Child with very high pain threshold - should I be concerned

[Namechange12908]

My DS (age5). Has always had a high pain threshold. Examples:

• has never flinched at any immunisations, even as a newborn
• never cries if he falls over etc. fell over a couple of years ago at nursery. Didn't cry. Started walking a tiny bit different so we got an xray and it turned out he's broken his foot.
• Hit his head at school yesterday, cut and bleeding back of head. He didn't even notice or tell anyone, until a staff member noticed the bleeding 30 mins later....

Yesterdays example has shaken me a bit - he could really hurt himself and not realise. I've not noticed anything unusual other than this. Emotionally he will still cry a lot if angry / upset etc, just never from physical pain. Anyone have ideas of the cause and whether I should be concerned?

My teen ds is similar. As a newborn he underwent a painful /uncomfortable process lasting 4 years. He never flinched.
Currently undergoing asd assessment..
Worth a visit to a Dr ime.

Was he born by c section?

There is a condition where you can’t feel pain. I would see a GP personally.

Can he feel if things are hot or cold if he touches them?

Not c section, no.

He can feel hot and cold. He really feels the cold actually and will wear gloves even if it’s quite mild. He shivers more and blue lips after swimming in a heated pool….

My DS was like this when younger and turned out to be autistic, so worth keeping an eye out for any other unusual behaviours.

My Autistic child also has a very high pain threshold. Doctor said to always be aware as it can make things like appendicitis very dangerous if they don’t tell you until it’s agony.

Thanks all, will keep an eye out re autism though at this stage he’s not showing any signs at all.

i have an older DC (who is sensitive to pain!), and out of the two he is definitely they one who has a few traits that we are keeping an eye on re ASD. I would have likely been diagnosed if I was a child today too, so it is ‘in the family’…but DS2 seems very neurotypical all aside from this pain threshold issue.

Yes the appendix thing is terrifying

I have come across this before, in two siblings who had no other medical problems except limited pain perception - yes it happens, and yes it is a concern, because it needs to be investigated and managed. I would say see your GP

Ds has also got ASD and a high pain threshold.

He was nearly sent away with appendicitis from paediatric ward because he graded the pain as 2/10... apparently it was ready to burst.
The last time he broke his wrist he told his teacher (football) it was fine and continued playing. Teacher now knows to send him to medical if there's any possibility of damage. Unfortunately ds also hides it, hence coming home with an inch long stud injury a couple of weeks ago. He borrowed a friend's jumper so he could continue playing. 🙄

I have a dd who's pain rating starts at 12/10... makes life interesting.