Daughter suffering with daily migraines

[hannasnana]

My daughter is 16 and started having daily migraines in March. We took her to a neurologist and all the regular tests were done and all came back normal. So, the only option is putting her on medications for the headaches. One of the medications he prescribed is Topomax. Has anyone used this medication and what is your thoughts on it. I found another board and all the posts were negative.

We have tried several natural alternatives and we haven't tried long enough to see any results.

Since this has been happening I have found that many teens have migraines at this time of their lives. Some grow out of them..........I have talked to lots of adults that had migraines in their teens and some grew out of the headaches with time. Others still have them.

[carscheles]

I wish I could tell you if your daughter will grow out of her migraines but everyone is different. I started getting migraines about the same age (hormonaly related) and continue to have them at 37. But they have changed. Unfortunately, mine became worse.

When I was 16 I used to have a visual aura with every migraine and almost always vomited, I only had them a few times a year. Now I've traded the aura and vomiting for daily headaches and dizziness. Again, this is due to horomone changes. So we can't tell how your daughter will change over the years.

As far as the Topamax, it worked pretty well for me but it does have pretty bad side effects. Don't be afraid to let the doctor know right away if she has any bad reactions to it. It's lots of trail and error to find the right medication combination.

If you don't already know, rebound headache is a real concern. If she's taking too much over the counter medication, that may be why she's having these headaches daily. Some people (myself included) believe that the Triptans can cause rebound too - so be careful with them.

There are lots of other infomative websites out there about migraines (do a google search).

I wish you both the best of luck.

[hannasnana]

Hi Carsheles,
thanks for sharing your experience. I'm hesitant to put my daughter on the Topamax. One of the side effects mentioned on another board is short term memory problems......My daughter is already experiencing short term memory and some other problems with understanding what people are saying.....
She doesn't take alot of medications right now because she doesn't like how they make her feel. She has had good luck with Axert.

[carscheles]

Yes, Topamax can be a tough one. I had bad experience with the side effects at a very low dose. I had what my family called "Topamax Rage". I walked around angry for no reason at all.

Funny that you say she's doing well with the Axert. It seems to be the only Triptan that I've had success with. I currently use it.

You might want to discuss Prozac as a preventative. It has helped me a lot and the side effects are few. Prozac doesn't give you that sedated feeling that most other migraine medications give you. But on the down side, my side effect with Prozac is insomnia so I have to take Ambien daily in order to sleep.

My current list of medications, after trying tons of others is:
Daily preventative - Prozac
Abortive - Axert
Rescue - Fioricet
Sleep aid - Ambien

For me, these are the medications that have worked the best with the least side effects, but everyone is different. Your daughter might have to try many combinations before she finds what's best for her.

Once again, good luck.

[mother of six]

I also suffer from daily migraines. The blood vessels in my right eye break due to the pressure. My neurologist had put me on Topamax and I didn't find any relief from it. I also began to get extremely forgetful. My husband would have to help me with sentences because I was not able to think or remember simple words. I've stop taking it and feel so much better. I have found that Axert and Amerge work best. Amerge made me a little tired but that was it. Relief was almost immediate from both drugs and I don't suffer from "cherry eye" as my children put it, as much as I used too. Good luck!