Migrains

[Irving]

Was he outside in the snow today?

[10mm-man]

Was he outside in the snow today?

No- as in playing outside? Or as in house-car-mall-car-house??

You know- funny thing you say that because the last time it happened the conditions outside were the same! What you thinking?

[Irving]

We were out sledding today, and my wife was complaining that she didn't have sunglasses, so I gave her mine. I did a lot of squinting the rest of the time, and when I backed into the garage, the stark difference in light gave me a momentary headache that started in my teeth! Fortunately it went away.

I've only ever had one migraine in my life (I think it was a migraine because I was practically blind), so I can't be of much help.

[Monky]

Office managers 6 yr old started to get them. They narrowed down the triggers and it's been a battle but she's doing better. IIRC Childrens has a headache clinic or something for the kids.

Basically it came down to what she was eating.. there were a few triggers but it was mostly boxed meals. Things loaded with preservatives and what not. Chocolate was also a trigger.

[brutal]

Take your son to a neurologist and don't waste time with a primary care physician.

I suffered from severe migraines as a child and into my 20's with symptoms of severe pain, loss of speech, impaired vision, and nausea. Primary care physicians eventually diagnosed me with migraines but did little for me despite their best efforts with a number of unsuccessful medications. I went to a neurologist in my mid-twenties and he resolved my problems with inexpensive medications.

Mine started at about age 14 and progressively got worse and more frequent until my late 40's when they began to taper. Kaleidoscopic vision, severe pain, loss of speech and motor skills, numbness, vomiting. Severe, debilitating short duration (8 hours) and a Migraine hangover for several days after. Nothing but heavy IM injections of Demerol/Visterol and bed rest to control the pain. I suffered through 8 years in the Army with them. Nothing they gave me to control really ever helped or just made me feel like shit all the time. I still get them occasionally but not nearly as often or as severe. Blood pressure and stress was definitely a factor for me, even in my 20's, in shape and exercising regularly. In my early 40's they seemed to be exacerbated by exercise even with BP meds getting that under control and I slacked off because of them.

No- as in playing outside? Or as in house-car-mall-car-house??

You know- funny thing you say that because the last time it happened the conditions outside were the same! What you thinking?

Everyone has unique triggers. His could be barometric pressure, or any one of a million other things. The advice to see a Neurologist is sound. Do try to track patterns if possible, but it may be difficult to determine the real trigger.

[10mm-man]

Office managers 6 yr old started to get them. They narrowed down the triggers and it's been a battle but she's doing better. IIRC Childrens has a headache clinic or something for the kids.

Basically it came down to what she was eating.. there were a few triggers but it was mostly boxed meals. Things loaded with preservatives and what not. Chocolate was also a trigger.

Ok, so i am hearing "triggers" set off migraines. Last time my son was with me at the V.A. hospital checking on a job- he ate popcorn a vet was selling. I know they sometimes use a flavoring- MSG maybe? Today he ate some food my sisters house cleaner made- some type of Korean food. Orientals- Japanese, Koreans, etc use MSG a lot, do they not? Just wondering if it is something he had eaten??

[TheGrey]

I'm sorry to hear about your little one getting migraines. Yes, it sounds like a migraine. I used to get them when I was young, and it culminated in eighth grade when I was walking up the stairs in school and I was hit with such a strong migraine that I lost all the strength in my legs and lost my eyesight for a half hour. I threw up and when my vision returned, I could not bear the light. I had synesthesia.

After having an EEG and being examined by professionals, they determined that a) I needed glasses, b) stress may have had a major part to play in my migraines. It wasn't until years later that I realized that certain smells can actually trigger them!

Over the years, I have had them on occasion since then. I would definitely get an MRI and talk to the doctors about prevention. Many people that I know have had migraines that are triggered by food; but very bright light has also been known to do so. You may want to see about getting your little guy some sunglasses because the bright sun may be doing it.

I do know that there are medications out there for migraines, but I would not be too worried- I think they are only to be taken at the onset of a migraine.

ETA: MSG may very well be the culprit!

[frozenmud]

Ok, so i am hearing "triggers" set off migraines. Last time my son was with me at the V.A. hospital checking on a job- he ate popcorn a vet was selling. I know they sometimes use a flavoring- MSG maybe? Today he ate some food my sisters house cleaner made- some type of Korean food. Orientals- Japanese, Koreans, etc use MSG a lot, do they not? Just wondering if it is something he had eaten??

It's quite possible. Found this http://www.msgtruth.org/migraine.htm the article links within are interesting reads as well.

[frozenmud]

It wasn't until years later that I realized that certain smells can actually trigger them!

Yep, I had a bottle of cologne that was a guaranteed migraine. Took me along time to figure that one out... I'm slow.

[10mm-man]

I appreciate all the comments, help and well wishes..... It sucks for the lil man! I just want to make sure we find the culprit and stop it if possible. Going to check the flavoring and see what was in the food today that he ate. Light might have something to do with it as well... looking for a neurologist on Monday too........