DD 8 daily headaches now referred for MRI

[Maxsax100]

I am so worried. My DD has been having headaches every day since last September. I would see her rolling her neck back and forth, lying down on her side and holding the back of her head. Sometimes she has pain at the front of her head or sides but mostly at the back of the head. She says it's like her brain is too big for her head and the pain is shooting up or is banging.

I went to the GP as soon as I noticed in October. DD isn't one to say when she's ill as she hates going to the drs. So it's all been on observation and eventually she told me she was having the head pain every day, at different times of the day.

The GP diagnosed tension headaches and asked lots of questions about school etc/ He said because she still does day to day stuff like swimming, ballet etc. it maybe stress related.

DD was being bullied by an older boy but this was nipped pretty quickly and she's only missed about 4 days of school in 4 years and cries if she I say she isn't well enough to go. So I know that isn't the problem.

It took 3 more visits before the GP referred her to the hospital. We went to see the consultant today and she said straight away DD needs an MRI.

Anyone else's child had daily constant headaches especially young ones like mine? My daughter gets very anxious so i think she will struggle with the MRI and the Dr said at her age they are normally awake. Any reassurance/similar stories would be good to hear right now. So worried. Been told we have to wait a couple of weeks for the MRI. Months of stress already.

Ds has had daily headaches since year 4, when he had a bout of bad illness for a term.

He's had all the tests, including MRI and nothing has come up. He was brilliant with the MRI, never even moved a muscle through it, and was delighted to see a picture of his brain.

He manages it now. Takes pain killers when it's worse, and we try and make sure he's not doing anything that triggers it.

My son had an MRI at 3 for constant headaches but due to his age was sedated but as he vomited it all up they suspected he would wake up. He never. I found it harder than him to watch as I sat in the room as he lay in the tube. I was over the moon when I found out there was nothing serious showing. The problem was found to be in his eyes. The one is unable to focus properly.
My thoughts are with you

Has she been seen at the opticians? I would take her straight away, they do an excellent examination, not only they check for an eye problem which would cause daily headaches, but should be able to reassure you that there is nothing serious going on or they will refer straight to hospital. I know it sounds alarming but many children experience migraine/daily headaches. Often nothing is found on MRI scans. Hope this will reassure you a little.

Thank you everyone for your replies. That's reassuring Witchend and NGC2017. I'm glad you had a positive outcome.

My DDs headaches have come out of nowhere (no previous illness) and although she says very little I can sense when she's in pain some how - a headache of 7 on a scale of 10 before bed this evening for example.

Thanks Oldmum55 for your reassurance - yes, I took her along to our optician in November who did a really thorough test. He couldn't find anything and DDs long sightedness hasn't worsened.

DD mentioned feeling dizzy to the consultant today which she had never mentioned to me before so that set alarm bells running.

Now I think about it she vomited once a few weeks ago and had a few days of nausea but nothing since. I guess migraines could be possible but I thought you had to have vomiting/nausea before the headache (otherwise it's not migraine?) and that headaches didn't happen every day...

Thanks for the reassurance about the MRI too. I know she just wants these dreaded headaches to stop/ and so do I (!) so hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it soon.

It's a waiting game I guess and the waiting isn't easy. Thanks for your comments

Dd developed chronic migraine
Get the mri done
May not showanything
Keep a daily headache diary
Referral to neurologist and specialist paed headache clinic

If mri clear ask about preventive meds

Chronic daily headache is a thing yes

Thank you cestlavielife. Trying to stay positive

All the above. But also try ice packs. Be cooling the area you can reduce the blood flow which can help the throbbing.

If its worse school days/home consider the impact of screens/fluorescents. DD found there was one specific projector at school not helping. Moving location in the classroom and handouts helped.

Also smells. Eliminate perfumes in the house and see if that makes a difference. Specificially eux de toilettes and aerosols

Poor lamb. For the MRI take along a CD of favourite music to play and get her into warm and comfortable clothes with elasticated non-metallic fastenings. It’s a chilly and noisy process but the staff are normally very reassuring.

Yes DD was about 8 or 9 when she had her worst set. She lost her vision almost entirely with them and we ended up in emergency MRI scanning at 1am. In her case it was stress (she also has with screen and light triggers). As the stressed eased off tge worse of the headaches went. She was initially assessed as not needing glasses as the prescription was too small but when they tried glasses it did make a difference.

Can you also get an eye test to check they don’t have to strain to see?
Brightly lit iPads and phones are also a trigger for me.
I turn the brightness right down.

Sorry I missed the eye test comment.

Yes don't worry about the MRI it sounds worse than it actually is. She could have her favourite CD also if very nervous her GP could prescribe a mild tranquilliser and you can stay in the room if she wishes. With a head MRI you don't go in the scanner all the way, just up to the shoulders which I think it helps too.

Huge thank yous to everyone for your helpful comments. DD finally admitted yesterday that she hasn't been wearing her glasses in school at all! She needs them for close work. I'm not sure this on its own would cause the headaches but I've dropped an email to her teacher in the hope that it will make a difference, some how.

I will try some of the other suggestions too especially re. screens at school etc. She doesn't get off to sleep very easily either, despite 8.30pm set time for bed. Head hurts I think...

Thanks Oldmum55 for suggestions re. MRI. Just want it to be done/but dreading it all the same.. your comments really help.

Yeah actually that will totally do it.

Glare from the sun can cause them too. Even in winter

Thank you to everyone who responded. Good news. DD had an MRI on Tuesday and I rang to get results today as I couldn't wait any longer!

The consultant confirmed the scan is normal and that these are probably due to tension headaches. She is bringing the follow up appointment forward so she can work on a treament plan.

It's a huge relief! Thanks again.

Wonderful news! Thank goodness for that! I'm sure you had a relaxing weekend then!

Hello @Maxsax100 I was wondering if you had managed to find a solution for your little one's headaches? Sounds very similar to what my daughter is going through at the moment.

Hi did you ever find out the problem? My 9 year old suffering with headaches.