Kids and Migraines and Sensory Processing Disorder

I know I’ve been focused a lot on my personal journey lately, but I’d like to report on my son’s. I wrote about him some last fall when his migraines really started up. It was a change and season and the start up of the school year. His manifested as abdominal pain to start, which is common in young kids. Sometimes he had a headache and sometime not, or just a headache.
Well, as the school year progressed it became evident to his teacher that there was something else going on too. My son, who is eight and in the second grade, has always been hypersensitive. He doesn’t like loud noise, his clothes can bother him more than usual and there are other things too that I can’t think of right now. Either way, his teacher is noticing that he has a hard time in large group and understanding verbal instruction. He does great with anything visual or written. So, we are exploring the possibility of Sensory Processing Disorder. His school, which is a private one, has a wonderful lady who comes and works with the kids that may have any learning difficulties. That has just started, so I can’t wait to see what her assessment says. I have done a lot of research online and can totally see how he fits into it.
In the past, when he was only 2 going on 3, we had a preschool try to tell us that he was autistic. Now, I don’t want to offend anyone who is or has a child who is, but that was really hard to hear. And from our own psychology backgrounds and knowing our son, we didn’t believe them. There has also been mention of ADD. Now, what it didn’t help us realize is that there is another disorder that can look like both of those or even coexsist with them. I am thankful for his second grade teacher, because she had more insight than just an assessment.
As I was doing research, I also learned a lot about myself. I was pretty much exactly like my son as a child. Even my sister can attest to that. My nephew has hearing difficulties and his school has been looking to assess anyother issues there could be. During this time and having a friend whose son has Sensory Processing Disroder, has recognize the behaviors that I exhibited as a child. I have always described myself as hypersensitive and boy can I get overwhelmed with too many stimuli happening at once.
I have contributed this sensitivity to my migraining brain. And now, with the development of my son with his migraines and sensory processing issues, I can’t help but wonder the connection between the two. Migraineurs do have excitable brains, so does that lend to the sensitivity and sensory issues?
Yesterday, I had a wonderful Cranial Sacral therapy, kind of like chiropractics and massage, but focusing on the pelvis and head. The friend I went with was describing her son just like mine with school and sensory issues, hers is now grown. But wow and he has had migraines and she is a frequent migraineur, too.
I plan on continuing digging deeper into this issue. Right now, I’m exploring diet and its effects on the brain. We all know it does. There isn’t much out there on diet for Sensory Processing Disorder, so I’ve been looking at Autism and ADHD, since they have similar traits. I’ll let you know what I find and how that can connect to the diets we need as migraineurs.

Environmental Factors

The family and I took a 22 hour round trip last Thursday night through Friday night. It actually went really well. I was certainly expecting a big migraine soon, but so far, not much. I had to take a couple of Aleve, to relieve some tension in the back of my neck. I also had to do half of a strong pain reliever last night, but it wasn’t much and it didn’t develop into anything. My conclusion, is lower altitude. I really believe it is making a huge difference. I’m not completely at sea level and not over doing it, so I really feel a difference this time. So, as the two weeks rolls by we’ll see what happens. There is always extra stress with being with the kids away from home without Daddy. It is also not nearly as dry here. I don’t dehydrate as easily. I do have more energy, too. I really do believe that environmental factors are a big factor in my migraines.

To do or not to do, that is the question…

Everyone who suffers from migraines knows what it is like when those nagging, disappointing and horrifying feelings of one coming on creep up.  For me it is such a let down.  No, not today. No, not again.  I just took a triptan yesterday.  I’m going to get a rebound.

Then comes the complete analysis.  What did I eat, what didn’t I eat?  How well did I sleep?  Am I dehydrated?  Did I do too much?

It really really sucks.  I feel like I failed myself and my family.  I’m putting them out again by being useless.  I can never get anything done or do anything fun without the migraine consequence.

I sometimes daydream about what it would be like to not have to even consider one happening.  Oh, the many things I’d plan and do.  I’d even become a vegetarian.  I can’t even begin to fathom what it is like to be someone who can do a good day of hard work and not get sick.  Or, go hiking or running.  To not have to extensively plan out an event based on avoiding a migraine.

That is where the fine balance of whether to do or not do comes into play.

To top it off, add children to the mix, and try to take care of yourself.  Yeah right, your too busy and babies a designed to keep you from sleeping.  I just have to remind myself that they won’t be this dependent forever. 

I think the hardest feeling to wrestle is the feeling of not being dependable.  Nothing is consistent and nothing is certain. So, do I do nothing? I will start projects and have to back down as soon as the become too much.    For my health and sanity, I cannot plow into something knowing that the consequence will be a migraine. 

But wait there’s more, add a personal life in there.  You can’t avoid it all.  Things will cause stress.  People don’t always get along.  People don’t always listen.  And what goes hand and hand with migraine disease?  Depression and anxiety.  They create a vicious cycle.

Over the past three or so months, I have developed a significant increase in depression.  I am dealing with the full force of the impact of a bad situation in my personal life.  Having migraine disease makes it much harder to deal with the issues life throws at you.  So, what can you do?

Weird Sleep Patterns

Is it just me or does having migraine disease cause really strange sleep patterns. I developed a migraine about 3:30 yesterday, so I took some Imitrex and decided to lay down until my husband got home. All I remember was him coming upstairs at some point and asking me if I wanted dinner. I heard a few noises here and there, but the next thing I knew, it was 6:00 am. Oh my, I can’t believe I slept so long. Of course the stress of my life doesn’t help because I was up way late the night before. Now, tonight/morning (Friday/Saturday) I am up again! Just when I thought I could go to bed and actually sleep, about 3 am, the baby woke up and has been restless ever since. Ugh! For me, sleep is a loosing battle. I have once again found myself back in the battle of balancing migraine care and real life. Sometimes, they just don’t go together. I’ve also been super stressed out lately. Lots of personal stuff going on, so that has caused some depression and anxiety. I think it will come to an end soon, so that is good, but in the meantime it really sucks. I’ve also just been really starting to digest the fact that having three small children doesn’t always allow you to do what you need. Rather it is lack of time, sleep, patience, money, etc… Although, I will say rather strongly that I love them dearly and think they are such a blessing!

So Far, So Good

I had my follow up visit with my neurologist. I have been keeping a calendar diary, which she finds very helpful and wants me to continue. I went for 4-5 a week to about 2 a week. Big improvement, but she wants me down to no more than 2 a month. I couldn’t agree more.
I have been pretty much sticking to the diet. Although, I don’t really think I have food triggers, I will keep it up. My doctor really believes it is important and it is healthier for me. I’ve also been really increasing my fruits and veggies while reducing my meat. Overall, it makes me feel a lot better.
The only thing I’ve been bad at is exercising. I haven’t done yoga in a while and I really feel it in my back. The good thing is that when my back or neck or even the back of my head get achy that if I take Aleve or Advil, it seems to take care of it. That didn’t happen before. I’m really watching that I don’t take too much of any pain killer in a week. My doctor said no more than two triptans, otherwise my rebound headaches can come back.
My husband and I have also been working hard to face the unnecessary stresses in our lives. To say ‘no’ more often to work related events and not overreact to some of the foolishness that goes on at his job. Did I mention he is a pastor, that is why it effects me, too. It is our church. I’ve realized that I’ve let the stress of our lives get to me more lately, so I think I’m going to go talk to a counselor. Just to make sure I’m processing things well. I really noticed things were getting to me when I’d wake up with my teeth clenched. Not good for a migraine suffer. And I didn’t really want to get out of bed. I was too overwhelmed.
So, I hope things continue to look up, it gives me hope!

Stopping Chronic Migraine?

Chronic migraine is a very serious issue and a very hard one to deal with. There is the physical pain along with the emotional trouble. It makes you doubt your ability to read your own body and its signals. You wonder whether or not to take medicine, sometimes it is too late and other times it just doesn’t work anyway. There is also an overall sense of failure because you can’t get them under control. You try to avoid triggers, but it just isn’t working.
Well, after I landed myself in the ER a couple of weeks ago, I knew it was time to see a neurologist. Whatever I was doing and whatever my primary care physician was doing just wasn’t cutting it. I need pain management that won’t cause more migraines. I had gotten into a cycle of rebound headaches. A risk that comes with taking more than two doses of any kind of pain killer, whether it is a triptan or something like ibuprofen.
My new doctor was very friendly and supportive, but also professional and serious. She right away, put me on a steroid tapper to break the cycle of rebound headaches from taking up to four triptans a week. The good news is that while on the steroid I did have any migraines. It has been about a week and a half and I’ve only had to take two triptans. I had a migraine come on today, most likely triggered by our trip to the park and three days ago.
For me, this is great improvement. Only two triptans in a week and a half, when I was taking about four or five in one week. And that they were three days a part.
I have started taking trigger avoidance even more seriously. Some things are hard, like trips to the park. I don’t want to miss out on that. And, I hate having this overall sense of fear when it comes to doing anything outdoors. Things have been really busy and stressful with church, so that one needs some work. I also started a new diet.
My doctor really respects the diet from the Headache Society. So, it is bye bye aged cheese, processed meats and chocolate. Also, no MSG, yeast extract and soy sauce. I think it has helped. I did cheat a little today on some very yummy chili mac.
I also have been taking the blood pressure medicine, Verapamil for the last week and a half. I believe it is helping because it feels like it is. I also don’t feel the headaches as intensely. I have taken it in the past and it did do some good.
Well, I hope things continue to look up. I hope that everyone takes their medications seriously. You need to take them when you feel one coming on in order for it to work on time to not have to suffer so intensely, but at the same time watch that you aren’t getting rebound headaches, too.

Trip to the ER

I kind of felt this last big migraine coming on. It was mild and I thought it wasn’t going to be anything. Boy was I wrong!
I picked my oldest up from school and developed intense pain by the time I completed the 12 mile drive to church. I had him run in and get Dad so he could get the baby out of the car. I went straight to the couch in my husbands office, but closed the blinds first. After about ten minutes, I knew this wasn’t going to be one I could just suffer through. I didn’t take anything in time and knew that by now it was too late. I wouldn’t be able to keep it down and couldn’t wait the hour and a half for it to work. So, off to the ER.
Surprisingly enough, I haven’t been to the ER for a migraine for two years. The last time I went was because the Triptan didn’t work. I am very relieved that I went because the pain was so intense that I wouldn’t of been able to stand it. It even lasted longer than usual. I’m usually OK after a couple of hours. It had started coming on at 3pm and I had to have a second dose of narcotics at about 8:30pm.
The doctors and nurses in the ER at Littleton Hospitial were awesome. They were very understanding and helpful. Of course, like all ERs I wish I would of gotten the meds a tiny bit faster. Although, they did get me in right away, so the process of being cared for started right away. There weren’t many other people there, but I did only sit for only five minutes to wait to get checked it.
After talking to the doctor, we agreed that I didn’t need to have a CTscan. He said they could, of course, if I wanted them to. We concluded that it was a regular migraine in the way it played out. It was very painful, 9 on a scale of 10, but it didn’t have any atypical symptoms. Of course, I did promise to go see a neurologist, which they printed on my discharge papers.
I called the office yesterday and have an appointment for Tuesday. I just hope there is something they can find to do to help. This all happened Wednesday evening and I have definitely had to take Maxalt yesterday and today. I’ll keep you posted on how the doctor visit goes.
Also, it seems to me, that my oldest son, who is eight, is starting to show signs of migraines. He has come home abut 4 times in the last month from school with a really bad belly ache. Yesterday, he had a headache also. It seems to be on days he doesn’t eat well, so first step will be, to make sure he eats his lunch and snack. If it keeps happening, I will take him to see his doctor.

Just Being Honest

It makes me sad when I look at my calendar. I had only 10 migraine free days last month. I was able to stop most of them with Maxalt. I am very tired of ‘trying’ things because nothing seems to work and with so many triggers, I can’t avoid them all. Especially having three children and did I ever mention that they all seem to only be able to speak on loud voices. Well, at least the older two.
Overall, I feel like a failure. The migraines are so disruptive. They make me unable to commit to anything. And, half the projects I do do, I either can’t enjoy the outcome or suffer a migraine when I attend an event. Not to mention the several headaches it took to get there. I’m involved in visual arts for our church’s worship service and also marketing of events and programs. So, I feel useless because I have to keep decreasing my work amount and I don’t always meet deadlines or am able to be a part of the result. Like last Sunday, for example, was the very first one of our new worship services. I designed the look of the service for print and the projection, but due to a migraine, I wasn’t able to experience the service.
I don’t want to go back to my doctor because I don’t feel anything is working and she said no to Topamax.
The migraines also make me snappy and moody with my children. I try very hard to keep an even tone, but when it hurts so bad and they won’t listen, I don’t know what else to do than raise my voice. I feel like there is no plan and no teaching of what to do when mommy is sick. Daddy will take care of the kiddos for me and is supportive with when I need to lay down. But, I feel there is no pro activeness. No preventative measures. It isn’t a priority and I don’t know how to make it one. I don’t want our lives to center around my headaches, but I don’t feel I’m getting exactly what I need. And who knows what that is.
When you’ve struggled with this since you were about eight years old, there are several emotional and mental side effects you have to deal with. I feel as if I can’t complete things, I feel that I can’t be successful in a career. I even think sometimes that I’m not a fit mother because of migraines. I have my ups and downs. I do have times of great inspiration and hope, but with all diseases and chronic illnesses, the negatives of life are never far enough out of site.
Thanks for listening.

Dare I say it? Chronic Migraine

I’m very discouraged. Although, yesterday was a good day. I did yoga twice and got a massage. I read last night that if you have 15 migraines within a month, for more than three months, then it is considered Chronic Migraine. Either way you put it, that doesn’t sound good. And is definitely not fun!
My migraine attacks started to increase last May. That is what got me to filling my Imitrex to the point that I can no longer get them at the pharmacy. It was also what indicated that the Elavil wasn’t really helping. I was taking a triptan at least 3 times a week. I haven’t experienced rebound headache yet. I always get all the same classic migraine symptoms. Although, I was able to abort several of the migraines, if I hadn’t taken something, then they would of become full blown.
I am concerned about rebound now because since July 2nd, I’ve taken a triptan 5 out of 7 days in a week. Although, reading about rebound, I don’t have just an overall pain, it can start on either side of the head and includes all the other fun symptoms. I have switched triptans, so in the past month, I’ve gone from Imitrex to Treximet to Maxalt. The struggle is that once I get the indicators that one is coming on, there is no use waiting. No first line of defense works anymore. And if I wait to take it, then I suffer because I don’t end up getting any relief. My triggers have been outrageous since the beginning of July.

Here is a small list of what has been happening in my life:
Storms almost daily (since May)
Went off Elavil
Had company (two different times)
Summitted a mountain
Refrigerator died
All day meetings
A marriage retreat
A wedding
Female monthly issues
A day trip
More meetings
My oldest started back to school

I do want to start some major trigger avoiding. It doesn’t help that I live a mile above sea level, in a state that has sun 360 days a year and is extremely dry! Not to mention has the daily thunderstorm in the summer. I do need to eat at a regular schedule and do yoga. Consistent sleep is just not possible with three kids under the age of 8. The littlest is really teething right now, too.
If the trigger avoiding doesn’t help and the yoga, I’m not sure what to do. I’ve tried daily Elavil and Verapamil with no luck. And for some reason my doctor is against Topamax. So, we’ll see…

Painful Children’s Laughter

I know my children can be very loud at times, but I never thought of their laughter being painful. What an odd and sad thing. Monday night we had spent sometime at a friends house. I had had a very full day. Exercise, chores, the beach. I should of seen it coming. I kept trucking on though, thinking, ‘Oh, I’ll be fine. This hasn’t been too stressful.’ I was wrong, though.
I could feel it coming on in the back of my head. The kind that makes me feel like I need to crack & stretch my neck. Usually I have more time with that kind. After we ate, I asked for an imitrex from my friend. She suffers from migraines, too and totally understands. To bad, it was too late. Just as we got in the car, at about 9:30 pm, the pain hit me hard. The three kids are jammed in the backseat. They are being good, they knew I didn’t feel good. Then, my oldest one starts making the baby laugh. It is so cute, but hurting my head. Then, the other two start laughing. Like I said, it is so cute, but painful. I found it rather ironic and sad. They settled down a bit for me.
When my husband pulled into the garage and put the car into park, I got out and headed straight for bed. I didn’t even bother to get my purse out of the car. I tried laying down, but then felt the nausia set in. I went to the bathroom and just sat on the floor by the toilet. I felt so weak and nausious. While I was sitting there, I started to hear the tornado siren! What, there was no server weather on the way home. I heard my husband come upstairs to grab the kids. Not before the oldest had run into my daughters room and scared her awake by yelling in her face there was a tornado! She still gets nervous, three days later, when she hears any siren.
I decided to drag my nausieated self to the bathroom downstairs. Growing up in the midwest, I learned not to mess around when tornado sirens go off. As I was sitting in the bathroom downstairs, I can hear the TV through the door. The funnel cloud hadn’t touched down and was at least 4 miles away. That was a relief. Although, I didnt’ get to relax before I threw up. I spent a little more time on the floor of the bathroom upstairs. I was still very weak, but not as nausious. The pain was almost gone, too.
When I get a full blown migraine, that is what I like to call them when I throw up, it hits me fast and hard. I may be able to pick up on the warnings signs during the day or I may not. Sometimes I can’t tell if it is going to turn into a migraine or not. I hate intoxicating myelf with strong meds, so I’m sometimes too late with taking an imitrex. It also takes sometime for it to start working, about an hour.
I do plan on going to the doctor in August. I’ll talk to her and see what she says.