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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:
Incakewetrust · 31/05/2025 09:46

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I hope they get to the bottom of it and get him better asap!

lisaolay · 31/05/2025 09:47

CaribbeanChaos · 31/05/2025 09:15

Is he doing his GCSE’s?

Hoping this is something that is easily fixed.

Does he drink energy drinks or drinks containing electrolytes? My child’s friend had a funny turn when he started drinking them and was hospitalised.

Sending love x

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Energy drinks are awful. I had seeing kids drinking them.

lisaolay · 31/05/2025 09:49

Theres been so many viruses going around making people feel off for weeks so hopefully that is nothing and he gets the all the clear. Wishing you the best.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health General health
spinningisthebest · 31/05/2025 09:54

Fellow rugby 🏉 mum here - sending 🫂 for what today and the next weeks bring.

Notavailabletryanotherone · 31/05/2025 10:01

Hoping whatever they conclude will be best possible scenario for your DS.
Remember to rest when you can.
Sending love and strength and another hand to hold x

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 31/05/2025 10:06

I know a 20 year old (not a rugby player) had similar symptoms, though not sure about the BP. After an optician’s appointment he had similar escalation of referrals. He did have a brain tumour but the operation was successful and’s while he had ongoing checks there have been no further problems.

Incredibly stressful but the doctors can do incredible things. And news that sounds horrific can have positive outcomes.

If you can I would ask him, gently and totally non judgementally, if he had taken any thing recently. Not just drugs but also supplements. It is scarily common in that age group and the more information the doctors have the better.

Lavenderfarmcottage · 31/05/2025 10:13

Lavenderfarmcottage · 31/05/2025 09:20

Everything will seem worse than it is right now as the Doctors have a steep learning curve while investigating and figuring out their plan.
Everything is new to them but in time they will have a plan and manage - that is their skill, science and experitise, to care and fix problems and that is what they do. You are in a country with nhs failings but also with access to some of the best research, technology and experts.

Your love, affection, calm and reassurance for your child is a medicine that is a powerful thing right now. Cross each bridge as it comes, do not get ahead or let your mind get away with you. The important thing is that you are with your son and loving him, all can be conquered with a Mother’s love. Get support and help at this time and eat and sleep and rest and get others to also help. You will need your reserves and this is a marathon not a sprint so conserve energy.

For what it might be worth I will say some prayers for your little boy and for you to God & be praying that you are given strength and that your little boy received the best care.

very sorry you are going through this ordeal and sending my care & best wishes from afar x

I must admit OP that reading about the gym and how serious he is into rugby and his veins , I did wonder if he has been using steroids. Sorry to offend but just wanted to say this did cross my mind. The nurse was probably just trying to help though she does sound like an old fart.

My instinct is that this is some injury from rugby that is unresolved or an autoimmune disease like hyperthyroidism that is fixed with a tablet a day & has no impact on life expectancy. Something like that - I really think it will be all fine.

Lavenderfarmcottage · 31/05/2025 10:13

Or maybe a young fart.

Sorry didn’t mean to quote myself 🙄

Picklechicken · 31/05/2025 10:17

Lavenderfarmcottage · 31/05/2025 10:13

I must admit OP that reading about the gym and how serious he is into rugby and his veins , I did wonder if he has been using steroids. Sorry to offend but just wanted to say this did cross my mind. The nurse was probably just trying to help though she does sound like an old fart.

My instinct is that this is some injury from rugby that is unresolved or an autoimmune disease like hyperthyroidism that is fixed with a tablet a day & has no impact on life expectancy. Something like that - I really think it will be all fine.

Show quote history

I agree. I’m really sorry to hear about your son op and I hope they can get to the bottom of things. A lot of autoimmune issues present like this; I have many (Addisons, lupus, Sjogrens, hypothyroidism all sorts) and they often appear around this age.

4forksache · 31/05/2025 10:18

Fingers crossed for you

Cantabulous · 31/05/2025 10:20

Sending you lots of love and hope OP.

My DD was in a similar position 25 years ago, A&E, lots of concerned doctors being kind and literally running around, blue lighted from regional hospital to a centre of excellence, the works. I found the period between realising she was very ill and diagnosis (leukaemia) absolutely agonising, but then somehow I dug deep and found the strength - because you just have to.

DD is now 33, a medical professional, thriving. The love and the hope won through.

mypingpongbat · 31/05/2025 10:22

My brother at a similar age had a lot of problems with headaches and fatigue. They found high blood pressure and put him on tablets - he’s been on tablets for life, but it’s not caused him any problems & he is healthy and well. They never seemed to get to the root cause but he just accepted that the treatment worked. Hoping it’s something equally simple for you x

Realisation14 · 31/05/2025 10:24

Op I understand how it feels to be stuck in a hospital with your baby boy and not have a fucking clue what's going on and see them so poorly with no answers. It's extremely scary. Have you got a partner or family support?

Tiswa · 31/05/2025 10:32

I agree with other posters Raynauds (which DD has as a primary condition so read up on it) alongside Blood Pressure are secondary conditions of autoimmune diseases some of which cause eye issues and would be picked up in an eye exam

the good news is that these are manageable conditions

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 31/05/2025 10:36

I'm so sorry you're going through this very worrying time with your DS.
I hope your get a diagnosis soon, and that it's something treatable.
Flowers

Munchyseeds2 · 31/05/2025 10:37

Just a handhold from me for you both.
Hope he's better soon

Tavimama · 31/05/2025 10:41

Sending a handhold OP. Nothing worse than seeing your child (no matter how big and hairy!) in such a vulnerable position, and not knowing how to help. He is in the best place to receive the care he needs. Remember to eat, drink and rest when you can 💐

Flux1 · 31/05/2025 10:41

A handhold here too. Hope they get to the bottom of the issue for your DS soon and he makes a full and speedy recovery x

RosesAndHellebores · 31/05/2025 10:44

Strawberriesforever · 31/05/2025 09:29

I think there are awkward questions that nurses and other health care professionals have to ask that will always be interpreted as rude by someone no matter how the healthcare professional chooses to ask them. Remember they really don’t know the answer before asking. So prefacing a question like ´do your children have the same father’ with anything designed to show it’s just a question and they don’t want you to feel offended, like ´ sorry to ask, but it’s important for X reason’ implies there is something embarrassing about having child with two different fathers. So although you would have preferred that the question be formulated that way, a woman who’s second born did have a different father may have felt insulted by that formulation.

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Well mine had the same father and it was asked at home, in my drawing room, with wedding photos on the mantelpiece and she had already asked how long we had been in the house in a very nosy way. I would expect post grad qualified professionals to have the integrity to question appropriately and sensitively.

She also didn't need to get arsy when I said "yes of course, as DS is only 21 months, it would have been difficult to get divorced and remarried in that period." Offence works both ways.

OverlyFragrant · 31/05/2025 10:56

RosesAndHellebores · 31/05/2025 10:44

Well mine had the same father and it was asked at home, in my drawing room, with wedding photos on the mantelpiece and she had already asked how long we had been in the house in a very nosy way. I would expect post grad qualified professionals to have the integrity to question appropriately and sensitively.

She also didn't need to get arsy when I said "yes of course, as DS is only 21 months, it would have been difficult to get divorced and remarried in that period." Offence works both ways.

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Sperm donation. Consensual non monogamy. Simple affairs.
All very plausible in a married heterosexual relationship and very relevant in the context.

pinkdelight · 31/05/2025 10:56

RosesAndHellebores · 31/05/2025 10:44

Well mine had the same father and it was asked at home, in my drawing room, with wedding photos on the mantelpiece and she had already asked how long we had been in the house in a very nosy way. I would expect post grad qualified professionals to have the integrity to question appropriately and sensitively.

She also didn't need to get arsy when I said "yes of course, as DS is only 21 months, it would have been difficult to get divorced and remarried in that period." Offence works both ways.

Show quote history

Women can get pregnant by other men without needing to get divorced and remarried, even in homes that have wedding photos on display in the drawing room.

OP, I'm sorry you and your family are going through this. It sounds scary but he is in the right place and it's good that they're looking into it thoroughly and didn't just treat the wrist. If this means that the cause of his other symptoms is discovered and treated, then that is hopefully some comfort. Take care and good luck with it all.

BoilingHotand50something · 31/05/2025 10:58

How scary. Hope you get some answers very soon. Look after yourself - easy to forget to drink, eat, rest in these scenarios.

Strawberriesforever · 31/05/2025 10:59

RosesAndHellebores · 31/05/2025 10:44

Well mine had the same father and it was asked at home, in my drawing room, with wedding photos on the mantelpiece and she had already asked how long we had been in the house in a very nosy way. I would expect post grad qualified professionals to have the integrity to question appropriately and sensitively.

She also didn't need to get arsy when I said "yes of course, as DS is only 21 months, it would have been difficult to get divorced and remarried in that period." Offence works both ways.

Show quote history

I think we’re well off topic here and I don’t want to derail OP’s thread any more so I’m not going to keep going after this.
But health care professionals really do have standard lists of questions to ask and doing it very matter of factly is probably overall the least offensive strategy. Even with the evidence of a happy stable marriage in your home there are still scenarios where the kids may not have had the same biological father - like if a couple needed fertility treatment with donor sperm and used a different donor with each child.
OP, I hope they figure out what’s going on with your son quickly and how to treat it. If your son is feeling alright emotionally you might consider popping out to grab a coffee or some other excuse at some point when he’s talking to a dr or nurse to give him a chance to raise anything that might be relevant that he might be embarrassed to talk about in front of you. I know 15 is young, and you and him are both probably quite scared about what’s going on or might be going on, but at his age the drs will be looking for his consent and his understanding of any treatment rather than yours. He’s in the sort of transition age group where NHS staff will be looking for him to begin taking charge of his own health care rather than deferring all decisions and responsibility to you as his parent.

LittleGreenDuck · 31/05/2025 11:00

@RosesAndHellebores Clearly you have an issue with NHS staff. You deride them at every opportunity, on multiple medical related threads. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. However, probably not relevant nor helpful on threads such as these where a parent is worried and seeking support at a very stressful time. Maybe start your own thread so you can have a little whinge about all the terrible ways you've been treated over the years.

OP, another handhold and virtual hug from a fellow rugby mum. Keeping everything crossed that you get to the bottom of this quickly and it's something that can be easily treated. No matter how big and hairy they get, they're still our little boys. Thinking of you both.

Gundogday · 31/05/2025 11:03

Possibly his wrist injury is a blessing in disguise as he’s now being investigated for all the other seemingly innocent symptoms. And someone is joining up all the dots.