I Think My Baby is Suffering from a Migraine...

[QM]

My 5 year old daughter woke up this morning looking tired and irritable. I’m thinking she's suffering from a migraine…because Tylenol hasn’t helped (only a bit then the headache came back full force), she’s not eating, her sister's “talking” seems to be irritating her (which is not like her), she keeps her eyes open halfway (like she’s trying to block out the light and dizziness). I kept her home from school, have read her a book and I’m encouraging her to drink water so she doesn’t get dehydrated. She's spent most of the day in bed and is napping right now. She doesn't have a fever (she's warm, but not fever temperature).

For those of you who suffer from migraines, does this sound like migraine symptoms? She's only 5 years old...is it normal for a girl at that age to have a migraine? (My DH and MIL get migraines all the time, so I think it's in the genes. )

Should I encourage her to eat or could this make matters worse? (She's eaten 3/4 of a slice of toast and 2 bites of cheese since waking up this morning.)

[pinetree]

My son started getting them about that age, so yes they can get them. Everyone is different, noise drives me crazy, so does light. Food can also not set well, some people vomit with them.

I would give her a cool wash cloth, across her forehead and eyes, in a dark, quiet room. See is that helps alittle. I have to sleep them off, so if she can go to sleep for awhile, it might help.

Hope she feels better soon, shes so little to have these.

[justpeachy92]

I have no idea if it could be a migraine. Is it normal to have a loss of appetite with a migraine? My first thought was strep thoat. I do know that it is going around the school my kids attend. Three of my children were diagnosed with it Tuesday. The only symptom my son had was a head ache, his throat wasn't sore, nor was it red. However, I had the doctor check him after his sisters tests came back positive, and his was positive also.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Yeah, those are classic migrane symptoms. DS10 gets them and he can't tell me what's wrong, but I noticed he has them when he acts more irritable than usual and his appetite isn't all that great. His migranes come when the weather changes a lot and the air pressure drops or rises sharply.

I'd ask the doctor what you can give for migrane relief. Maybe some Motrin will help? It'll reduce the inflammation and maybe help out some more. Have her brush her teeth as well because the massage action of the brush will help stimulate blood flow and hopefully, it'll kill the migrane (my DH swears by this with his and I've tried it, it works pretty well).

[guest002]

Take her to her doctor. I started showing migraine symptoms as a very young child. 3 or 4 years old.

[staceyy]

I understand certain foods can trigger migraines. My sister had to stop drinking grapefruit juice. Here is a link, hope it helps: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-heada...specific-foods

I'd also suggest seeing a doctor in case it could be something else.

[homesteadmamma]

Take her to a doctor and get everything else ruled out. It could be a number of things that are going on.

[QM]

If it's anything like what she had a couple months ago (same exact symptoms), she'll bounce out of bed tomorrow morning and be back to normal. I'll let you guys know if that happens. If it does, it probably was a severe headache or migraine.

[HisDaisy]

It sounds like a migraine to me. My brother and I have had them since childhood.
I would let her try to sleep in a quiet dark place. I would also encourage her to drink water and eat something (maybe some applesauce or toast or a banana). At least for me if I don't eat or get dehydrated the migraine will get worse.
For me a migraine usually a my body's response to stress. It could be that I am dehydrated, my blood sugar my be too low, am too hot, been in the sun too long, did not get enough sleep, ate the wrong food, or a host of other stresses.
If it were may child, I would probably let her sleep and maybe call the doctor to see if there are any other over-the-counter meds I could give to help her. Honestly she may just need to sleep it off.
If it lasts more than a day or they recur then I would see medical attention. It may be an isolated event or sign of things to come.
What ever you do listen to her. If she need a dark room find her one. If she needs quiet then find her a quiet place to rest.
My mother passed my migraines off as if they were not happening. She just thought I was complaining. She had never had one and did not understand. For me, I need a quiet environment when I have one. Even the smallest sound can sound like a herd of elephants. My mom did not understand that and would let my brother practice his drum set in the next room.
I hope she feels better soon and this is just an isolated event.

[Nana2two]

If this is the first she has had. I would take her to the doctor.

[NewLeaf]

I have migraines and it does sound like one. But with her being so young I would at the very least call the nurse or doctor. The only thing that helps my migraines is ibuprophen or Excedrin Migraine. Not even the prescription migraine meds help. I need dark (use an eye mask), quiet and liquids. I am not a doctor or nurse but a headache that bad in a child so young is scarey. Please let us know what happens.

[mom2matty]

My daughter was diagnosed with migraines (by a pediatric neurologist) at 5 so it can happen! For her the migraines hit fast and hit hard, medications never worked. She would suffer until she could throw up and then she would sleep and once she woke up she would be fine. She is now 21 and still gets them but not anywhere near as often as she did when she was younger.

for your dd........I agree with everyone, take her to see the doctor so you can be sure!!!

[quiltingmommy]

My sister and I started having migraines young...actually, I believe she was about 3 or 4 when she had her first. One thing I would do (other than letting the dr know about them) is watch her diet. Did she eat anything yesterday that could have brought one on? Artificial sweeteners, MSG, sodium nitrates , etc. My worst migraine occured about 8 hours after eating Cool Ranch Doritos...the 3rd or 4th ingred. is msg. If this has occured before, think back to what she could have eaten prior to the event. Good Luck and I hope she feels better soon, very soon!

[brennasmom]

My DD gets migarines. She usually gets very pale skin and complains of pain on one side of her head. Often with these she will vomit as well. She can usually sleep them off and feels fine when she awakes.

Our ped has recommended Motrin which usually helps if I can get it into her system quickly enough.

[guest002]

MSG is in every flavored potato chip that I've read the ingredients on. The only kind I can eat is plan or salt and pepper.