Chronic Headaches- Could it be her braces?
HelplessMom posted:
My 15 yo daughter has been out of school since the middle of January 2013. She has severe chronic headaches (8-10 on pain chart) that start between 10pm-4am everyday and last all day. They go to about a 3-5 on the pain chart from about 11am until about 10pm everyday. We have seen chiropractors, ER, Endocrinologists (her thyroid was very low and we have gotten it regulated with meds), Naturopath (her progesterone and estrogen were very low - we just started on meds), Family practice dr - they thought maybe a sinus infection - tried to do an MRI but couldn't because of braces. Other then her TSH, progesterone and estrogen levels, all other tests have come back normal. I have a call into her orthodontist - hoping to hear back today. She will also see a migraine specialist on the 8th of April. We have tried migraine meds both synthetic and naturopathic and NOTHING helps. I am looking for any and all help. I just wish I could take her pain away and she could live a normal life and not be a prisoner of her bed. (oh~ we also purchased a new pillow and a new mattress, which won't be here for a couple of weeks.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Chronic Headaches- Could it be her braces?My 15 yo daughter has been out of school since the middle of January 2013. She has severe chronic headaches (8-10 on pain chart) that start between 10pm-4am everyday and last all day. They go to about a 3-5 on the pain chart from about 11am until about 10pm everyday. We have seen chiropractors, ER, Endocrinologists (her thyroid was very low and we have gotten it regulated with meds), Naturopath (her progesterone and estrogen were very low - we just started on meds), Family practice dr - they thought maybe a sinus infection - tried to do an MRI but couldn't because of braces. Other then her TSH, progesterone and estrogen levels, all other tests have come back normal. I have a call into her orthodontist - hoping to hear back today. She will also see a migraine specialist on the 8th of April. We have tried migraine meds both synthetic and naturopathic and NOTHING helps. I am looking for any and all help. I just wish I could take her pain away and she could live a normal life and not be a prisoner of her bed. (oh~ we also purchased a new pillow and a new mattress, which won't be here for a couple of weeks.
lhicks10 responded:
Hello,
First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's pain. Reading your post made me tear up a bit because my story is almost exactly the same as your daughter, and I know how hard my mom has worked over the years to help me. I got my first migraine just after turning 17 years old and missed school from mid December all the way to mid March. I am 23 years old now and still struggling to figure out my situation. I don't say that to scare you but to let you know that I understand your desperation to figure out your daughter's health.
I, too, had braces when I first started getting migraines but had had them for over a year before that. We chose to take them off early because every time they were tightened I was left with a 9-10 migraine for days. I do suggest approaching the headaches in a multidimensional way. Maybe speak with her orthodontist and a neurologist and see what they both say about the pros and cons of removing the braces in order to try more tests.
Another thing I wanted to bring up to you is mental health. Before I got migraines and even the first month or so into my migraines, I would've been the last person to see a psychiatrist or therapist. However, once I started seeing a psychiatrist (unhappily at first) I realized that all those days in my bed for months had caused depression and anxiety. Once we got those under control I was able to better manage my pain. Enough to get back to school 2 or 3 days per week, which is a huge improvement on missing every single day. My experience with migraines actually led me to pursue and earn my BA in Psychology.
Even though I haven't figured out my migraines yet, I do hope this information helps you and your daughter. Looking back, I realize the loneliness of migraines was the hardest part to deal with I high school. I wish I had somebody around who could relate. I think talking about the problem is highly important, whether it be with a professional or in a migraine support group (with your consent and supervision of course).
Good luck! You both are in my thoughts!!
First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's pain. Reading your post made me tear up a bit because my story is almost exactly the same as your daughter, and I know how hard my mom has worked over the years to help me. I got my first migraine just after turning 17 years old and missed school from mid December all the way to mid March. I am 23 years old now and still struggling to figure out my situation. I don't say that to scare you but to let you know that I understand your desperation to figure out your daughter's health.
I, too, had braces when I first started getting migraines but had had them for over a year before that. We chose to take them off early because every time they were tightened I was left with a 9-10 migraine for days. I do suggest approaching the headaches in a multidimensional way. Maybe speak with her orthodontist and a neurologist and see what they both say about the pros and cons of removing the braces in order to try more tests.
Another thing I wanted to bring up to you is mental health. Before I got migraines and even the first month or so into my migraines, I would've been the last person to see a psychiatrist or therapist. However, once I started seeing a psychiatrist (unhappily at first) I realized that all those days in my bed for months had caused depression and anxiety. Once we got those under control I was able to better manage my pain. Enough to get back to school 2 or 3 days per week, which is a huge improvement on missing every single day. My experience with migraines actually led me to pursue and earn my BA in Psychology.
Even though I haven't figured out my migraines yet, I do hope this information helps you and your daughter. Looking back, I realize the loneliness of migraines was the hardest part to deal with I high school. I wish I had somebody around who could relate. I think talking about the problem is highly important, whether it be with a professional or in a migraine support group (with your consent and supervision of course).
Good luck! You both are in my thoughts!!
Report This| Share this:Chronic Headaches- Could it be her braces?Hello,<br><br>First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's pain. Reading your post made me tear up a bit because my story is almost exactly the same as your daughter, and I know how hard my mom has worked over the years to help me. I got my first migraine just after turning 17 years old and missed school from mid December all the way to mid March. I am 23 years old now and still struggling to figure out my situation. I don't say that to scare you but to let you know that I understand your desperation to figure out your daughter's health. <br><br>I, too, had braces when I first started getting migraines but had had them for over a year before that. We chose to take them off early because every time they were tightened I was left with a 9-10 migraine for days. I do suggest approaching the headaches in a multidimensional way. Maybe speak with her orthodontist and a neurologist and see what they both say about the pros and cons of removing the braces in order to try more tests. <br><br>Another thing I wanted to bring up to you is mental health. Before I got migraines and even the first month or so into my migraines, I would've been the last person to see a psychiatrist or therapist. However, once I started seeing a psychiatrist (unhappily at first) I realized that all those days in my bed for months had caused depression and anxiety. Once we got those under control I was able to better manage my pain. Enough to get back to school 2 or 3 days per week, which is a huge improvement on missing every single day. My experience with migraines actually led me to pursue and earn my BA in Psychology. <br><br>Even though I haven't figured out my migraines yet, I do hope this information helps you and your daughter. Looking back, I realize the loneliness of migraines was the hardest part to deal with I high school. I wish I had somebody around who could relate. I think talking about the problem is highly important, whether it be with a professional or in a migraine support group (with your consent and supervision of course). <br><br>Good luck! You both are in my thoughts!!
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