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Children's health

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Original poster

DD - Passed Out

47 replies

ThinkingOutLouder · 27/03/2015 13:03

My DD, 10, fainted for the first time a few weeks ago. She was left with tummy ache afterwards, which she's been getting intermittently for the last 4-5 months.

I took her to see the GP who basically dismissed the fainting incident as just one of those things & nothing to worry about.

Since then DD one morning became very very upset before school, saying she didn't feel well & didn't want to go to school, she usually never has a day off. In the end I had to take her out of school as shelf worked herself up much. She's hardly ever ever ill. We had a chat about school with her teacher & nothing is bothering her at school. It was like a minor panic attack.

I'm going to take her back to another GP for a 2nd opinion, as I don't know what could be or if indeed if anything wrong - I don't want to leave it to chance if she faints again & it's too late. Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms like this with their kids?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MrsLettuce · 30/03/2015 22:05

I really think she might have stared her periods already and be terrified.

I had several sort-of-periods before I started properly, first pinky brown discharge building to very minor spotting over a few cycles then a 'real' period. Tummy ache each month. I think it happens that way for a lot of women.
My mum knew nothing of periods or their existence when she started, she though she was dieing and didn't dare tell anyone what was happening to ber.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/03/2015 22:23

My 10 year old son has known about periods for sometime, not all the details but the basic - body gets a nice type of nest ready for a baby every month....and if it doesn't happen it comes out and cycle starts again.

My sis started her periods at 10 and I had to explain to her what they were as mum didnt and she was scared, you don't need to get into all the details just the basics so she knows if something does start. don't worry about other parents.

DSis fainted regularly every few weeks from around 10 to 16.

Naoko · 30/03/2015 22:31

She is ten. Of course you need to tell her about periods! Mine started a month after my tenth birthday. That's on the young end of normal, but really, really not uncommon. You are leaving it too long if you haven't told her yet and don't plan on doing it very soon.

Imnotbeingyourbestfriendanymor · 30/03/2015 23:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FourFlapjacksPlease · 30/03/2015 23:51

I am astounded that you think periods are something to be hushed up and not discussed with children! At 10 you need to have had that conversation (in fact regular conversations about all aspects of puberty) so she knows what is happening to her body and why.

My children have known about periods, reproduction etc since they were tiny. It hasn't damaged their childhood and they are not freaked out by it. It's just part of life. Being concerned about what your DD might tell her friends is not an excuse, she should be your only concern.

I have a 10 year old and she is very hormonal - all sorts of changes going on both physically and emotionally. I think its a really confusing age for them.

HolgerDanske · 31/03/2015 00:02

Uhm what? Why on earth is it oh so terrible for a five year old to know about periods? Knowledge is empowerment, and information builds understanding.

Periods are a matter-of-fact part of female biology and are not scary, shameful or nasty. You really ought to talk to your daughter about it! And I wouldn't be so confident that she knows she can talk to you about anything, since you clearly can't bring yourself to talk to her about something as run of the mill as periods...

Lonecatwithkitten · 31/03/2015 09:13

I was and in certain circumstances still am a fainter. Factors for me are
Low blood pressure I eat protein regularly to help with this carbs give me too many peaks and troughs.
It always happens around my period and when I was your DD's age it was related to period pain.
I breath hold in the face of sharp pain. Examples would be falling down stairs, hand being crushed by cows head, contractions both giving birth and period. I hold my breath for around 20s go grey and clammy and then faint.
It is not uncommon.
I can't think of a time when my DD wasn't aware of periods they happen to ladies and allow them to have babies. They start at the end of primary school or beginning of secondary.
The first child in DD's year started in year 4 is there a chance she has come aware through someone at school starting and is scared?

familybla · 01/04/2015 23:52

Check out POTS

postural orthodontic tachycardia syndrome

familybla · 01/04/2015 23:52

Orthostatic! Not orthodontic!

Auto correct!

Original poster

ThinkingOutLouder · 03/04/2015 11:32

Well this is what I think on the subject seeing as it has become the subject! Yes I really don't think a 5 year old needs to know that their mummies bleed every month from their 'private' - or whatever your children calls it - perhaps you've taught them every name under the sun - seeing as you've told them that one day in the future they too will be bleeding. So yes at 5 I think it's a tad too young, just my opinion. Why not introduce them to the word C U Next Tuesday, It's a word that they will get familiar with when they are older so is it not the same thing? The other mums I know certainly would think its a bit strange as to why you'd want your toddler to know about periods! But it appears im in the minority here!

Secondly - I'm not one to shy away from anything, I'm not keeping hush about periods or hoping I never have to tell my dd about them, that's ridiculous, of course I will tell her, when the time is right & no I'm not waiting until she starts, im not that ignorant, I'm pretty sure I'll know when to have a chat with her.

Anyway back to the main topic, there have been no more fainting episodes so all is well there.

*p.s just to add, no my kids don't swear, I haven't introduced that yet either, I was just using it as an example!!! ??

OP posts:

Buttercup27 · 03/04/2015 11:42

From my first period I would near always feel very faint on the first morning. I would become very hot, tunnel vision and very dizzy. If I didn't lie down straight away I would faint. (It usually happened early hours of the morning when my period first started which made it even more scary).

WatchOutForGoblins · 03/04/2015 11:42

Swearing is a behaviour, periods are a natural stage of you growing up. That really isn't a good comparison.

Buttercup27 · 03/04/2015 11:44

Sorry posted too soon. The doctor put it down to hormones. I grew out of it though. Maybe her hormones are causing her to go light headed and faint?

HumphreyCobbler · 03/04/2015 11:45

good god, to conflate knowledge of swearing and knowledge about periods shows you have a very warped view of a normal bodily process.

Gunpowder · 03/04/2015 11:53

I can't remember not knowing about periods. I don't know why they should be something shameful or scary. I'm going to explain to my toddler as poster did upthread as soon as she asks. Obvs that level of frankness is not for everyone, but maybe you could give your DD a book about growing up if you feel awkward talking about it?

TheWintersmith · 03/04/2015 11:55

Periods aren't the same as swearing though.

They're just biology. My 4 yo knows that when you are a grown up mummy your body makes a bit of blood come out to show its working properly. And I have grown up nappies to catch it.

If nothing else I don't want her walking in on me changing a towel or a tampon, or seeing used sanpro somehow and freaking that I'm injured.

Which is kind of how she found out in the first place we were sharing a cubicle in a public loo, I didn't realise I was starting my period, and she saw me wipe blood and shouted in a voice that carried for miles ' mummy you're BLEEDING FROM YOUR BOTTOM you need a doctor, it must hurt' or some such.

I'm glad she knows it's normal, and intent to elaborate as she gets older in a n age appropriate manner.

Gunpowder · 03/04/2015 11:58

Oh, and there was a girl In my class at school who lost her virginity age 11 to a 13 year old boy.

Clearly that's an extreme example, but I think it's important preteens have knowledge about their bodies and sex so they can protect themselves.

Hulababy · 03/04/2015 12:02

I would definitely talk to her about periods. She's 10.
Dd covered periods as part of phse in year 5 and then covered sex ed in year 6. This is fairly standard timings iME.

And 10 isn't too young. Dd was 10 when her periods started. Thankfully she knew all about them and don't panic or worry, and just dealt with them quite calmly. I was surprised as I was much older but I am so glad dd was in the know.

The fainting could be related; again I don't think that's uncommon either.

McFarts · 03/04/2015 15:49

Op you must see that this a very informative discussion is needed with your DD is needed in the VERY near future. You say you believe you know when the right time is, but how? . Your DD could get her period at any time. Whilst usually there you notice some development, this isnt always the case, my younger sister started her periods at 10, she'd only just got breast buds, no pubic hair or anything. I dont think this is unusual. As for her telling her friends, id be more worried about her friends telling her and scaring her half to death. I have two DDs age 10 and 12, I cant honestly say that by the age of 8 all the their friends new about periods! I would say 99% of your DDs friends (girls and boys!!) know all about periods. Just get on with it OP!

Cocolepew · 03/04/2015 16:04

Sounds like my DD before her period started. At aged 10

DavidTennantsBeard · 03/04/2015 16:10

Blimey my 3 year old DD walks in on me changing a ST all the time during my period, so she knows that ladies bleed every so often and it doesn't hurt etc, I didn't think twice about explaining!

Teladi · 03/04/2015 16:23

OK I'm going to stay well away from the period chat and also the swearing, because really I think you're being totally unreasonable, and a bit rude to those of us who prefer to keep open communication going about normal bodily functions with our DCs.

However - Feeling faint or fainting once or twice is normal for most teenagers/adults. However as someone mentioned up thread, I have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and also NCS (neurocardiogenic syncope) which cause me to experience recurrent symptoms like your DD's. People with recurrent symptoms like this can sometimes be dismissed a bit by medical staff but it's not something your DD should have to continue putting up with if they do recur. So do push and request referrals to cardiology etc - POTS and NCS are not dangerous or fatal and can be treated effectively - it can take a wee while to hit upon the right treatment combo though so don't let it drag on. Wishing you both the best.

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