Connor’s headache has been consuming all of our time and energy the past two weeks.  We really feel that it has something to do with the strep throat he had a month ago, therefore we have been keeping a timeline for reference.

3/6 – sore throat started

3/9 – did a throat swab

3/10 – positive strep test result, and given amoxicillin once daily for 10 days

3/14 – saw a doctor as sore throat continued with no improvement – we were told that everything checked out fine and to finish up the course of antibiotics

3/15 – Ear hurt, just for one day.  Connor attributed it due to the exam.

3/18 – Day 9 of antibiotics – last dose since supply went out but throat still hurt

3/20 Sun – Throat finally stopped hurting.  But same day he cut his upper palate with a tortilla chip at a party and complained of pain for two days

3/27 Sun – Connor complained that his head hurt after waking up in the morning

3/28 Mon – Saw his doctor and the physical neurologic exam checked out fine

3/31 and 4/1 – Tried Claritin daily – no improvement

4/2 – Tried decongestant phenylephrine 3 times in a day – no improvement

Had been giving ibuprofen, Tylenol, ice or warm compresses the past days with no improvement

4/3 Sunday – Called for a telephone appointment in the morning.  Doctor suggested going to emergency room to be evaluated for a CT scan.  So we went all together after the musical.  The NP at ED felt that Connor had a sinus infection, therefore prescribed Zithromax for five days and did not feel the need for CT.  We were there at the hospital close to 2 hours in all. 

4/4 Monday – Updated primary care doctor who also consulted with a neurologist. They agreed to treat for a sinus infection but suggested changing to Augmentin for 10 days. Neurologist also recommended starting a headache preventive medicine Periactin nightly.  Bedtime the past couple of days had been very difficult; it took close to 2 hours and Connor finally fell asleep in our bed.

4/5 – On top of other meds, also gave Benadryl and Connor fell asleep a bit easier (1 hr instead of 2)

4/6 – Head still hurt – Connor reported hurting more at computer lab

4/7 – head still hurt. Connor reported "little throw up in his mouth ". He fell asleep in his own bed. Yay!

4/8 – For the first time in days, Connor reported in the morning that his head hurt slightly less, at a 1-2 out of 5. But after school he said it had become 3 out of 5 again. He was complaining more in the evening, but the good news was that he was able to fall asleep quickly in his own room.

4/9 – Connor confirmed that his head still hurt the same, at 3 out of 5.  He said being in bright light might make it 3-4 out of 5. We thought he seemed to complain less throughout the day but the complaints were frequent again at bedtime.  Fortunately he was still able to fall asleep not long later.

    We all are frustrated that his headache still has not shown a big improvement.  But at least Connor could fall asleep a bit easier the past few nights.  Prior to that was very hard to watch Connor being irritated and in pain.  He would not lay down or close his eyes as it would hurt more, and he was so frustrated sometimes that he would hit his head with a pillow.