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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take 7 yo to doctors for headaches

23 replies

Thislife2018 · 30/04/2018 13:57

My 7 yo complains a lot about various aliments. He worries about things a 7 yo should even think about! I try to encourage him to be factual about things. Eg you have a headache - how much water have you drink today, would a snack help etc.

However he’s requested a visit to the doctor (hes been twice in the last 4 years, once for an ear infection and more recently (Jan time) for chest pains) because of he’s been having headaches for about 2 weeks or so. He is complaining of them on a daily basis.

Should we go or should I keep encouraging him to try and self manage?

OP posts:

Original poster

Thislife2018 · 30/04/2018 13:57

*drunk

OP posts:

SparklySeashell · 30/04/2018 13:58

I'd go, if he's requested to go he must feel poorly, or if it's anxiety or similar and affecting is everyday life he probably needs looking at.

Trinity66 · 30/04/2018 13:58

If he's getting them that often he should probably be checked out

jimijack · 30/04/2018 13:59

Opticians maybe? Eye test.
But yes certainly GP for a once over.

jammiebammie · 30/04/2018 14:01

I’d definitely take him.

Not to worry you at all, but my dd was diagnosed with cluster headaches when she was 9 and now she is 11 she has just been diagnosed with having chronic fatigue syndrome.
We’ve had so many tests for dd, and When the cluster headaches/migraines were diagnosed, we were given great advice and medication, so we were able to tell when a headache was on it’s way and sometimes we’d be able to prevent it.

Is your ds stressed, has he got a lot going on? Do you notice a pattern to any of his headaches? Do they ease with calpol/nurofen?

There is no harm in taking him to the gp and getting some advice, it could be nothing but worthwhile getting looked at.

Good luck.

Cath2907 · 30/04/2018 14:02

I second seeing a GP and an optician.

jammiebammie · 30/04/2018 14:02

Oh yes, optician as pp mentioned is a good idea - that’ll probably be what the gp asks first, so better getting that done before you go.

Goingalonenow · 30/04/2018 14:03

I'd go. My migraines started around then but weren't diagnosed until later.

Outnumbered99 · 30/04/2018 14:03

Definitely head to Optician first as it will be the first thing GP asks anyway.

CountingToThree · 30/04/2018 14:05

my daughter started complaining about headaches at a similar age (though not particularly anxious about her health)

we did optician's first (as i have terrible eyesight) but that was all clear. She does appear to suffer from hayfever since, and she does also get itchy eyes, so may piriton or similar might be worth a try? her's has started up again recently when the weather warmed up the other week

Original poster

Thislife2018 · 30/04/2018 14:06

Optician sounds like a good plan too. It’s been about a year since his last check up.

School work levels have racked up recently as he has Y2 SATs coming up. Otherwise no other pressures. But he is a worrier too.

I just don’t like to make a fuss at the doctors and come across as an over anxious parent

OP posts:

Twofishfingers · 30/04/2018 14:06

I think it would be reasonable. Eye test makes sense as well. Is it at a specific time of day that he complains of headaches? would it be possible that some foods trigger it? I know that if I have anything too salty, I get a headache. It's automatic. It did take me a long time to figure it out though as my mum used to put so much salt in our food. I complained of headaches a lot when I was young, and she never took me seriously.

jammiebammie · 30/04/2018 14:09

You won’t come across as over anxious, your son is having headaches and they need seen to.

Nikephorus · 30/04/2018 14:14

I just don’t like to make a fuss at the doctors and come across as an over anxious parent
Better to risk that than leave DS having needless headaches. I had episodes of severe vertigo as a child & although these were investigated and ruled out anything concrete it was obvious that I was getting too stressed out by school (diagnosed with autism as adult so not surprising) - but no-one did anything about that, it was just as if ruling out tumours etc. was enough. Result was years of depression etc. Don't be that parent, be the one that takes action to make things better whether it's just glasses he needs or some counselling or whatever.

steppemum · 30/04/2018 14:28

dd1 had cluster headaches in about year 4 I think.

First thing the doctor did was say go to the opticians. That was clear, then they did go through a lot of suggestions.
They put her on migraine medication for a while and that seemed to change something, and when she was weaned off it, she was fine and has hardly had any since.

GP was very helpful, and took it seriously.

Peterrabbitscarrots · 30/04/2018 14:45

YANBU. I’d see an optician then the GP, and it would also be helpful to keep a diary of headaches - eg do they occur on Monday mornings/even when you are on holiday, that sort of thing

bluerunningshoes · 30/04/2018 14:48

take him to the optician first. eye sight issues is a very common cause for headache.

Yogagirl123 · 30/04/2018 14:52

My DS started migraines around that age, lots of headaches and sickness, particularly if he was excited about something, concentrating at school or tired. He went on meds to control them, he is 15 now and his headaches have really improved. See the GP and have the sight test before you see Dr. Good luck OP, I am sure it will get sorted out.

Juiceylucy09 · 30/04/2018 15:08

I would trust his instinct and bring him, if it brings him peace of mind too. Has he had an eye test.

Mari50 · 30/04/2018 15:33

Gp will almost definitely pass the buck to optometrist so do that first.
Hydration is a very common cause of headaches in children so ensure he’s drinking water or clear fluids (no coke etc)
Make a diary of the headaches, onset/ duration/ accompanying symptoms/ if calpol helps.
And when it comes to children most health professionals would prefer an false alarm than a child come to harm. Don’t worry about making a fuss.
In the meantime make sure if he is complaining and feeling unwell that you’re giving pain relief as appropriate.
And consider other stressors (school problems etc)

agnurse · 30/04/2018 15:49

I agree with taking him and I also agree with keeping a diary of the headaches. Many providers will ask you to do this.

Anxiety disorders can occur in children, and it's best to get them nipped in the bud if that's really what's going on. It is also certainly possible that he could be having headaches for other reasons, such as migraines. (In my area we actually do have a pediatric chronic pain clinic.)

Magmatic80 · 30/04/2018 15:54

Take him, I had migraines from younger than 6 (that’s the earliest one I can remember as missed Scott and Charlene’s wedding ), but I didn’t know they were migraines until I was 21 and casually mentioned it to GP whilst there about something else.

Original poster

Thislife2018 · 30/04/2018 21:17

Thanks all. Got appointments booked. Writing a bit of a diary too. I get migraines tho not too bad and not often now so it sounds like it could be this.

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