medication for my 10yr old for migraines? uk medicines only?

Question

she has had headaches now for about 6 weeks, we have been to the doctors and she has no infections in ears chest or throat, the doctor thinks she is suffering from migraines , both me and her dad both suffered as a child so have been told it could be hereditary, i know codis it good but states not for under 16yrs, so anyone else got any tablets that work for their child, please uk medicines only though...thanks in advance for any advice given

doctor has given paracetamol,

Answer 1

On no account use codeine based pain killers. Not only are they addictive BUT one of their classical side effects is headache!

You should be chatting to your GP, however I will try and give you some general advice.

Firstly if I was your GP I would take what is called a formal migraine history, I would do 3 or 4 routine bits of blood screening and if I was not 100% happy with the migraine diagnosis I would arrange a paediatric referral.

Generally the only 2 painkillers that would be given to a 10 year old are paracetamol and ibuprofen. (Not usable if child has asthma or stomach problems)

If the headaches were severe and/or frequent enough I would try a migraine protector drug. There are several of these, but only one has a child licence Sanomigran, which can be given as a syrup. It is not a painkiller and is given every day to prevent the headaches occurring.

If the headaches persisted at this point I would refer if I had not already done so.

Answer 2

This is a child, even though you had a history of migraines I would insist on an MRI as a peace of mind to make sure nothing else is going on. I had a family member with migraines and the MD treated with drugs, she wasn't getting better and had the MRI it turned out to be a brain aneurysm and needed immediate surgery.

Answer 3

I am an alternative medicinal therapist and ex nurse and i have 6 grandchildren.So i know what you are going through. You can use ice packs at the neck. Lavender or eucalyptus oil on a hanky. Or mix it with a grapeseed oil and give her neck a massage. 1 drop of oil to 5ml of grapeseed oil. You can also buy nurofen in liquid form for children. If she was older you have used Feverfew capsule.Take her to a massage or acupressure she may have a trigger point problem. I treat my patients who have this with acupressure, they really can help her. The oils you get from the health store

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Answer 4

i always found ibuprofen good if taken soon enough and you can get nurofen for kids which is the same thing.

i always use 4head now which you apply directly to the forehead and if you use it early enough you can avert the migraine.

i suffered appalling migrines when i was ten so i know what she's going through.also both my kids get them but luckily only rarely and my eldest has now stopped having them since she's now all grown up.

best of luck.

Answer 5

nurofen for children/calprofen (ibuprofen)
if not working can be taken with paracetamol ie calpol

just ask local pharmacist or dr or nhs direct, i have had migraines since i was 9 and there horrible.

gd luck

Answer 6

Has the doctor not prescribed anything?
i would ask him to prescribe something as he would know the best medication and you wont have to pay for it.

Answer 7

Has she been checked for this?
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html