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.
I am homeschooling my 12-year-old son and it feels like we are constantly having to work around pain. We both get migraines when the weather changes. I can take Excedrine Migraine and it helps but he can't because it contains aspirin. Ibuprofen helps relieve some of the pain but not all of it and because he also takes Ibuprofen for muscle aches I worry that he is taking too much of it.
His neurologist prescribed Amitriptyline but my son refused to take the medication after reading the long list of possible side effects and then seeing the look on my face when I read them. He was also concerned that the medication would make him tired. He has low muscle tone and endurance and fatigue issues to begin with and he doesn't need anything else to add to the fatigue.
So we are having to work around and through the pain. For the first time since we started homeschooling six years ago he is taking homeschool co-op classes in history and writing composition. These classes have deadlines. There are weeks when he has three or four days of migraines to deal with and he has trouble writing and doing math when he is in pain. He has to slow down when he does online math practice because of the vision issues he has with the migraines and it makes it more frustrating. I have told him that I learned to work through my migraines by slowing down enough that I could work accurately but he hates this. I was wondering if anyone else has a problem with writing and doing math when you have a migraine. Do you feel like it slows down your thinking?
In addition to the migraine pain he has had to wear a scoliosis brace for the last nine months so there is back pain to deal with also. He keeps asking me why he has to go through so much pain and I don't know how to answer that.
He is verbally gifted and reads and comprehends at a college level even though he has mild disabilities and I don't want him to let his mild disabilities keep him from having a normal life.
When he is an adult he will be able to take Excedrine Migraine and not have to worry about getting Reyes Syndrome and he won't have to wear the scoliosis brace but I am afraid we have some difficult years ahead of us.
His neurologist prescribed Amitriptyline but my son refused to take the medication after reading the long list of possible side effects and then seeing the look on my face when I read them. He was also concerned that the medication would make him tired. He has low muscle tone and endurance and fatigue issues to begin with and he doesn't need anything else to add to the fatigue.
So we are having to work around and through the pain. For the first time since we started homeschooling six years ago he is taking homeschool co-op classes in history and writing composition. These classes have deadlines. There are weeks when he has three or four days of migraines to deal with and he has trouble writing and doing math when he is in pain. He has to slow down when he does online math practice because of the vision issues he has with the migraines and it makes it more frustrating. I have told him that I learned to work through my migraines by slowing down enough that I could work accurately but he hates this. I was wondering if anyone else has a problem with writing and doing math when you have a migraine. Do you feel like it slows down your thinking?
In addition to the migraine pain he has had to wear a scoliosis brace for the last nine months so there is back pain to deal with also. He keeps asking me why he has to go through so much pain and I don't know how to answer that.
He is verbally gifted and reads and comprehends at a college level even though he has mild disabilities and I don't want him to let his mild disabilities keep him from having a normal life.
When he is an adult he will be able to take Excedrine Migraine and not have to worry about getting Reyes Syndrome and he won't have to wear the scoliosis brace but I am afraid we have some difficult years ahead of us.
Of course it is difficult to think of even concentrate when being in pain from migraines. I have a certificate to study for and I find it hard too concentrate for it. My memory is not the same either. I think that is partly medications and other factors as well.
I pray that your son find some relief and you too. hugs.
I am a homeschooling mom, too, of an 8 year old and 4 year old. I also have almost daily migraines. I really feel for you and your son. It must be so hard to see your son suffer and then have to perfom academically with migraines. When I have one, I have visual disturbances which prevent me from reading. Math? Are you kidding??? No way! It is so hard just to concentrate on speaking, let alone computing! It is a good thing he is being homeschooled. This way he can work when he feels well and rest when he doesn't. As far as the co-op classes, most co-op teachers are homeschooling parents themselves and would completely understand if he needs more time to finish an assignment.
I know you would do anything to see your son relieved of his pain. I know I would too, but one thing that might encourage you and him, is that as he struggles through pain and suffering at such a young age, he will be a strong young adult. As he perseveres he will develop strong character, and character leads to hope, and hope does not disappoint. He will also grow in compassion for others... and in a world where that has become a rare commodity, it will be greatly valued. I pray he is released from his pain, of course, but if that is not the will of Providence, then I pray he he will be a rock of strength for others to run to in their need.
Pam
Is it possible for your son to get on regular migraine medication?
When I have a migraine, anything I type often doesn't make sense. I don't have complete sentences and I just don't make sense. Therefore, it makes sense that your son would have similar issues too.
I took these tablets when I was about 14 and I never had any side effects. I think it would be worth trying the medication even if only for a few weeks to see how he gets on with it and he can always stop it if he has side effects.
The drowsyness doesnt have to be a problem- if the tablets are prescribed to be taken at night, he can take them mid-evening and by the morning the drowsyness will have worn off, this will also help him sleep. (please check this with your doctor)
I have just left school and started university and I would never have made it this far without my regular preventative medications. When I get a migraine I find that my brain cannot process things i read so studying is really difficult, I really sympathise with you and your son and I hope you find a way to make studying easier for him
Hope this helps
Lorna