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Original poster

So anxious and scared about DS headaches, MRI tomorrow

37 replies

WorriedMum210721 · 16/12/2025 19:27

My Ds aged 4 has been complaining on and off about headaches since October usually on waking up but occasionally at times throughout the day and before sleep. He also has had a couple of episodes of vomiting but never complained of headaches and I put this down to a bug. He was seen by paediatrics at the beginning of November however neurologically he examined fine and his blood tests ruled out infection. Paediatrics were really good and followed him but he had a 2 week period where the symptoms resolved so they discharged him and didn't think at the time an MRI was required. Fast forward to last week and it has been awful. Everyday waking with headaches,occasional nausea however this seems to have resolved and episodes of been off balance. Paediatrics reopened and again on examination there were no concerns neurologically however due to the ongoing symptoms the MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. I am besides myself with worry I have convinced myself that this is a brain tumour and I'm so scared. It has been a very confusing time as one minute he is playing and running around and the next he isn't himself. The headaches never cause him to cry and they never wake him in the night. He has had a dry cough and what I believe to be a postnatal drip this week. I dont know why im posting but I am just so worried and I feel hopeless.

OP posts:
banabak · 16/12/2025 21:34

I’m so sorry you’re going through this worry. I know what this feels like and it’s horrific. In 24 hours time, you’ll know if there is anything urgent to worry about. In my experience, if there is a brain tumour, you’ll be told immediately (although my dc was diagnosed following a CT scan in A&E). Hold on there, your imagination and fears are not going to help you get through this. My mantra is: only scan results speak the truth, my mind does not. (We’ve been at this for nearly 6 years)

Freyer · 17/12/2025 09:03

Sending you so much luck today op, I hope the scan goes well and all is clear 💐

JaffaJen · 17/12/2025 09:27

I hope all goes well today, we've been in a similar situation this year. DS started with headaches at the start of the year, often waking up with one or waking in the night, sometimes having 2 or 3 a day when at it's worst. we've been back and forth to the Drs, blood tests, etc and paediatrics at the Hospital, He also had an MRI to rule out a tumour (they were really thorough, the brain scan took at least 1/2 or so, but all was fine). We still don't have a diagnosis of why he keeps getting headaches, they don't fit the migraine model as he doesn't have nausea or sight issues with them so they think it's tension/stress based and he was referred to CAMHS for an assessment, but there was they could do either. It's just horrible seeing them in pain and distressed and all they can do is take a painkiller and wait for it ease off. It's really effected his confidence this year and caused quite a bit of anxiety. The only thing that has seemed to make a difference is taking him to a Chiropractor, he been seeing him for a couple of months now and we have seen an improvement in both frequency and severity of the headaches, and a brightness to his mood, but it's not a cure as he had another bad one yesterday evening. Wishing you and your family a relaxing Christmas, and fingers crossed all is fine. xx

Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 12:34

banabak · 16/12/2025 21:34

I’m so sorry you’re going through this worry. I know what this feels like and it’s horrific. In 24 hours time, you’ll know if there is anything urgent to worry about. In my experience, if there is a brain tumour, you’ll be told immediately (although my dc was diagnosed following a CT scan in A&E). Hold on there, your imagination and fears are not going to help you get through this. My mantra is: only scan results speak the truth, my mind does not. (We’ve been at this for nearly 6 years)

Thank you for your message. I am sorry to hear about your DC what a stressful and worrying time that must still be for you. How is your DC now? X

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 12:35

Freyer · 17/12/2025 09:03

Sending you so much luck today op, I hope the scan goes well and all is clear 💐

Thank you so much for your message of support. I will update the post following the MRI x

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 12:37

JaffaJen · 17/12/2025 09:27

I hope all goes well today, we've been in a similar situation this year. DS started with headaches at the start of the year, often waking up with one or waking in the night, sometimes having 2 or 3 a day when at it's worst. we've been back and forth to the Drs, blood tests, etc and paediatrics at the Hospital, He also had an MRI to rule out a tumour (they were really thorough, the brain scan took at least 1/2 or so, but all was fine). We still don't have a diagnosis of why he keeps getting headaches, they don't fit the migraine model as he doesn't have nausea or sight issues with them so they think it's tension/stress based and he was referred to CAMHS for an assessment, but there was they could do either. It's just horrible seeing them in pain and distressed and all they can do is take a painkiller and wait for it ease off. It's really effected his confidence this year and caused quite a bit of anxiety. The only thing that has seemed to make a difference is taking him to a Chiropractor, he been seeing him for a couple of months now and we have seen an improvement in both frequency and severity of the headaches, and a brightness to his mood, but it's not a cure as he had another bad one yesterday evening. Wishing you and your family a relaxing Christmas, and fingers crossed all is fine. xx

Thank you so much for your message. I am sorry that you have also gone through similar with your DS. I am so glad it was nothing sinister but it must still be so upsetting for your DS and yourself having to see him in pain 😢 x

OP posts:
AvocadoJam · 17/12/2025 12:54

I completely understand your worry and hopefully MRI just confirms all is okay

My DS is 5 and always gets headaches when he has a cold- presumably his sinuses? My heart drops when he mentions a headache, as it's such a worrying symptom, isn't it?

I'd hope your little one being off balance is more fluid in the ear or something?

Freyer · 17/12/2025 16:15

Hope all went well, OP 💕

Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 16:20

AvocadoJam · 17/12/2025 12:54

I completely understand your worry and hopefully MRI just confirms all is okay

My DS is 5 and always gets headaches when he has a cold- presumably his sinuses? My heart drops when he mentions a headache, as it's such a worrying symptom, isn't it?

I'd hope your little one being off balance is more fluid in the ear or something?

Sorry to hear your DS also gets headaches. It is so worrying! Yes I am hoping it is sinuses and maybe affecting his ears as he does currently have a cough and a stuffy nose but as its been ongoing for a couple of months now intermittently I thought I best get everything checked and thankfully paediatrics have been great! X

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 16:21

Freyer · 17/12/2025 16:15

Hope all went well, OP 💕

Thank you! He managed to have it without general anaesthetic so I'm super proud of him! Only took 15 minutes and he laid there super still watching alice and wonderland! Now just a waiting game for the results x

OP posts:
Freyer · 17/12/2025 16:32

Bless you, hoping all comes back clear and it’s just one of those things. My DS has been having headaches a lot recently, and as a pp said, my stomach twists into knots when he mentions it. My DS seems to get them worse when he has a cold / Covid. Wishing you and your DS well and that all is fine x

SiberFox · 17/12/2025 17:14

Hoping everything is completely normal OP xx

Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 21:46

Freyer · 17/12/2025 16:32

Bless you, hoping all comes back clear and it’s just one of those things. My DS has been having headaches a lot recently, and as a pp said, my stomach twists into knots when he mentions it. My DS seems to get them worse when he has a cold / Covid. Wishing you and your DS well and that all is fine x

Sorry to hear that your DS also gets headaches, its awful to see them in pain isn't it 😢 yes I am hoping it is something like that thats caused it. Thank you, I hope your DS headaches stop soon x

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 17/12/2025 21:47

SiberFox · 17/12/2025 17:14

Hoping everything is completely normal OP xx

Thank you, praying it is 🤞 x

OP posts:
Freyer · 22/12/2025 20:03

Hi @WorriedMum210721 i hope all is ok - I’ve been thinking of you and hoping all went well x

firstofallimadelight · 22/12/2025 20:12

Probably already thought of but has his eyes been checked?

Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 26/12/2025 22:07

Thank you for thinking of us, we haven't had the MRI results yet so still in limbo however my DS has perked up a lot over the last few days which could be due to the festive period but he hasn't complained of any headaches or nausea at all and has been eating and playing non stop so fingers crossed!

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 26/12/2025 22:07

firstofallimadelight · 22/12/2025 20:12

Probably already thought of but has his eyes been checked?

Yes he has and all was normal x

OP posts:
Freyer · 27/12/2025 08:21

Hi OP! That is good news that he has perked up - hopefully you get the results soon and it is nothing to worry about. Hope you guys had a lovely Christmas xx

Babyboomtastic · 27/12/2025 09:04

If he's had the MRI and you're waiting on results, then that's quite reassuring. All the kids I know with brain tumours, it's been within 24 hours, usually less. 20 minutes for us.

That's not to say there's absolutely nothing of concern showing on the scan of course, but it's clearly nothing that's an obvious emergency. So tentative good news.

Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 27/12/2025 19:58

Freyer · 27/12/2025 08:21

Hi OP! That is good news that he has perked up - hopefully you get the results soon and it is nothing to worry about. Hope you guys had a lovely Christmas xx

Yes thats what I'm hoping, fingers crossed 🤞 it was lovely thank you, hope you also had a nice Christmas 😊 x

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum210721 · 27/12/2025 20:01

Babyboomtastic · 27/12/2025 09:04

If he's had the MRI and you're waiting on results, then that's quite reassuring. All the kids I know with brain tumours, it's been within 24 hours, usually less. 20 minutes for us.

That's not to say there's absolutely nothing of concern showing on the scan of course, but it's clearly nothing that's an obvious emergency. So tentative good news.

Thank you for your reassuring comment, I've been hoping that no news is maybe good news 🤞. I'm sorry that you have been through finding out that news, hope that your loved one is okay! X

OP posts:
6uqmw2cj · 29/12/2025 14:05

Babyboomtastic · 27/12/2025 09:04

If he's had the MRI and you're waiting on results, then that's quite reassuring. All the kids I know with brain tumours, it's been within 24 hours, usually less. 20 minutes for us.

That's not to say there's absolutely nothing of concern showing on the scan of course, but it's clearly nothing that's an obvious emergency. So tentative good news.

I'm so your child was diagnosed. How are they now and what were their symptoms?My grandson has a brain mri next week and I'm besides myself with worry x

6uqmw2cj · 29/12/2025 14:05

I'm so sorry your child was diagnosed. How are they now and what were their symptoms?My grandson has a brain mri next week and I'm besides myself with worry x

6uqmw2cj · 29/12/2025 14:07

WorriedMum210721 · 27/12/2025 20:01

Thank you for your reassuring comment, I've been hoping that no news is maybe good news 🤞. I'm sorry that you have been through finding out that news, hope that your loved one is okay! X

Show quote history

Hi any news on your little one? My 5 yr old grandson has the same mri next week and I'm besides myself with worry x