Docs - 13 y.o. boy - Medical Question

Chocaholic · 01-12-2008, 04:53 AM

We had a bit of a scare yesterday afternoon with our 13 year old son who's generally very healthy. He had a headache that came on in the car coming home from school. It was located primarily behind his left eye and was bad enough that it scared him a bit. My wife gave him some Tylenol. About 10 or 15 minutes later he said his right hand, right side of his face, and toungue were numb. Yikes!

She took him to the nearest ER (rural Georgia). He was asked some questions and had a head CT done (relatively new scanner). Results were negative (thank God!!!). The ER doc's diagnosis was "complex migrane". He's 100% back to his old (awesome) self today. We're going to go fly his RC airplane today and it's all he can think about right now!

We're very relieved but still a bit concerned. Any thoughts or comments? Is there anything we should be watching? Of course, we'll follow up with his pediatrician on Monday. Thanks for your input.

stomachmonkey · 01-12-2008, 05:33 AM

I would have guessed Bells Palsy but the hand is definitely counter indicative.

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Atypical migraine. Nothing to watch for except maybe try some of the triptans to abort it next time. Imitrex, etc. I'm not a pediatrician so I'm not sure if Imitrex is used in 13 year olds or not. Your pediatrician can help.

Bell's palsy generally occurs after a viral infection and is usually not associated with a headache. Classic bells palsy involves the facial nerve and resolves within a few days. Bell's palsy would not involve the hand.

Jim Bremner · 01-12-2008, 08:42 AM

not a doc,

Migraine, ouch

Chocaholic · 01-12-2008, 01:38 PM

Thanks Rick (and others). Appreciate the advice. Will ask his ped on Monday. Spent the entire day with him today. Seems to be 100% a-ok.

SLO-BOB · 01-12-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

The ER doc's diagnosis was "complex migrane".

Been there. Same diagnosis. Not uncommon. My wife thinks it's an allergic reaction. Food?

Dr? - No. Dr Mom? - Yes. She's usually spot on.

livi · 08:07 AM

I concur with the migraine diagnos. It is, unfortunately, rather common also with children nowadays. Twenty years ago it was fairly rare for a school child to have migraine. Personally I suspect it is the ever increasing stress, commitments, school and free time activities loaded on our kids shoulders that has seen an increase in the numbers of young people with different types of head aches including migraine.

We usually focus, hence, on the daily activities of the child. Sometimes it can be 'improved'. Most migraine attacks with children are rather short lasting, a few hours is common. Sometimes a whole day or two however. Depending on how frequent and severe attacks, the treatment varies. In many cases, resting in a dark, quite room is enough. Often they need to take a mild pain killer however. In rare cases, when the attacks are very frequent like more than one or two times a week, we try a daily doses of preventive medicin.

Many childrens threshold for a migraine attack is much lower during certain viral infections. I have seen many children who suffered only one attack during several years. Presumably because they caught a virus that, for them, was extremely provocative in this sense. Hopefully this may be the case for your kid, or at least that it will be rare and mild attacks.

Typically, there is no specific factors above stress and infections involved in migraine, although once (and only once!) I had a teenage boy with both mold allergy and a disturbingly severe migraine. His parents basement was full of mold and once they moved out the migraine subsided completely. Just a random case studie however.

Also, it is very common for migraine to debut during the early teen ages. Presumably because of the vast hormonal changes during those years. It is also very common for it to subside after that. Many young adults have 'grown out of' their migraine in their early twenties.

Chocaholic · 01-13-2008, 08:40 AM

Markus...my wife and I just read your comments and appreciate having our concerns put to rest. Thank you. Will speak with his Ped on Monday so that he is aware of the episode, etc. You guys are awesome!

SLO-BOB · 01-13-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livi

Personally I suspect it is the ever increasing stress, commitments, school and free time activities loaded on our kids shoulders that has seen an increase in the numbers of young people with different types of head aches including migraine.

.

Another factor, especially here in the States, is diet. Kids eat poison as a snack. Not throwing stones here. My wife and I are VERY health concious and eat wisely. My daughter, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. It's a battle we have fought for 17 of her 18 years. Even to the point of therapy.

Anyway - One kid that I knew narrowed it down, ironically, to chocolate.