and will be given suitable treatment.Best wishes to you both.It's horrible I know.

[Ceebeen in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

I'm so sorry, the experience you had sounds very difficult. Hopefully treatments are better now! Best wishes for you too x

[Cb1963]

Hi Ceebeen, doctors will listen to all the symptoms you are describing over the phone, and try to make a diagnosis, and then come to some sort of conclusion, and then he'll be put on a certain type of medication for a period of time, and you'll have to wait and see how your son goes on with any medication prescribed, unfortunately it's very hit and miss with migraines, and it can take different types of medication to find the right one that's suitable for him, if these migraines continue he might be sent for a scan, also get your sons eyesight checked over, migraines are notoriously difficult to manage, sometimes you get preventative medication to take, like propananol, all depends on the age of your son, even different types of foods can cause migraines, its a so difficult trying to find out what starts a migraine, and there's different types as well, so it's not as simple as we think, I hope your son gets some help soon ,best wishes 😇

[Ceebeen in reply to Cb1963]

Thanks for your thoughts. Ok good to know all seems as it should be so far. I've booked him an eye test thanks and I'm keeping a diary too now. Appreciate your input 😊

[Cat00]

Looking for food triggers is much more complicated than it sounds, and in my opinion usually fairly ineffective. The Prodrome, the early start of the migraine when there is no pain, can begin up to 2 days before the migraine pain starts. So you would have to be looking at all food eaten up to 2 days before onset of symptoms.

Whereas it is common for GP's to diagnose migraine they are often not good at treating it. I started having migraines when I was 5, by the time I was at university I was having them chronically. It took 20 years to get any proper treatment, if either of my children started having migraines I'll be bugging the doctors continuously until I get a referral to a headache specialist, preferably one who understands children and migraines.

With my history this would not be a an overreaction, if they had been treated earlier it may have stopped them becoming chronic. So I'm not saying you need to get that worried as it depends on your family history etc but I am saying try not to be fobbed off. The treatment options with children are very limited, most of the drugs, of which there are many, cannot be given to children. If you don't get much help with the GP I would you contact the various migraine charities out there, they will have information on children's migraines and what you can and should be asking for in regard to treatment. They can also be very reassuring.

[Ceebeen in reply to Cat00]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm really sorry you had such a bad time of it, though its useful to know that if treatment comes early or can help prevent them becoming chronic. We've actually been given a face to face GP appointment tomorrow now, which is something but yes, if things don't improve, I will be pushing for a referral! Thanks again

[Cat00 in reply to Ceebeen]

Good luck!

[Onthemove1971]

I assume your son has only had them in his head? Our son started having stomach ( Chronic Vomiting Syndrome) migraines starting in 2nd grade. He would be home running around totally normal and go to school and throw up in his textbook at his desk.

Fun times...

It took us about 5 years to be diagnosed with Chronic Vomiting syndrome. He has been sees a GI Specialist for the entire time.

I can't stress enough that you demand it or pay privately to have her seen by a migraine specialist. They only see patients with migraines.

Migraines are really a symptom of something else. In adults it can be sleep apnea, deficient in magnesium, neck and back issues etc..

Becuase your child is so young it will be very important to find out why.

I also recommend you listening to the Heads Up Podcast they have an episode on children. They are UK doctors that only treat migraines.

I also recommend you get a school plan if she is attending in person. A simple letter from the doctor should allow her out of activities if she is having a headace.

You can also get proper medication at school so it can be taken when needed.

Hope this helps.. if you have any questions you could send me a message.

[Ceebeen in reply to Onthemove1971]

Hi, thanks for your response. Yeah it's just my son's head not stomach. I've not heard of the syndrome you mentioned, I hope your son is getting good help now you've got a diagnosis. Yes if we don't get success with the medication offered I will push for a referral. It's still very early days for us, although my son has had 6 migraines in 4 weeks now so not good. Thanks for the recommendation of the podcast, will definitely check that out. I'm sure if things go on like this we get some sort of plan set up at school but my son really enjoy all the activities so don't want to pull him out of those unless absolutely necessary. The school have been good about giving him the ibuprofen we sent in, we're still waiting to find a suitable medication apart from this but seeing a doc today so 🤞Thanks for the support, I appreciate it

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Ceebeen]

Not sure what state you are in but in CA. A 504 plan is just a "road map" to help with things that impact his educational process. It is not meant to "pull him" from school. But there are things that can be written to help him.

Many times light impacts a migraine. Hydration.. the plan just lays out what he needs so that each year you are not re-examining it to teachers. Also when he gets to middle and high school he will have multiple teachers he will have to deal with.

Specialist know the right treatment, dose, type and how dispense medication especially in school.

Good luck! There are many new types of medications that can help him.

[Ceebeen in reply to Onthemove1971]

I'm in the UK but yes I see what you're saying about the importance of a plan for school. Many thanks, I hope we find something for him soon!