Little Girls' Headaches and Blurred Vision

Updated on December 14, 2010
G.J. asks from East Peoria, IL
25 answers

This group has helped me before, so I am reaching out again. My 11yr. old daughter has been having headaches in the back of her head towards the base. She has reported seeing spots when she blinks to "things being blurry" when she looks at them. Fearing the worst of course, we just had an MRI and everything was normal. Eyes checked out fine over the summer when this first started. Has anybody else experienced this and come up with some answers? For the record, she has not started menstruating and does not really seem close to it.

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H.S.

answers from Chicago on

I say keep looking at a migraine. It sounds similar to my husband's symptoms when he has a migraine.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

she is starting migraines, you need to get her on some sort of migraine medicine, probably start with Excedrin Migraine. Since she's only a kid I would do 1 pill instead of the 2 pill adult dose or consult a doc for a prescription migraine med

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

Could just be headaches/migranes. My son had then starting when he was 4 yrs old. He didn't have the blurred vision but he did have light sensitivity and vomiting. I think everyone is different so some symptoms vary.

It can also be diabetes. Have you had her sugar checked? Too high or too low can cause a headache and it can also mess w/ your vision.

Could it be exposure to any toxins in your home or at school (or anywhere else)? Lots of things in our homes are not healthy for us...personal care products like shampoo and lotions, cleaning products, and laundry detergent can give off odors and/or be on your skin and can cause long term effects. Everyone reacts differently to them.

Since this has been going on for a while now, you really have to get to the cause.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Has she been checked for diabetes? Vision problems are a symptom.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G.,
Check up with a doctor ( other moms told ) but if everything is OK give her a gently massage ( head, shoulder, back). Kids have stress also + their body grows up! Their muscles are tight and could provide headache. Give her 5 - 10 min. massage after school and another session on bed time.

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J.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If your open to it, a good chiropractor may be able to help her with that.

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J.E.

answers from Chicago on

high blood pressure or chlesterol can cause blurry vision. keep going until you get answers, what did the eye dr say when she has all these symptoms and they think she doesnt need glasses? I would keep checking that with differnt drs and eye places. hope someone on ehere has some insight. good luck.
your puitarty gland is at the bak and base of your neck. could have something to do with menstration and the puitary gland starting it. still check the high blood pressure out, if it is too high, and blurry vision are signs of stroke. do any of you have any blood clotting disorders?

1 mom found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

As others have mentioned maybe get blood sugar checked for diabetes.

My whole life I have had headaches and "blurry vision" when I get dehydrated. Another time is when I become really tired I can have the same symptoms. I also suffer from migraines and can have similar symptoms. It could be caused by one thing or many things.

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

Please request for your daughter to see a neurologist! Rule out a Brain Anurism.

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D.

answers from Chicago on

I was thinking migraines too. I started getting them around that age and I always get an aura beforehand where I see flashing lights and then everything in my vision will get blurry too before the headache starts. If she's seeing the spots and blurry vision all the time, I'm not sure what that would be.

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T.H.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I did not read all the responses so I don't know if anyone has mentioned this. My niece has pseudo tumor cerebri and it causes headaches and messes up her vision. She sees a neurologist and an ophthalmologist. The brain thinks there is a tumor and the spinal fluid builds up and puts pressure on the optic nerve and causes the blurred vision. The fluid build up causes the headaches. If I were you I would google it and see if your daughter fits the symptoms and then make appointments. Hope everything works out fine for you and your daughter.

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G., I don't know if your daughter is experiencing what I have had from time to time, but it sounds very similar. I would start out by seeing "floaters" and then progress to having tunnel vision. Then my vision would become blurred, and it was almost like being really intoxicated. After about 5 minutes of this, I would get a really bad headache at the base of my head, just like you described with your daughter. When these happen, I lay down no matter where I am, even at work, because that's the only way to make it stop, from my experience. After I lay down for about 30 or 40 minutes, it's usually gone. I've only had this happen to me about 10 times in my life. I'm 28, and they started when I was 23. I went to an opthamologist, since most of my symptoms were visual, and he diagnosed me with Ocular Migranes. He said my eyes were completely fine, I have 20/20 vision and he said there wouldn't be anything he could see unless I was having one right when I went in for my appt. They are harmless from what I understand, and what seems to differentiate them from regular migranes is how short they are and the accompanying visual symptoms. Mine were usually completely gone in less than an hour. I tried to figure out what my triggers were, and for me it seemed to be low blood sugar (I'm not diabetic but slightly hypoglycemic), caffeine, and sometimes it seemed to be brought on by staring at the computer for too long. I don't know if those things actually contributed to bringing these on, or if it was just coincidence. I haven't had one for at least 6 months now. They come and go in clusters for me. Since I started having them, I will have 2 or 3 within a few months of each other, and then I won't have any for a year or more. I hope this helps, it's not based on anything other than my personal experiences and a diagnosis from one doctor-- I didn't ever seek a second opinion. I hope your daughter doesn't experience these too often, and that they go away soon.

J.

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

This may sound crazy but does she need braces. My son would have terrible headaches. He had a sever overbite and his teeth were to big for his head so 4 had to be removed so he could get braces. Once he got the braces his headaches went away. The dentist told me that when the teeth are out of alignment it could cause headaches because your jaw has to compensate for the teeth being out of alignment and causes headaches. So take her to the dentist, I would give you my son's dentist but he has retired. Our current dentist is Dr. Gruber of Artistic Dental in South Holland on 153rd and South Park I believe.

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H.M.

answers from Chicago on

I wear contacts and see well with them, but was having eye problems and headaches after focusing on something for too long. Maybe even though she seems to see well, her eyes get tired and then start to bother her. If it's this, she would probably have the most blurriness when going from focusing on one object that's close, to another that's farther away. I've been to very few eye dr's that pick up on this without me telling them about it. Hope you figure it out and she feels better soon!

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Good to hear the MRI was good.Have your eyes rechecked,& see an ENT Dr. to get her ears looked at they may do a balance study on her this also rules our brain tumors it's no fun.I had this done 2 years ago I get bad headaches as it is then my left ear was hurting nonstop then came on the dizzines blurred visions unsteady gate as if I was walking drunk but it wasn't that I really was that is how my body perceived me the equalibrium was out of balance so now I have positinal vertigo from TMJ yes my teeth has caused so not only seeing an eye Dr,ENT I would also make sure she isn't grinding her teeth or in need of a space device for night while she is sleeping I so need this but have yet to get one.Have you taken her to her DR?what has that DR said in regards to this situation?Also keep her hydrated she maybe getting tension headaches from stress,& from TMJ grinding her teeth it uses up musles down fromthe jaw bone down the neck.

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B.Z.

answers from Chicago on

What kind of doctor ordered and read the MRI? If it was a family doctor, bring the images and report to a neurologist if you can. Did you get an MRI of the neck, too? Herniated disks can cause the symptoms that you listed.

BTW, menstruation is one of the last symptoms of puberty. I wonder what impact hormones are making on her symptoms, especially considering the rather sudden onset. I recommend seeing an endocrinologist if nothing materializes with the brain/spine or eyes.

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

You've definitely gotten a lot of suggestions here already. Here's one I didn't see, but have had experience with--and it's a weird one: do the headaches come when she hasn't had a bowel movement for a while? This is totally TMI and I do apologize in advance, but I've seen extremely bad headaches (sometimes to the migraine level) at the back of the head that then start to wrap to the eyes when in the afore-mentioned situation. The main cure for that is...ummm...getting rid of the situation (if you catch my drift), plus Advil and a nap in a dark room.

I hope you're able to find some answers soon!

D.D.

answers from Chicago on

I have been suffering with headaches for 6 years now. I have also had an MRI and they said there is nothing wrong. I have tried some different medications. I have been diagnosed with migraines. Has she seen a neurologist? I also get the blurred vision. I have headaches in all areas of my head and in the front of my face. It stinks. My mom and grandma also had them. My daughter starting getting a few bad headaches before she started her period. And now that she has it, she has gotten a few too. Hope this helps.

Edit - I was reading some other answers here - I have my blood pressure and blood sugar checked twice a year and that doesn't cause my headaches, but everyone is different. I know my sinuses give me some bad headaches too. Especially when the seasons change. So that is also something to think about. There are so many different causes. I have done a ton of research on headaches. The internet is a good place to get alot of info!

A.T.

answers from Bloomington on

If I were in your situation, I would request for my daughter to see a neurologist!

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Yeah I'd definitely request a referral to a neurologist to rule everything out that they deal with. Then I'd look more closely at the range of migraines and figure out whether she is on the spectrum for that. I'd do another eye exam about 6 months after her last one.

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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

Maybe get her blood sugar checked... Wonky eyes can be a sign of diabetes, and headaches too... Is she really thirsty all of a sudden too?

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

Have they ruled out migranes? My daughter started getting them when she was about 16.

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

Just wondering, have you tried doing a search on the internet yet? Like maybe you can GOOGLE her symptoms. I'm sure there has to be other concerned moms out there going through the same thing and you may stumble on something. I would keep digging cause it has to be a reason for all of this.

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T.T.

answers from Chicago on

we carry a mitochondrail diesease in our family called LHON. lebers hereditary optic neuropathy. not easily diagnosed as you need genetic testing. my cousin was the first to show the signs in our entire memorable history. id talk to doctor about it as this is how it begins. there is a recent development that taking Idebenone right when symptoms appear can stop its progression ( to blindness) so please look into it!

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Have you talked with her doctor about a referral to a neurologist? I know migraines can sometimes cause the spots & blurriness. I'm not sure if the migraines are typically located at the base though. The neurologist may be a good place to start. I'm glad to hear that the MRI was normal. I'm sure that was scary for all of you. Good Luck & I hope she feels better soon. As someone who gets migraines, I know that headache pain can be terrible.

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