Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Migraine Headaches Support Group

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Enigma609
Enigma609
My 16 year old son just confessed that he has been getting migraines quite frequently. So we sat down and had a talk and I gave him tips about sleep, food, etc. Then we got onto drugs and doctor and I suggested that he first try Excedrin for Migraine. Just one pill (1/2 dose) for now.

Well, he did, and it worked, but then soon after he came home with his girlfriend and said he would never try it again, because his girlfriend's mother is a nurse and she looked it up on the internet and said that it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it...........!

Tylenol, aspirin and caffine....really! I'm taking Codeine, Oxycotine, Botox and Imitrex and I have tried some radical things in my lifetime. I have a big long list that I never want my son to try and plan to steer him away from.

I am fine with my son choosing to not take drugs for his pain, but it really urks me to be schooled by people who don't have this disease. I never could find a nice way to say what I am really thinking at that moment.

Just had to get it this off of my chest
YvetteK
YvetteK
I understand your frustration. But even people who have migraines do the same thing. A bad experience with a drug, and they will tell everyone within the sound of their voice to stay away from it, even if it might help someone.

Sorry your son is turning away from something that is safe that actually worked for him, but maybe he might decide to try it again if nothing else gives him relief. Good luck.
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
That would really piss me off. It is very possible that she saw that Execdrin had a recall. If the expiration date is before Dec. 20, 2014 it is part of the recall. There were no reported adverse health events linked with the recalled medicines; it was a precautionary recall.

You might want to call this woman up and tell her that her medical advice is not welcome and that as a sufferer of migraines under treatment with the family doctor you or your doctor are the ones to provide counsel to your son.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi enigma: That the "nurse" did not state how it was horrible, makes me think she didn't really have anything, but just didn't like using Excedrin. Sometimes I use a generic Excedrin for Migraine (1 pill) if I have a headache that I think may go into migraine, and it will stop it.

Explain to your son and he'll understand.
shelleyaz
shelleyaz
I think the "nice" way of dealing with this "nurse" is to have your son ask her what she suggests that isn't a prescription. It doesn't sound like she gave him options or steered him in a better direction.

I have used Excedrin for migraine very effectively when I didn't want to waste a prescription medication.

I do however, often get stuck in a caffeine withdrawal syndrome and have to take one pill the next day.
muskrattiger
muskrattiger
i would be very upset if someone interferied with my child in aney way ...............especualy with somthing serouis like migrainms ...............have you talked to her so she could explain that might clear things up and you could tell her nicely that you dont apresheat her mediling in you childs afares................and if you got a farmisfist to talk to you son and tell him what is in the drug and tell hime it isent harmfull in the proper doses that might also help...............good luck i hope he find relife ...............
foreverrain
foreverrain
If the excedrin worked for your son I would encourage him to continue taking it. What does she suggest he do, lie there and suffer through every headache he gets? No one should have to live that way.
This "nurse" clearly doesn't know what she's talking about. She probably thinks a balanced diet and regular exercise are horrible things too. She's not a doctor and more importantly she's not your son's doctor and probably doesn't have migraines, therefore she should shut her mouth because nothing prctical or correct is coming out of it.
djbritt
djbritt
I understand. I have MS. Along with it I have occasion migraines. My daughter has migraines and recently been diagnosed with fibro and a dysautonomia disease (POTS). All of sudden every family member and in laws knows how to treat everything. I want to tell them why did they let me spend so much money on doctors and tests since they know so much. It will come out of my mouth on the next one. I am tired of unwanted advice.

Maybe you should ask him if she explained why it was horrible. I wish you and your son all the best.
shelleyaz
shelleyaz
Djbritt,
I agree. I always hesitate to tell people I struggle with migraines because I don't want their suggestions however helpful they are trying to be. Typically, I have tried almost every suggestion anyway.

Although, one time I spoke to a French girl who said she gives herself an enema when she gets a migraine. That was interesting because when I take a relpax I end up having a bowel movement. Is there a connection? Possibly.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would try and be much stronger than your child's outside influences, not matter what their credentials are, and keep steering your child in the direction you think is best for him. As parents this is such a big part of our job....

My son had migraines from the age of 4 and eventually did have to have a neuro and take major meds, he had a ton of other health problems though so the migraines were the smaller of it. But we stuck to our guns and guided him through the process we wanted him to take, not what everyone else in the world wanted.

Take care,
kat
Enigma609
Enigma609
Well, I finally had a talk with my son. I said, your girlfriend means well, and so does her mother, being a nurse and all, but hun, I've lived this all my life and I wouldn't steer you wrong or plunge you into anything harsh like I was into.

We talked a short while and I said that I'd appreciate it if he addressed his concerns with me and if he thought things were too harsh then I would listen, but I've never harmed him before and I'd rather explain why and he could decide on his own, then having to bite my tongue at outside advise.

He agreed and we are both feeling better.

What I will say to outsiders......well, I'll probably just bite my tongue.....

Thanks for airing your views, everyone. Much food for thought.