Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

what could be the cause

My son has been experiencing headaches with nausea, dizziness and tiredness for several months now. He had blood tests, which showed nothing abnormal. His gp said maybe he had depression and he was referred to a physiologist. While I agree he could be a little depressed I think it is secondary to his symptoms not causing the symptoms.
Towards the end of November early December he experienced 2 possible fits.
Blood work was redone again no abnormalities. The GP did an ECG and his heart was fine we are waiting to see a neurologist.
Any ideas on what could be causing his symptoms?
Also yesterday he had an MRI because I had to sign a consent form for contrast (as part of routine paper work) I asked if a contrast MRI was being done they said not at this stage After the main MRI had been done they said they now wanted to do a contrast. Does the fact that at first the MRI was with out contrast and the after the main MRI was done they wanted a contrast make it more or less likely they found something on the MRI
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I got it.  Glad to hear you are in Austrailia - I hear you have a pretty good medical system.  I completely agree with you.  Nothing is worse than a neurologist that doesn't to listen to you.  Take care and let us know if the MRI is OK.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

First we are in Australia.
Yes I did mean a seizure
The neurologist we are seeing is specialised paediatric neurologist who has admitting rights at the local children’s hospital. He is very experienced (his own son is a neurologist). The reason I didn’t want to see the other neurologist was that I heard from a friend who sees him for her son that he is very arrogant and doesn’t always listen to the parent. The neurologist I am seeing seems to be more old school and listens to the parent.( Which I need right now.) I need someone who will listen to any concerns and act on them if needed. With my son not being well for a while I need an answer. The other reason is that from the people I ask he his very good and very thorough
I am hoping that if anything were wrong on the MRI report the secretary (who seems very efficient) would get the other neuro  (who I don’t want to see but is in the same practise) to read it and get in touch
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, it is good to know that your neurologist was being thorough.  Yes, as soon as you said viral you can guess he was looking for an infectious cause.  Sorry, I'm repeating the doctor.
I'm guessing you are not in the states - since the teacher rang?  Having a fit may be common terminology in your area but I figured from your first post is was a seizure and that is really important for diagnosis.  That is so good you spent the time checking all out with the teacher.
As far as the doctor, if the MRI is done, and the doctor is not well - call and ask if the other doctor can at least evaluate the MRI - he may simply read the report which is what you want to know anyway, but may not want to intrude - depends how sick your neurologist is.

Your son may have epilespy or another malidy that means he will be under a neurologist's care for sometime (BTW: great epilepsy drugs are now available, one of the friends of my daughter, who is very close to me, outgrew it after a few years of treatment.)  Back to the neurologist-it all depends on if he/she is in the states (I don't know about other areas) But personally after dealing with many doctors, for myself and in my profession -  The doctor being nice is only an added benefit.  You want someone who is good.  Here you would want what is called a board certified pediatric neurologist to treat your son until age 18.  You want to check to make sure he went to a good university and has no malpractice suits against him.  And you want to know what hospitals he is affiliated with. If your son ever has to be hospitalized, you need to be able to take him to the best hospital in your area but your neuro will need to be on staff to treat him at that hospital.
Those girls in the office, they know the whole gossip scoop - they know whose good, whose not, whose a really good neurologist  but may just be sick - can they tell you what they mean by sick?  I mean is it the flu or does he have a serious cancer.  I know that sounds harsh - but the initial diagnosis is important to get within a reasonable amount of time.  Sorry I wasn't much help but take care and let's hope for something simple.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

I suggest you see a child developmental specialist for your son's case. A relevant history surrounding his birth and a family history of autism may need close supervision by a physician.

Neurologic conditions such as headaches,loss of consciousness and seizures may be due to a viral cause which is infectious in process.MRI with contrast must have been done to look into other causes eg neoplasms ( new growths),swelling of surrounding structures.

I suggest you keep calm and try to stay positive.Lets hope for the best.

Wait for the physician to discuss the MRI results with you.

Keep in touch!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Vanessa MD in answer to your questions  
My son is 15.
When he was born he did have extensive bruising and swelling on one side of his head due to the fact that I had the urge to push to early. He did go into distress during the labour and was born with the cord around his neck twice.
Only the usual childhood infections though he does have cysts in one of his kidneys
Vaccinations are up to date except for his second hep b, which I didn’t want him to get while he has been unwell.
His social and motor skills would be on par with his peers.
He does find it difficult coping with his young brother who has autism
He doses quite well at school being in an academic extension class and there are have been no changes in social activity. His classmates like him and there is no bullying. In fact after his second fit where he took a few days off school (the schools idea) the teacher rang to check how he was. Because the students had been asking about him and were concerned.
Just one  more thing when the tech at the MRIc ame out to ask to do the contrast she said the doctor wanted to rule out viral what does this mean. they found somthindg and want to check it  is not viral or found nothing and want to check there is no virus

Life’s a headache the fits were loss of consiness with his body jerking. And confusion afterwards the school nurse told me that he had just fainted. But after talking to the teacher’s that directly saw the fits it appears they were a fit rather than a faint. The ECG was just to check there was no cardiac involment. An EEG is to be done.
The problem at the moment is that the neurologist is unwell and our appointment keeps being put back but be fair to the neurologist they have offered to get him seen by another neurologist but I have heard that the other neurologist isn’t that nice so am tring to keep with my own who seems real nice




Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How old is your son?

Did they do the MRI - your son got dressed and you left and came back for a contrast?

Or did they do the MRI - take a few minutes while you son was still laying there and then come back in and say we are going to do a contrast now.

No offense to the doctor but I am a little offended by the doctor. Telling a parent that a child may be suffering from depression when the main complaint is "My son has been experiencing headaches with nausea, dizziness and tiredness" is jumping the gun a little.  I know it is hard to relax until that MRI comes back (I've been there with my daughter too) but they could have ordered contrast one of two reasons (just my two cents)

1.) they saw something and they want more clarity - this would be the least likely
2.) they can't see anything wrong but want the most clarity because they are going to say the scans show nothing and it is migraine or other malady not needing surgical intervention.  So they do what is called "due diligence" especially for a child.  They could be sued if they miss something.  This is more likely since everything has come back.  Please answer the questions the doctor posed above.  What do you mean by fits - head, nausea or possibly epilepsy fits.  I'm curious why ECG, cardiogram for heart?  Did they say why.  I would have thought maybe an EEG for brain waves but I am not a doctor and the questions above are important.  Was his blood pressure high - relax that can also happen because of elevated pain level.  Again, I know how hard it is waiting for MRI - don't let them sit on it - call as soon as they said possible and maybe even a little earlier.  If you tell them you are a worried mom they will understand.  Take Care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

Let me start by asking some questions:

How old is your son?
Are there any problems surrounding his birth?
Any previous infections?
How is his vaccination history?
How would you describe his development? Are his social and motor skills at par with kids his age?
How would describe your family , your son's interactions with family members?
Any problems in school?

Contrast MRI is done to enhance MRI sensitivity.This may or may not mean that they have found something. Using a contrast with the MRI may actually help the physicians make sure that everything is clear.Using a contrast may also help delineate structures and aid in assessing functional states of certain tissues.

Continue to reassure your son and stay calm yourself.Lets wait for the results.

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Avatar universal
Trinity , TX
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease