We're headed back to the doctor this afternoon because Randy still has a headache. He's on his second round of antibiotics for a sinus infection (amoxil for 10 days, finished Sunday, started 10 days of Ceftin on Tues.). I talked to a nurse this morning and she said if we're trying a decongestant (he's been on Sudafed for 3 weeks) plus the antibiotics, and he still has a headache he really needs to be seen again. Now, I know sinus problems can cause headaches (btdt) and I know I shouldn't worry, but I'm a mom. It's what I do. I'm sure Randy's fine, but part of me wants to freak out, ya know? The doc the other day did some simple neurological things with him (squeeze my fingers, don't let me push your arms down, stuff like that) and said he didn't see any problems. He said of course the first thing they think of is a brain tumor, and did that to "rule it out". We have to see a different doc today, because the other one won't be there. I guess I'm just venting, asking for prayers, and seeing if anyone has any thoughts on what it could be. I'm trying not to worry. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...

By Vicki on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:18 pm:

Well, I could tell you not to worry, but honestly, I would be very worried/concerned too. That seems like a long time and a lot of meds to be still having problems. So I have no advice, but will be keeping you and him in my thoughts and prayers today. Let us know what you find out at the appointment.

By Elizabeth704 on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

My 5 yo has also had a constant recurring sinus infection. Our MD said the next step is a CT of the sinuses. I had a 2nd opinion by a ENT who agreed with the CT scan. My son did not have "headaches", just cold/cough symtoms. Headaches are always concerning for me in children.
As another thought, I have also had a pediatrician tell me before that children with Strep-throat complain of headaches and stomach aches.

Good Luck - I would definitely be seen again!

By Latonya on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 01:16 pm:

Cat,I can't tell not to worry because I would be terribly worried. I guess that's what you do when your a mom. I have headaches a lot and have since I was a kid. Nobody seems to know why. I have been given so many different resons from sinuses to stress to allergies. You name it has been said. I have had a CT scan and it was OK. I have just decided after years of this that I am just prone to headaches. I have to go to the DR on the 27th to have her check some more stuff because it is hard to live with headaches. It makes it hard to function right when your head hurts.
The best of luck. You and your DS are in my prayers. I hope and pray everything turns out ok.

By Emily7 on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 01:45 pm:

Prayers said for Randy.

By Amecmom on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 02:54 pm:

Prayers, and you are right to worry! It could be lingering effects of the sinus infection, but get them to rule out everything anyway. Ditto the others - telling a mom not to worry is like telling a three year old to sit still
Keep us posted.
Ame

By Cat on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 05:04 pm:

We're back and all is well for now. The doc said to stop giving him sudafed because that can cause headaches (go figure--the other doc told me to give it to him!). She also took him off the ceftin and put him on a z-pack. She said if he's not any better by next Wed. we'll have to consult the ENT. She said his ears have fluid in them (could be why he was dizzy this morning) and that his sinuses are still just all stuffed up. Dh came in while she was looking at him (he was up there for an appointment for himself) so he stayed to pick up the med so I could bring the other 5 kids home. Dh is also going to pick up a humidifier and some apple cider vinegar to put in his room (a friend suggested that). We have a whole house humidifier, but it's SO dry here even with it turned all the way up the most humidity we'll get is about 20%. So hopefully the new med will kick in quickly. She said we should see some results by Sunday at the latest. Thanx for all the thoughts and prayers. I'm still concerned, but at least for now it's good. We'll see what next week brings.

By Kellyj on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 05:12 pm:

Hi Cat, where is the headache located? Is he a very stressed out child? It could be tension headaches. Tension headaches tend to last days to weeks to months.

By Jelygu on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

Well... I hope the Z-pack works, and that it was just the Sudafed cause the headaches. Let us know how he is feeling!

By Luvn29 on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 10:43 pm:

Has he had his vision checked recently? My dd complained of headaches constantly, and I immediately suspected vision problems (since I started wearing glasses at age 5). That was her problem, and after she got adjusted to her glasses, she no longer had headaches.

We also all suffer from terrible sinus and allergy problems, and headaches are very abundant. I'll keep Randy in my prayers, and pray for your comfort and peace of mind as well. I know how worrisome these things can be.

By Cat on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 11:44 pm:

Kelly, he says his whole head hurts, but it's more painful in his face (around his eyes). He doesn't stress too much. His brother's the one that stresses! lol

Jen, thanx, I hope the z-pack works, too.

Adena, he had his eyes checked in November and the doc said they were great. I got my first pair of glasses in 5th grade, as did my older son. Dh didn't get glasses until he was in his 20's. Randy's in 4th grade, so maybe soon. For now they're good, though.

I'll let you all know how he does over the weekend.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 07:45 am:

Around the eyes certainly sounds like sinuses, and fluid in the ears definitely causes dizziness (vertigo). He should be careful when he stand up from lying or sitting down, and in the shower where he will have his eyes closed at least part of the time. That's when the vertigo (from an ear infection) hit me. Yes Sudafed can sometimes cause headaches in some people - all medications can have some side effects in some people - and dizziness is listed on the box as one of the reasons to stop taking it. It is still my personal OTC drug of choice for sinus and my oldest son takes it when his allergies are acting up as it is the only OTC allergy drug that doesn't make him sleepy.

Sounds like you are doing the right things, and the vaporizer can't hurt. If you wind up consulting an ENT and the ENT doesn't suggest a scan of some type (possibly CT), I'd push for it, just to be double-safe.

By Debbie on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 09:42 am:

Defninitely sounds like sinus pain. When I had my sinus infection, I had to get 2 rounds of antibiotics also. I think the humidifier in his room will help a lot. When it is so dry, it just kills your sinus. I have also been using the saline spray 3 times a day and it is really helping.

I hope he feels better soon. There is nothing worse then sinus headaches.

By Cat on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 09:53 am:

Thanx, Ginny and Debbie. The ped did say they'd order a CT if this didn't get better. We ran the humidifier in his room with the door partially closed for about three hours before he went to bed last night. Then we had to turn it off because it's kind of loud. We did shut his door, though to keep what moisture was in there in. Maybe I'll stick it on the kitchen counter today. It can help me, too, because I think my sinus infection is coming back. (yuck!) We're supposed to get oodles of snow in the next two days (up to 25"--yikes!). I'm sure this front moving in will be fun--NOT!. He's feeling a little better this morning. We do a scale of 1-5 for pain, 5 being the worst. He's been between 4-5 for both stomach and head pain, but this morning he said it's a 3 for head and 2 for stomach. Hopefully we can get them both down by tomorrow.