Migraines

[valley]

Does anybody else suffer from migraines??? Have you sought treatment for them and, if so, what did your doctor prescribe???

My 12 year old son gets migraines. He holds his head and says that he thinks he is dying when he has one. I cant relate to what it feels like but I know its very very bad. My sons' eyes turn glossy red and he throws up towards the end. I took him to the ER the last time but he was too young for the shot. Thankfully, he doesnt get them for very long...15-45 minutes is as long as they last but they seem to come on in groups of 3 within a week of each other or so. Then he goes a few months without any. They always happen in the middle of the night. Poor kid...its heartbreaking to see. The dr told us to try Mountain Dew for the caffeine, hot and cold showers to try and relieve the cramp and I give him a half of a Tylenol #3 for the pain at the onset.

What helps him the most is to lie still in a dark room with a cold rag on the top of his head. We are 20 minutes away from a hospital so its usually pointless to bring him in each time...but if we need to, he is old enough for the shots now. I am hoping they go away completely once he goes through puberty.

 

[Natasha]

Usually I know they are coming on when I see the 'sparkles'

I get "sparkles" too, sometimes!!! Yesterday when I woke up it just seemed like there was a bright light sitting off to the side of my left eye. I don't know how else to describe it...that's the best I can describe it.

I used to be allergic to chocolate when I was a kid, if i even had a bite of some I'd be in bed for three days with terrible migraine. Seemed to wear off when I got older though I hardly eat chocolate now anyway. These days it usually comes from the effect of too much booze.

Hmmm...interesting. Makes me wonder if the fact that you rarely eat chocolate now has to do w/ you associating it w/ migraines as a child. Very interesting, actually.

What helps him the most is to lie still in a dark room with a cold rag on the top of his head.

Same here. I usually cover my eyes w/ a wet cloth and then I put an icepack on my head wherever it hurts. It's the only thing that ALWAYS works.