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Original poster

Worried about headaches

57 replies

Reasonswhy · 28/08/2025 21:51

Fully disclose I have health anxiety, but sadly been in the minority % too often to be rational with health issues.

9 year old DD has been having daily headaches for
the last 3 months, they tend to happen in late afternoon, and mainly in the car or watching kindle. They pass without need for calpol but are sore when they happen and often coincide with her feeling sick (never vomits).

eye tests up to date and all fine, she eats and drinks and sleeps well.

Have seen 2 gp’s who were very dismissed and sniffy, I think my past health anxiety tends to cloud their judgement😢I was open when they askee
me what I was worried about (worse case scenario a brain tumour) and said in a bored way that the headaches would
happen first thing and be accompanied by vomiting and balance issues
and they won’t refer for a scan.

I’m worried that asking for a 3rd gp is going to have A neurotic mum star
stocker by my name for good, but every day she says her head hurts my heart sinks and I feel anxious. I lost my dad to brain cancer so it’s just triggering 😢

OP posts:
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Original poster
Reasonswhy · 30/08/2025 08:52

BlackSwan · 30/08/2025 07:33

An MRI is not harmful to anyone. Playing the odds doesn't achieve a diagnosis.

Sometimes a repeat MRI is exactly what's needed.

My son actually had an MRI at 2.5years and was given the all clear. His symptoms (no headache or nausea mind you) continued and worsened.

I took him (privately) to 3 different neurologists after the original MRI over the course of the following year and was given the brush off given the MRI was reported clear.

But when the last neurologist (one year later) showed the MRI to her radiologist they said actually the MRI did not look normal & ordered a new one. Hey presto, the small tumour which had been missed was now bigger.

Then he had surgery and proton radiation.

Don't discount the merits of actual testing and mother's instinct.

Show quote history

Oh gosh well done for getting your son the right help. Do you mind me asking what his symptoms were? How is he doing now?

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 30/08/2025 09:20

He had a headshake & also a very slight nystagmus, and signs of deficiency in his peripheral vision. The headshake was not recognised as a red flag but became more pronounced over time. He's doing really well now aside from needing an assortment of meds. No recurrence thank goodness.

Hickorydickorydock74 · 26/11/2025 05:01

How is your dd doing now, @Reasonswhy? 💐

MyChristmasCheerHasBuggeredOff · 26/11/2025 05:21

Have you considered Car / Motion sickness?

It happens to me when i watch certain things on my phone if my neck is bending downwards and car / Motion sickness can be horrible

Does it happen at any other times?

GingerPaste · 26/11/2025 05:31

Reasonswhy · 28/08/2025 23:11

I’m so sorry about your mum. Im glad your son is doing ok now and that they keep an eye on him. I can only imagine how much it has changed you all.

a headache diary is a good idea, I’ll try keeping one.

She has developed a lot of anxiety and become very clingy to me, still not sure why this is but maybe it’s causing some stress headaches. I just don’t know.

Show quote history

In my experience, stress in children (and adults) often leads to headaches and bad tummies. You’re now saying she’s anxious and clingy so I’d say that’s the most likely cause of the headaches,

6uqmw2cj · 18/12/2025 16:18

Reasonswhy · 28/08/2025 21:51

Fully disclose I have health anxiety, but sadly been in the minority % too often to be rational with health issues.

9 year old DD has been having daily headaches for
the last 3 months, they tend to happen in late afternoon, and mainly in the car or watching kindle. They pass without need for calpol but are sore when they happen and often coincide with her feeling sick (never vomits).

eye tests up to date and all fine, she eats and drinks and sleeps well.

Have seen 2 gp’s who were very dismissed and sniffy, I think my past health anxiety tends to cloud their judgement😢I was open when they askee
me what I was worried about (worse case scenario a brain tumour) and said in a bored way that the headaches would
happen first thing and be accompanied by vomiting and balance issues
and they won’t refer for a scan.

I’m worried that asking for a 3rd gp is going to have A neurotic mum star
stocker by my name for good, but every day she says her head hurts my heart sinks and I feel anxious. I lost my dad to brain cancer so it’s just triggering 😢

Hello how is your little one doing now? Did you get to the bottom of it? X

6uqmw2cj · 18/12/2025 16:19

Hello how is your little one doing now? Did you get to the bottom of it? X

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