7 Year Old Having Headaches Tummy Pain or Cramps, Muscle Pain

Updated on November 01, 2010
T.C. asks from Derby, KS
8 answers

i have a 7 year old that has alot of anixety which could play a factor. She gets alot of headaches espeically at night but also wakes up with them in the morning. she also says her tummy cramps or is in pain at the same time as her head. now the past few months its been her ankle then it moved to her arm to her leg and now her arm first was cramping now pain, crying for hours most of the day and last for days. i have taken her to the dr and they say its growing pains but they can't explain the other symptoms. she doesn't act like she feels well. she doesn't sleep well at night. Has anyone been going through this and how to get a dr to understand she has had growing pains before and not like this. My daughter does have increased senses so what might not hurt me effects her on a higher level. so I am not sure what exactly she is feeling or how bad. I have her in counsling but its not working for any of my kids. I have been through a messy divorce and still have problems which doesn't help any. Could it be anxiety?

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

My first thought was to take her to the dentist, and see if she is grinding her teeth. I do this, have done it since I was a kid, and it causes head aches and problems sleeping. Each time I go they say...reduce my stress. Easier said than done. Any way, anxiety could be causing all of it (event he grinding,if that is what it is) but the aches and pains are real. Take her to see a Board Certified Child Psychiatrist, because there is help for her. Some kids have "somatic" complaints (not real) when they are anxious, and some feel pain because depression can be caused by anxiety disorders, and the pain people feel with depression is very, very real. Some others, do things, like teeth grinding or clenching other muscles because of anxiety that cause real pain. Teeth grinding is one that just happens to become more of a problem all by itiself, so even if you treat the underlying anxiety or depression, once you start grinding, it may not stop.

M.

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S.G.

answers from Lakeland on

Stress, she is probaly under alot of stress. My daughter went thur this. She was always taking tylenol. I had to keep it under lock and key. Things in our home at the time were like walking on egg shells. I took her to counseling too, it didn't work. I would keep looking for another counsler if this one is not working. I have been too many and i finally found one that helps. Finding counslers is like finding a good mechinic. If you get the right one to help your child, then everything else will fall in place.

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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

Have her soak in an epsom salt bath before she goes to sleep at night. Epsom salt has magnesium in it and magnesium is known to sooth achey muscles and relax the body so you can sleep better at night.

As for the tummy aches, I would suggest taking a look at her poop. Perhaps she has food intolerance issues and it is causing some irritation to her intestinal lining. Maybe it's candida, a yeast overgrowth in the intestines that, if left untreated, can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Possibly she is constipated. I know it sounds gross but her poop (color, shape, smell) can give you a lot of information about her gut health.

As for the headaches, I'm not sure what this may be from. Perhaps if she is having problems with her gut, it may be causing her nutritional deficiencies which are contributing to her headaches and muscle aches. Of course, all of this is pure speculation on my part.

I would suggest that your pediatrician refer your daughter to a gastroenterologist to have her checked out a little more thoroughly. You may also want to get a referral for her to be checked out by a neurologist and a orthopedist as well. This may not be something that is all in her head but, if it is, at least you will know for sure.

I hope you get the answers you need and your that daughter feels better soon.

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D.S.

answers from New York on

Is it possible she has migraine's? I wouldn't just stop with this doc, sometimes we have to be our own doctor. I would begin to keep a log on the days when she is getting a headache and then jot down what she has eaten, that could be a factor. It can be so many things, grinding teeth, sinus problems, but it is obviously very real to her so I would get another opinion. Is she happy in school? Does she have friends? Depression and anxiety can also cause physical symptoms so it could be that as well. If the therapy isn't working find a different therapist. Good luck

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K.P.

answers from Wichita on

Dr. Kelley Arnold, chiropractor-kinesiologist ###-###-####. Feel free to call his office and talk to someone on his staff. When I began seeing this kind of doctor, my daughter was 10, and our GP said she had chronic fatique syndrome. Turned out she had a massive systemic yeast infection. That may not be what your daughter has, but she has so many symptoms, it HAS to be something. My daughter is 30 now and lives a full and normal life.

S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

You probably need to find a different therapist/counselor.
Also, perhaps you can have DD seen by a therapist
who specializes in play therapy with children.
Your observation about her "increased senses"
is important. There might be some adaptations/adjustments
you can make to give her some relief from being over-stimulated.
How did the "messy divorce" impact the children's lives and routine?
Have you had opportunities to explain to her that even though dad
isn't living with all of you, that you're not going anywhere.
That you'll always be there.

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H.W.

answers from Atlanta on

I was wondering about a food allergy or intolerance as well!

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J.B.

answers from Denver on

It could be anxiety-

I would recommend an elimination diet.

I am not saying you do this- but, many American parents feed their children diets that consist of predominantly processed food (most any food you buy in a box, can, bag, jar, or sealed package). Many children are becoming increasingly sensitive to all the chemicals and additives in processed foods. I usually say- if you don't know what an ingredient is- you should NOT eat it. Make sure she's drinking adequate water as well.

Americans tend to over-consume sugar and salt in startingling amounts. Sugars and salts are neurologically addictive and can completely throw hormones off, and deregulate normal physiological processes.

Anyhow- I would start with food.

Oh- and I would also stay alert for eating disorders. Children tend to assert control over their lives via food intake- especially if they feel that their world has shattered or is spiraling out of control. Bulemia, anorexia, and obesity are some common ways children will exert control, or self-medicate with food.

After thought- if she is showing indications of anorexia, sneak a multi-vite into her diet (there are gummy ones more kids will scarf down)- make sure it has a complete RDA for potassium.

Best luck!

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