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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
        
(Message started by: kvda96 on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:04pm)

Title: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:04pm

My daughter who is nine years old has had headaches for awhile now. She has had two in the last two days which has me concerned. She had extraocular surgery in late 05 and seems to recovered well. After her school called me to tell me of a dabilitating headache, I took her to her pediatrician and her eye doctor. Her pediatrician said she has tension headaches but her eye doctor found nothing abnormal. How do you really know exactly what is causing these headaches? How does one correctly diagnose what type they are? Any advice from anyone would be helpful....THANKS!!!

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by AussieBrian on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:08pm

G'day KV, and welcome. A good place to start is the Cluster Quiz over on the left. You may have to help her a little, just ensure the answers are her own.

Get back to us because we'll help you every inch of the way.

Kindest regards,

Brian.

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by chewy on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:16pm

There is no definitive medical test to diagnose clusters. Its a matter of matching up symptoms and eliminating other causes.

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by lionsound on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:41pm

Keep a journal of symptoms. Ask her what she is feeling and write exactly what she says.

PLEASE get her to a pediatric neurologist or headache specialist.

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Sean_C on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 9:50pm

I would first go to see my primary care physician and ask for blood work and possibly an MRI to rule out any possible abmormality's first.

If alls well there, I would then discuss the headaches with a nuerologist. Like the others said above, do some research to the left and then print out what conditions are similar and go from there.

Keep us posted Mom.

Cheers,

Sean.................................................

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by ShadowLord on Jul 2^nd, 2006, 10:52pm

One thing to keep in mind... With a child in the early stages of most types of chronic headaches, the symptoms may not exactly match up to the diagnostic criteria set for any one disorder. Get her in to see a neurologist as soon as possible, preferably one that specializes in headaches and/or pediatrics. You may not be able to get a definitive diagnosis until she's older, but if you're lucky to find a doc that knows what he's talkin' about, your daughter may be able to get a treatment plan that will help for now.

PFDAN............................................................. ShadowLord

Title: Thank you
Post by kvda96 on Jul 3^rd, 2006, 12:59am

Thank you for your time in reading what I had to say...I am going to look into this more and not just settle with a quick answer.

Thanks again...

KVDA96

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Charlie on Jul 3^rd, 2006, 1:27am

I sure hope her headaches are something more benign.

Cluster headaches are mis-named. They are unique. The one thing about them is that they are so painful that you cannot sit still and no one ever lays down with them. It's impossible. They really do it hard and fast and when they go, they seem to drain away fairly quickly. They have nothing really in common with migraines.

The cluster quiz is a good idea. Let us know how things are going.

Charlie

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 4^th, 2006, 1:24pm

Both Brian and Charlie mentioned something about a cluster quiz which I would be interested in showing my daughter. I am not sure how to get to it though. I searched for it but couldn't find it...Over on the left?

Thanks

kvda96

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by LeLimey on Jul 4^th, 2006, 1:40pm

Hi Kvda, if you look at the menu on the left side of your screen the quiz is the 4th button down (very appropriate for today!)
The most important thing is to get a correct diagnosis as meds for the wrong condition can be potentially fatal. Whether it's cluster's or not we'll all do all we can to help you get an accurate diagnosis but ultimately a paediatric HEADACHE SPECIALIST neuro is the way to go even if it means you have to see a HA specialist and a paed in tandem. It is impreative you see someone who knows about HA's though as so many of them mimic each other.
Helen

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Sandy_C on Jul 4^th, 2006, 2:16pm

Hi Kvda. Welcome to these boards. Hope you found the cluster quiz to the left of your screen. I know, as Mom, you want to help your daughter in every possible way, but it is very important that the answsers to the quiz are her own.

Make sure you go through all of the buttons on the left, especially "medical info" and "custer traits,". There is a wealth of information there.

And, right now, early on in her battle with headaches, it is vitally important that you get a proper diagnosis for her. Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric neuro or headache specialist. Most family doctors and even pediatricians are not well educated about headaches alone, let alone cluster headaches.

Hoping she does not have clusters. Please check back in with the results of her cluster quiz, and feel free to ask any questions you need to here. We will try to help you all we can. The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

Sandy

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by thomas on Jul 5^th, 2006, 1:42pm

on 07/02/06 at 21:16:01, chewy wrote:

There is no definitive medical test to diagnose clusters. Its a matter of matching up symptoms and eliminating other causes.

Lovely truth there.

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Mattrf on Jul 5^th, 2006, 2:05pm

Welcome to our funny farm.
As everyone else I hope that your child does not have CH and can get properly diagnosed and treated.
Pain is a horrible thing to deal with and even harder if it is happening to your child.
I wish you the best and come here often to ask questions and to vent, we have very big shoulders to lean on or cry on.
You will find nothing but a bunch of great and very understanding people here.
Welcome to our family.

Matt.

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Tiannia on Jul 5^th, 2006, 6:24pm

My daughter started getting HA daily when she was about 8 ( a year ago) I was scared to death that I had passed on my clusters to her. We have been on talks with the Ped. and we are able to control hers with non-evasive medication and it was not clusters probably migrains. She stopped after about 3 weeks. And I have been watching her.

The best advise I can give.
1. Listen to her and write down exactly what she says she is feeling. Where the pain is. Does if seem to go all over to head, or one sided. Does it effect her eyes, hearing, anything. Even the smallest thing. What time they start, what time they end. What she took, ate, drank everything.

2. Do not take the first answer you get for any doctor. Do your research on the net. Here and other headache sites. Write down questions for docotrs, and bring back up from the net. Like print off the quiz to the left. That way you dont forget to discuss something. That way if they start spouting a bunch of medical jargin at you you can ask what you need to know and dont let them leave until you understand what they are saying.

3. Give her tons of love. I know howhard it is to have your child hurt and you cant stop it.

4. Come here or somewhere and vent. Sometimes, even a non-senseacle post lets you get it out and you can think afterwards.

Post again and let us know what is happening.

/huggs Tia

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 6^th, 2006, 2:27pm

I FOUND THE CLUSTER QUIZ!!!! I printed it out and I am going to give it to my daughter. You know there are so many other factors that I have to take into consideration too. My daughter also has ADHD and we have been trying new medications to figure out exactly which one she will be able to tolerate. The side-effects of the medication are headaches as well as other ones. So there are so many things I have to keep in mind. I'll let you know as things progress. I may have to take her off all medication and see if that relieves some of the symptoms....keep you all updated as things move along....THANKS

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 6^th, 2006, 2:50pm

Hi there I am actually taking my 11 year old daughter to her pedi today for headaches I will let you know what happens on my end, my daughter gets them to the point where she cries and it breaks my heart as well as concerns me . I will keep you posted , meanwhile tylenol and cold cloth may help your dollie..

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by LeLimey on Jul 6^th, 2006, 3:09pm

Summer I'll be thinking of you too.. let us know how you get along as soon as you can okay?
Helen

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 6^th, 2006, 5:05pm

Thanks for your support. It's going to be a week or so before my daughter can see the pediatrician so I will let you all know the results!

Kvda96

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 6^th, 2006, 7:29pm

Hi there its Summer, I took my daughter and her pedi said no chance of her having CH due to her symptoms, not like ours thank god...she has a sinus infection, on anti's and clariton as well as a nasal spray untill this clears..she also is prone to sinus headaches for she has seasonal allergies. Motrin may help your little one for the inflamation too. As well as yourself keep a journal on her symptoms and tell her doctor when the time arrives. Keep her cool it seems to help my child when her head is aching. Best of luck , in my thoughts and take care.. :-*

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by LeLimey on Jul 7^th, 2006, 4:14am

Summer I'm sorry your daughter is in pain, we all know how painful sinus stuff is but I'm so so so BLOODY DELIGHTED it isn't CH!
Thanks for telling us!
Helen

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 7^th, 2006, 1:21pm

Summer,

I am glad that it is only a sinus infection. I am taking my daughter to the pediatrician today and I am going to be pretty firm in my quest to find out exactly what is going on. I am happy for you....and your daughter!!!

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by E-Double on Jul 7^th, 2006, 1:32pm

Wishing you both the very best!!!

Here are some resources...

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/educationalmodules/childrensheadache/chhome.html

http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/n022001a.htm

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/educationalmodules/completeguide/child3.html

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 7^th, 2006, 1:36pm

Thanks for the addresses....I will be looking closely at them today before seeing the Ped...I want to be pretty knowledgable for the sake of my daughter!!!

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Charlotte on Jul 7^th, 2006, 3:35pm

kvda, a lot of it is elimination of other causes. It may seem tedious, but it's necessary. It is so hard to watch your child in pain.

Some things that are non-medicine that may help are blasting the car air conditioner on her face (if she wants to), water, possibly letting her try coffee, frozen peas or ice pack on the face, taking a fast walk.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

Charlotte

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by kvda96 on Jul 7^th, 2006, 3:53pm

Thanks Charlotte,
There is so much that I can to in order to find out what exactly is causing these headaches that it seems pretty overwhelming but at the same time it is soooo necessary! So that will be my main goal within the next five weeks. I would love it if I can figure out some triggers if there are any by the time she goes back to school. Any type of relief from these headaches would make her life much better!!!!

Title: Re: 9 yr old daughter has frequent headaches.
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 8^th, 2006, 11:37am

Hi again , let us know how your dollie is doing, stay strong , sending strength your way...keep me posted , all my best, Summer :-*