Ds, 19, what are these symptoms??

[medianewbie]

Violent vomiting for hours overnight so thought just bad dose of D&V. But very sore chest. Sore neck (glands like 2 hardboiled eggs). No temp but shivery.
Pale, clammy, massive headache not resolving with ibuprofen / paracetamol. Any ideas what it might be (covid?)
We are due on hols in 12 days (1st flight ever) & would really like him well.

Reasons to love mumsnet ❤️

@HellsBells67 that's hugely kind x I'm across the other side (& Dd wouldn't 'cope') but thank you so much. I've texted Dd that she can come here if she wants (cleared with staff). If not she'll manage with cereal & TV till after lunch by which time I hope we'll have ultrasound results.

Reasons to love Mumsnet indeed ❤
Thank all for the invaluable hand hold x

Or fear it …. Would you seriously actually allow a complete stranger from an anonymous forum to be alone in your house looking after your vulnerable 16 yo dd??

As lovely a gesture as it may be, it’s very misguided on all parts.

Can we not just accept it as a lovely gesture?

I believe it was a lovely gesture & am very appreciative. I've been sitting in a chair for 9.5 hours: you're all appreciated.

Indeed, completely agree with you.

dont worry, young people don't have heart attacks

God what an ignorant statement from a Dr. I went to school with a boy who collapsed playing football and died from a sudden cardiac arrest, aged 14.

Not wanting to scaremonger - but I echo PP’s that he’s in the best place OP. He was probably just trying to reassure you, but it’s just a totally untrue statement.

‘Hope you are both okay and are being well looked after. And that DS gets the right treatment for a swift recovery 💐

As I said, lovely gesture it may be .. but if a complete stranger stopped you in the street and asked to come into your house would you let them? Would you stop and pick up a random lone stranger in your car? ‘Stranger danger’ is the same no matter the format.

OP I hope you get answers for your ds soon, it’s a very worrying time for you all.

Troponin levels can sometimes be elevated in extreme cases of emotional stress. If you’re going through a divorce is your ds very stressed, does illness stress him?

Obviously keep an open mind, rarely young people can and do have heart attacks and the dr should be mindful of this.
Also vomiting is very common whilst having a heart attack.

Let's not derail this thread, which is one of support for @medianewbie

Many of us have very different views as to the relative risk of stranger danger .

Hope you get some answers soon for your ds @medianewbie

@Poolstream that is useful to know, thank you. He's had a difficult year.
The vomiting was violent & his chest was v sore. He's had grumbling chest pains for a few months (but wouldn't go to GP) & been absolutely exhausted.

Erm.... young people very much DO have heart attacks, as well as various other cardiac issues. There's a whole national charity set up for it, for a start.

I'd push back hard on that. If they don't think heart-attack, what is their suggestion for his really quite high, and rising, troponin level? Don't be passive - the NHS can be iffy unless you're able to press.

This 💯

@medianewbie this sounds similar to my ds (15 at the time). It was so scary his deterioration was rapid.
He was diagnosed with PIMS-TS which is a multi system inflammatory condition caused by Covid.
He had VERY high Troponin levels and ds was on high Dependency ward and fitted to a heart monitor for days and had scans etc and loads of blood tests.
All his joints swelled up and it affected his digestive system terribly. He’s been left with a sensitive digestive system but otherwise fully recovered.

@medianewbie just to add, it may be worth mentioning to the doctor as I’m still not sure how widely known it is. GOSH had really helpful information on their website and we were lucky that our local hospital had a consultant who suggested it when they were initially discussing numerous (and very scary) possible diagnoses.

Don’t leave him and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion or shout if they try to send you home of fob you off.

Thinking of you both, you must be very tired. Stay strong x

So difficult when you're seen by different doctors and they suggest different things .
Are there any posters on here that can advise the best approach in this situation?
OP you've said you'll pursue the scan so you're obviously prepared to tackle the system but I just thought support going through this might help
x

Agree with this comment. I've seen many extremely elevated troponin levels over the years after panic attacks/ when there's stress. The highest one I've seen was a patient who had taken ecstacy. The stress of vomiting/ dehydration or divorce could be the cause. Obviously the doctors need to rule out all other potential causes, but it could well be this, especially in a younger person.

He has a diagnosis of Clinical Anxiety & does have panic attacks (for years). I'm keen for him not to be stressed so I try to expedite that where I can. His Dad has a heart history & genetic cholesterol issues which I mentioned.

I am sorry I haven't read the whole thread but have read your messages OP. If they haven't already ask for MRI scan for the heart (not just X ray). I had myocarditis after Covid (approx 1 month after it) and i was really unwell / vomiting etc and also had similar pain to what you describe. Covid test then was negative because this was a few weeks later than the actual infection. I am not saying it's that but just that it won't show on an X ray usually (sometimes does) but it will show on MRI. Your poor boy. The grumbling chest pains sound to me like inflammation building up. Did he do anything particularly stressful in the days leading up to illness? Lots of cardio / night out etc?

Have they discharged him OP? I would 100% challenge that diagnosis and demand a referral to a cardiologist.

@medianewbie do not let them send you home with a diagnosis of 'anxiety' without him having scans. They did this to me (you are too young and fit for a heart attack) and I had to pay privately for an MRI which showed myocarditis.

I'm not leaving him. He's 6' 2, good eye contact & doing OK but can't advocate for himself. He has his Teddy bear with him (hidden in his bag but he knows its there, he wouldn't come without it)

Bless him. My son (15 nearly 16) would also bring a teddy, good eye contact etc but definitely can't advocate for himself either.