DD waking in night with sudden headache

[Mayhemmumma]

DD 12 had a period of time a few months ago where she had very sudden, very painful headaches which lasted a few intense minutes (day time). Twice in a month she got sent home from school which was very unusual.

The stopped soon after and occasionally she'll complain of dull headache when tired but nothing awful.

Late last night she woke with a searing headache and blurred vision it took over an hour for it to settle but she did go back to sleep with calpol and water.

I called 111 when she woke and they spoke with her and then got a dr to call me half an hour later. Having another call with gp tomorrow.

Could this be hormone related as she's recently started periods. She drinks plenty of water and isn't otherwise unwell. Is susceptible to occasionally fainting.

My mum has recently had brain cancer so immediately this thought popped into my head even though I know there could be lots of other reasons. It seemed very sudden and random and clearly very painful.

Anyone have experience of being woken in night with a headache?

Could be hormonal migraines. Ibuprofen should get rid of it pretty swiftly, paracetamol won't if it is a migraine. I've been woken many a time by a migraine. If paracetamol gets rid of it then it probably isn't a migraine. I would take her to the docs though to get it checked out.

Personally I would get it checked out by a doctor. When DD 14 started getting migraines which are also hormonal it was the headaches that waked her in the night that was the red flag for an MRI scan even after having them for about a year without them waking her in the night. MRI came back clear but it’s so much better to be safe than sorry

does she clench her teeth? Is she stressed? What is her posture like?

@DelilahBucket thank you, sorry to hear you get woken up. Only had ibruprofen to hand last night and it didn't seem to work easily and pain persisted.
I called 111 today, then spoke to dr and speaking to another doc tomorrow.

@Aglassaday I'm pleased they took the symptoms seriously- maybe my DD will get MRI? I have spoken to 111, a dr and another dr is calling tomorrow.

@Ozanj interesting she has a wisdom tooth appearing which was annoying her - maybe it's related?
She can internalise stress and worry but last night seemed ok.

glad you’re getting it sorted, would definitely push for an MRI even if they’re reluctant

It usually takes a good hour to work, it isn't quick. It is interesting about the tooth, as I get migraines with tooth pain too. That is different to clenching your jaw though, which also causes them. A dentist can diagnose this. It tends to happen at night with jaw clenching/grinding so she wouldn't even know she was doing it.

I truly hope it is not and it’s just a nasty hormonal kick…given her age check if it might be the early start of Cluster Headaches. I would not wish them on anyone but they will wake you suddenly from sleep and I would hate to imagine any young teen was trying to cope with those thinking they could not cope with ‘headaches’.

Glad to hear you are getting checked. She will need an MRI scan asap, waking in the night with headaches is one of the red flag signs consultants ask for with the threshold for MRI xxx

My daughter was waking up with headaches. I took her to the optician and she had raised pressure behind her eyes. We went to hospital and had tests and MRI and there was nothing sinister, she had to have a lumbar puncture to bring the pressures down and was discharged.

I was going to suggest cluster headaches too. Worth @Mayhemmumma keeping the possibility in mind because they're excruciating, and it can be difficult to get a diagnosis.

Gosh ok I'll book an eye test, she was seen in August and all fine but worth another check.

I don't know anything about cluster headaches so I'll look into this thank you.

@crazycatladie that sounds really frightening but glad all is ok.

Update; GP said don't worry about it, keep an eye on her, didn't want to see her.

Trust your gut OP, do you feel satisfied the gp wasn’t concerned. Ask for a second opinion if not esp if they persist or for a prescription of headache tablets