To take DS to the GP again?

[Rosietru]

I don't want to be 'that' parent but...DS 14 has had a migraine since Sunday morning. Started with visual disturbances then headache across front of head. He slept on and off all day. Felt v sick.

Monday morning same, so took him to see advanced nurse practitioner, said to just continue with paracetamol and ibuprofen. She made me feel like an over anxious mother tbh.

Very quiet all day, not eating much and crying in the evening with the pain.

Today woke up feeling the same, very upset.

Temp slightly raised at 37.8 since yesterday.

He's had one migraine before last year, which lasted 36 hours.

Do I still carry on just waiting this out? He's not picked up his phone since Sunday morning, as an indicator.

I've never known a migraine to come with a temperature. More likely to be viral. You could take him back but honestly there's nothing they can do for that either so I'd be inclined to wait it out.

Keep an eye out for neck pain, rash etc but if no new symptoms, I'd personally allow the fever to spike and do its job. Keep him topped up on fluids and take painkillers if needed.

While you're exploring other options OP, also try a cold damp flannel across his forehead. DH told me about it once after I'd been suffering migraines for years and the relief it gave was a total surprise to me (and I hated to admit it to him that he was right about something!).

Your poor DS - hope he starts to feel better soon. Any teenager not wanting to pick up their phone in 48 hours must be feeling ill!

No idea what it was, but years ago, when I used to live in the US and got a migraine, my ex used to take me to the ER and they'd give me an injection of something which got rid of the migraine within an hour.

Not saying the GP will do that for your son, but there ARE medications which can stop a migraine in its tracks.

My mom wouldn't let us take aspirin as kids, and I still don't take it.

Follow this advice OP

Have you tried migralieve? It does work, it’s not just a painkiller. Migraines are horrible but unless you’re suffering them very regularly then there’s no point going to the GP, there’s over the counter stuff that can help. Obviously if he’s getting them every week then the GP needs to be involved with longer term solutions

It would help if PP RTFT to follow the line of conversation instead of jumping on one comment made as a part of many thereby unnecessarily clogging up the thread with their inane irrelevant thoughts

I feel for him. I get 3-day migraines every month and nothing really touches them. One thing that helps me is to lay my head on a hot water bottle! Some people say cold compresses helps but mine is heat (hot enough to burn my ear every time but it's worth it for the easing of the pain a little)

A migraine is not “just” a headache.

I suffer from migraines and an icepack can help numb the pain and distract the brain for a while. I have a heated eye mask that does the same which I alternate if I can stick it, a warm hot water bottle might work in a towel on the temple or forehead.
Very plain food like bread and butter can help get the meds through as my stomach stops digesting and the pain relief doesn't work.

Massage and pressure on the head can also help, tapping with tips of fingers..anything that just clears the mind for a second or two. Really long exhales and no inhale for as long as you can does the same and apparently deep breathing triggers the brain to stop.
Doctor if there's no improvement,good luck

RTFT

RTFT

RTFT

I was thinking meningitis, too. What age do kids get the Meningococcal vaccine there? Here it's between 11&12 and a booster at 16, so he'd be right in between the two.

You aren't wasting anyone's time taking him to be seen again. Do it. Its not just to 'get him seen' and help solve it - its also showing him you are taking him seriously. My eldest suffers from them (he just turned 18) and it knocks him out for days. This may not be a migraine, so as others have said, don't say that, just say severe head pain and temp.

OP, try Syndol original - from the pharmacy or online. Works wonders!

Best wishes.

I’m quite sure none of your comments are kind or helpful!! M

A migraine isn't "just a headache". It's actually a neurological event with a whole range of symptoms.

Op have you tried an antihistamine? My neurologist recommends antihistamines for migraine along with other patient-specific medication treatment.

I would contact 111 or your GPs again, there are other medications for migraine but I'm not sure what are suitable for teens.

I had a migraine for several days years ago. We tried everything. My Mum phoned the out of hours GP who said to go to A&E. I was given a painkiller by injection because of how long id had the migraine. Whatever it was was amazing. Felt a difference within 10 mins. Slept all the way home in the car felt like a different person when I got home.

Definitely seek medical advice there's other things a doctor can do for pain

Serous headache at the front of the head could br sinusitis. I've just recovered from it and my head felt like it was going to explode.

GP here, I would want to see him this afternoon.

As PP has said, state the symptoms (worst headache ever + mild fever + change in character), not the presumed diagnosis of migraine. These symptoms would go straight to the top of the triage list.

Anyone reading “migraine” on the triage list will presume this is an established diagnosis when it is not (yet) and so it will not be prioritised.

Please just do not be side-tracked by the assumption that this is definitely a migraine before ruling out other causes (however unlikely). You are correct to watch out for red flags but many of these are late signs - he still needs assessment even in the absence of these.

Best wishes to your son.

yes I was a bit miserable with my sinusitis end of last week, wasn't as bad as the OP's son though, I was able to pop out for extra stuff, but I did certainly feel a bit hot in the head and needed extra paracetamol. I had pressure and pain in my forehead.

Heat also works for me, too!

I used to get them every 2 weeks/month with my period, but since I changed jobs, they’ve all but stopped!! Just goes to show how much stress was affecting me. Are you particularly stressed?

@Rosietru

Two GPs have come on here now, and advised going back to doctors. I hope you have. Thinking of you and your poor boy.

Hopefully you've got an appt with the GP and you're getting some good advice. Best wishes to your poor son.

There are other bacterial strains too which aren't all vaccinated against. Viral meningitis isn't pleasant either but not the same risk level.

Please listen to the doctors on this thread and get him seen. As a migraine sufferer for many years, you usually get some respite over a few days (some of mine have last over 2 weeks rolling, but always with a break at some point) and never a fever.

Get him checked out by a doctor and don't mention 'migraine' unlss they do.