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Original poster

6 year old headaches - worried

34 replies

Ljd401 · 18/09/2024 13:07

Hello
I am a very anxious mother. My son, who is 6, said around a month ago on two separate occasions that his head hurt. The pain didn’t last long so I tried to put it to the back of my mind.

He also woke up crying complaining of ear pain a week before he started to complain of head pain. He had been swimming during the day so we wondered if it was linked to that and the next couple of days he said it hurt his ear to touch on the outside and inside. Unsure if this is related to the head pain. Me being me I’m panicking that they are.

I had been very anxious and worried about the head pain so I took him to the GP who said to keep a diary. I’d started to stop worrying as he hadn’t had any headaches in almost 3 weeks but then he complained of head pain yesterday. He had a proper headache and said it was throbbing. He said it made it throb when he walked up the stairs. It lasted a few hours so I gave calpol and he went to sleep. This morning he said his headache had gone. I should add that he does have a bit of a cold and a cough so again I know this could be why he had the bad headache. He’s also well in himself otherwise.

I now feel very worried. Do children get head pains like this? My older son has never complained of headaches.

I have booked an eye test for tomorrow and have filled in an online consultation for the GP. Tempted to book a paediatrician appointment too.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
TeaandHobnobs · 18/09/2024 13:09

When my DS was in Year 1, there were a few children in his year group who were suffering recurrent headaches. No reason found for any of them, and eventually they went away.

ETA: an appointment with optician is a good start. I wouldn't think about booking a paediatrician appointment unless they are very frequent and it goes on for several weeks.

Original poster
Ljd401 · 18/09/2024 13:11

Thank you for your reply. That is reassuring.

OP posts:
MrsBillyhargrove · 18/09/2024 13:52

Hi Op, my DD always gets headaches when she has a cough / cold. Sometimes, the headache comes before the other symptoms. Has he had any other red flags, such as dizziness, nausea, loss of balance etc? Some children are just prone to headaches.

ICSH1 · 18/09/2024 14:26

Ljd401 · 18/09/2024 13:07

Hello
I am a very anxious mother. My son, who is 6, said around a month ago on two separate occasions that his head hurt. The pain didn’t last long so I tried to put it to the back of my mind.

He also woke up crying complaining of ear pain a week before he started to complain of head pain. He had been swimming during the day so we wondered if it was linked to that and the next couple of days he said it hurt his ear to touch on the outside and inside. Unsure if this is related to the head pain. Me being me I’m panicking that they are.

I had been very anxious and worried about the head pain so I took him to the GP who said to keep a diary. I’d started to stop worrying as he hadn’t had any headaches in almost 3 weeks but then he complained of head pain yesterday. He had a proper headache and said it was throbbing. He said it made it throb when he walked up the stairs. It lasted a few hours so I gave calpol and he went to sleep. This morning he said his headache had gone. I should add that he does have a bit of a cold and a cough so again I know this could be why he had the bad headache. He’s also well in himself otherwise.

I now feel very worried. Do children get head pains like this? My older son has never complained of headaches.

I have booked an eye test for tomorrow and have filled in an online consultation for the GP. Tempted to book a paediatrician appointment too.

Thanks in advance.

I’m a very anxious mum too so I do totally sympathise- headaches really do set me off. My 12 year old gets excruciating headaches with coughs and colds and they go away very slowly even after he has had medication. I’m just very reassured that they tend to be linked to him feeling under the weather. My 9 year old is also quite headachey and I’d say probably gets one every 6 weeks or so and they tend to be quite short and sharp. I’m also going to book an opticians appointment and I probably do need to keep a diary to see what brings them on but I am sure that as a child I was very prone to headaches and my gut says it’s probably a tendency that runs in the family. I know it’s very triggering but I do think some kids are more prone to headaches than others in the same way that some kids tend to catch more colds/ sick bugs etc x

Original poster
Ljd401 · 19/09/2024 12:54

Thank you so much for all of your replies.

@ICSH1 I’m sorry to hear that you’re very anxious too. It is very triggering when they have headaches. I’m literally a mess inside, keep thinking my lovely boy has something hugely wrong with him. It’s horrible. He had head pain again today when I took him to the GP. GP said to keep a headache diary and did a referral because I said we have private medical. If we didn’t have the private care, he was just going to ask me to monitor it and if he got more then he’d speak to paediatrics. Told me not to worry and that headaches can be caused by a number of reasons. I’m terrible though as I just think the worst. It’s a lonely place to be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ljd401 · 19/09/2024 12:55

@MrsBillyhargrove thank you for taking the time to reply. He hasn’t had any other symptoms. Just praying this headache was just a one off as he had a slightly runny nose.

OP posts:
Imstillmagic · 19/09/2024 12:59

I had my first bad headache at 6 years old, screaming in pain and my parents took me to a&e, wrapped me in a blanket, turned the lights off in the bay and put a fan on me (1996 for you).

I had them frequently throughout my childhood/teens, I was diagnosed with cluster headaches at 16 then Episodic Migraines at 25 and as of 2 years ago at 32 it changed to Chronic Migraines. It’s always been an unknown cause, just “one of those things”. Sometimes there’s no cause, just a short straw.

Corksoles · 19/09/2024 13:06

God, I have an 8 year old who gets headaches, probably since being 6 or so. And has even thrown up with them, and I've never worried about it like this. (The optician thought it likely to be migraine - and they have very much decreased in severity as he's got older.)

I think mine is just a headache-y child. As is yours probably.

Choosingmiddleschool · 19/09/2024 13:09

Has he had regular eye appointments before? By this age I would have expected him to have had 2.

From what you’re describing I would just assume it’s from the cold.

Are you getting help with your anxiety?

ICSH1 · 19/09/2024 13:21

Ljd401 · 19/09/2024 12:54

Thank you so much for all of your replies.

@ICSH1 I’m sorry to hear that you’re very anxious too. It is very triggering when they have headaches. I’m literally a mess inside, keep thinking my lovely boy has something hugely wrong with him. It’s horrible. He had head pain again today when I took him to the GP. GP said to keep a headache diary and did a referral because I said we have private medical. If we didn’t have the private care, he was just going to ask me to monitor it and if he got more then he’d speak to paediatrics. Told me not to worry and that headaches can be caused by a number of reasons. I’m terrible though as I just think the worst. It’s a lonely place to be.

It is a lonely place for sure. I would just remind you that you aren’t alone and you’re not alone in having a child with headaches so hopefully that’s somewhat reassuring. And it doesn’t sound like there’s any kind of red flag symptoms at all.

i would just caution that since I started worrying about my youngest he’s SO health aware and is himself worrying about illness and pain. He bounces between trying to hide the fact that he doesn’t feel good or comes to me frantic about even the smallest thing. I’m trying to work hard on myself to make sure my anxieties don’t keep becoming his as I want to try to help him not become an adult who worries as much as I do x

Original poster
Ljd401 · 23/09/2024 18:06

Choosingmiddleschool · 19/09/2024 13:09

Has he had regular eye appointments before? By this age I would have expected him to have had 2.

From what you’re describing I would just assume it’s from the cold.

Are you getting help with your anxiety?

Hey, eye test done last week which was normal.

I have contacted the GP about my anxiety and am waiting to hear back from them. I really feel like I need some help as I’m on edge so much about my son’s health. Thank you for replying.x

OP posts:
Original poster
Ljd401 · 23/09/2024 18:18

ICSH1 · 19/09/2024 13:21

It is a lonely place for sure. I would just remind you that you aren’t alone and you’re not alone in having a child with headaches so hopefully that’s somewhat reassuring. And it doesn’t sound like there’s any kind of red flag symptoms at all.

i would just caution that since I started worrying about my youngest he’s SO health aware and is himself worrying about illness and pain. He bounces between trying to hide the fact that he doesn’t feel good or comes to me frantic about even the smallest thing. I’m trying to work hard on myself to make sure my anxieties don’t keep becoming his as I want to try to help him not become an adult who worries as much as I do x

Show quote history

Thanks so much for your reply. I must admit I am concerned that my anxiety will pass on to him and my other child. I literally feel so on edge all the time.

Today my six year old had bad tummy pain (whilst going to the toilet) & was doubled over so now I’m panicking about that and wondering if it’s linked. X

OP posts:
Tholeonagain · 23/09/2024 20:11

Bless you. I have health anxiety too, particularly about the kids, and particularly about headaches. It’s horrible. I’ve done a lot of googling about it over the years and remember once finding a study that said that in the absence of other symptoms headaches in themselves are very very very unlikely to be anything serious in a child. I can’t remember the exact statistics but really it was so unlikely it reassured even me. By other symptoms I mean red flag symptoms like seizures - not the sort of tummy pain you have just mentioned which sounds like maybe a bug or constipation??

Mine are now 15 and 12, the eldest is pretty headache prone and over the last few months he has had a couple of migraine type headaches which set me off. But, he is ok, as I am sure your little one is likely to be. What we need is a cure for health anxiety…

Calliopespa · 23/09/2024 20:22

Ljd401 · 23/09/2024 18:18

Thanks so much for your reply. I must admit I am concerned that my anxiety will pass on to him and my other child. I literally feel so on edge all the time.

Today my six year old had bad tummy pain (whilst going to the toilet) & was doubled over so now I’m panicking about that and wondering if it’s linked. X

Show quote history

I’m wondering a little op if it has passed on a bit as he does sound as though he panics too - and that in turn might be making your anxiety worse.

That said headaches can be worrying. Very often they are eyesight related so it’s good you are getting that checked, but can I also suggest that for a few weeks you up his water intake and see if that helps. Lots of headaches are just mild dehydration . I get them myself and they can be really painful - surprisingly so, in fact, given how simple the remedy is.

Susieblue18 · 25/09/2024 20:39

I have health anxiety as well and it’s awful when there’s anything wrong with one of your children as it’s so easy to catastrophise. Do you take medication for anxiety? I eventually spoke to the GP and now take sertraline which does help. In terms of the headaches, my 15 year old son has had headaches on and off since he was around 6, maybe younger. He was eventually diagnosed with migraine and has triptan medication that he takes as soon as he feels one coming on. Does your son have to lie down when he has a sore head or is he playing as usual? My son would sometimes say his head was sore but seemed fine where other times he would go really pale and sometimes feel/be sick. His headaches always seemed to be throbbing types as well.

ICSH1 · 25/09/2024 20:46

Susieblue18 · 25/09/2024 20:39

I have health anxiety as well and it’s awful when there’s anything wrong with one of your children as it’s so easy to catastrophise. Do you take medication for anxiety? I eventually spoke to the GP and now take sertraline which does help. In terms of the headaches, my 15 year old son has had headaches on and off since he was around 6, maybe younger. He was eventually diagnosed with migraine and has triptan medication that he takes as soon as he feels one coming on. Does your son have to lie down when he has a sore head or is he playing as usual? My son would sometimes say his head was sore but seemed fine where other times he would go really pale and sometimes feel/be sick. His headaches always seemed to be throbbing types as well.

I was also on sertraline. Health anxiety when you’re worried about yourself is one thing, worrying about your kids is another level 😩

my youngest is headachy- he’s very much of the going pale, feeling sick and having to lie down type! It seems very characteristic of migraines but he doesn’t have them often and he’s TERRIBLE with pain so reactions to discomfort are always dramatic.

it’s really hard, I hate feeling this way and anyone who does definitely has my sympathy x

Original poster
Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 07:53

Susieblue18 · 25/09/2024 20:39

I have health anxiety as well and it’s awful when there’s anything wrong with one of your children as it’s so easy to catastrophise. Do you take medication for anxiety? I eventually spoke to the GP and now take sertraline which does help. In terms of the headaches, my 15 year old son has had headaches on and off since he was around 6, maybe younger. He was eventually diagnosed with migraine and has triptan medication that he takes as soon as he feels one coming on. Does your son have to lie down when he has a sore head or is he playing as usual? My son would sometimes say his head was sore but seemed fine where other times he would go really pale and sometimes feel/be sick. His headaches always seemed to be throbbing types as well.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I’ve been on medication before but had unpleasant side effects so stopped taking them. I’ve asked the GP if I can try a different type but they unfortunately arranged a call for 2.5 weeks time.

Sorry that you’ve had the worry of headaches with your son but very glad they turned out to something explainable that can be treated.

My son can carry on playing as normal. He usually says “my head hurts” and then it goes very quickly apart from one headache that lasted a few hours.x

OP posts:
Original poster
Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 07:55

ICSH1 · 25/09/2024 20:46

I was also on sertraline. Health anxiety when you’re worried about yourself is one thing, worrying about your kids is another level 😩

my youngest is headachy- he’s very much of the going pale, feeling sick and having to lie down type! It seems very characteristic of migraines but he doesn’t have them often and he’s TERRIBLE with pain so reactions to discomfort are always dramatic.

it’s really hard, I hate feeling this way and anyone who does definitely has my sympathy x

Show quote history

Did you find that it helped? Oh goodness yes totally. It really is something else when you worry about your children. I’d go as far to say that my health anxiety is massively based around my worry for others.

Has your little one been seen by a doctor for the headaches? So sorry he suffers with them as I know how worrying they can be.x

OP posts:
Original poster
Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 07:58

Tholeonagain · 23/09/2024 20:11

Bless you. I have health anxiety too, particularly about the kids, and particularly about headaches. It’s horrible. I’ve done a lot of googling about it over the years and remember once finding a study that said that in the absence of other symptoms headaches in themselves are very very very unlikely to be anything serious in a child. I can’t remember the exact statistics but really it was so unlikely it reassured even me. By other symptoms I mean red flag symptoms like seizures - not the sort of tummy pain you have just mentioned which sounds like maybe a bug or constipation??

Mine are now 15 and 12, the eldest is pretty headache prone and over the last few months he has had a couple of migraine type headaches which set me off. But, he is ok, as I am sure your little one is likely to be. What we need is a cure for health anxiety…

Don’t we just. I’ve tried CBT but I don’t think that has really helped as I soo massively catastrophise everything.

Oh that does sound reassuring about that study. Will see if I can find it.

Sorry to hear about your two being headache prone. It’s horrible as they really do set you off x

OP posts:
ICSH1 · 29/09/2024 08:01

Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 07:55

Did you find that it helped? Oh goodness yes totally. It really is something else when you worry about your children. I’d go as far to say that my health anxiety is massively based around my worry for others.

Has your little one been seen by a doctor for the headaches? So sorry he suffers with them as I know how worrying they can be.x

Show quote history

I think therapy helped most but my goodness I was in a black hole and then suddenly…I wasn’t. So I think they may have helped more than I initially gave them credit for. I sometimes wonder if I should try them again as I feel like I have to work way harder to not worry than most other people and it’s EXHAUSTING- that said I only seem to worry about my 9 year old. I know other people who worry about everything so maybe I’m not so badly off…

I’ve not taken him to the docs for his headaches because they are relatively infrequent, probably every 6-8 weeks? And whilst they are not very nice to him they do pass just with nurofen or calpol so in my gut I don’t feel like they are particularly sinister. It obviously panics me when it happens but I know they aren’t escalating etc so I haven’t felt like he needs them exploring etc but I might be wrong.

hows your little one?

Original poster
Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 08:02

I took my little one to see a consultant paediatrician after being referred. She said she isn’t happy when children suffer with head pain and will always want to do an MRI so he’s booked in for one next week. She did say she really doesn’t think it’s anything because usually headaches are accompanied with other neurological symptoms. According to her only 3% of tumours in children present as just a headache. I’d felt a bit better about it all but then he had more head pain yesterday which set me off a bit as he hadn’t had head pain for a week.
Just hoping he lays still enough for it to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ljd401 · 29/09/2024 21:11

@ICSH1 he’s complained of head pain today and also yesterday. Today he said it was throbbing again :-(
I’m getting myself so worked up and worried. Struggling :-(
Thank you for asking xx

OP posts:
boredwithfoodprob · 29/09/2024 21:31

My daughter has recently been ill with a cold plus a headache. I think some people are more prone to headaches. I definitely am whereas my husband barely ever gets them.

Stripyseason · 29/09/2024 22:35

I’m sorry you are worried, I totally get it. My 8 year old has been doing the same the last few Months but it’s now every other day or 2. it’s really worrying me. I work in paeds but not as a clinician and I’m amazed to hear a consultant would order an MRI based on headaches alone with no other symptoms (eg seizure, sudden balance difficulty, vomiting, weakness in an arm or leg etc). They tend to be very “let’s wait and see” for “just” headaches in children. I’ve been to gp who is very dismissive and says certain it’s a stress headache caused by dehydration/ low blood sugar and needs to eat/ tiredness/ emotional anxiety/ etc. basically very much just watch and see. But when she went all quiet earlier and said her head hurt I felt the panic rising in me ☹️

Original poster
Ljd401 · 30/09/2024 03:03

Stripyseason · 29/09/2024 22:35

I’m sorry you are worried, I totally get it. My 8 year old has been doing the same the last few Months but it’s now every other day or 2. it’s really worrying me. I work in paeds but not as a clinician and I’m amazed to hear a consultant would order an MRI based on headaches alone with no other symptoms (eg seizure, sudden balance difficulty, vomiting, weakness in an arm or leg etc). They tend to be very “let’s wait and see” for “just” headaches in children. I’ve been to gp who is very dismissive and says certain it’s a stress headache caused by dehydration/ low blood sugar and needs to eat/ tiredness/ emotional anxiety/ etc. basically very much just watch and see. But when she went all quiet earlier and said her head hurt I felt the panic rising in me ☹️

I’m sorry you’re having this too. I completely get the panic rising in you. When my son says the same thing it literally makes me feel physically sick. I’ve been up since 12:45am in tears. I can’t switch off. Feel like an absolute wreck.

OP posts:
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