My 6.5 y/o daughter Ruby had 2 indirect bypasses in Oct. 2009 & is recovering nicely.  She is now migraine-free but is still suffering from TIAs when she becomes severely emotionally disregulated - this is the only time that they occur, and she does have a temper, especially when she doesn't get her way, so we are working on ways, other than crying, that allow her to release her anger. 

We saw Ruby's surgeon last Tuesday and she is pleased with Ruby's progress.  She said we will keep an eye on the TIAs and if they are still occurring another 3-4 months out, she would likely recommend putting her on nifedipine, a blood pressure medication that she has found to be effective in alleviating the TIAs.  She said that approx. 50% of her MM patients are on this drug post-surgery. 

I'm curious if anyone else's child has been prescribed nifedipine to alleviate TIAs, and if so, how effective has the medication been?  Also, what side affects, if any, has your child experienced from this medication? 

Ruby's surgeon is one of Dr. Scott's proteges, and every aspect of the care she has provided thus far has been outstanding, so I have a great deal of faith in her.  I guess I was just surprised to hear that 50% of her patients are on this medication, so thought I would check in here to see how this compares with others' experiences. 

Thanks so much for your input!

Jenn

Hi Jenn,

As far as I know, nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker, that acts as vasodilatador and therefore is effective in the prevention of an eventual vasocontriction in the narrowed vessels of moyamoya patients, that can lead to a TIA. Nevertheless, it also acts as antihipertensive, and therefore, it must be managed carefully in MM patients, because low blood pressure should be avoided, specially just after surgery.

Paula was taking Flunarizine (that is also a calcium channel blocker that works in the same manner as nifedipine) prior to surgery, but Dr. Scott preferred to withdraw it because he said that it could provoke a decrease in her blood pressure. He said that perhaps she could take it again some moths after surgery. I hope it helps.