Toddler Short Lasting Head Pain

[JandADaddy]

Recently our baby boy almost 3 started having very short pains in the back and right side of his head. The pain is very short less than 3 seconds, and then he’s perfectly fine as if nothing happened. He has no other symptoms other than we notice he likes scratching his head and arms frequently. We are very concerned and looking for guidance. Is this a primary stabbing headache or is this a symptom of something else. Neurologist recommended magnesium as a start but would like to do MRI, I’m just worried about putting a 3 year old under general anesthesia. I’ve read many case studies about the use of melatonin for PSH. Can someone please help I can barely sleep or eat since these started out of sheer worry. Thanks so much.

[selmaS]

Stabbing head pains that occur during  a BM , coughing, sneezing, or other strenuous activity should be checked into. A MRI will determine if it could be Chiari Malformation or some other issue. I have Chiari and when I was small there was no one who really knew of Chiari or it's symptoms. MRI's were not something to have done to figure it out either.....we are lucky today to be able to see what is going on much earlier in life....prayers you all fine your answers.

[ASHLEE2729]

Thank you so much for responding! My heart is hurting for my baby girl! She hasnt been sick lately. She was straining to poop around the day I first noticed her doing it (really straining hard). Then later that day, I seen her grab her head as if she was in pain twice (each time was about an hour apart) and then she did it once yesterday. It's such a quick thing and then she is perfectly fine. Did you do any testing? I couldn't find anything else on the entire internet that was like what we are experiencing except your post! Thank you so much for responding!

[ASHLEE2729]

Ho, my 23 month old is doing the same. Did you find any results?

[ASHLEE2729]

It's supposed to be Hi!

[JandADaddy]

Hi Ashlee thank you for your message. There is a big thread on this forum about the same thing. I reached out to everyone on that thread for answers but didn’t get much of a response. My son is 4 now and he’s only had a few episodes in the last several months. Always random and short lasting. We continue to monitor and believe it may be sinus related. Magnesium also helped but we have since weened him off it. I know your concern and I wish I had a better answer. Have you noticed the symptoms near the time of a cold or other illness.

[ASHLEE2729]

Thank you so much for responding! My heart is hurting for my baby girl! She hasnt been sick lately. She was straining to poop around the day I first noticed her doing it (really straining hard). Then later that day, I seen her grab her head as if she was in pain twice (each time was about an hour apart) and then she did it once yesterday. It's such a quick thing and then she is perfectly fine. Did you do any testing? I couldn't find anything else on the entire internet that was like what we are experiencing except your post! Thank you so much for responding!

[JandADaddy]

Of course. I've been there and I still worry about my baby boy, who is now 4, so I totally understand your worries. Check this link: https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/Toddler-complains-of-pain-in-back-of-head/show/533301. It's the thread on MedHelp of parents all reporting the same thing. We opted not to test because it's such a self limiting thing and as he gets older it occurs with much less frequency. I actually reached out to, and checked everyone for follow up, who posted on the linked thread. The consensus I believe is sinus related. It makes sense as the little ones sinuses are not fully developed until 3-5 years. Please keep me in the loop after you've had a chance to read the bigger thread. Any similarities we can share would greatly help.