About a year and a half ago, our son (then 1 1/2 yr old) started having brief episodes where he would hold his head, cry and scream "head hurt". It would last only about a minute each time and was happening 5-6 times a day. The doc said he may have a virus and to keep an eye on him for a week. It progressed to 7-8 times a day and at that time, his doc referred him to neurology. Neurologist did an MRI, which was normal (his neuro exam was also normal). The symptoms gradually subsided and then completely went away for almost 3 months. They suddenly resurfaced again, but my son was also then wiping his eyes and saying things during the episodes like "spider!", "theres a bug!" "get it out!". Again, these were very brief, but frequent episodes. We then had him seen by a pediatric opthomologist- normal exam. Over time, he has had less of the daytime episodes, but when he lays down for a nap or bedtime, he will have a particularly hard time laying down (he will pop back up and cry and say "when will it end...theres a spider...get it out mommy"). I never reinforce this or give him extra attention- just observe and quicky reassure him and try to get him to lay backdown. Right now, he is completely fine during the day but only has these episodes while trying to lay down. We have recently taken him to another opthamologist (normal exam) and another neurologist who ordered a sleep deprived EEG (normal). So we were ready to just accept that this is just a weird thing that he does and try to not worry about it (after all, he is completely normal and healthy little boy in every other way with no symptoms now during the day). But now for the past week he has also been rolling his eyes up in the back of his head every time he lays down. This is a completely new thing and somewhat scary.So now we are worried again and are probably going to call either the neurologist or opthamologist to make another appointment. But we have recently seen both of them and so I am afraid they will begin to think we are crazy and just pass us off. I am glad that alot of the serious things have been ruled out at this point, but it is still just a very strange thing to be happening so often. I am hoping that by posting this, we will find someone who has had this happen or can maybe give some advice to what this might be. The doctors we have seen are obviously stumped and have never heard of this. Any advice would be very helpful! I also have taken 2 videos of my son having an episode, if that would be helpful for any of the "medical mommies". Thanks again!
Thank you for all of the ideas and support! When we took my son in to see the opthamologist for this new symptom (eye rolling and discomfort when laying down), he was very concerned...and it was also nice that he was able to witness my sons distress when even being slightly layed back. He immediately called the neurologist, who ordered an mri. The mri, thank goodness, was normal- except for evidence of a sinus infection (which btw, was also seen on his mri a year ago). So he is now finishing a round of antibiotics as we wait for his next apt- which is with a pediactric ENT doctor. His docs are suspecting this may be some type of vertigo or inner ear thing. That does seem to fit, although it wouldn't explain the visual disturbances. Thankfully, his new symptom of having pain/discomfort when he lays back is not as severe (although still bothersome to him). It sure has been a stressful couple of weeks watching him suffer and having no way to help! Hopefully we will get some answers soon. Thank you so much for all of your prayers!
Gaby,
You might contact Dallas Services for Visually Impaired Children in TX. I worked there a long time ago, so I can't recommend a particular person, but I think they could help guide you to someone.
If you feel something is wrong, go with it until you get an answer.
Good luck and God bless.
Victoria
Check out this link on eye floaters and see if it sounds at all like what your son is seeing: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/spotsfloats.htm
Perhaps if you work with him to try to draw what he sees and keep a diary of when it happens, that will help with a diagnoses. My step-daughter sometimes sees flashes in her peripheral vision so we're keeping a diary of when it happens in the hope of seeing a pattern that will help us figure out what it is and how it's triggered.
I hope someone else has more specific info for you!
God bless you-chck this out-may want to have him screened for this
http://books.google.com/books?id=tzah9qcyZZ8C&pg=PA24...
It sounds like your kiddo is seeing floaters - possibly blood from a minor bleed inside his eye (blood re-absorbs in a few days to a week), and maybe because the vitreous inside his eye is breaking up prematurely. I had the same thing happen starting around age 10. I'd see blasts of light, or flashing strings of light, and at night I would lie in bed and be afraid to close me eyes because it looked like long spider legs were sneaking across my visual field. Several optometrists between childhood and college told me "it was all in my head" and "there was no medical reason for me to be seeing black wiggly things or flashing lights or spots" (both with my eyes open and closed). At age 25 I found an opthamalogist, and shortly thereafter I had my first retinal detachment. By age 30 I'd had several detachments in both eyes, numerous laser surgeries, and a vitretrectomy and scleral buckle around the most unstable eye. By 35, I'd had cataract surgery on both eyes. Scary - yes. BUT, 50 years ago I would be blind by now. I'm 38, and I am thankful every day that I can see my child's beautiful face.
I guess that long story is to say - get your son to another pediatric opthamologist. Get a second and third opinion, if needed. Don't let his neurologist or opthamologist make you feel like you/he are crazy - what he's seeing is real, and there IS a medical reason for it. Push them to search again.
I'm pulling for both of you! Please keep us posted.
If not the occular migraines, perhaps his optic nerve is being pressured by the difference sitting versus lying down? My coworker got occular migraines and her hormones (too little estrogen) were the main cause -- hormones cause regular migraines as well. One thing I was also told was diuretics helped decrease migraines.
Might help to keep a journal of not only when he sees them, what he's doing, have him draw if he can, but also keep a daily journal on his activities, eating, eliminating and such for a few weeks.
If the doctors are stumped, pump them for other referrals until you get help. I had client that had multiple retina detatchments, and he needed to see 3 doctors before he started getting the correct help for his trouble. I had to go to two OBs before I had the "right" fit for something as simple as childbirth!:)
You have every right to continue investigating until you find a solution!:) You are your son's advocate and all you do will help him and you both!
Let us know and my prayers with you!
Does your son's temperature increase during these episodes? Maybe an ENT specialist could help if there's some kind of vertigo. I have no medical background, just more questions.
He could be seeing floaties, and he's too young to be creating these creatures to get attention. Keep asking questions. Try another Army hospital - Eisenhower in Augusta maybe, or a private practice doctor.
I will pray for him. Please hug him for me. God bless your family,
Ok my first thought was maybe allergies?? But everyone seems to think it's an eye thing. I didn't realize he was seeing the bugs when he closed his eyes. My daughter has headaches i think when her allergies act up. I hope you figure this out soon. good luck
When I first started to read your post it sounded very familiar to me but then as the story continued I see that its not the same as I originally thought. When I was about 3 or so I would have these "nightmares". I remember them to this day.....mine were of snakes though not spiders. My mom had a plant hanging in the room (I think believe it or not its called a "spider" plant) where it tends to flow down anyways for some reason I thought or saw snakes coming from the pot but it was in fact the leaves flowing down. My parents ended up having to take the plant completely out of my sight beause I was terrified of it. They couldn't figure out what was going on with me.
As it turns out the babysitter that was supposed to be watching me-wasn't watching very closely or rather not very child proofed home-but that was also back in the day too-lol. I was getting into valum (sorry I know spelling isn't correct) I was taking meds that was causing all of this. Once my parents figured this out and changed babysitters it was a complete 360 for them and for me. I don't believe your son is getting into meds because it sounds a little more complex than that but I just wanted to mention my experience/history because you never ever know. Kids will be kids and unfortunately you cannot keep an eye on them 24-7 and now days they make measures to prevent such kinds of accidents from happening but there is always that few number of kids that bypass those measures for whatever reasons. I do hope you find your answer and I agree-go get a second, third or hell even a fourth opinion if you have too. If your son is telling you that these things are happening-they are real to him and it is your job to make sure everything is okay and be able to tell him this and trust you. Don't allow the doctor degree to tell you otherwise....you are crazy, your son is crazy, etc. NO your son is telling you something is wrong.....get to the bottom of it even if you have to fly him out-of-state somewhere to get your answers. Good Luck! I hope everything turns out to be fine but then again on the other hand I know it would also be a relief just to understand what it is that is happening to your son.....good luck hugs and prayers your way.
Have they ruled out occular migraines? They produce visual disturbances that might possibly be seen as "spidery", but produce no actual headache. When I had them, they would occur from 5-10 times a day.
