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Original poster

DD (14) getting daily, low level headaches. Keep me off Google please!

34 replies

MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 11:27

Hi,

I have already made an appointment, but it isn't for a couple if weeks. I have to say, I'm getting increasingly worried and not sure if I shouldn't try and get her in for an emergency appointment next week.

I thought maybe it was a sinus related headache, as she was initially complaining of jaw pain and pain in her cheekbone and above her eyes, but now it seems to have moved to the back of her head, on one side at the top. It's not debilitating, more niggly. Needing a paracetamol every other day, so not severe, but just doesn't seem to be going away.

No blurry vision or nausea. This is her only symptom. She finished her period a couple of days ago and said it was heavier than usual, so wondering if it's hormonal. I'm certainly hoping!

I think I'm worried because the pain now seems to be moving around and as I say, has been going on for a couple of weeks now.

Would you be worried? Should I just wait and see at this stage?

TIA

OP posts:
Butterchunks · 30/10/2021 11:34

Has she had her eyes tested recently? A trip to the opticians might be needed.

Original poster
MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 11:45

@Butterchunks, I'm pretty sure she had an eye test at school last year, but should probably book her in for a proper appointment at the opticians.

OP posts:
Tickledtrout · 30/10/2021 11:48

Get an eye test but if not that then...Stress? Posture? Grinding her teeth - dentist would notice that?

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Tickledtrout · 30/10/2021 11:50

Optician would pick up anything sinister btw and refer to neuro. No need for Dr Google

Loopyloulou007 · 30/10/2021 12:00

Try getting them to drink more water in the interim. Headaches are sometimes down to dehydration. Also my a Rambo headband. Get the belt off of dressing gown, fabric one and tie it around your head, just above your ears and where the head meets the neck at the back. Tie it tight, the point to which the headache is eased, the person with the headache will let you know when. Leave on for 10 minutes and the pressure is released. Obviously a stay in cure, as doesn't look good, but having a headache doesn't feel good either. Give it a whirl, will be surprised.

Original poster
MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 12:03

@Tickledtrout, her posture is quite bad actually. I have picked her up on it lots of times, but she soon slumps back into to banana back Confused Stress could definitely be a factor.

OP posts:
clatterclatter · 30/10/2021 12:04

Could she be clenching her teeth? I do this when stressed (and actually all the time at the moment) and it gives me a permanent low level headache

Northernsoullover · 30/10/2021 12:05

Could it be hormonal? I was never without a headache between 14 - 18. My sons get them frequently too. We get regular optician visits to be sure.

Original poster
MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 12:06

@Loopyloulou007, thanks for the tips. I think I may have heard of that rambo trick before actually. I'm sure she would give it a go.

OP posts:
SiulaGrande · 30/10/2021 12:08

Feet in a tub of hot as she can bear it water (I keep topping it up from the kettle). Gets blood flowing away from her head. Works with us, for tension headache. Worth a try as nothing lost if it doesn't.

HandScreen · 30/10/2021 12:09

She prob needs glasses

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 30/10/2021 12:10

Always start with an eye test when you have headache as the primary symptom. We all spend a lot of time on screens which even with perfect eyesight can lead to headaches.

If nothing is found at the eye test then the next things I would think would be:

  • is she getting enough sleep
  • is her diet good - too much caffeine/sugar can cause headaches
  • teeth/jaw

There are lots of low level, easily resolvable reasons why she could be getting daily headaches before you start getting to big scary reasons.

Original poster
MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 12:10

@clatterclatter, I haven't noticed her doing this, but she could be doing it in her sleep I guess and she is generally quite an anxious person, so is perhaps doing it in the day and I haven't noticed.

@Northernsoullover, that was my initial guess, but it's the fact it keeps moving around that made me a bit more concerned.

OP posts:
Tickledtrout · 30/10/2021 12:10

Does the headache gets worse during the day? Most likely stress/posture. There are neck specific exercises like chin retraction - Google 'nhs neck pain'. Bad in the morning the possibly overnight teeth grinding.
Anything you can encourage on the swimming/yoga/pilates/dance front is worthwhile. Dentist and optician can help an awful lot ime.

HazelandChacha · 30/10/2021 12:12

[quote MrsStressyHead]@Butterchunks, I'm pretty sure she had an eye test at school last year, but should probably book her in for a proper appointment at the opticians.[/quote]
I didn’t think they actually did sight test beyond primary school.

Original poster
MrsStressyHead · 30/10/2021 12:16

@SiulaGrande, I've never heard of that. Shall give it a go - thanks!

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo, she possibly doesn't get quite enough sleep and probably has a bit too much sugar. Not loads though, as I'm quite hot on it.

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 30/10/2021 13:45

It probably hasn’t been going on long enough but you can get in to a cycle of needing painkillers: www.nice.org.uk/news/article/overuse-of-painkillers-can-make-headaches-worse

Muchtoomuchtodo · 30/10/2021 13:52

I’m waiting for some dental work to be done and am getting way more headaches than usual.

I would start with trying to get her seen by an optician and a dentist while you’re waiting for the GP

You could also ask a pharmacist if she can try some decongestants

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 30/10/2021 14:30

I second a trip to the dentist. My DD had terrible headaches and it turned out that she was grinding her teeth. She now has a tooth guard and the headaches have gone.

Muitolegal · 30/10/2021 14:32

My daughter had the same, headaches daily for 6 months and it turned out to be hayfever!

Orangetractor · 30/10/2021 14:36

I had this exact thing, low level headaches all the time (mostly on the right hand side) and it turned out I needed glasses, it was someone else who suggested an eye test to me because I use screens a lot and never needed glasses in my childhood or early adulthood. I'm 29 and this was a few months ago, it was only a teeny adjustment needed and I only need them for screens but glad to say the headaches have gone away. Funnily enough I was at work this week and forgot to wear my glasses for about 4 days and the headaches came back.

ColinTheKoala · 30/10/2021 14:37

Lots of possible non-sinister explanations OP and a few things to try:

bad posture - sports massage

eye strain - check with optician

hormonal headaches - less easy to deal with as you'd have to manage to get a GP appointment but definitely a possibility

and also checking with dentist as well

Also make sure she drinks enough and try a magnesium supplement

ColinTheKoala · 30/10/2021 14:38

Oh I have just seen you do have a GP appointment.

YellowMonday · 30/10/2021 15:34

I agree on posture. Has she grown recently?

I only ask as I had bad headaches from 13-14, from growing too fast. My muscles couldn't keep up and keep holding up my frame. And I was incredibly fit as a national level swimmer.

Turned out I needed to wear a soft brace for about a year. On/off for a couple of hours a day. It helped to retrain my body and the support sorted out the headaches.

YellowMonday · 30/10/2021 15:35

And has your daughter had the scoliosis check?

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