Any one up? Really worried about DD

[Boatshoes]

Hi all. I’m really worried about my DD. She is 8 and, over the last year, has had many episodes of dizziness. She is under a paediatrician and was reviewed on 5th January and we were told to keep an eye on her. She then had a few more episodes so we were told to book in at the GP for a blood pressure check and ECG with a nurse (booked for this week).

Half an hour ago, DD woke up crying, saying the back of her head and her forehead were really hurting. I got her water and the pain subsided after about a minute.

I am absolutely terrified - my dad has a brain tumour and he had the same symptoms as DD. She has also had another back of the head headache a couple weeks ago but nothing that woke her from her sleep before.

She is well otherwise (so can’t blame it on a virus).

I am in such a panic that I have just this moment emailed her paediatrician and asked if I need to push for a scan because of all of her symptoms, and if she thinks it
could be a brain tumour.

im sorry to waffle but I am genuinely terrified.

What shall I do? A&E diagnosed my dad as he had a big seizure, and I am so scared that Dd has something really similar.

Poor dd. I think a mri might be a good idea but they are normally requested by a consultant. A&E can do the CT scans

My friends son had headaches and dizziness for 2 years and it turned out to be his vision.

Hope you get seen quickly @Boatshoes .

My friend’s son had the same but would also sometimes vomit, he was eventually diagnosed with migraines. If you can’t get a scan in A&E can you afford to get a private scan?

Hand hold @Boatshoes

Hello OP, how is she feeling now?

My 11 year old daughter had the exact same symptoms.

We did the whole going to the GP (4 times over 6 months) and even got referred to Neurology. Early January I just couldn't bear to see her suffer any longer so the night before I told her to be ready to leave at 6am, we're going to go and camp out at A&E, what's the worse that could happen.

We did just that, and by 3 pm that same afternoon, various exams, and a brain MRI later, we'd confirmed a tumour, thankfully not life threatening at this stage. She's being treated for it.

Please follow your instinct. I've also been told by my DD's Neurosurgeon that a headache bad enough to wake up from your sleep is a serious sign that you need further investigations.

I wish your DD all the best.

Best wishes OP. Hope you get some answers.

We had 2 MRI's via A&E, the second one was with contrast, and after both were done, we were admitted, and my daughter went on to have one on her entire spine, too.

OP, advocate for your daughter. I missed the update that you're at the hospital, that's the best place for her at the moment. I'm sending you all the positive vibes.

You're doing the right thing insisting on a scan. I'm glad she has you to advocate for her. I hope you are seen soon.

Hope it’s all fine, I would definitely book her in for an eye test asap if she hasn’t been seen recently, just to be sure.

I hope your little girl is ok xx

I know how you feel. My mum died of a brain tumour. And when my daughter was a toddler and had seizures I thought exactly the same as you. But when I looked up the research there was no evidence of a hereditary link. I know there is a wide variety of brain tumours but it might be the same in your case. My DD was fine, it was something completely unrelated. But I remember the worry all too well

Thinking of you OP. I agree with others that you need to push for a scan for your own reassurance if nothing else. All the best.

Hope she's and you are okay

Sending you and DD lots of love x

I would push for an MRI. My daughter had headaches which woke her in the night. It ended up being childhood migraines but the reason we were referred for the MRI was because they were bad enough to wake her up. So I’m thinking you should emphasise the night waking part to help get a referral if A&E don’t do one or refer for one. I hope she’s ok.

Wishing you all the best op. I do know that dizziness and headaches can be a sign that your eyes need checking. Also, a bit random, but does your dd have all her molar teeth yet. When the molars are coming through children can get headaches. My youngest went through a few months with daily headaches and it was put down to their molars erupting.

Just saying that there can be many more innocent causes of headaches and dizziness. I'm hoping you can get the tests done and get to the bottom of it all.

They need to check for spinal fluid leaking into the brain area, especially as she had fluid build up previously. Please insist on at least an mri. Good luck and hope all turns out well 💐

Hope you get seen soon OP and get the help you both need.

Chiari malformation can give headaches and dizziness
You saying about the extra fluid/neck thing made me think of that.

Chiari malformation. I have been suffering with it and straight away thought this could be the cause. I had to have brain surgery nearly a year ago, but it's a life long condition and unfortunately only painkillers/ meds and the surgery are the only things that can kinda help. So sorry for your little girl, hope it's nothing and she gets well soon!

Sending a hand hold and courage.

I hope you don't have to wait too much longer and that your DD gets a scan

Hand hold and fingers crossed over here.

Hope she’s been seen now and you have a better idea of what’s going on.

It could also be a recurring - possibly low grade - ear infection. That can cause dizziness and headaches, and is usually relatively easy to correct. Anyway, you are in exactly the right place @Boatshoes and hopefully your DD, who sounds delightful by the way, will soon be feeling completely better xxx