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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Advice on whether to take my mum to hospital?

61 replies

Placoderms · 26/12/2022 16:04

My mum was out walking earlier, she suddenly lost consciousness then when she came around she was confused and didn’t immediately remember what happened just beforehand. She’s late 50’s and generally in good health, she says she now feels absolutely fine.

I checked her fit bit which measures her heart rate and it plummeted to below 50 beats per minute when she lost consciousness which presumably is relevant? She doesn’t like causing a fuss and seems absolutely fine, but I really am not sure whether she needs medical attention?

just before it happened she said her vision went a bit ‘funny’ and was zooming in and out. She has no other health concerns and this has never happened before.

what should I do?

OP posts:
bruce43mydog · 26/12/2022 19:31

@Placoderms so glad you took your DM to hospital very sensible desicion. The NHS are amazing. Take care all the best to you and your DM. At least you have peace of mind now and your have some idea of what happened and your DM can be given the right care and medication if needed.

RandomMess · 26/12/2022 19:47

So glad you took your Mum in.

They were beyond amazing when I had my stroke mid-pandemic, forever grateful as I saw the shit show they had to deal with mid pandemic and it was awful.

Flowers hope you have some answers soon.

MakeMineALarge1 · 26/12/2022 19:50

Sounds like she had a CT scan

schnauzerbeard · 26/12/2022 20:02

I would take her in. I know someone who had a turn like this and they needed a pacemaker. Everyone is different though, could have been a simple fainting turn or it could be a symptom of something else that needs more attention. She won't know without getting checked out.

RampantIvy · 26/12/2022 20:03

Read the update @schnauzerbeard

Untitledsquatboulder · 26/12/2022 20:03

My stepmother gets something that sounds very similar and for her it is to do with her electrolytes and what helped most was eating regularly including very first thing in the morning. Took 3 trips to a&e to diagnosed mind, so your mum us in the right place

cathcath2 · 26/12/2022 23:40

So glad you took your mum to A&E OP. Hope they can diagnose soon.

cathcath2 · 26/12/2022 23:41

Jadebanditchillipepper · 26/12/2022 19:08

Sounds like a simple faint to me - the nausea before and after are classic as is your vision going funny just before you pass out. Loss of consciousness is not a feature of TIA. It's also normal for heart rate and blood pressure to be low at the point of collapse so as long as it's recovered to normal now. I wouldn't worry too much about that. Cardiac syncope (caused by either a too fast or too slow heart rate) is sudden and doesn't cause the prodromal symptoms (nausea, altered vision) and the person is quickly back to normal afterwards with no confusion/nausea etc.

I would just get her checked over by a GP when they are open again.

Loss of consciousness can be a symptom of TIA cks.nice.org.uk/topics/stroke-tia/diagnosis/clinical-features/

KangarooKenny · 27/12/2022 08:22

Placoderms · 26/12/2022 19:22

Hi everyone, thank you all for taking the time to comment. I took my mum to A & E and she lost consciousness again on arrival! She went straight in and was taken care of. She has so far had bloods taken, a blood sugar test, an ECG and one of those scans like a donut (is that MRI)?
Everything so far has come back normal so I guess that’s good. They have mentioned something about low phosphate levels and have given her special drinks and some of the nurses mentioned something about electrolytes being out of sync.
we are waiting to see Cardiology consultant and he will do a heart ultrasound- although I’m not sure what that checks - I guess that each of the chambers of the heart are working effectively? Also it was mentioned that she would see a neurologist- wish I had some medical knowledge, I might have some insight then! 😊
Have to say NHS have been brilliant- efficient doctors and lovely (and also efficient) nurses, very supportive with great sense of humour! I especially like Romeo the nurse if you’re reading 💕

Any update OP ? Hope she is ok.

Original poster
Placoderms · 27/12/2022 10:56

Hello, she’s now had an ultrasound of her heart and all good. The cardiologist is satisfied there is nothing wrong with her heart. She will see a neurologist as an outpatient we will hopefully receive an appointment in a month or so.

She won’t be able to drive for a month, but she is being discharged and will hopefully be home in a couple of hours.

thank you everyone, wonderful NHS staff who even gave me food and drinks! Brilliant service and treated so well, everyone genuinely seemed to care, not just because it’s their job, but went out of their way to be helpful and supportive 🥰

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 27/12/2022 15:22

The vast majority of us nurses really do care, we don’t do it for the financial reward.
Well done for getting her seen to, I’m sure she’ll be glad to be back in her own bed tonight !

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