Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, July 14, 2008 Vickie asks

Q: How do you know it is a migraine?

My daughter is 13.  She was told she exprienced migraines in 2005.  At that time she did not have head pain, just visual and stomach pain.  She did not experience any more symptoms or migraines until last year, March 2007.  She experienced head pain and at first was treated for sinus and them tenion headache.  She was finally admitted to the hospital and given DHE.  She did well and had no problems until Feb. 2008.  She began being treated for sinus, three rounds of antibotics and steroids.  The neurolgoist said it was migraine due to the sinuses.  The ENT said there was not problem with the sinuses.  They tried Frova, imatrix, relapax with no relief. She was put in the hospital again and given DHE.  The DHE lowered her pain but did not relieve it.  She has had a head ache since Feb.  They recently tried Inderal LA.  Her blood pressure dropped 83/50.  They discontinued it.  She is constently experiencing dizziness.  At first they said it was her first sign of a migraine and to give her the relapax.  If I give her a relapax every time she is dizzy, I would be giving them to her constantly.  They don't seem to have any effect.  She is tired a lot and her dizziness seems to be getting worse.  Could there be something we are missing?

Answer This
Answers (1)
7/15/08 6:42pm

Hi Vickie!

 

I'm so sorry to hear your daughter is suffering! It sounds like at first, your daughter may have had what is called Silent or Acephalgic Migraine, or Abdominal Migraine, which is common in children.

 

You mentioned a couple of triptans you've tried, did you know there are eight all together? Maxalt, Relpax, Frova, Imitrex, Amerge, Axert, Zomig, and Treximet. If you still have not tried all of them, there is still hope one may work better for her then the one she is currently taking for Migraine attacks.

 

Also, sinuses and Migraine are not related. Migraine is a genetic neurological disease, treating it with antibiotics will do nothing. We have a great article here on the site: Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably Migraine.

 

You may want to consider seeing a Migraine Specialist, instead of just a neurologist. Migraine Specialists treat only patients with Migraine, not all neuological symptoms as a neurologist does.

 

Good luck to you and your daughter!!

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (4221) >