Q for medical types: severe headache in 11-year-old

Rajesh sent me a question I'm totally not qualified to answer, but maybe some of you non-American medical types have an idea:

"My son is having headaches for past 2 months.

It is acute throbbing in the fore head, lasts for about 5-10 minutes. Happens one/twice a day. CT scan and EEG reveal no clinical symptoms. Blood report report is also normal. HB is 10.5. TLC/DLC is normal.

He is being treated for migraine for 45 days. The severity of pain has reduced but it is persisting. Now feels weakness in legs and other parts of body too."

Your poor son! This is horrible, and you must feel so helpless.

If the CT scan is normal, I can't think of what could be causing this pain and also the weakness. Anyone with actual medical knowledge have any ideas?

Comments

[Jill]

The school nurse told us most headaches are caused by dehydration, and when you take medicine, it is actually the water that fixes the headache. My son keeps a water bottle on his desk to drink from, and it has taken care of his headaches.

My other thought is food allergies/sensitivies, which is the cause for most of my headaches. Try logging what he is eating, and see if there is a correlation. I would especially suspect dairy and wheat, but it could be anything he is ingesting.

Good luck.

[S]

Just talking to my hairdresser about chiropractic. His 13 YO son was suffering headaches, and after testing, the chiropractor adjusted him. Apparently as the skull grows, the shifting of the bone pieces can cause pain. Worth looking into?

[Sara]

Moxie, thanks for doin what you do! I've never commented before, but I thought I'd jump in on this one. I've never worked with children with headaches in my massage therapy practice, but I've gotten good results with cranio sacral therapy (gentle manipulation of cranial bones) and trigger point therapy for adults with migraine headaches and cluster headaches.
In my experience headaches can be like the perfect storm where lots of factors culminate to point out an imbalance that causes symptoms. It seems like it's your bodies way of telling you, "hey you gotta slow down,drink some water, eat right and cut yourself some slack!" Looking into diet, toxicity from constipation (adding some probiotics may help), neck, shoulder and jaw tension, considering an increase in hormones (puberty must not be far off), a growth spurt, alignment of his jaw ( any major dental work lately?) and just general stress and out look on life ( middle school was rough as I recall), might help you find some answers. It may help to find an Osteopathic doctor that does cranial manipulation or a massage therapist or cranio sacral therapist that works with children. Talking, as simple as it seems, can also be helpful. I'm often surprised at how often my clients know the root of the problem when they have a chance to talk it out.
Good luck and I hope he is feeling well soon.

[mommadoc]

all of the above is speculation and i suggest you work directly with your doctor. from a medical perspective, chiropractic is a terrible idea for a child- osteopathic manipulation or massage could be helpful, but bones of the skull don't generally shift in a 11 yo unless he had a head injury (which the ct would show). if your regular doc isnt getting anywhere i would ask to see a pediatric neurologist or possibly a pediatric rheumatologist. the aches and pains could be side effects from the medication he is on, or could be the sequelae of whatever is going on.

[Laura]

We are doing NAET (http://www.naet.com/index.html) for my daughter's food intolerances and there is treatment for migraines through NAET as well. Might be worth looking into.

My first inclination was hormones, honestly. I get awful migraines from hormonal flux.

[Amy]

The fact that these are lasting only 5-10 minutes makes me think it isn't a migraine issue. Migraines usually last much longer and are accompanied with vision problems and often, vomiting - and sleep is sometimes the only thing that cures them. My brother suffered from terrible migraines from a very young age, and they weren't anything like what you are describing (nor do they match what I experience as an adult migraine sufferer). This is just my hunch, of course - every child is different! I have an idea though - have you had your son's vision checked? Vision problems can cause headaches (and headaches can make you feel weak in the limbs).

If it isn't his vision, biofeedback did help my brother a lot, maybe it would do the same for your son, whether these are migraines or not. I'm sure you could find a tape he could follow along with - focusing on relaxing each muscle, from his toes up to his head, on by one ... etc.

Good luck - this sounds so stressful and difficult for both of you!

[Christine]

That's the age I was diagnosed with migraines, although looking back, I was getting them much earlier.

I second the opinion to work with someone who treats headaches in children specifically (I started with a neurologist and was eventually referred to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago). They got me diagnosed correctly, helped me find my triggers, identified my warning signs, worked on finding medications that would help me control the pain, and - bless them for this - taught me biofeedback, which has been invaluable in controlling the pain throughout the last 20+ years.

So, that's not non-American medical advice, but just a vote for finding someone who treats this kind of pain in adolescents.

[Charisse]

I don't mean to scare you, but I'm going to second the opinion of looking at it neurologically, and if the CT scan was head-only, of having somebody check out his spine. My sister has neurofibromatosis and has symptoms similar to this when something is compressing her spine (in her case it tends to be one of the benign tumors that come with her condition). Not saying it's anything so bad, but the on-and-off headaches together with the leg weakness are reminiscent (to this total layperson) of spinal issues I've seen her have.

Best of luck, we'll think of you!!

[Shandra]

I echo the spine question - I am SO not an expert but after a really bad gymnastics injury in my teens I had a lot of these problems and they were related to a back injury.

Good luck!

[Liz Engel]

My father suffers from cluster headaches. The short duration and consecutive days your boy is suffering reminded me of what he goes through. They're a horrible affliction--debilitating headaches every day for entire Summers, in my Dad's case. But they only come every three or four years, and I know that treatments are improving: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00487.html

[liz]

My husband had awful headaches as a kid - they tried and tried to diagnose it, CT scans, MRI, i don't know what all, they thought he had some kind of tumor. Then the cat ran away and it turned out he was allergic - allergies can wax and wane over time so he hadn't had symptoms prior.

[rebecca]

I have no helpful info on this, but I'd like to say I heart Moxie and all of Moxie's readers. Again and again I'm completely impressed by the compassion and knowledge and willingness of every person who is here and comments. It's such a beautiful thing. Really. You all rock. I've been reading for a long time it seems and almost never does someone get critical of other perspectives. I'm so impressed.

I know I'm sounding sappy (ok, disclaimer, still breastfeeding and still hormonal in a relative way) but none the less, I feel like I have this great community available just by reading. It's great.

Rajesh my thoughts are with you. I hope you figure out what's happening with your son.

[hedra]

My boss is back in town for the next few months, so I'm back to stealing time at home for replies, GAH! Sigh.

My thoughts:

1) GI or allergy disorders (celiac can also have headaches)

2) dehydration (most likely, though the short duration would only make sense if they stop after he rehydrates)

3) eye strain (computer or handheld games, reading, anything other than playing outside in natural light)

4) spine injury - I'm a fan of pediatric chiropractic, myself, though I'm also a fan of finding someone certified in pediatric care.

5) food sensitivities other than allergy or GI serious stuff (mild sensitivity can cause headaches and general malaise). Also diet - enough Omega 3 fatty acids? If not, supplements may help (O-3 are anti inflammatory).

The weakness/other issues suggest to me either spine issues or medication side effects. Don't give up. Pursuing with specialist is a PAIN. Make sure you get the best specialists - try talking to the hospital pathology lab to see who runs the fewest tests before getting a diagnosis. That's who you want - someone who has great diagnostic process FIRST, and tests second. In our case, that meant going to a different hospital (children's hospitals, not general).

Good luck. It can take YEARS to track down vague-symptom issues. It was a year and a half to find out why my second son stopped growing, and you'd be sickened by the number of professionals who just figured nothing serious was wrong, because THEY couldn't figure it out. Your job to pursue, even though it isn't fun. At all.

[mel]

When my brother and I were both diagnosed with migraines, we had to keep food/activity journals. Of course his were easier to diagnose (chocolate, and mine had been diagnosed 6 months prior) and mine were sleep related. I would suggest keeping a diary for 2-3 weeks and writing down all food, exercise, sleep, water intake, etc and note when the headache develops and see if there is a pattern. Take that to the doc and see what he/she thinks.

[joolian]

As an aside, a hemoglobin (Hb) of 10.5 is actually in the anemic range. Make sure your doc looks into that, in addition to neurology/headache specialist or possibly rheumatology second opinion. Good luck!

[Melissa]

I had migraines as a kid and saw a neuro regularly. That said, it doesn't sound like migraine.

I'd look at TMJ which can manifest as forehead pain.

Also, be sure to get a contrast scan of his head and neck to rule out any blockages or AVMs.

[Dee-Anna]

I would try to get him in to a pediatric neurologist to check for a tethered spinal cord. These are quite common at his age and very simple surgical fix. The symptoms fit it perfectly. They need to do an MRI to diagnose. My son just had this surgery and it went well - relived symptoms immediately.

[cheap fioricet online]

there are other factor that causes headaches, some due to the pressure that they feels, can't sleep at night, stress and even dehydration. I think you should talk to your son maybe he was suffering from other problem that you didn't know.

[Back Pain]

A chiropractor is taught that the reason for back pain is that there is something that has caused restricted movement in the spine.
Looking for Chiropractors in Adelaide? Visit us at walkervillechiropractic.com.au for more info about Back Pain.

[generic viagra]

In most headaches, which hurt the nerves, blood vessels and muscles that cover the head and neck. Sometimes the muscles or blood vessels swell, tighten, or through other changes that stimulate the surrounding nerves or put pressure on them. These nerves send pain messages to the brain, causing headaches.

[cheap ugg boots]

We want change and should bring the change.

Stop blaming others, if any of you is truly serious for change, lets make a movement from this forum today! With all the bright idea, it must be a success. Who is in?

[Careprost]

Hola,
Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos, Careprost
espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que,
regards,
Careprost, Online Careprost

[ファロム]

Hi there,
Really nice job,There are many people searching about that now they will find enough sources by your tips.
Also looking forward for more tips about that

[Generic Minipress xl gits]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Networking solutions]

Wow, Great post,Nice work, I would like to read your blog every day Thanks

[crissy]

Hi,

My 11 year old son has a lot of migraines. I watched him today and he drank loads of water so I know he is not dehydrated. He also has mentioned that every now and then he will feel a muscle pull in his head. Not always in the same place. Yesterday he said this and now with in the last few hours major migraine. I am going to call the doc but has anyone else experienced this? No other symptoms at all. Just the pulling muscle in the head and soon after migraine.

[Seo Services India]

I have to see anyone, you happen to be absolutely in. My spouse and i came up Only two this information via some other blog site along with are intensely captivated by this specific subject matter along with understading about this specific. Does one head only examine this specific information via our facebook or myspace web site?

[Lioresal]

Het maakt me voel me zo surprise.I nooit weten dat er zo'n prachtigeplek die ik kan vinden wat ik nodig heb,

[Spine Injury Lawyer Los Angeles]

At the age of 11 and it's suffering for severe headache it's sounds not good. You need to consult the specialized doctors for this matter. Kids should not experienced this kind of problems.

Spine Injury Lawyer Los Angeles

[seo services]

I am tempted to throw myself in at the deep end; see what happens - will he sink - will he swim - or will puny boy start to cry, create a scene, embarrass his Cuban healed father once more by refusing to let go of his lime green rubber ring.

[seo malaysia]

understand than the speech of other kids his age is, you should definitely get an evaluation just to make sure. (Ask your friends to tell you honestly if they have a hard time understanding him, since you probably understand everything he says.)

[ovenorce]

check prada handbag outlet stCqCLVp [URL=http://prada1outlet2online.iwannayou.com/]prada purse outlet[/URL] for more detail wuJjLdWb http://prada1outlet2online.iwannayou.com/