Headaches.. Will they ever stop???

"Some 2.5% of preschoolers and 5% of elementary school age children have migraines"-NeuroNews

With statistics like that its hard to swallow that a child as young as 3 or 4 (possibly younger) could go through such a painful thing and as a parent we not know it or not recognize it. As if dealing with asthma and allergies weren't enough, now we are facing the very real possibility that William could also have migraines.

Although, I'm not shocked about the possibility of this, I do FEEL absolutely AWFUL about it. This would be something that, although I can't control genetics, I gave him. Migraines run in the family, my side to be exact, and tend to affect the women in the family more so than the men. I know I've had them my whole life. They are awful and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. I was "blessed" in a way that my migraines didn't become as frequent and severe until high school.

I am trying to sort out all the details and in my mind keep going back to a critical piece of this puzzle that I feel was overlooked. Back when he was 18 months old my mom noticed that he would become whiny, fatigued, and look like he was in pain. On top of those symptoms he would rub his head. The Dr he was seeing at the time told us that it was just a learned behavior and that unless he had an "episode" of these symptoms and there was drooping of an eye involved that we shouldn't worry. We were told that if he had an episode with drooping of an eye to take him in immediately. I know that it's not a good sign when that happens. Being somewhat understandable of what the Dr was saying we just went about life.

At this point and time these headaches are starting to become more frequent and my child is dealing with what he says is the worst pain ever. He becomes very whiny, clingy, nauseous, at times vomits, and becomes pale and tired. Sometimes confused about what is going on and sometimes spacey like the pain is too much for him to handle. As much as I want to just take these away I can't. I can't imagine what he feels like at 4 having headaches like that.

In speaking with his pediatrician, who is amazing, she feels that this is more than likely what is happening. William and I had a talk about these headaches and I asked him some questions. His responses were very telling as to what's going on. The answers confirmed what we've been noticing. Although we can't pinpoint any triggers at this point. He has said that sounds become louder, he gets tired, his tummy gets upset (nausea), and it hurts ALOT!

I ran across a listing of migraine symptoms in preschoolers/toddlers and found it very interesting.. Here is the listing:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Throbbing headache
• Specific location of pain
• Associated "aura" - a funny sensation just before a headache, which may be a change in any of the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell or touch).
• Relief with sleep (headaches that awaken children, or early morning headaches, are probably not migraines - -they might be signs of a brain tumor)
• Family history of migraines

I am learning though that the best way to deal with his headaches are to listen to him, give him Tylenol or Motrin, we are going to try Dramamine for nausea/vomiting, and just let him do what he needs to do. The other day that meant letting him lay down for 3 hours doing nothing in our room all by himself. He didn't need too much more than that. Sometimes just resting is enough. And although nothing I say can make these go away immediately or stop any of the symptoms for him just having mommy there to hold him or comfort him gives him at least enough relief to know that it will be ok and eventually it will pass and he will be back to his old self.

I hope that in some small way this post will reach someone, anyone if they are reading this. If so many children get these headaches it makes one wonder why people dismiss these symptoms as nothing more than a child trying to get attention.