Talk me down off the ledge

[NYEmomma]

Disclaimer: I am a certified nervous nelly that over-reacts and gets inappropriately anxious about the smallest things... especially when it comes to my kids.

DD (4) has been complaining about having headaches the past couple of days. Right in the center of her forehead. So naturally, I am sitting here absolutely terrified and convinced that she's got brain cancer. I'm not going to be able to sleep all night because of my worry about this & will most likely make myself look like a complete idiot when I call the pedi tomorrow and beg for an appointment ASAP and convince the doctor that she needs a CT scan just to soothe my fears.

So tell me I'm being an idiot here & worrying myself over nothing.

She's never complained of a headache before. Has been sick with a cold & ear infection the past two weeks but has been back to 100% for the last 2-3 days. Is still on Amoxicillin for another day or two. We just had her vision checked at her yearly appointment last month & it's fine. She's also been WAY more hyperactive the past couple of days (literally crawling the furniture and running through the house, which isn't in her character) and has been extremely moody/emotional. Every time she complains of a headache it's after she's taken a temper tantrum or has been crying about something.

Is the headache caused by the fits she throws or is she acting like this because of the headache? Should I really be on the phone first thing tomorrow morning?

Talk me down off the ledge here, guys.

 

[luvmy3]

You said she is taking Amoxicillin. I hope this this helps you (copied from drugs,com).

Less serious side effects of amoxicillin may include:
•
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

•
******l itching or discharge;

•
headache; or

•
swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue.

 

[java]

I know 2 brain cancer survivors. One was a baby when diagnosed, he had seizures. The other a 5th grader, had vision issues. Not saying those are th only tell tale signs, but they are the ones we know.

I'm sur she is fine. But if it makes you feel better bring her in.

 

[Scornelius]

I get a pain in the middle of my forehead when I'm deep in the ugly cry, which I imagine would be similar to a tantrum. Please come down off the ledge. Don't cry when you talk to the doctor.

 

[StephMK]

My guess would be the meds, heavy crying, or possible sinus infection. Though you'd think the meds would take of that. I would not panic, I'm sure the doc will have a reasonable explanation.

 

[Sabeking]

Could she still have sinus pressure? Also have you had a large shift in atmospheric pressure (weather change) ? There are so many things this could be. I would really not worry. I believe with something nuerolgical they check the eyes and you said she recently, had an eye check.

Take a deep breath. I used to be that way. I relaxed as they got older and realized more often than not my kids issues were pretty normal. Hang in there!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Disclaimer: I am a certified nervous nelly that over-reacts and gets inappropriately anxious about the smallest things... especially when it comes to my kids.

DD (4) has been complaining about having headaches the past couple of days. Right in the center of her forehead. So naturally, I am sitting here absolutely terrified and convinced that she's got brain cancer. I'm not going to be able to sleep all night because of my worry about this & will most likely make myself look like a complete idiot when I call the pedi tomorrow and beg for an appointment ASAP and convince the doctor that she needs a CT scan just to soothe my fears.

So tell me I'm being an idiot here & worrying myself over nothing.

She's never complained of a headache before. Has been sick with a cold & ear infection the past two weeks but has been back to 100% for the last 2-3 days. Is still on Amoxicillin for another day or two. We just had her vision checked at her yearly appointment last month & it's fine. She's also been WAY more hyperactive the past couple of days (literally crawling the furniture and running through the house, which isn't in her character) and has been extremely moody/emotional. Every time she complains of a headache it's after she's taken a temper tantrum or has been crying about something.

Is the headache caused by the fits she throws or is she acting like this because of the headache? Should I really be on the phone first thing tomorrow morning?

Talk me down off the ledge here, guys.

I am sure she does not have brain cancer.

That being said she may have developed a sinus infection, could be a side effect of the Amox., she is dehydrated, got a tension/stress headache from throwing a fit, etc....

Have you been taking her temps? I might do a few of those morning/afternoon/evening to see if she is running a low grade temp to check for sinus infection.

Other than that hydrate and make sure she gets some more rest.

If she is extra crabby I might bring her in to see if she still has an ear infection. She might need something stronger then.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Headache after a temper tantrum...hmm...I think you found your answer.

 

[sookie]

I get a headache when I get the ugly cry too!! But seriously - let the doctor examine her and go from there... this could be a TON of things. Just to name a couple other options to throw out there. It could be a simple headache. Another concern is that she possibly could have developed a secondary sinus infection (bacterial) that is resistant to the Amoxil during this upper respiratory infection (a viral cold). So the doc needs to see her and examine her before you ask to subject that sweet baby to a TON of radiation with an expensive CT! Seriously - look it up. It is a TON of radiation.

The symptoms of a brain tumor are pretty definitive, and his exam along with your history (he will ask you very specific questions) would lead him or her down the path of needing to do more of a workup if it is truly needed.

Get her into the doc.

 

[NYEmomma]

You said she is taking Amoxicillin. I hope this this helps you (copied from drugs,com).

Less serious side effects of amoxicillin may include:
•
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

•
******l itching or discharge;

•
headache; or

•
swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue.

Eww. I guess a headache is better than a swollen, black & hairy tongue!!

Thanks for the pep talks & dose of reality, everyone. I swear, every time this child gets sick I have a good few hours of "OMG, she's dying!" paranoia that overcomes me. Every. Single. Time.

I'm taking her younger sisters in for their 2nd flu shot on Tuesday... I'll talk to the nurse or doctor if she stops in while I'm there & if I'm still feeling paranoid, make her an appointment.

 

[Poohforyou]

You're going to drive yourself insane if you think every minor ache and pain is life threatening. Of course screaming and cry could cause a headache. So can being dehydrated, over tired and lots of other benign things.

 

[kaligal]

A kid having a headache after throwing a temper tantrum is not cause for a concern or a CT.

I'd say, "Well, that's what you get when you act like you did." Of course, I always picked the tantrum-thrower up, dropped them in their room and told them to "Jolly well stay here until you are feeling quite yourself."

They knew not to come out sniffling, whining or complaining.

If they'd mentioned a headache, I'd have told them that's what they got when they didn't behave like themselves.

Stop the tantrums and the headaches will likely disappear.

 

[NYEmomma]

You're going to drive yourself insane if you think every minor ache and pain is life threatening.

Been there, done that, got the meds & a shrink to talk to every couple of weeks.

(just got off the meds when I was pregnant & haven't been able to go back to the shrink lately thanks to the demanding kiddos)

 

[LongLiveDisney]

[QUOTE="NYEmomma"Thanks for the pep talks & dose of reality, everyone. I swear, every time this child gets sick I have a good few hours of "OMG, she's dying!" paranoia that overcomes me. Every. Single. Time.[/QUOTE]

I'm the exact same way!
I'm sure your daughter is fine!

ETA: Not sure why my post is coming up all a quote.

 

[DVCJones]

Deep breaths....

First, your DD probably does NOT have brain cancer. The only kid I ever knew to have brain cancer had a history of CRUSHING headaches followed by vomiting and seizures.The poor thing was unable to function in daily life.

I would absolutely have her checked out by her pediatrician. She could have a minor infection somewhere... Nose, throat, ears, sinus...etc.

I completely understand about being a nervous nelly when it comes to my kids. I have really had to work at keeping my anxiety in check over the years. Especially since my DD did actually have cancer as a baby.

Try and relax. She more than likely going to be fine.

 

[palmbeachmom]

First of all, take a deep breath. Second, I DO have a brain tumor, and I can tell you that pain in the center of the forehead is not a common presenting factor for brain tumors, on it's own. Generally, you would have noticed different types of symptoms cropping up over a period of time, and seizures would be the most common. Most "brain tumor headaches" are caused by tumors and swelling blocking one of the ventricles of the brain and cutting off the CSF, which bathes the brain. Mornings are the most common time for this to happen. Not saying you don't get headaches, because you do... many days I can't function from pain, but I'm in more of the end stage.

Call your pediatrician and tell them what is going on. But for right now, try to relax and not let your imagination run wild. And most of all, don't look up brain tumors on the internet, because it will just scare the bejeesus out of you

And don't be quick to rush and insist on a CT scan. That is a lot of radiation for a little growing brain. And I'm a mom too, so I totally get your panic. I promise you anytime my son has a headache, that is the first thing that pops in my head because we have a lot of brain tumors in my immediate family!

 

[kandb]

OP, I get anxiety and get those thoughts when my kids don't feel well. I remember when I was in nursing school, them saying that most people would think headaches are symptoms of a brain tumor/cancer but they said actually it was other symptoms. I know when I am more stressed, I tend to have more thoughts like that (and considering you are parenting a 4 year old and 2- 4 month old twins, I can imagine that is a bit stressful).

 

[crashbb]

I'm the exact same way!
I'm sure your daughter is fine!

ETA: Not sure why my post is coming up all a quote.

Because you accidentally deleted the closing bracket in the first bit of the quote (where is says [QUOTE="NYEmomma").

 

[NYEmomma]

Thanks everybody.

DH is currently laughing his behind off at me as I type this for being such a freak every time one of the kids gets sick. I over-react to EVERYTHING and honestly, I've worked pretty diligently with my therapist to be more rational about life and not jump to the worst conclusions. But it's a hard habit to break.

 

[NYEmomma]

First of all, take a deep breath. Second, I DO have a brain tumor, and I can tell you that pain in the center of the forehead is not a common presenting factor for brain tumors, on it's own. Generally, you would have noticed different types of symptoms cropping up over a period of time, and seizures would be the most common. Most "brain tumor headaches" are caused by tumors and swelling blocking one of the ventricles of the brain and cutting off the CSF, which bathes the brain. Mornings are the most common time for this to happen. Not saying you don't get headaches, because you do... many days I can't function from pain, but I'm in more of the end stage.

Call your pediatrician and tell them what is going on. But for right now, try to relax and not let your imagination run wild. And most of all, don't look up brain tumors on the internet, because it will just scare the bejeesus out of you

And don't be quick to rush and insist on a CT scan. That is a lot of radiation for a little growing brain. And I'm a mom too, so I totally get your panic. I promise you anytime my son has a headache, that is the first thing that pops in my head because we have a lot of brain tumors in my immediate family!

Thank you so very much for the insight... wish you didn't have to have this type of first-hand knowledge.