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VERY WORRIED MUM -HEADACHES IN 8 YR OLD

11 replies

crazylazydaisy · 17/01/2007 20:53

My dd fell out of tree in august and split the back of her head. Wasnt knocked out but skin was broken. Hosp glued it together and it healed ok. For next 3 months she had neck problems- it hurt to turn her head too far left/right/forward and doc gave her exercises which after about 2 weeks helped. Since October ish she has been complaining 6 days out of 7 of a headache across her temple- esp her right temple. Eyes been checked twice and no sight problems detected. She goes to the medical room at school most days it seems crying with headaches, tho they have not contacted me with any concerns.
Went to doc yesterday, and doc asked lots of questions about probs at school (none worse than the usual yr 3 squabbles) home (none) and came up with a blank. She put dd on cocodamol for a week, and said come back if no improvement. i asked about an xray but doc said not necessary as after the tree thing she wasnt knocked out.
Sorry for the long story, but would really appreciate any input as very worried. Thanks.

OP posts:
WestCountryLass · 17/01/2007 21:03

I had a horseriding accident where I hit a tree head on while cantering across a field . I now get fairly regular headaches that I did not have before which I can only put down to the impact. I have been to A & E a few times with really severe headaches and there is no "reason" for it (had scans and the like).

I would probably err on the side of caution the next time she is crying with pain and take her to A & E in the hope they will scan her. After that, if no cause is found, I would take her to cranial-osteopathy (the only things that helps me).

Beauregard · 17/01/2007 21:04

Sorry cant advise but will bump this up for you.
Hope your dd gets well

Coolmama · 17/01/2007 21:05

try to get an appointment with an osteopath - the headaches might well be from muscle strain that is not enough to be very evident, but there may be some compensation of muscles on the other side - gentle easing of the strained neck muscles might help - I get very bad headaches from tension stored in my shoulder which actually is coming from a mis-aligned pelvis ( does any of this make sense ? if not, will try to be clearer -

Budababe · 17/01/2007 21:07

Chiropracters also good with headaches.

Coolmama · 17/01/2007 21:14

try to get an appointment with an osteopath - the headaches might well be from muscle strain that is not enough to be very evident, but there may be some compensation of muscles on the other side - gentle easing of the strained neck muscles might help - I get very bad headaches from tension stored in my shoulder which actually is coming from a mis-aligned pelvis ( does any of this make sense ? if not, will try to be clearer -

Coolmama · 17/01/2007 21:16

oops -apologies for double -posts

crazylazydaisy · 17/01/2007 21:22

Thats a good idea re osteopathy. Anyone know if you can get referred by doc as its a child?
I remembered after posting that once she nearly collapsed going upstairs as her legs gave way, and needs so much sleep too- at least 13 hours a night to function. My 2 other dds not like that but she is much slighter than they were at her age - is this a normal amount does anyone think?

OP posts:
LaDiDaDi · 17/01/2007 21:23

These headaches are extremely unlikely to be related to the nasty fall in anyway that can be identified and treated.

Did your GP assess her neurology, ie do her reflexes etc, and look in her eyes?

When are the headaches worst? Is it when she is at school or in the morning or evening?
Can you identify anything that brings on the headaches each time they occur?
Does anything make them worse when she gets them or does anything make them better?

Does she feel sick/been vomiting?

Does she complain of any disturbance to her vision during the headache?

Does she suffer from travel sickness?

Any family history of migraine?

You will not get an x-ray, or at least you really shouldn't, as they will tell you nothing about what is going on/cause of the headaches. If the doc, either gp or in A+E, feels that your daughter needs imaging then you would be looking at a CT scan as a first line and this comes with a significant dose of radiation so this risk needs to be balanced with any possible benefits.

To go down a non-physical route, and not wanting to offend you, does your daughter gain anything by having these headaches? I'm not trying to suggest that she is malingering, but that perhaps there is something that happens when she gets a headache that somehow makes it seem like a positive thing. It may not immediately be obvious to you what the "benefit" is.
I find it interesting that the school have not contacted you with concerns yet she is visiting the medical room so frequently and also that her headaches seem to have devoloped quite quickly after her neck pain resolved.

crazylazydaisy · 17/01/2007 21:39

Some really good points there Ladidadi. There doesnt seem to be a pattern to the times of them - she had one in art today and she loves that. Her reflexes werent tested but i think they were when the neck was a problem.
I think your point about her gaining something from these is a valid point. I admit i wondered that myself. Am not sure quite how to tackle this, giving the loving amount of sympathy whilst not doing anything to exacerbate the situation.

OP posts:
crazylazydaisy · 17/01/2007 21:46

No history of migraines in the family. She doesnt always get travel sick, only if reading which is quite normal i suppose.We stopped her using the comp as i thought that might be a reason, but no change.
Sleep is the only thing that stops them i have found.
I think maybe a little chat tho with her about how she feels people react when she gets one may prove useful.
Thanks, all the advice really appreciated

OP posts:
corblimeymadam · 17/01/2007 22:32

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