Are my son's headaches real or is he imitating me?

Cortney,

Please do not doubt your sons headpain. Remember what it has been like for you. I would make some notes on his daily schedule of activities and take that info in to his doctor. I believe also that you should explain ahead of time to your Doc's main phone nurse about the situation so the doc is aware of your concerns before seeing your son. I also would leave your son and his doc alone for a bit so the doc can speak with your son without your presence.

It is a great possibility that your son may have inhereted your genetic makeup for migraines.  Hopefully not though.

Hope all will get better....Marlene  

Hi Cortney,

Some stats for you: if a child has one parent with Migraine disease that child has a 50% of getting Migraines, if both parents have Migraines then the chance goes up to 75%.

Migraines can begin as early. Here are some ideas for you: does he need to lay down in a dark room? Does he stop all activity? Any stomach upset? Light or sound sensitivity? You may want to ask your son to draw how his head feels -  kids can express themselves better through drawing how they feel.

We have a Migraine diary you can download HERE to keep track of your son's Migraine. Adolescent Migraine  has information you can apply to younger children too. If he complains about the "worst headache he has ever had" he needs to go to the ER right away, as anyone else would. Ask him to be part of the Migraine diary, helping keep track of his head pain for a few months, then check with a doctor. Or if they get worse or you just don't feel comfortable - please contact your doctor.

Good luck

Nancy