Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

When to worry dd headache.

46 replies

Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 21:10

Late last night she started to look grey.
This morning headache but managed to get into school one calopol melt (14).
Came home at 12.
Calpol helped.
At 8pm she seemed looking unwell headache still front of head... More Calpol ok ish again.
No temp no rash.

OP posts:
SilverHairedCat · 04/01/2022 21:18

Covid test?
That's a very low dose of paracetamol - can she have more? Or ibuprofen as well?
Hot shower - is it her sinuses that are hurting her?
Plenty of water to drink
Ice pack or heat pack, depending on what makes her feel better
Any history of migraine in the family?

KurtWilde · 04/01/2022 21:21

One calpol melt is a very small dose (6-9yo dosage). My DD11 has 2, and at 14 they can have 2-3 tablets. Also needs to be regular so every 4 hours to really start getting to work on the headache.

One of the worst bits of covid (aside from loss of taste and smell) was the dreadful headache. I'd test tbh.

Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 21:28

She had covid back in early Oct and jabbed December I think?
Two lat flows and negative

She's had two Calpol tabs now.
Yes I do get migraines.

How long though until I call someone? If it's still there tomorrow?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health General health
SilverHairedCat · 04/01/2022 21:32

If she's so incapacitated by it that she can't go to school, I'd contact the GP to discuss the possibility of migraine and a need for alternative medication.
Does she have any other symptoms that point towards migraine? Nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, dizziness, anything like that?

If it's just a mild headache that responds to regular paracetamol, I couldn't get worked up about it, especially if she goes to school with it and takes the pills with her (assume she's allowed them at her age).

Missingjigsawpuzzle · 04/01/2022 21:33

If she can't sleep for pain after taking proper dose of painkiller and allowing 30-40 mins to take effect then I'd be inclined to ring 111 (or just take her to A&E) as it would indicate significant pain

If she sleeps ok but still has headache tomorrow that hasn't eased up then I'd seek GP advice or 111

My daughter gets significant headaches but they go away with sleep and painkillers and within a day. I'd be concerned if not hence my post above (and I say that as a migraine sufferer)

ffscovid · 04/01/2022 21:35

A 14 year old having 1 Calpol melt? My small 10 year old has a whole adult paracetamol! Why is she having (young) child doses of paracetamol? If she's in pain then she should be medicated appropriately. For a 14 year old, that's 750mg paracetamol: 1 1/2 x 500mg tablets (or 3 x Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts if she must have children's medicine).

Without overdosing, give her a proper dose when it's next due and then get her tested for Covid (headache is a prevalent symptom for Omicron). If no relief with a proper dose of paracetamol, speak to Dr. Make sure she's drinking enough as dehydration will make it worse.

CombatBarbie · 04/01/2022 21:35

I'd be giving her adult doses for a start. When I had a "migraine" in Oct when the kids had covid, the only thing that worked for me out of my wide pain relief cabinet, was anadin on day 3 of 4.

It could be a migraine if you suffer with them, it could be what I had.... Kids positive on covid, all my lfts and 1 PCR were all negative. I wanted to rip my own head off. 111 just advised plenty fluids and pain relief.

Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 21:41

It was only one melt because that's all we could find we stocked up more today.

She's had two now and a third by her bed.
I think I recall awful migraines when younger.
But she's 14 and not really had headache issues before.

OP posts:
Doidontimmm · 04/01/2022 21:44

I don’t think you have given her enough medication at all if it’s a bad headache. I’d make sure she has had a proper dose before contacting a doctor, could it be hormonal at all?

GoodnightGrandma · 04/01/2022 21:47

Is it period related ?

ffscovid · 04/01/2022 21:48

She needs to take a full dose in one go, not 1 or 2 and then try a third to top up.

Wait until 4 hours have passed from whenever she last took a tablet and then give her a full dose to see if that helps.

SaintDrogo · 04/01/2022 21:49

Hormonal migraine possibly?

CassieJumped · 04/01/2022 21:50

Is she due on?

fantasmasgoria1 · 04/01/2022 21:54

Sounds like when I first started with migraines!

Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 22:01

Yes she's started period, I get mine before but she's actually started.

She's perked up now and had lots of liquid etc.
She's had two and a third for night.

As an aside I wonder if they did a trial on sick teens trying to access one? They are nigh impossible to open and extremely sharp!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 22:02

Tomorrow am will try the full three.

OP posts:
confusednortherner · 04/01/2022 22:05

Dd is 15 and has started getting awful headaches before periods, gp told us full adult dose of paracetamol and also ibuprofen at same time . I'd try a dose of ibuprofen to give her proper relief.

mummyof2boys30 · 04/01/2022 22:09

Syndol orginal is the only medication that clears a bad headache for me. Not sure what age they can't be taken from

KurtWilde · 04/01/2022 22:12

She definitely needs 3 all in one go not stepped like that. Ibuprofen on top if needs be. When my eldest DD started with them at 10 the chemist said you really need to get in there quick to curb the pain before it develops.
GP completely useless and said because of her age he couldn't give her anything stronger. She's early 20s now and been on proper migraine management since she was 18.

Youngest DD11 has started getting an occasional migraine now, usually around the time of her period. Calpol usually sorts them out.

Hopefully she'll be back to normal tomorrow OP, if not then a call to the GP won't hurt.

ISmellBurnings · 04/01/2022 22:16

You need to be giving her the full dose for her age, not bit and bobbing with it as there’s a risk you’ll lose count of what you’ve given her. No more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Try some ibuprofen as well, stagger with the paracetamol. I get headaches before my period too.

I know she’s had covid but my DC had headaches with covid as did all their friends. Which was news to test and trace Hmm

Xx1d1xX · 05/01/2022 03:42

Did she suffer from headaches or sinus issue when she had COVID back in October at all?

My DD10, myself and partner all had COVID at the end of November and have been getting random headaches coming and going since then. All sharp, behind the eye pain. I have suffered from migraines in the past and they are somewhat similar to that pain. DD and partner never had anything like this prior so seems related to this.

They are not as intense as they were when we had COVID but definitely seems to be a lingering aftermath symptom we've experienced. We have treated it with paracetamol and adding ibuprofen if still there in between paracetamol doses. We've not really had to use the ibuprofen since we had COVID but know it helps lift it if necessary.

I would agree that you have to get on top of the headache as soon as it starts and treat every 4 hours with paracetamol for the first 24 hours at least. If it's that bad don't be waiting for the pain to return before thinking of another dose of paracetamol (obvs 4 hours apart). A doctor told me for paracetamol to be effective you should be using consistently every 4 hours for it to work. Obviously not taking it unnecessarily but if she is having headache pain I would treat for 24 hours consistently and reassess after that.

There is also food groups that can help implemented into her diet longer term. Almonds is one that comes to mind for helping with headaches but lots of other available too. Might be something to consider if she starts to get them often. Might help alongside medication.

Good luck and hope she feels better soon.

betwixtlives · 05/01/2022 03:50

Why are you giving her calpol melts at all? Rather than normal paracetamol?

Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 05/01/2022 10:22

@betwixtlives

She can't swallow tablets!!

She's feeling a bit better headabxe wise had three Calpol but... Said she feels very tired and weak?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newyearoldyou · 05/01/2022 10:28

Could it be an iron issue??

OP posts:
KurtWilde · 05/01/2022 10:38

Sounds like she's coming down with something OP. My eldest DD just had covid again and hers was mainly headache, tired and weak feeling. I'd be testing her tbh.