Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Migraines and Epilepsy

Mon, 02/07/2005 - 11:56
My Son has been suffering from Migranes from the time he was born. He was a colic-y baby and threw up daily for 2 1/2 years. Finally we had an allergist explain to us that he suffered from food intolerances and Migraines. The migraines made the poor kid sick to his stomach. We were surprised to learn that such a young child could have migraine headaches. We went through the process of an elimination diet and found that he had a problem with Legumes (Soy, Peanuts, peas) and reacted to MSG and Aspertame. After a few years we became less strict about what he ate. He ate anything, but we did notice that after long periods (a couple of weeks) of having something with Aspertame as an ingredient ( gum, breath freshener) he would have a 2 or 3 day migrane. Almonds almost always caused a migraine within a day. He developed asthma at about 9 years old. We treated the asthma with a steroid puffer at about 11 years old and it dissappeared.He still suffered from Migraines and began having Auras with them. We did not modify his diet alot at this time but would have him stop eating peanuts, almonds, aspertame and MSG.He had his first TC seizure at 13. He had been having Myoclonic Jerks for perhaps a year before, but we did not know what they were and were not concerned about them.He began taking Lamictal at 14. The pleasant side effect was that he never had headaches. Topamax, and Mysoline and Phenobarbitol all seem to take care of the headaches.For the past few years he ate anything including the forbidden foods.Recently his epilepsy has become a serious problem. He no longer has Myoconic Jerks, but has TC seizures and they have been frequent (~ 2 -3 a week)We have eliminated all sorts of alergens from his diet recently with varying success.We have most recently learned that he should eliminate foods high in Tyramine from his diet, many of which he was still consuming ( pepperoni, salami, bacon).Our nutritionist has recommended the restricted Tyramine diet because he suffers from both migraines and Epilepsy.He still only has headaches after seizures.For the most part, Ibuprofene, will take the headache away for him (including the migraines) and if it is really bad, both ibuprofene and acetaminophene (high dose) will make things bearable.Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Comments

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Migraines and Epilepsy

Submitted by deborah on Sun, 2005-02-13 - 17:24
PS! daughter has just been tested for Irlen...coloured lenses...she is photosensitive...she needs them and she said wow the difference.She could now see things better than with her prescription distance reading glasses ...she is thrilled to bits because her eyes dont get so tired and aren't affected by glare so much. Hope they will help the eye-flicker etc too.Deborah 

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Migraines and Epilepsy

Submitted by pongosmommy on Sun, 2005-02-13 - 18:57
Good Idea Deborah,I have colored contacts but haven't thought about wearing them when I go out.Dayna

RE: RE: RE: Migraines and Epilepsy

Submitted by stacy3675 on Tue, 2005-05-17 - 12:06

 I am 30 yrs old I live in New orleans if it helps I also have migrainesa then seizures I had them so bad last year that it was financial strain on our family my husband took care of me and my two boys  it isn't the same as missing school but I missed life I was having 2 to 3 seizures a day now I have been okay for about 3 months  I take topamax to control the seizures neurontin and trileptil to control seizures and that combo seems ok my migraines are wores during my period and so I take the depo provero shot so I no longer get a period it is a form of birth control it lasts for three months at a time so instead of getting sick 12 months a year I get sick only 4. I take imitrex for my migraines the injections works immediately. they have the stat dose.,pill, or nasal inhaler all are effective. Hope this helped you can email me any time stacy3675@yahoo.com

 I am 30 yrs old I live in New orleans if it helps I also have migrainesa then seizures I had them so bad last year that it was financial strain on our family my husband took care of me and my two boys  it isn't the same as missing school but I missed life I was having 2 to 3 seizures a day now I have been okay for about 3 months  I take topamax to control the seizures neurontin and trileptil to control seizures and that combo seems ok my migraines are wores during my period and so I take the depo provero shot so I no longer get a period it is a form of birth control it lasts for three months at a time so instead of getting sick 12 months a year I get sick only 4. I take imitrex for my migraines the injections works immediately. they have the stat dose.,pill, or nasal inhaler all are effective. Hope this helped you can email me any time stacy3675@yahoo.com

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.