I have a 5 year old and he will be fine one minute and then the next he's lying down holding his head cause of a migrane! Doc gave him tylenol w/codene, doesnt seem to help him other than that doc says not much more can be done! should i get a new pediatrician or not worry since he isnt worried about it? he gets these migranes at least 3 times a week!
2006-06-29 07:55:59 · 37 answers · asked by woohooo 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
i think you should check with other pediatricians. your child should not have to suffer like that.
2006-06-29 07:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by runnergal08 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I usued to get migraines myself and know what it feels like. I also have a 5 year old. If she had migraines, I would pursue treatment until it was resolved. If he says not much more can be done, you need to find another doc.
There are tons of things you can do to help prevent migraines and figure out what is triggering them in your son.
Keep a food journal. Write down what he eats, when he eats it.
Keep a headache journal. Write down when he gets one (day/mo), when it starts (hr.), and when it ends.
After some time, you might notice a trend. For instance, you may begin to notice that after he has Peanut butter, an hour later, he has a migraine. Certain foods can trigger migraines. Research them...ask your new pediatrician what they are.
Also, things like being sleep deprived can trigger migraines. Is he sleeping well at night? Getting naps when he may need them?
Anyway, these are just a few thoughts.
Your first step might be finding a Dr. who will sort thru some of these issues with you and work with you as a team member to find a solution.
Nobody should have to put up with a migraine....whether your son's doc thinks so or not!
Search www.webmd.com
2006-06-29 08:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a doc but that sounds really serious for a 5 year old. I would take him to a specialist, or atleast get a catscan to check for a possible tumor or other problem your pediatrician might not be able to find at a routine check-up. Especially if codene isn't helping him. At the very least I would take him to get a second oppinion from another pediatrician.
2006-06-29 08:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by Kim T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to get him to a neurologist and have some test run an early onset of migraines can be serious but it can not be, but a pediatrician is not trained in that field he needs to be seen by a specialist that deals only in the head. Most doctors don't like to admit they don't know but that is your son and he needs to be seen by the specialist trust me on that one. Second you need to take him off all nitrates in the mean time. Nitrates are found in foods like white potatoes, hot dogs, sausage, processed lunch meats, sharp cheeses, and chocolate. The reason for this is that it is proven that nitrates set off migraines if you want to read more about this look up the articles on webmd. Also you need to be careful of the cartoons he watches make sure they don't flash scenes quickly that can also set it off and if he plays video games the same thing. The last thing that I can say is there have been many advances in the past few years in the medications that are offered to migrainee suffers, there are many that are safe for young children some that can be used just as a "rescue" medication (a medication taken during a migrain) or they have many good choices that can prevent migraines that are taken every day. I have lived through migraines since I was young so I know them well and I can say that I have been put on a medication finally that has brought my quality of life to what I want it to be. Check out webmd you will find good information for things that you can do to prevent migraines from coming, but my advice would be get him to a specialist. I hope that y'all get everything worked out my thoughts are with you all.
2006-06-29 21:36:23 · answer #4 · answered by calraisin_98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a new pediatrician, definitely. I'd suggest you start looking immediately. Headaches like that are not normal for a 5 year old (or anyone for that matter) and they can't be treated as though they are. Doctors may have gone to school, but they aren't always right, so you want to get a few opinions. Severe headaches are very serious and I'm shocked your pediatrician is taking so little concern in it. If they get really extreme and you have decent health insurance, you may want to consider a trip to the emergency room where he might be able to get tests during one of the headaches. Hope he feels better soon!
2006-06-29 08:01:50 · answer #5 · answered by Manders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides the food allergy or intolerance, you should check out Irlen Syndrome otherwise known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (www.irlen.com). Its under the dyslexia umbrella, but its basically a reaction to certain wave lengths of light, esp. fluorescent lights. Also, I would tell your doc that the Tylenol is NOT working and you need to take the next step. If he/she still insists nothing more can be done, find another doc. Best of luck!
2006-06-29 09:04:23 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think it would be worth getting a second opinion. Or in the very least, get your doctor to run some more tests, maybe a CT scan or something to see if there isn't something causing these headaches. Maybe a referral to an allergist and have him tested for food allergies because that can typically be the cause of those types of headaches. But absolutely, if you think there is something more wrong with your child, make sure that all avenues are pursued until you know what is causing it.
2006-06-29 08:19:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't wait. Go to a new doctor immediately!!! Something is wrong! They should at least have done an MRI, or Xray or something!!
Not much more to be done? Are they kidding? Report them to the medical board.
NEVER hesitate to get a second opinion if you think something is wrong. You know your child better than anyone, don't take any doctor's incompetency.
There is an old joke that is really not funny at all. "What do you call a doctor that finished last in his class?" Answer: "Doctor"
Just because they went to school doesn't mean they know everything, or anything. I actually had a doctor ask me what I thought was wrong with me!!!
2006-06-29 08:06:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to see another pediatrician and get a referal to a neurologist. That child should have and MRI or CAT scan done do see if they can find a cause. Migranes at any age are abnormal, but especially so at that age! Get another doctor!!
2006-06-29 08:00:24 · answer #9 · answered by zharantan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A second opinion should definitely be on your itinerary for him. 3 times a week is not normal for ANYONE let alone a 5 year old child. He may need some sort of prescription and treatment. I don't know any child who's ever had a migraine that young so please get him medical advice from another doctor.
2006-06-29 08:01:11 · answer #10 · answered by I want my *old* MTV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a family member that has a 9 year old with the same problem. one minute she is fine and the next down with a horrible migraine..
she took her to a pediatric neurologist and they put her on Depakote ER... and a pain med. to take right when the migraine is starting.... this does not prevent her from having migraines but they are less frequent and less intense...
I know how helpless i feel when she is here and gets a migraine and really feel for your son..
to answer your question.. yes go to a pediatric neurologist....
2006-06-29 08:07:28 · answer #11 · answered by DeeDee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋