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Topic: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte (Read 3057 times) |
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3dogmom
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for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« on: Jun 29th, 2006, 1:13pm » |
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Hi, I had posted a few weeks ago about my 14 year old daughter having something which I think was a CH. She was diagnosed with migraines starting last November. The first one landed her in the ER, screaming she wanted to die. It was on one side of her head. Were her eye and nose runny? Well, sure, she was crying! Had eaten Chinese food.
Subsequent headaches seemed not so severe, mostly coincided with menstrual period. She took medicine, went to bed, slept it off. Not all on one side of head.
Then, about three weeks ago, Chinese food again, and bang! Back to the ER. This time, the headache has waxed and waned, but is never really gone. She got Imitrex, seems to work. The new symptom this time is fainting - she starts to feel the headache coming, and next thing we know, she's on the ground.
The pediatric neuro is unsure whether to call them CH or not - says that the one-sided eye and nose running must be present. Says she would prescribe differently if CH than a migraine. AARGH. I'm supposed to watch her to see if I can tell. Isn't there somebody more qualified than me to make this decision????
So, no Chinese food, as you folks advised me before, it's not unusual. But does this sound like CH to you? And does it matter, if the Imitrex works? She's got the nasal spray. I've read about rebound. How often can she take this?
Thanks, guys.
Sue
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Margi
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #1 on: Jun 29th, 2006, 2:17pm » |
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Hi Sue,
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Please ask for Chinese Food withOUT MSG next time. They CAN prepare it without it (but a lot of restaurants don't bother) - and that's what's most probably setting off her headaches. Some of the food comes to them frozen so they can't really extract it but they should be able to tell you what on their menu can be prepared without MSG.
The fainting is quite worrisome and not indicative of either CH or migraine. I'd certainly be pushing for a second or third opinion on that fact alone. And, migraine is always just one sided for me. One sidedness doesn't necessarily indicate cluster. Duration of headache is more tale telling. (Cluster is shorter and much more intense than migraine and can NOT be slept through like migraine can.)
Imitrex can and does cause more frequency of headache. That's all there is to it. No more than 2 a day either, is what we were told, whether it's pills, spray or injection. It's nasty stuff. Could you ask the doc to try Zomig instead? It doesn't seem to have the frequency increase problem. How about oxygen? It works for both migraine and cluster.
Ice, cold water, dramamine....all helpful in head pain.
Like I said though - I'd sure pursue the fainting. Has she had an MRI or CT scan? Sounds like maybe she should?
Margi
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3dogmom
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #2 on: Jun 29th, 2006, 2:39pm » |
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Margi, thanks for answering. She tried ice and cold and really hates it, says it makes it worse. Dramamine? I've never heard of that being used - wow. I'll get some. That makes sense, actually - I forgot to mention, since this last bout started a few weeks ago, with the fainting, we've noticed that when she leans her head back, the dizziness, visual symptoms, etc. start. Maybe Dramamine would help that, huh?
I'll ask about Zomig and oxygen. I wonder why none of our docs mention oxygen, when many folks seem to be using it.
She's having an MRI tomorrow.
Thanks!
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LeLimey
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #3 on: Jun 29th, 2006, 4:46pm » |
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I think more than a paediatric neuro you need to see a headache specialist neuro. At 14 she is on the cusp of womanhood and variou conditions that wouldn't present as a child could be the cause.. such as menstrual migraine for instance. I'm not saying that's what I think it is as I don't know enough about it, I would just push for a HA specialist in this instance.
As Margi says, a MRI is important to rule out anything else. When there are some symptoms present but not others it's like being at a headache crossroads, any of us can guess which is the right road to go down but only a guy with a map will know for sure...
Get your daughter to the guy with the map! 
Oh and please let us know how you both get on won't you?
I'll be thinking of you
Helen
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big guy
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #4 on: Jul 31st, 2006, 5:34am » |
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MSG can cause headaches in some people. Try to avoid it for a while and see if that makes a difference
Big Guy
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3dogmom
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it m
« Reply #5 on: Jul 31st, 2006, 9:05am » |
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Thanks to all of you for your excellent suggestions. The ped neuro, who lists headache as one of her specialties, did MRI/MRA . She ruled out cluster as she never has runny nose/eye. She feels she is having basilar artery migraine, has put her on lamictal but is leaning towards switching her to nalodal because of the long lead time with lamictal.
However - this is interesting - she's been going to a PED GI for stomach problems, had an endoscopy which diagnosed an ulcer and excess stomach acid, and he has realized that she is very dehydrated! (and constipated) She is on an entirely new regimen of drinking and eating healthier, and since this visit with him, no headache! He feels it's all related. I'll keep you posted.
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LeLimey
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #6 on: Jul 31st, 2006, 9:19am » |
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I hope it is the solution for you and thank you so much for coming back and telling us.
People often post and then when they find out it isn't CH they never come back. They don't realise we care and we worry anyway.
Please DO let us know how your daughter gets on, its always a sheer joy for me to know there is a kid who has got away 
Helen
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lionsound
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it m
« Reply #7 on: Jul 31st, 2006, 11:12pm » |
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on Jul 31st, 2006, 9:05am, 3dogmom wrote:
However - this is interesting - she's been going to a PED GI for stomach problems, had an endoscopy which diagnosed an ulcer and excess stomach acid, and he has realized that she is very dehydrated! (and constipated) She is on an entirely new regimen of drinking and eating healthier, and since this visit with him, no headache! He feels it's all related. I'll keep you posted. |
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my seven year old has migraines and his neuro said that is it very common for children to have both GI and Headache things going on at once. my son did.
does one cause another? who knows? but probably related somehow. and a good diet and lots of water is good for you anyway
Be well and Pain Free,
lionsound
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DannyV
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Re: for daughter - CH or migraine? Does it matte
« Reply #8 on: May 9th, 2007, 2:07am » |
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If the Imitrex worked right away, like 5-10mins, and it is on one side. Sounds like CH to me. From what I understand, Imitrex injections take much longer on people with migraine.
Also, if it IS CH, after she faints she should be waking up real soon from pain. Awakened by it.
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