Headache and Migraines Forum - Sharp Head Pains In My 3 Year Old

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Q: Sharp Head Pains In My 3 Year Old

asked by: jennymay22 on July 17th, 2007

New User

I am desperate to find out what is going on with my three year old. We have seen two doctors who brushed me off when I told them my son was having sharp pains on the side of his head that lasted maybe 15 seconds which resulted in him screaming and crying hysterically. After about 15-30 seconds he would be absolutely fine and go about with whatever he was doing. At first it happened very infrequently. Now, it is happening every other day or so. I went back to the last dr we saw (his primary pediatrician) and basically insisted we get an MRI done to see what is going on because this can't be normal. At the first two visits they looked in his eyes and asked if he had any other neurological symptoms (vomiting, seizure like activity, paralysis, etc) which he has not had any ever... just the very intense pain that lasts only a few seconds. It has to really hurt him too because he is a child with a very high pain tolerance. I have never seen him seemingly in so much pain. Has anyone else had a child or known a child to experience something like this? From my research it sounds like an ice pick headache but I am terrified of it being a brain tumor or an aneurysm. We are supposed to be scheduled for an mri next week (since the dr said it was non-emergency) but after the episode tonight which even frightened my dh I want to insist on one this week. This is so frightening. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Replies(17)

yogahoneybunny

replied on August 12th, 2007

Supporter

Sounds on track. Keep insisting. What's the update?

guptakimmi

replied on May 2nd, 2008

New User

same symptoms

hi jenny, i ve a 3 yrs old and she has exact same symptoms as u mentioned. we are really scared. my doctor says unless there are some other symptom theres no concerns but i ve seen her cry its unbearable. did u find out whats going on?

M2ARJAN

replied on June 1st, 2008

New User

Same symptoms

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any answers, the same is going on with my son, I'm really scared!

Mizzoula

replied on June 16th, 2008

New User

It does sound like an ice pick headache, which is associated with migraines (which toddlers can get).

A friend of mine told me that he controlled his migraines with allergy medications. My sister and boyfriend have since stopped their migraines (and ice pick headaches in my boyfriend's case) with decongestant allergy medications like Claritin-D (with pseudoephedrine). The problem is that I doubt those medications are approved for toddlers.

You're doing the right thing in bringing your child in for the MRI, but in the meantime, maybe do some research into allergy remedies for children. I'm certainly not a doctor and only have anecdotal evidence, but having seen the amazing effect that decongestant allergy medicines have on the migraines of my friends and family members, I'm sure there's a link between allergies and migraine headaches like the type your son may be having.

Good luck and don't worry - the absence of other neurological symptoms is a very good sign.

JAYGREG

replied on August 8th, 2008

New User

My son will be two next month and is experiencing the same symptoms. I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia about 4 years ago and worry now that my son is experiencing the same thing. We took him to a neurologist, who said that it was not hereditary, so we began running tests on him. He has had an EEG which came back normal. And a few days ago he had an MRI done. We are waiting for the results. On Monday, he will go in for a two day EEG, where he will spend the night at the hospital and be monitored for 48 hours.

His symptoms are less frequent, but when they hit him they hit hard.

Honeycomb

replied on August 8th, 2008

Experienced User

It sounds like an inflammatory response headache, which allergy meds. could help with. Better yet, there are specific enzyme supplements that will correct the problem (if this is the problem). Digestive enzymes are completely safe for kids, and can solve many health and behavior problems.
The MRI is a good idea. I hope everything was normal.

AEDIN01

replied on May 29th, 2009

New User

sharp pain in toddler head behind right ear

Hi, i have a 2 1/2 year old with the same exact symptoms. sharp pain on the back side of his head behind his right ear in the same spot every time last a few second. it was so bad one day me and my husband took him to the hospital they did a ct scan and found nothing. said it could be neck spasms, to watch and give motrin, that worked that was back on april 9 now 5/27 there coming back again some are painful some are not he puts his hand on that side of his head when they are not painful. did take him to primary doc when they first started. said it could be a pinched nerve, if thats the case why does it come and go. if any body finds out anything please let me know so i can go to the dr. with something to look into instead of the typical neck spasm or pinched nerve

syadav647

replied on July 23rd, 2009

New User

head ache daughter back of head sudden

My daughter has the same problem exactly she is 3.5 yrs old. We are panicked by her pain, all have just raised the issue asking for solution but no one replied back as to what happened afterwards how did the pain go so that other parents can get some help form this forum....

Anyone listening??? Please advice if you got any relief and how. thanks!

AEDIN01

replied on July 29th, 2009

New User

My sons head pain must have been what the dr's thought, neck spasm. I gave him motrin as he needed it, i also stopped the rough housing with the older kids and being on the trampoline even though he did'nt really jump on it the other kids did with him on it. it took about a week of motrin and closely monitoring him with playing and the sharp pain on the back of his head finally stopped. If you have older kids that like to play rough and a trampoline or any thing that bounces them around you might want to limit that kind of play and see if it's the problem. The pain never gets to heal if they are playing all the time I think thats why my sons pain would not go away! NOW I AM AWARE!!!!! I hope this helps. My sons symptoms were exactly like some of the symptoms described here.His pain went on for about 2 months until i limited his rough play.

rosebud21566

replied on August 22nd, 2009

New User

My daughter is also experiencing these type of headaches. She's had them since an infant and it has progressed in the last few months. She is 3 yrs old. The ped consulted with a neuro and we got an MRI approved. Now was are awaiting an appt. Since she is so young they have to put her under...requesting a morning appt so that she won't have to go most of the day without eating or drinking. Did anyone have an MRI yet? If so how did it go? What are the results? I fear cancer, brain anurism...

rosebud21566

replied on September 12th, 2009

New User

Update

My daughters MRI/MRA of the brain came up normal. No abnormalities. Thank God! Next step is a referral to a pediatric neurologist. The pediatrician also recommended tracking the food, activity, environment prior to the headache. So far I have not noticed a pattern. The pediatirican also ordered blood work at our last appt two days ago. Haven't gone in for that yet since we told her no shots for a little while. Will go to the lab next week.

Any updates from anyone?????

dqlisa

replied on October 8th, 2009

New User

Hi all, my 2 1/2 daughter has the exact symptoms, sharp unexplained shooting pain on the right side of her head, behind her ear. Just got an MRI and EEG done 10/6/09 and they both came back normal. WHAT IS GOING ON??? Her episodes were as frequent as 3,4 times a week. Then they suddenly stopped for 2 weeks. She had one more episode and that's when we took her in. The IV for the MRI sedation was beyond horrific, but I am glad that we got her tested. There HAS to be an answer!

rosebud21566

replied on October 15th, 2009

New User

My daughter had another headache just last week. We got a referral to UCLA Med Ctr - pediatric neurology. The appt is pending reciept of med records. I plan to follow up tomorrow. I continue to post updates. Thanks.

rambochick

replied on October 24th, 2009

New User

Same story here. 2 year old with sudden pain on the right side. Just took her in today and they said possibly she would need a CT scan. But after reading these posts, apparently no one has had one show up with anything. I hate put her through sedation if she doesn't need it, but if she does, I certainly want to do it! Aaaah. Don't know what to do.

rosebud21566

replied on October 24th, 2009

New User

I suggest going through with the CT scan. This will rule out abnormalities and set a base line for your daughters brain health. I was also worried about the sedation but it was not as bad as I thought. She was not completely sedated, just is a sleep state so she'd stay still and not remember the noise of the MRI. She doesn't remember a thing from this procedure.

rosebud21566

replied on October 24th, 2009

New User

To clarify, the sedation through IV was not traumic because she was given an injection prior to the IV. This injection relaxed her, so she doesn't remember the IV, however she did cry when given the injection. However, not any more traumatic then a routine injection.

maryannkellogg

replied yesterday 08:28

New User

Attacks of severe head pain.

I have a 14 year old with Down Syndrome, she is non-verbal. She has been having what looks like a similar experience, it's fustrating because these children can't communicate what's happening to them. She will start slowly hitting her head and acting fustrated and upset, then she will gradually start getting more and more aggravated with intense screaming and becoming hysterical for about a minute. She will tremble in pain and squeeze my hand really tight screaming.Gradually she will get calmer although she will continue to hit her head. We have MRI and appointment with pediatric neurology but not for a few weeks.

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