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Original poster

What the heck just happened and is it normal!

67 replies

Walkingandtalking · 19/03/2022 19:23

My 6 year old fell asleep on the couch this afternoon (she never normally sleeps in the day) she woke up fine but a little while later she suddenly started saying her head hurt and she was holding her screaming and crying and insisting on sitting in the dark. I managed to get some calpol in her and after about 20 minutes her headache eased and she is now lying in bed watching paw patrol. She seems a little flushed but otherwise ok at the moment since the calpol.

She has never had a headache before! And it started so suddenly! Is this normal for a childs headache? Should she be fine now? I was really worried when she was lying holding her head screaming!

OP posts:
Moomoo75 · 19/03/2022 21:59

Ask her to nod her head backwards and forwards then from side to side as far as she can. If stiff and sore it can be another sign of meningitis

WhiteJellycat · 19/03/2022 22:03

It could be a ear infection as my boy was like this with recurrent ear infections that caused sudden pain. I always took him to hospital via NHS direct just to be safe.

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 19/03/2022 22:27

Sudden headache was my first symptom of covid last week. I was negative lft in the morning sudden headache at 3pm and covid positive (doubled checked as covid in home and I was about to go to work)

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PeekabooAtTheZoo · 19/03/2022 22:30

My first migraine was at age 6 and it was just like this. Mine often started in my sleep as a child. Obv get her checked to discount anything else though.

PyongyangKipperbang · 19/03/2022 22:32

My first thought was meningitis. It definitely needs ruling out.

Strawberry33 · 19/03/2022 22:39

The people saying meningitis- it doesn’t just suddenly get better so safe to say you can stop scaring the woman now

CoastalWave · 19/03/2022 22:41

@Mediocrates

I'm one to downplay kids being unwell, but with a sudden and severe headache and aversion to light I'd be straight on to 111. Please bear in mind that the rash is often the last symptom to appear in meningitis; my brother developed the rash six hours after he lost consciousness (and lived to tell the tale, but it's not a risk worth taking!)

It'll probably turned out she slept awkwardly on her neck or something, but I'd check it out with a professional anyway

My brother (age 2 at the time) never developed a rash. At all. He was on life support for 2 days. Brain damaged after.

The aversion to light would bother me with the sudden pain onset.

Please see a Doctor asap.

changenametimeagain · 19/03/2022 22:47

Hope everything is okay OP Thanks

Verity226 · 19/03/2022 22:52

How is she doing OP?

Katya213 · 19/03/2022 22:55

This is exactly how covid started for my lo.

dipdye · 19/03/2022 22:55

Def call for advice. Seems a bit odd.

Any other symptoms? Loss of appetite, etc??

thisismadness77 · 19/03/2022 23:00

Hope she’s ok.

ElectricFlower · 19/03/2022 23:03

Covid test and then phone 111 for advice. You’ll probably end up being seen, but the covid test will help rule stuff out

CPL593H · 19/03/2022 23:07

Do get urgent advice as suggested but if (fingers crossed) all is well, get her eyes checked. My childhood migraines started at that age and were extremely painful, there are better scans etc now obviously.

Sswhinesthebest · 19/03/2022 23:14

Hope she’s ok.

Thewindwhispers · 19/03/2022 23:18

Call 111. If you can get through ☹️

Keep a look out for meningitis symptoms just in case.

Fingers crossed it’s just some weird virus. 🤞

Rainbowsandstorms · 19/03/2022 23:43

The rash is one of the very last symptoms of meningitis so if you ever suspect this it’s important not to wait for a rash. I hope she’s now ok and / or you’ve spoken to someone.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 19/03/2022 23:47

Why are you posting on the internet instead of calling a doctor or 111?

Rachie1973 · 19/03/2022 23:52

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

Why are you posting on the internet instead of calling a doctor or 111?
Don’t be mean, sometimes people just need a bit of help to decide which way to step.

OP, my daughter had viral meningitis. Much less serious but starts similarly. I’d definitely seek 111 advice. X

Papayamya · 19/03/2022 23:53

I'd get it checked out too.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 20/03/2022 00:00

@Rachie1973 I'm not being mean, just practical.

randomjo · 20/03/2022 00:11

My daughter's migraines started out of the blue like this age 7. Horrendous but not dangerous. But of course it could be covid or otherwise. Hope your dd is sleeping soundly now OP

Holskey · 20/03/2022 00:25

Hope you sought medical advice and your daughter's okay. The rash is actually a very bad sign so, as others have said, never wait for one to appear if other symptoms are present.

EbbandTheWanderingHearts · 20/03/2022 00:26

My DS started getting migraines at 6. He would scream with the pain. It's always worth seeking medical advice if you're worried about your child though.

EmJay19 · 20/03/2022 00:56

I was like this with concussion.
I was told at a&e that if I’d been sick that would make it really concerning