Toddler complains of pain in back of head

[LINDSEYSMAMA]

A couple of months ago my 34 month old was just sitting at the table coloring and she started crying out, as though she pinched a finger of such.  When I asked her what happened, she just kept crying.  So I asked "where does it hurt?"  her reply was "my scratch"  when I asked "where", she rubbed the lower back of her head.  It was a couple of weeks before it happened again, but since then the freequency increased.  Every time it happens its the same.  She is fine, playing or whatever, cries out in pain, reaches her right hand to the back of her head and says "my scratch".  After a few minutes, she is fine and goes back to playing.  We took her to a diagnostic clinic at Pittsburgh Childrens Hospital.  The neurologist examed her and found no problems.  She prescribed Periactin to try to see if she was just having headaches.  We also had an MRI last week, results were normal.  The Periactin seemed to lessen the fequency, but why would a child so young be having these types of headaches ?  She went for 2 1/2 wks without an episode, but out of the blue last week she came running to me crying and rubbing the back of her head.  I tried to kind of trick her after the MRI and I told her that her "scratch" was all better now.  She said "No, it's still there but it doesnt hurt right now".  Its frustrating because she is fine before the episodes and within 2-5 minutes after.  

[Helpmeet1995]

Hi there- my husband researched and found your page. Thank you for sharing your ordeal.  Our 16 month old son has done something very similar a few times over the last number of weeks.  Once we were riding in the car and he just started screaming out of nowhere and grabbing/hitting the side of his head. He doesn't talk much so he can't use words  to describe what's going on.  He had done the same thing a different time and then today was at the kitchen table playing and all of a sudden started crying and grabbing his head. It does not seem severe. The pain lasts only about 10 seconds and then he seems fine and goes back to what he is doing.  I called the pediatrician just to talk to them and they want me to bring him in but before I end up being told nothing is wrong, is like to have some more research to advocate for my son. I'm sorry to hear about your little girl. Is she doing better? I'll be praying for her!
Rebecca krebs
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[sam_ah]

is ur son better now? has he grown out of it? my son getting similar pains... they r worrying me so much...    strange to see so many children experiencing it  :(

[sam_ah]

does ur child have a history of head injury or even a minor head concussion.. nasal congestion..bad sleepn patterns? any of that?

[WiscoDad]

Another Update...

Met with headache specialist today to discuss the normal findings of the MRA and MRV.  Nothing to note here but what was interesting, which should help a lot of parents, is the response/ answer we receive regarding our daughter's head turn.  We have always believed the pain she experience was a result of her head turning to the left causing the pain on the left side of her head.  Dr. disagreed and instead believes the head turn is a reaction to the sudden intense pain.  This makes a lot of sense as we don't always observe a head turn and this lack of observation is more times than not associated with mild pain.  Taking this into account along with other items for which our Dr. discussed with us there is no reason to believe the pain she is experiencing is related to nerves.

MRA/MRV ruled out vascular issues
EEG ruled out brain disfunction
MRI ruled out abnormal growth

Dr. believes this is a rare case of Ice Pick headache which are normally found in older kids rather someone our daughter's age (2 when they started, 3 at time of writing this).  Because they happen so infrequent there is no need for medication. (Her last head pain was the week of Jan 4th).

We are pursuing an allergy test despite our headache Dr. telling us it more than likely won't show anything.  We also just sent in our paperwork to the Mayo clinic.  As always I will continue to update as progress is made.

[JasE79]

Hello. I have a 2 almost 3 year old with what sounds like the same symptoms. And I have noticed it happens more frequent when he has a runny nose. However he had never had a seizure just the sharp sudden pain pu of no where. This has been going on for about a year now with no answers. His pediatrician advised could be a cavity. Dentist said no and the neurologist said it was probably a nerve. That is as far as I have come. The other recommendation his pediatrician advised is maybe taking him to and ENT Doctor. However I have not done so and none of his doctors feel he should have an MRI/A or CT scan as all his symptoms are not of those associated with serious issues. So I was just wondering what have you uncovered after your last post.

[KarenKae]

Hello sir my daughter is 2.5 and the symptoms are very alike. I appreciate you updating us but i am very scared , i am going to take her to her Dr for the first time tomorrow and i will request an MRI . i just Dont understand if you've had sevral test done on your daughter And they all come back normal then what is this?  Its very scary . There's alot of parents on here going thru the same thing i thought my daughter was rare but i guess its very common thank god nothing serious has happened to anyones child but please keep updating us thank you

[Diyanpai]

Any updates on the above tests!

[WiscoDad]

Just an update for those following now or in the future...

After my last post my daughter had three head pains within the same week of Jan 4th oddly enough.  2 very mild, one was so intense we thought she was going to have another seizure.  Since then she has not had a head pain.  On Jan 25th she had an MRA and an MRV completed.  Again completely normal, no findings thank god.  Still we have no answers so we are now turning to the mayo clinic.  The good thing is I believe we ruled out all major concerns with the various tests regardless our concerns are no less and will be going through the process for Mayo Clinic acceptance.  I will continue to provide updates when updates are available for months if not years to come to hopefully give other parents some peace of mind.

One last note her 2 of her last 3 pains were not caused by a head turn which is unusual considering the history of dozens others.

Please contact me privately if you wish to know more or have information worth sharing to help my daughter and I.

[Craisins1]

Hi there I would like to know more. I have a 12 year old son had heart surgery and since that he has this stinging burning sensation in back upper left side of head. We have had MRI and they can't find anything he is crying in pain some days don't know what to do!!!

[sam_ah]

hi.. thank u for updating . i would like to knw more pls. my 28month old has had 2 episodes of sharp pains in the back of the head ..right side near his ear... that make him cry...ive been v worried ...

[Kymbreleigh72]

This sounds like Occipital Neuralgia  ... I have it. Can also cause migraines . i take anti seizure meds for mine   ... Hope this helps

[Kat1710]

My daughter is 5 and has been having the same symptoms for about 6-8 months now. She describes them as burning or her bones cracking. She said mentioned sometimes it happens if she turns her head quickly. She has no other symptoms such as imbalance or eyesight ect. but it still makes you worry. I will be taking her in next week and will demand to find out what causes this. I will report back with our findings!

[JasE79]

Did you ever find out what your daughter has?

[TarahP_]

My daughter is having the same pains, has anyone found any answers?????