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Original poster

Headaches in younger teens

23 replies

chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 17:35

My 13 yr old has had a few bad headaches over the last couple of months - one in half term which then turned to nausea and lasted 3/4 days. Then a single evening after a hot day which resolved normally overnight. We've now been on holiday for 7 days and he's been feeling rubbish the whole time. Started with a headache that then turned to a few days of nausea (and actually sick after meals), then headache came back and hasn't shifted. Varies in intensity. Not so bad that he can't do stuff but I can tell he's not great.

Complete nightmare obviously as we're away (it's not super hot where we are) and it's ruining the holiday for him and us. But also obviously I'm so worried - why on earth isn't it shifting? Is it a migraine? I'll get him checked out when we get back - he says it's not bad enough to go home (and home is where it's scheduled to be v hot the next couple of days so don't really want to rush back there) - but calpol isn't making any difference. We've swapped our campsite booking for a lodge next week as the first 4 days camping was awful for him.

Or should we just go home? Every morning he feels better but then it gets worse as the day goes on.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 17/07/2022 17:39

Has he had a recent eye test? My DD was getting bad headaches and turned out she needed stronger glasses.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 17:43

Hmm no not recently but he doesn't seem to have any issues with eyes at school. Obviously his bloody phone is clamped 6 inches from his face which probably isn't helping...

OP posts:
mrsfoof · 17/07/2022 17:50

What dose of Calpol are you giving a 13 year old? Unless he's very small for his age, then it may not be a strong enough dose for basically a small adult-sized person.
I'd get some adult paracetamol and / or ibuprofen tablets. Check the packet but most are suitable for over 12s.
Obviously he needs to be checked out when you get home but in the meantime, things that can help:
Is he drinking enough? Or drinking too much? Does he wear sunglasses in the bright sunlight? Staring at a phone won't help so limit that too.

TeenDivided · 17/07/2022 17:51

Is he drinking enough? I find my teen has to be prompted.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 17:54

Yes re Calpol - he's not a small 13 yr old he's taller than me and I give him 15ml - he won't swallow pills unfortunately - completely refuses - can you get calpol for adults?!?

I've been making him drink as dehydration and heat were my first thoughts.

Can't wrestle the bloody phone off him.

OP posts:
Tronkmanton · 17/07/2022 17:56

Might be worth trying liquid ibuprofen as well, paracetamol doesn’t touch my headaches.

Pob13 · 17/07/2022 17:58

Horrific headache for a few days was the first symptom of covid for me and DH.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 17/07/2022 18:01

Have you tried treating it as a migraine as that's what it sounds like.
Calpol won't help.

BiggerBoat1 · 17/07/2022 18:03

Sounds like migraine to me. My DD had terrible migraines at about that age. She threw up and had to sleep it off. She seems to have grown out of them now she's 17.

Monoandsix · 17/07/2022 18:04

What's his caffeine consumption like?

It its a hot day is he drinking more water instead of caffeine?

junebirthdaygirl · 17/07/2022 18:05

Or has he had Covid recently. I still get headaches months after recovering

VioletCharlotte · 17/07/2022 18:16

This sounds like migraines OP. My DS suffered really badly when he was 12/13, I believe they're linked to puberty hormones. I would take him to the Drs, there's medication he can take when he feels a headache coming on.

VioletCharlotte · 17/07/2022 18:17

Sorry, just to clarify, I mean try and get a Drs apt where you're staying (are you in the UK?). If you call 111 they should get him in with a local GP.

seaUrchinOne · 17/07/2022 18:22

My 14yo gets them frequently, although the last episode was due to a bad ear infection. I think also it's mainly due to hormones.

RedCarsGoFaster · 17/07/2022 18:25

Sounds like a classic migraine to me. He needs to see a GP and it absolutely qualifies for an emergency appointment if it's ongoing at the time of you phoning them.

Assuming the GP agrees it's migraine, NICE guidance recommends ibuprofen for initial treatment, but if that isn't working, they should offer him a nasal spray triptan. They usually get to work within 15mins and I consider them literally life saving for me.

He should also be offered an anti-sickness medication because he vomits with the attacks. You can get buccal tablets which he tucks between the gum and lip which dissolve or patches (scopolamine) if he can't swallow pills.

In the interim, see a pharmacist - they can sell you liquid ibuprofen and advise on dose, or maybe a corner shop for a bottle of kids meds if you can't get to an OOH pharmacy.

Full details here:
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/young-people-aged-12-17-years/

easyday · 17/07/2022 18:32

Agree migraine. My daughter was off school for a month at about that age - crippling pain, couldn't stand the light. Three trips to GP two to A&E. GP said paracetamol or ibuprofen which did nothing. She's been on amitriplyline, some other stuff, no good. She's had two head and cervical spine MRI (one private as wait was four months). Physical therapy, chiropractor, even acupuncture. Nothing helped.
She's now 17 and they are no t so frequent or intense, but I also think she is more used to the pain.
Hopefully you will have better success when you return.

LegoLady95 · 17/07/2022 18:33

Sounds like migraine to me. My 13 year old started getting them last year. Debilitating and had to miss a few days of school. His dad and paternal grandmother get them too.
He had an eye test, all ok. GP prescribed him Sumatriptan to take at the onset. My son know when it is one of these migraines rather than a regular headache. The Sumatriptan work very well for him, especially if he takes them early, as soon as he feels it coming on.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 18:36

Thanks all - I was suspecting migraine as I've had them in the past and I do suffer from headaches frequently.

Currently he says its not blinding/lying in the dark style pain - more of a low level ache that won't shift. I will get ibruprofen tomorrow. And research local drs.

OP posts:
thanksamillion · 17/07/2022 19:09

Has he done a covid test? Some of that sounds like it could be covid symptoms.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 19:14

True - last time he had covid he had a headache but not as bad as this - only a couple of days. I don't have any tests with me - another thing I could seek out tomorrow.

OP posts:
mrsfoof · 17/07/2022 19:21

chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 17:54

Yes re Calpol - he's not a small 13 yr old he's taller than me and I give him 15ml - he won't swallow pills unfortunately - completely refuses - can you get calpol for adults?!?

I've been making him drink as dehydration and heat were my first thoughts.

Can't wrestle the bloody phone off him.

You can get soluble paracetamol (pop a tablet in some squash) and Nurofen Meltlets (ibuprofen). Probably more suitable for a teenager than Calpol.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 17/07/2022 21:39

Thank you - I will try these. He acts like we're trying to kill him by making him swallow regular meds...all the teen drama...🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
chalkyc2 · 19/07/2022 10:23

Update - found ibruprofen meltlets - for 12+ . He says not nice but better than swallowing pills! He took 2 last night and feels much better this morning - see how long it lasts...

OP posts:
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