14 yr son hot, dizzy, headaches no fever

[Rebnurse]

My 14 year-old son is having episodes where he feels really hot - but has no fever. Then he has episodes where he feels dizzy and off-balance and has to sit or lie down or feels like he is going to faint and sometimes sees spots in his vision when this happens. There two symptoms mostly happen together - but sometimes don't, They may last for 30 seconds or go on for 20 minutes. They started in January - (now it's May) and have been increasing inf frequency - happening every day and sometimes several times a day.  Then he also is getting headaches every day in his forehead and back of his head. They may last an hour or so and usually aren't so bad that they require medication. When they are bad medicine like tylenol or ibuprofen doesn't help much. He does not get nauseated and does not have any aura or lights or spots with his headaches. Since we can find no relationship between food, timing, or anything else with these symptoms - we are at a loss. We have been to his primary care physician - metabolic panel and thyroid all normal - but only did TSH - not T3 T4. He doesn't know - he has referred us to a pediatric neurologist and we awaiting that appointment. Also took him to the eye doctor and his eyes and vision are perfect. He is a very active, self-motivated student who does take on lots of projects - so I haven't ruled out stress. He is going through puberty. The primary care physician does not believe it is related nor does he see any cardiac issues. I have thought about taking him also to an ENT.  Anybody ever been through this or have any suggestions?

[Erikafox]

Most definitely, I agree. It is a suggestion in which avenue you might want to investigate.

[Anonymouse88]

Hmm, Erikafox's comment made me think of anxiety.  How does he feel when he has these episodes?  It's still worth ruling out medical causes, but it could be something worth looking into.

[Erikafox]

Puberty. Hormones. No elevated CBC or C reactive protein.... It's not an infection inflammation like meningitis. It's most likely psychosomatic. Seek behavioural or cognitive therapy.

[Anonymouse88]

I can't help you much with this, but I can tell you a couple of things.  First, feeling dizzy and off balance and seeing spots when you feel like you're about to faint is perfectly normal.  Been there, done that.  Loss of hearing starts in as well if you're really close to fainting.  If for some odd reason he's feeling faint from blood rushing to his skin, that would cause flushing and warm skin.  For me, exercising in the heat and getting dehydrated would do me in, but I would generally vomit instead of actually passing out.

Second, migraines don't have to come with auras (things like light spots).  The auras can be different things, too.  I've had ones where I was really dizzy and off balance, and once threw up because the room was spinning and tilting to the point where I got motion sick.  But the headaches could be something completely different.

Hopefully the neurologist will be able to get to the bottom of it.  Please let us know if you do find out what it is.