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Original poster

Need a handhold - son in hospital

544 replies

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 31/05/2025 00:20

Took him to A&E yesterday as he fell at the gym and we thought he had broken his wrist (thankfully just a sprain) however during their examinations they were worried about his circulation as his hands and lower arms were going blue and were cold to the touch, they advised we needed to make an appointment with his GP for further investigation.

Managed to get a GP appointment for 3pm today as the hospital suspect he could possibly have Raynaud's syndrome/disease

GP took his blood pressure and it was 177/127 , they thought the machine was faulty so got a another one and it was the same.

We had to take him straight to A&E, they’ve been trying to get bloods for the last 6 hrs but his veins keep collapsing and are unable to obtain his bloods, 2 doctors and 3 nurses have all tried with all sorts of needle sizes/cannulas etc… even with a vein scan machine, he’s been poked and prodded more times than we an count,

They’ve done a serious of tests, ECG, blood pressure cuffs on his arms and lower legs every 60 mins.

His only symptoms are some slight dizziness and some blurred vision, because of this they carried out a test where they turned the lights off and shown a torch in his eye… however the drs body language changed, she went and got her senior doctor to look and they redone the test.

We were then told to wait in the room as they needed to speak to a more senior doctor.

We were then put into a room, nurse came in about 45 mins later and advised he was being admitted, we asked why and she said has no one told you anything and we said no.

Doctor has come in and said DS is being transferred to another hospital, either tonight or tomorrow morning, he needs to see an specialist eye doctor , he also needs a urgent CT scan, possibly MRI and a heart scan as his ECG has shown some concerns and did we know he had a heart murmur.

They also need to get his bloods urgently somehow.

I’m not naive, I know what they are suspecting, I just need to be positive and hopefully the scans show nothing.

OP posts:
FormerlySpeckledyHen · 31/05/2025 07:32

I hope you have someone there to support you OP.

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 31/05/2025 07:37

Azandme · 31/05/2025 06:55

Sending strength and love.

My dd was admitted with a similarly high bp in March, transferred to another major hospital, and had every test possible.

Most hospitals don't have paediatric nephrologists, and (I didn't know this prior) BP is renal. She was also seen by paeds neurology consultant, paeds opthalmology consultant, paeds cardiology consultant, paeds radiology consultant.

Found some incidental spinal issues that are now being investigated by neurology, and got her bp down with medication. Cause not yet known, but they ruled out a LOT of things once she was in the major hospital that they simply couldn't do in our local hospital. She's under ongoing consultant care there, and they are AMAZING.

It's terrifying, but they send them where the facilities and specialists are. Fingers crossed for you both.

Edited

Sorry your dd is going through this as well, and luckily everything sinister was ruled out, sounds very similar to what ds is experiencing, how did your dd deal with it all? ds seems OK, very quiet tho.

Is your dd on BP medication for life? As I’ve heard once your on meds they don’t take them off you?

We are being transferred to the nearest children’s hospital (RVI Newcastle) sometime today, a few more tried to take his bloods overnight but failed, they got a specialist nurse who normally gets blood out a stone and works with premature babies and even she couldn’t.

Good news is he’s been lying down for the last 4 hours and his BP has went down to 145/75, still high but definitely lower.

Had a somewhat “judgemental” nurse ask if he was talking drugs/steroids for recreational usage, when he said no, she looked at him and said well you are obviously very muscular which is not “normal” for a child your age….I had to step in and say he doesn’t even touch alcohol… she walked out by saying when they get his bloods drawn they will obviously 🙄 find out then… DS pipped up clearly annoyed stating, you’ll find nothing 🙈

I need to lower his BP not raise it, certainly ask, but ask without the judging.

Ds managed a few hrs sleep around 4am this morning , I’ve been nodding , we’re in the QE children’s ward and unfortunately lots of poorly children.

OP posts:
BeethovenNinth · 31/05/2025 07:42

Handhold OP. Has he been otherwise well recently? Even a virus could have knocked things out of whack. Keeping all crossed for you. X

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itsgettingweird · 31/05/2025 07:51

It’s great your ds still has the fight to tell judgemental nurse to do one!!

I hope the transfer goes well.

RampantIvy · 31/05/2025 07:54

The question had to be asked, although it could have been worded better.

I hope they get to the bottom of it.

AnnaMagnani · 31/05/2025 08:05

Unfortunately with a very fit teen boy the question about steroids has to be asked and I'm not sure if there is a tactful way of doing it.

So glad his BP has come down a bit and fingers crossed for the next hospital.

anyolddinosaur · 31/05/2025 08:08

With respect you dont know what they are considering.

An acquaintance was in a serious traffic accident, not his fault. The hospital were more concerned about his blood pressure than other injuries. I forget what was causing it (rare and possibly present from birth) but after a rather tricky operation he is now back playing his sport again. The accident saved his life as he could have died at any time. He no longer needs blood pressure medication.

Persistently high blood pressure can have many causes, it is not always renal and when treated it may not mean medication for life.

I would complain about the nurse though.

Funnywonder · 31/05/2025 08:11

That nurse could do with working on her bedside manner @HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend.

Another handhold here. I’ve spent many long hours in hospitals with both my children. The youngest was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Still waiting for a cardiology appointment for eldest. Our children take us on some very scary journeys. It’s good that your son is being cared for and I hope they get to the bottom of it all soon.

HeySugarSugar · 31/05/2025 08:17

That nurse obviously hasn’t been near a rugby game recently - the lads are huge! Hope his BP continues to fall x

DoNoTakeNo · 31/05/2025 08:19

More handholds & love.
Your son sounds like an amazing young man, strong in every way! Will be thinking of you through the day x

Gundogday · 31/05/2025 08:22

Sending hugs and handhold. Hoping you get answers to all the tests today, and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Don’t forget to look after yourself as well - make you eat and rest when you’re able to.

OverlyFragrant · 31/05/2025 08:26

Nothing helpful to ad but handhold

MrsPinkCock · 31/05/2025 08:27

I hope your DS is okay!

Our DS was in ICU with sepsis at the same age, it wasn’t a fun time. He looked like a pin cushion from all the attempts to draw blood, and he wasn’t on drugs either….

I am sure they ended up taking blood from his foot at one point, I can’t exactly remember but I know it was somewhere random.

Good luck and hope all goes well today.

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 31/05/2025 08:29

BeethovenNinth · 31/05/2025 07:42

Handhold OP. Has he been otherwise well recently? Even a virus could have knocked things out of whack. Keeping all crossed for you. X

No, for about 5/6 weeks now he’s been “off” however we couldn’t put our finger on it.

Bouts of nausea/dizziness/blurred vision/headaches and visibly looking unwell, however not consistent, some days he was absolutely fine, others not.

Initially we assumed a virus, then possibly stress (exams) then maybe just over doing it (his training scheduling is heavy).

We have a good rugby network, we couldn’t make a few of his games as our other footballing son was in a county final and their Dad also plays for an over 40’s team was also in a cup final… both parents text to say DS didn’t look at all well, he was saying he was fine but he was visibly looking unwell and they were worried about him.

On the 10th May he had a international game and he had to come off after 30 mins as he just looked awful, grey skin, shaking , weak etc… they have a doctor at games and she thought it was possibly heat stroke as the weather was very hot, we took him to our GP, seen a nurse practitioner and she said it was just a lingering viral infection (she didn’t take his BP) just his temperature.

I spoke to his coaches, who also noticed he wasn’t himself and we decided to give him 2 weeks off from everything, at home we just let him rest and for the first few days he just slept between exams but then he seemed to perk up aside from sporadic bouts of nausea, dizziness and headaches.

He wanted to go back to training, so we spoke to his team doctor and she said he could do some light training to see how he was but if anything doesn’t change, we would need to get him looked at properly, then Thursday he tripped at the gym jumping into a box falling backwards and hurting his wrist…

OP posts:
LondonLady1980 · 31/05/2025 08:33

I’m sorry to read that all this is happening and I hope you get some answers today. Best wishes to you both x

turkeyboots · 31/05/2025 08:34

I'm so sorry you are all going through this. DS spends a lot of time in children hospitals and as he's got older its been more difficult.

Bring headphones for him and all and any games or ipads you have and all the chargers. Children's hospitals aren't really a teen friendly environment and my 6 ft tall 15 yo DS feels increasingly out of place these days. And he hates the "baby" decorating.
Get someone to pack snacks he'll eat too. Plus side of the children's hospital is you can stay with him. Hope you get some answers soon.

curlygirlietwirly · 31/05/2025 08:39

Poor lad! It’s always so scary when you have to wait around for answers! I hope you’re okay op, nothing worse than children being poorly. Hopefully the tests come back asap and he can get his health back on track. I bet he’s itching to get back on that rugby pitch

ttcat37 · 31/05/2025 08:40

itsonlyjoan · 31/05/2025 02:48

My neice went in for bad back last weds now has bone and lung cancer she's 15 speedy recovery for your son x

Why did you think this was helpful?

Contraryjane · 31/05/2025 08:40

itsonlyjoan · 31/05/2025 02:48

My neice went in for bad back last weds now has bone and lung cancer she's 15 speedy recovery for your son x

Well, that’s really thoughtful of you, 🙄

GetOffTheCounter · 31/05/2025 08:50

Hand hold OP. Thanks

divorcingmumoftwo · 31/05/2025 08:54

Thinking of you x

TaggieO · 31/05/2025 09:00

Just to reassure you a little bit, and explain the test - when people have high blood pressure, looking at their eyes is a good way to gauge if it’s a new thing or has been occurring for a while. The eyes show signs if the BP has been elevated for a long time. It’s called hypertensive retinopathy.

RampantIvy · 31/05/2025 09:02

turkeyboots · 31/05/2025 08:34

I'm so sorry you are all going through this. DS spends a lot of time in children hospitals and as he's got older its been more difficult.

Bring headphones for him and all and any games or ipads you have and all the chargers. Children's hospitals aren't really a teen friendly environment and my 6 ft tall 15 yo DS feels increasingly out of place these days. And he hates the "baby" decorating.
Get someone to pack snacks he'll eat too. Plus side of the children's hospital is you can stay with him. Hope you get some answers soon.

I would ask whether you can charge gadgets in the hospital as they are very strict about electrical items being PAT tested. If that is the case get a portable charger and take it home for recharging in between charges.

rainbowstardrops · 31/05/2025 09:03

Oh your poor son. Hope you all get some answers today Flowers

TaggieO · 31/05/2025 09:03

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 31/05/2025 07:37

Sorry your dd is going through this as well, and luckily everything sinister was ruled out, sounds very similar to what ds is experiencing, how did your dd deal with it all? ds seems OK, very quiet tho.

Is your dd on BP medication for life? As I’ve heard once your on meds they don’t take them off you?

We are being transferred to the nearest children’s hospital (RVI Newcastle) sometime today, a few more tried to take his bloods overnight but failed, they got a specialist nurse who normally gets blood out a stone and works with premature babies and even she couldn’t.

Good news is he’s been lying down for the last 4 hours and his BP has went down to 145/75, still high but definitely lower.

Had a somewhat “judgemental” nurse ask if he was talking drugs/steroids for recreational usage, when he said no, she looked at him and said well you are obviously very muscular which is not “normal” for a child your age….I had to step in and say he doesn’t even touch alcohol… she walked out by saying when they get his bloods drawn they will obviously 🙄 find out then… DS pipped up clearly annoyed stating, you’ll find nothing 🙈

I need to lower his BP not raise it, certainly ask, but ask without the judging.

Ds managed a few hrs sleep around 4am this morning , I’ve been nodding , we’re in the QE children’s ward and unfortunately lots of poorly children.

Edited
Show quote history

We do have to ask. Steroid use is incredibly prolific amongst 14-25yo boys/men, and can have devastating long term effects that they aren’t aware of. The nurse isn’t trying to be judgemental but does have to make sure.