Any good medications for severe migraine headaches of a 10 year old boy?
The boy I'm talking about is the same one in my Imitrex question. Again, he has a history of severe migraine headaches, for about 3 years. He had to drop out of school due to excessive vomiting, and sleeplessness. His migraine headache is not responding to any conventional treatments such as NSAIDS, anti-depressants, etc. (and now he can't take imitrex, as you must be 18 or older). He has already visited many famous neurologists and other specialists, but no one could figure out what to do. Soon, he will be going to India to try and find out some good specialists there. Are there any good medications for him to decrease and stop his migraines from coming at all (he has them non stop, the poor boy), side effects (vomiting, nausea, no sleep, etc.), or just temporary immediate relief (for the time being)? And do you specifically know any good specialists that I can talk to if they know a cure?
Dear Nighat,
Let me clarify something about Imitrex -- Although the FDA approval is for patients 18 years and older, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for younger patients. In particular, the 10 mg nasal spray has been tested for adolescents 10 - 17 years of age. Some doctors do prescribe Imitrex and other triptans for patients younger than 18.
Neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine specialists. Neurologists may treat a great many illnesses, injuries, and diseases, making it difficult for them to be a specialist on any one of them.
Where is this child now? India has few Migraine specialists. There is one who is excellent, Dr. K. Ravishankar. You can find contact info for him as well as Migraine specialists in the US and other places in our directory of Patient Recommended Migraine Specialists.
There are now over 100 medications that can be used to prevent Migraines. Beta blockers such as propranolol and antihistamines such as Periactin are most commonly used for children. You can find a list of potential preventives in Migraine preventive medications: too many options to give up!
Has anyone prescribed an antinausea medication for him to take when he gets a Migraine? These can be very helpful. Two commonly used are Reglan and Phenergan.
Migraine is a genetic neurological disease. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no cure. There are, however, excellent treatments. Please do look for an actual Migraine specialist for this child.
Good luck,
Teri
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Although this did not work for me.. My cousin is 16 and the neuro gave him amitriptiline. That may be spelled wrong. Since then he has had 2 migraines in 6 months. He was getting them weekly before. I have yet to find a cure for mine and I have had then weekly for over 8 years. good luck --- Tara
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