Our Children and Their Migraines, How Do You All Cope?

Nancy,

 

My 10 yr old son has the same problem. He loves chocolate but it doesn't love him.

 

It doesn't always trigger an attack so, I let him have it occassionally for a treat. If I know he has had too many of his other triggers, (corn, lack of sleep, too much sun, etc.)then I won't let him take the chance.

 

I do try to always have something in the house that he really likes. I will make him a strawberry/banana smoothie or a slice of  homemade cherry cheesecake.

 

Ask the other family members to not eat the chocolate in front of him. (It's just too much torture). My husband and I splurge at lunch when he's not around. I know that would be harder for your daughter. But, maybe she could go to her room.

 

Or your son could choose a favorite food each week, that no one else in the house was allowed to eat. That way when they were eating the chocolate, he could eat that week's treat.

 

What about carob? It's not the same as chocolate but, sometimes will satisfy the craving. The first time my son tried it, he turned up his nose. The second time (several weeks w/out choc) he said it wasn't that bad.

 

My son's migraine attacks are pretty bad so maybe that's why he is more cooperative. I just remind him that we are trying to prevent another episode and he usually will listen at that point.

 

I would love to hear what other parents are trying. Do you plan on moving this to the forum?

 

Yvonne-MigraineMom

 

 

 

 

Hey Nancy,

 

Carob would be a great substitute for chocolate.  Like Yvonne said, it would take him a while to get used to it but it does have a chocolatey flavor to it.

 

You can find it in health food stores or co-op stores.

 

Mary aka GG

Nancy, my son also gets migraines when he consumes a large amount of chocolate, however a small amount doesn't bother him. Also MANY foods that you think of as chocolate are actually cocoa. My husband is very allergic to chocolate but able to eat brownies made with cocoa, just like my son, who can also eat cocoa without a migraine. You and your son may want to try some cocoa items and see how he does. Many store bought goods use cocoa instead of chocolate.  Avoid items that use the words chocolate or chocolate liquor.

My name is Emily and I am 14 years old, and I have been having severe migraines since I was born. I can't have chocolate either, or nitrites, or MSG, plus a lot of other things. The problem I always had when I was younger was that I felt left out at parties and stuff when my friends were all eating chcolate, or doritos, etc. And then I would ask myself, "Is it really worth it to go through all that pain?" It always worked. Have your son ask himself that question and maybe he will be a little more careful.

I had 2 bad migraines a month for years.  Then our pastors wife said she USE to have migraines.  2 hours later I let her go home.  I stopped using sugar and chocolate.  It took about a year to get completely off of these two things.  It seems everything has sugar in it.  I now have a mild migraine about twice a year if that often.  Someone asked me how can you give up sugar and chocolate?  Compae to having a true migraine it is very easy.  If I do get a mild migraine I use a product called midrin.  It works very well.  You need a perscription for midrin.   

Well, my brother is the same way with migraines, albeit on a smaller scale. The chocolate and caffeine is what does it to him. Honestly, he's not as good as your son. He'd rather have the headache and the chocolate than neither of them.

 

I'm lactose intollerant, and there are a bunch of foods I can't eat - even with the pills. I used to have a problem with that because I loved them, but it's now been about three years since I've had the certain foods I shouldn't eat. I barely notice it anymore, even when the foods are in the house. Sure, I'm wistful and complain a little that, "Oh, it's not fair," but it's my choice not to eat it. All it takes is time, I think. I'm sure your son will find something equally unhealthy  and equally tasty that he likes.