DD headaches? Should I see a doctor?

[sharkss]

DD (12) has been complaining of headaches, and having her vision go spotty for a few seconds and then return straight to normal. She has never actually fainted, but has felt like she is about to multiple times. I think she might just be tired as her sleep schedule since the holidays started is rather questionable, I have advised her to sleep and drink water, but has anyone seen this before, and does anyone have any advice. Anything would be appreciated as I have no idea what is going on and NHS waiting lists are so long, I don’t particularly want to wait in a flu-ridden waiting room if I don’t have to.

See a doctor OP.

I am trying to book an appointment- do you know what this might be?

It's worth booking an eye examination, too.

They're often a first port of call for GPs when headaches are a symptom- even if it's not prescription related (which I doubt this is- it sounds like migraines with aura), they'll want her to have the back of her eyes checked to rule out a few different things.

If you book an optician's appointment, specify that it's for headaches. Our GP told us to do this when we rang about our DS - it's a longer appointment and they do more detailed tests.

Sounds like classic migraine with visual aura. See a GP. No need for neurology referrals as the first instance.

Agree with seeing the opticians- they are very thorough and will refer you on if necessary.

Does sound like it could well be migraine. Worth a GP appointment. Also well worth getting her eyes checked.

Does she spend a lot of time on screens?

incredible coincidence - have a specsavers appointment booked soon so thank you!

Not very much - I limit her phone usage

See the GP, but these were the classic symptoms I had with migraines in my teens as my hormones changed.

Yes, see GP. And if the headaches don't go keep going back.

UPDATE
I questioned her a little further to see how bad the headaches were etc. she is now saying that the headaches don’t come every time but the dizziness and the black spots do (I thought she meant her vision blurred, not black spots) little bit more concerned now, but still she has never actually fainted from this. V confused

Is it on suddenly standing up? Maybe postural hypotension? And that can sometimes actually trigger a migraine.

Does she track her periods? It might not be period related, but I would recommend tracking the symptoms against period details so that you can spot any patterns. I use the clue app which allows you to add additional assumptions stuck as dizziness and headache. I also use the migraine buddy app to track neurological symptoms in more detail.

(Background, my prodrome symptoms include tingling, dizziness and aura and can occur one week before period, at start and end of period and at ovulation).

The National Migraine Centre is an excellent resource, here's the link to their page relating to children and adolescents:

https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/understanding-migraine/factsheets-and-resources/migraine-in-children-and-adolescents/

You should probably speak to someone but I think it's extremely common in teenage girls. I had it and my daughters too.

We're obviously all guessing here but any problems with blood pumping up adequately can do this.

I have POTS. It means the vessels/ nerves pumping blood up to the brain particularly when standing are rubbish or a bit slow.

I drink large quantities of water with electrolytes to help. I'm talking up to 3 litres a day. It makes a difference.

It's worth reading up online because the medical profession are clueless about this.

It's very common in people who are hyper mobile.

I've had this forever..no cause found apart from optician said im short sighted. Tbh my glasses have since helped the symptoms!

Sounds like standing up too quickly?

Mine had this and it was low iron