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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To request a brain scan

12 replies

Bobodoll · 23/08/2022 10:20

sorry if this is a long one.

my dd 9 has various delays/issues…she is still unable to read or write, really bad memory problems, struggles massively with learning, anxiety, emotional outbursts, lack of understanding, attention problems, sleep problems, impulsiveness, has trouble articulating herself, really clumsy…etc. There’s more things but I cannot think off the top of my head.

She is in mainstream school and goes under the radar every time she moves up a year.

I’m aware these are all signs of learning disorders/autism/adhd/dyslexia/dyspraxia.

however….

She was early/normal in her development milestones up until a traumatic event…she pulled herself up to stand at 6 months, walked by 9 months, was having good communication by 18 months and so on.

the traumatic event happened when she was 4 (3 months away from starting school) we were in Valencia on holiday…her dad had her on his shoulders. There was a bit of the pavement sticking up and he tripped and my daughter went flying through the air and landed on her head. (He’s 6ft5 so I could imagine it was about a 7/8ft drop) instantly her head swelled and bruises formed, it was a horrendous site I’ve never seen anything like it. quickly seen a doctor who was reluctant to help because out insurance info was at the hotel a couple of towns over. He kept up in his office though and checked her then sent us on our way.

on the train back to the hotel, my daughter started passing out and vomiting. We panicked and got off at the next stop and got to a hospital who sent us to a different hospital 20 mins away.

(side note- this hospital we went to had a 2 star rating on google 😳)

My daughter was checked over and sent for an X-RAY no other tests done. We were there for 6 hours whilst the doctor kept an eye on her. She was discharged as there was an improvement but she was still very very sleepy and clearly not with it.
I did not request any other tests because my adrenaline was pumping and I was so glad she was still alive, I didn’t know what tests needed done. The whole thing is so blurry yet so clear in my mind and when we came back to the uk I didn’t think about having her checked over because she seemed to be getting a bit better.

Every since then there hasn’t necessarily been a decline in her development but more an obvious delay.

Ive read that brain injury’s and trauma can happen even from concussion and can change the way the brain works and have also read that it can go unnoticed sometimes too.

so back to the question…I have a doctors app for her in 2 weeks to discuss a cahms referral, would it be unreasonable to ask if we could have an mri scan done? Will they even agree to have an mri scan done?

I know the chances of her having a brain injury are probably slim but it’s in the back of my head, niggiling away. My intuition is telling me to at least get the scan and check!

OP posts:
TulipVictory · 23/08/2022 10:25

Did you feel that she was exactly the same after this happened or that things changed?

She may have had some brain haemorrhages that have impacted her but I don't know if they will show this many years on

lanthanum · 23/08/2022 10:29

Whether a scan is the right thing is for the medics to decide, but it certainly sounds like it would be sense to raise your concerns about the possibility of things stemming from the accident. Even if it made it on to her medical notes, by the time the delay became evident, that will have been far back enough that they might not have seen it to put two and two together.

Original poster
Bobodoll · 23/08/2022 10:30

@TulipVictory I honestly can’t even remember if I noticed anything. It was a crazy time and me and her dad split up about 2 months after this so any subtle changes I would have probably put it down to the break up

OP posts:
TulipVictory · 23/08/2022 10:38

@Bobodoll it's worth an ask. I'm no expert but from what you have said, I suspect the two could be linked. I'm not sure anything can be done about it now though other than support for your daughter 😊

JoanCandy · 23/08/2022 10:44

Hi OP — you’re not BU at all, in fact I would insist. That way at least you’d know and can start putting things in place for your DD to be able to cope better.
Good luck, let us know how she gets on x

jacks11 · 23/08/2022 10:57

I am a Dr- though not a paediatrician nor an neurologist. You should discuss your concerns with your GP, who I imagine will refer onto the paediatricians but they are unlikely to request a scan directly. This is a specialist field, not without it’s complexities- I think you are more likely to get an answer to your question as to whether this fall/head injury has contributed to, or even caused, your daughter’s present difficulties if there is a full assessment . I think focussing on getting a scan is not the right place to start. In any case, a full assessment is likely to be required before deciding if there is any further investigation required. Depending on age and ability to lie still, some children require a general anaesthetic for an MRI to be completed, so it’s not something to be done without due consideration. That’s not to say it should not be done- it may be that a scan is required- but after an initial assessment.

Good luck, I hope you get the help you need for your daughter.

Original poster
Bobodoll · 23/08/2022 11:01

@TulipVictory yeah I think that’s all it is for me is ensuring we’re getting the right support and also peace of mind.
my daughter is also aware that she id very different to others and she’s looking for answers as well

@JoanCandy thank you. Sometimes I feel insane and I’m being to out there with my “theory”.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bobodoll · 23/08/2022 11:04

@jacks11 yeah, I think I’m just jumping looking for immediate answers. The only issue is I fear the doctor will want to wait for cahms to do the assessment which unfortunately in my area has a ridiculous waiting list (2 year minimum). which I feel is far too long for her to go under the radar.

fingers crossed the doctor is more proactive than waiting though.

OP posts:
chillipenguin · 23/08/2022 11:58

I would ask and let the doctor explain to you why or why not

SparrowsNest · 23/08/2022 12:04

jacks11 · 23/08/2022 10:57

I am a Dr- though not a paediatrician nor an neurologist. You should discuss your concerns with your GP, who I imagine will refer onto the paediatricians but they are unlikely to request a scan directly. This is a specialist field, not without it’s complexities- I think you are more likely to get an answer to your question as to whether this fall/head injury has contributed to, or even caused, your daughter’s present difficulties if there is a full assessment . I think focussing on getting a scan is not the right place to start. In any case, a full assessment is likely to be required before deciding if there is any further investigation required. Depending on age and ability to lie still, some children require a general anaesthetic for an MRI to be completed, so it’s not something to be done without due consideration. That’s not to say it should not be done- it may be that a scan is required- but after an initial assessment.

Good luck, I hope you get the help you need for your daughter.

This is really good advice and would definitely pursue this rather than pinning any hopes on CAMH's.

Wheredoestheblackfluffcomefrom · 23/08/2022 12:39

I would start from scratch about the head injury, keep them separate. You really should have followed up on your return from holiday, at the least a GP appointment about head injury.

go to your GP, explain what happened in Spain, then ask for a scan. Can you afford private scan?

Jojobalone · 07/04/2023 16:47

Op how are things since your op? Sounds awful x

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