Headache every bedtime 7 year old

[Curlywurly75]

I'm going to contact the GP next week but in the meantime would appreciate advice, please.

This has been happening since I think just before Christmas. DS is absolutely fine during the day - lively, happy etc. About 2 minutes after I've said goodnight and left his room, he comes downstairs to say his head is hurting. At first, I thought it was a ploy to delay BT. But I don't think it is. He sometimes describes it as tingling and weirdly he often says he gets a pain/tingling in his left knee at the same time. He says the pain is at the top of his forehead and I think around his head.

He says the pain is about 8/10 but to me, he doesn't seem to be in that much pain - still chatty etc. I definitely wouldn't say he seems like he's having a migraine or anything as bad as that. He seems to be able to get to sleep pretty quickly - if he gets out of bed again to say it still hurtd, we give meds. He sleeps all night and is fine in the mornings.

He wears glasses and his prescription was slightly weakened in November, if that's relevant.

Why would he only get them as soon as he goes to bed? I wondered if it was something to do with lying down- which then sent my imagination into overdrive about there being pressure in his head. And what's with the leg? I also wondered if it was stress or worry about the whole lockdown situation although he seems pretty much OK with it all - and again, if it was that, why only at BT?

Um...??

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this? Had his eyes checked, no problems there. Any ideas? He complained again tonight - I asked him if its worse when he lays down and he said yes.

Genuinely not trying to worry you, but if you're concerned, do push for the gp to refer him for a scan. A relative of mine had a brain tumour at age 11 that went undiagnosed for 2 years owing to the gp not taking her headaches seriously and not sending her for a scan. By the time they found the tumour it had grown tremendously and is now disabled since its removal, which could've been avoided if detected when much smaller.
I'm really not trying to scare you but I think a lot of GPs would be quick to dismiss this as behavioural or related to his eyesight so trust your instincts and push for what you feel is needed.

Yes, I'm definitely going to make a GP appointment. But I'm panicking and worrying about the kind of thing you've just described and I'm googling and finding all sorts. I'm trying to calm myself down by telling myself his headaches aren't severe - I mean they bother him but he doesn't seem in huge pain. Plus they're always gone by the morning and he seems absolutely fine the rest of the time. I could really do with some reassurance - I can feel myself starting to get into a state.

@Curlywurly75 my daughter is nearly 3 and use to wake up crying and start crying when I'd place her into bed (laying down) it turns out she had a tumour right in the middle of her head. No issues in the day. Normal. There were no signs for ages until her left eye started to shut as it was putting pressure on the optic nerve. She had to have surgery to remove it. Since the operation not once have we had any issues. The consultant explained how it can cause headaches and pains. I am by no means saying it is but maybe just push for a scan. As previous has commented above too

@firstpregnancy1 they took over a year to scan my dd too! Despite all the concerns! She had a pilocytic astrocytoma!

Is he having enough water (as in 2 litres of mostly sugar-free drinks) during the day? Does he drink water just before bed?

I get terrible headaches and a pulsing-like sensation on various parts of my face if I didn't have enough water during the day. They're really intense. I also need to drink a lot before bed. I assume there are no screens in the hour or so before lights out either?

Oh gosh, thank you for your responses but I'm so worried now... I'm so sorry for this of you who've been through such awful experiences.
His headaches don't make him cry and he's perfectly happy to chat/laugh with me when he's got a headache and he's in bed... I'm desperately trying to reassure myself...

@EileenGC getting him to drink enough has always been a battle. I have to nag him to drink. But that's always been the case - and would dehydration headaches specifically occur at the same time every day?

Screen time - that's definitely increased due to lockdown. The optician said I could try cutting it down -specfically video games - but he basically said to take him to the gp if the problem persists.

Yes to going to the GP if it continues, you don't want anything to be missed.

I only get dehydration headaches late afternoons/evenings. Going from 2 to 1.5 litres, so not even a huge decrease in water intake, but my body suffers immediately. Some people feel dehydration more. What I get is a very intense type of pain but I actually love going to bed as I know it will be gone in the morning (if I drink half a water bottle before sleep). It's hard to lie still and convince yourself you'll fall asleep though.

Screens will definitely be affecting it too. I know it's so hard with lockdown even for us adults I would definitely have a screen ban for 1-2h before bed. It might help...

Yes, that's what the optician said - avoid screens for 2-3 hours before bed. He said tv isn't so bad but video games or anything you watch close up are not good.

He didn't have any screen time today from about 4pm but still came downstairs at bedtime with a headache.

Dehydration was much first thought also. I think they would occur at the same time if he hasn’t had enough to drink during the evening.

However, I agree with contacting the Gp.

Stick to it for 2 weeks. The headaches won't disappear on the first evening of cutting down on screens or giving water. Contact GP as well if you want to get the ball rolling, but watch for dehydration and screens for a weeks to see if new habits help.

Thank you. Hoping I'll get an appointment quickly.

It's more than likely nothing OP. My thought would be anxiety. Of course get it checked out but kids are forever getting these mysterious patches. Try not to catastrophise! I bet it's nothing.

Is it because he takes his glasses off to go to bed OP? Just a thought? Get him checked but the chances are it won't be anything serious so try not to worry

Thank you @WishingHopingThinkingPraying I always catastrophise - I can't help it! I hope you're right. I've emailed the surgery for an appointment.

@GwendolineMarysLaces yes, I thought that but the optician didn't seem to think it was relevant. Also he's worn glasses for a few years now so it'd be weird if it only started now?

My eight year old wears glasses and in the past year has started reporting how she feels when she puts them on, takes them off, looks over them etc. It could be a combination of his developmental stage meaning he has more self-awareness/talks about this sort of thing more, a bit of wanting to delay bedtime, change in glasses prescription, bit more screen time etc. It's a good idea to get him checked but the common things are common and it will most likely be something that isn't serious (I'm a terrible catastrophiser and really struggle with concerns about my child's health so )

i thought dehydration too. Try not to panic, it's far more likely to be something like this than anything more sinister (but obv follow up with gp).

Headaches due to dehydration can def appear in the evening. Also if he's got into bed and is no longer distracted by everyday life, he'll notice it, and more.

Seven drinks a day i was told with dd.

Thank you both.
Seven drinks a day? He definitely doesn't have that much - not for lack of trying on my part though!!

Yeah 7 kids cups / ikea cups type size.
My daughter wasnt either, we had to put an incentive scheme in place.... it worked.

Any signs of being bullied/intimidated on line? It can worry kids when they are not distracted.