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.
My boyfriend's son is 11 and has started getting migraines around the age of 9. However, in recent weeks it seems as if his headaches have increased. He has a daily preventative medication. Sometimes I am not sure if he is faking a headache to get out of certain activities he doesn't want to do. I have had migraines in the past so I know the pain involved. I think when he is able to watch tv, he doesn't have a migraine. Plus you can generally tell in the eyes. Anyone have any recommendations for children with migraines. The doctors just up his dose but it doesn't help to prevent them.
What kind of doctor is overseeing his migraine care? Is it his pediatrician or a neurologist? By the time I was 10, I was seeing a neurologist regularly. I started getting migraines when I was 7, and my sister started getting them I think when she was 8. It's very hard with children, because they can't take the same kind of medicine that adults get. I don't know what preventative he is on, but it sounds like it's not working. I'm on 4 preventatives, and I still have daily migraines.
Obviously, only you and your boyfriend can tell from day to day if he seems normal and fine, or he seems off and having a migraine. I can tell you, just from growing up with it, I used to walk around in grade school with my head in my hands just from the pounding in my head. But it was ALL THE TIME. And many people didn't believe me, and it made me feel really bad.
If he is not yet seeing a neurologist, you might want to bring it up to your boyfriend. They have better treatment options than would a family doctor. Good luck
I started my migraines in around 5th or 6th grade when I began my periods. Hormonal for me. Especially at that time. Ugh. Not sure for a boy. Could still be hormones for a young boy at that age.
I agree with Yvette. If the daily preventative is not working and they just keep increasing the dosage without positive results then going to a specialist might be a good idea. Make sure it is a migraine. Make sure it is not and ENT (ear, nose, throat) issue. I just heard about an issue with a deviated septum that can cause migraine like headaches. There are many other things that can cause migraines. True migraines. Many ways to treat migraines. If 'simple' treatments are not providing relief then a specialist (a neurologist) might be able to provide answers.