Teen DD persistent headache

[Spiralcar]

Here to whinge into the internet because I can't let it all out elsewhere. DD has had a headache for over 3 weeks. Nothing helps. It is sometimes worse, sometimes better but never not there. She can sometimes do her hobbies or go to school but then crashes - hasn't managed more than 2 days in a row at school. Have done everything suggested by the GP to no avail. Now waiting for blood test, eye test and paeds referral. Wish she would wake up tomorrow feeling better. Feel sad that I can't fix everything.

All of this . My son developed what I now no as chronic intractable migraines in his early teens also with cyclical vomiting . A migraine could last for 5wks or more at a time . Too long a journey to tell all but once we reached the specialist pain clinic in GOSH we found a treatment that changed his life. It was suspected from the begining that it was all triggered by hormones . 3 years later and late teens he rarely needs treatment and is virtualy pain free. So in the end it was hormone related.

Ok thanks both, I'll sleep on it but maybe cancel the private appt in the morning unless it has any real advantages. I only booked it because the NHS wait was so long. Will follow the advice above. Hope we will also find a treatment that works.

And yes both appts are with paed consultants so we'll see about onward referral.

Hm consultant thinks tension headache, don't worry about it, go outside and get some vitamin D, it's not uncommon in teen girls, etc. No treatment offered. They will phone in 6 weeks to see how we're doing. I have to say though, despite everything DD has seemed perkier the last few days. So maybe the reassurance will help? Glad it's half term next week anyway.

Nearly 5 months on. Persistent headache eased but still regular with frequent visual disturbances and headaches keeping her off school about 1 day a week. We were told to assume everything was a migraine and go in harder with Triptans but with no real improvement. At her appointment a fortnight ago we were given Propranolol which really seemed to help! Woo! But after 10 days we've had to pause due to an unlikely but possible adverse reaction (skin). We are waiting for that to resolve before trying propranolol again. If no further reactions we will persevere with that as it seemed so positive. If she's sensitive to it we'll have to try to find an alternative....

How are you getting on?

This is very similar to my 17 year old son, started headache in March. Just been prescribed propranolol which seems to be helping and diagnosed with new daily persistent headache.

Diagnosis was delayed as the eye test showed up and unrelated problem which needed surgery (good we found it but nothing to do with the headaches!).

So much school missed now. Nice to read about someone else in the same boat -though obviously would rather your daughter wasn't iykwin.