DS constant headache - feeling very worried

[strangeloop]

DS, age 9, is usually happy and active but he has mentioned a couple of times in passing that he has a headache. Yesterday he said to me that he has a constant headache and has had it for six months.

I now remember that a couple of days ago, when he mentioned it, he said that his vision suddenly went weird as we were watching tv in bed.

I can't see that he would lie, but it seems very unlikely to have a headache all the time for six months, and it not be very obvious in your behaviour. He must be suffering from frequent headaches of some description to say something like this. We have a doctors appointment on Friday.

He always relates the headache to the day his cat died, which was about 6 months ago. He talks about this day a lot, saying he hasn't felt happy since etc.

I don't know what to think and I'm thinking of worst possible scenarios, such as brain tumour, but other than that one very brief visual episode (mere seconds), he doesn't have any other symptoms.

Feeling very worried

First thing that comes to mind is a check up at the optitions, rule out any eye issues, headaches and blurred vision could be eye strain while looking at screens.
If that's fine I'd see the gp.

Being upset with his cat could just be a coincidence and a time frame he can ralate to in terms of how long the headaches have been happening.

Ds has had a headache since he had a bad virus aged 8yo.He's 11yo now.

Firstly, it clearly isn't too bad if he's not mentioned it for 6 months. For ds it's more just there and if he thinks about it, it is still there. If he's ill or anything it gets worse, but most of the time it's something he doesn't think about. If I ask him if his head is hurting then he will stop and think before answering.
I did think at one point that it was a convenient way of trying to get out of school things he doesn't like, but he's commented on it a number of times when doing something he likes, so I think it is genuinely there.

He's had blood tests, MRI, eye examinations etc. The only thing we've found is that he has a bad allergy to dust mites.

One thing they said to me was that if it's not getting worse, then having done all the tests above they aren't that worried.

In these cases, and there seems to be a lot of kids with these headaches, I would suggest a visit to the opticians. They do a very thorough examination which would highlight any problems with his eyes and also anything unusual going on that could suggest something serious. I find that opticians are more useful than GP's at this stage. If anything is spotted you are referred straight to the Eye clinic or A&E.

Definitely get an appt at the optician, as well as the GP. Needing glasses is a big cause of ongoing headaches...

Thank you all so much. This made me feel much better last night.

I've made an appointment at the opticians for today.

He probably has too much screen time so I'm going to cut that back and also instal flux to take the glare out of the screen.

Witchend, I'm sorry your son has to endure that, I hope he grows out of it soon.

Just thought I'd update, I took DS to the opticians, who was aware of his headaches - his eyesight is good and no problems with his eyes at all. I took him to the doctor who did a few tests and asked him some questions and told me all signs are reassuring that it's nothing serious diagnosing probable tension headaches.

DH and I have been away with DS for a week on holiday now as he's changing schools (this in itself is obviously important) and he's only spontaneously mentioned the headache once which was when he was complaining in general about what we were doing. I've been watching him very closely to see if he shows any outward signs of pain but nothing.

I'm looking into supplements (Q10 and magnesium) and also considering acupuncture. I don't actually have any faith in acupuncture, but thought it might have a placebo effect.

Despite me continually trying to get him to eat he consumes next to nothing all day, then fills up in the evenings. Today we've been skiing and all he has had is a hot chocolate, a miso soup and 2 apples.

I can't bear the thought of him having a constant headache.

Is he drinking enough during the day?
Getting dehydrated is a classic headache trigger.

Does he have a constant headache now do you think?

Thanks for your post Barbarian. He seems to drink a lot - he's always asking me for water. It's possible he doesn't drink as much when he's at school though.

I don't know what to think anymore. I just asked him and he said it has been the same all holiday, constant but not getting any worse or better. I don't like to disbelieve him, but it's hard to understand why there are no other outward signs. He isn't one to suffer in silence usually.