Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Migraines In Children

Question:
I have a 3yr old daughter diagnosed with migraine, possibly causing complex parial epileptic seizures. My neuro has prescribed her with 3 heavy drugs which scare me to bits. (Carbamazapine-Tegretol, Sodium Valproate-Epilim and Periactin). I am scared of the long term effect of such drugs on her development and general health. If anybody has any experience with these drugs of Paediatric Migraine, I would love to discuss this as I have many fears, many unknowns and need to speak with someone who knows a bit about it.

Answer:
One of my children (Moon age 11) gets migraine also. She does not have a seizure disorder. She was diagnosed at the age of 7 or eight. I remember having what I now know as migraine as a small child also. Both myself and my 13 year old daughter suffered seizure as children. The 13 year old only gets an occasional migraine that is relieved with Motrin. She takes daily meds for her neurological problems. Moon is treated symptomatically. Meaning we only treat the migraines she gets. As there is no underlying seizure disorder we are not using a prophylactic at this time. As your daughter's pain is complicated by seizure, one of her doctor's main goals is to prevent as many seizures as possible. The drugs you asked about are commonly used anticonvulsants. Many migraine sufferers are prescribed these drugs whether they have seizures or not. The Periactin is a antihistamine that is used with some success with childhood migraine.