CommunityMember0cd576
My 18 year old son is suffering from brain fog from what we believe to be consistent low grade migraine. He has had an mri and has seen a neurologist who’s view is that his brain fog is linked to kind term headaches . My son only gets maybe 1 or 2 bad migraines
every 6-8 weeks but would have a low grade headache most is the time. However he has what he describes as constant brain fog which is impacting on his quality of life both socially and academically. The neurologist recommended be get ahead of the headaches which may alleviate the brain by taking ibuprofen 3 times daily for a month. He has done this with no
Improvement at all to his brain fog. I’m wondering if anyone on this forum has experience long term brain fog( he has had it for
6 months with little relief) and if so did yoj discover anything to resolve it? (He is watching is diet and sleep closely also)
Cheryl Picerno Moderator
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/reduce-brain-fog-impact
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/aphasia-brain-fog
I hope you find them helpful. Please keep us posted on how your son is doing. Warmly, Cheryl migraine.com team
Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
Did the doctor's suggestion of the ibuprofen three times daily help him with the head pain but not the brain fog? Migraine is so tricky as it is a complex neurological condition so that we can have a migraine without head pain. Your son may be experiencing a migraine (neurological challenges- like brain fog) without the head pain. I'm wondering if it may be time for him to consider talking with his neurologist about taking a migraine preventative medication (though I'm not sure of his age). There are a lot of good preventive medications out there these days made specifically for migraine (not ibuprofen) that may help keep him from experiencing the wash of brain fog altogether. Here is an interactive list of current available treatments (both preventive and rescue): https://migraine.com/treatment-options
As to the actual brain fog question- here are some resources on that topic. One of our contributors shares her approaches to navigating brain fog (including what foods she avoids): https://migraine.com/living-migraine/reduce-brain-fog-impact. And here, what it's like to live with brain fog: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/aphasia-brain-fog. Be sure to read the community comments that follow each article because they are rich with good ideas and feedback.
Hope this helps and please know we are here to provide support and information anytime. Thinking of you- Holly (migraine.com team).
CommunityMember0cd576 Member
Many thanks for your reply. You assessment is correct in that he suffers with continuous brain fog but not with continuous pain. The ibuprofen probably helped with pain although didn’t eliminate headaches completely. I’m interested in you mentioning the preventative medication as the neurologist did say he would consider that as a next step , I think he has some reservations because of possible side effects? My son is almost 18 - in his final year in school - so academically it’s a key one for him.
Any experience you might have in relation to the preventative medication would be of really interest.
Rebecca C Moderator
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/migraine-brain-fog/#:~:text=People%20with%20migraine%20may%20experience,noting%20that%20they%20are%20common.
Also as per request, you were interested in preventatives - here is a link for an article on our site. https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/prevention-medications
Hoping your son is finally able to get some relief - having chronic headaches/migraines can make one miserable. Wishing relief sooner than later. Rebecca (comm advc)
Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
Melissa Arnold Community Admin
Just wanted to share some general thoughts on side effects -- the reality is that most migraine medications come with a hefty list of possible side effects. That said, no two people with migraine are exactly the same, and everyone responds differently to individual drugs. Trial and error is unfortunately the only way to figure out what is and isn't a good fit for him. I absolutely understand how important it is for him to feel as comfortable as possible during this important (and very special!) year of school. It's okay to take a break from the "rat race" of medication, or choose to wait a while. Regardless of what you decide, go slowly and stick to small doses, with plenty of time to see how he adjusts. Thinking of you and hoping all the best for your son! He deserves to enjoy every bit of this year. -Melissa, migraine.com team