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Original poster

13 year old shaking hand

87 replies

SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 20:04

Just to preface that I am planning on calling the GP tomorrow but just wanted to hear if anyone had experienced similar or if it’s an over reaction to call the GP even?

DS is 13. On Sunday we were playing badminton which is a normal activity for us. He complained of a sudden headache about halfway through. Had a drink and sat down for a few minutes then was happy to join in with us again.

An hour later we were eating lunch and I looked over at him and he was pretty pale and his right hand was really shaking. He said his head hurt again and he felt sick. He didn’t feel cold but his hand wouldn’t stop shaking.

I gave him paracetamol and he laid down to rest. He has had a couple of migraines before so I thought it was that. It seemed to pass and a couple of hours later he was eating me out of house and home as normal and said all was fine. This is normal for his migraines. Sudden pain / sickness that he can sleep off and bounce back from.

Today he has come home from school saying his hand keeps going weird and shaking. No headache or sickness. He said his hand was cold and looked blotchy but doesn’t hurt. It’s happened twice since he got home. Passes after about 5 minutes. He doesn’t feel lightheaded or anything else.

Does this just sound like a trapped nerve type thing? Rather then blood sugars or a migraine? Wouldn’t a nerve thing be sore?

I do want to call the GP in the morning but I know it’s a fight to get seen and I wonder if they will think this is a blinkers thing to go to the GP about.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 20:05

Also, he has had quite a growth spurt recently so is this probably just related to things stretching and growing?

OP posts:
Adeleex · 07/11/2022 20:15

Hello.
I have no previous experience or ideas as to what may be causing this, but as a mum myself I think it is something I would be asking to speak to the GP about. Even if it was a phone call if you can't be seen face to face.
I do suffer with chronic migraines, and I can get shakey after an attack. But mine have always been associated with migraines and has never happened without one prior to the shaking.
I hope he is well and you get some answers x

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:04

Thank you Adeleex.

I will give them a call in the morning.

OP posts:
ChangedMyNameToday · 07/11/2022 21:08

Hopefully it could be something like a trapped nerve, but I would ring someone like after hours Dr or 111 tonight, maybe. I should say I don't have a medical background but I've had migraines for a few years.
One thing I found out , is that there can be an overlap with symptoms that seem to be migraine but are actually symptoms of a stroke. I know hopefully, this is unlikely but maybe you could look up symptoms of Stoke in children or pediatric stroke, because children can get them, as well as older people. Hopefully he's fine and it is just a minor problem, the reason I posted is that I know it's one of those medical things where you need to act quickly to prevent worse problems. Though sorry to be worrying and I hope he is ok

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:08

Actually thinking about this, it’s odd how concerned I was initially about being a bother to our overstretched GP. It feels like such a shift in attitudes since covid and “only if you really really have to”

OP posts:
Adeleex · 07/11/2022 21:08

SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:04

Thank you Adeleex.

I will give them a call in the morning.

You're welcome.
I hope all is well, just list off everything you've told us.
Keep us posted 😊

sunshinerainstorm · 07/11/2022 21:10

Not a doctor or medical professional but could it be linked to blood sugars and diabetes. Do you have any in your family?

alexdgr8 · 07/11/2022 21:15

does his hand look blotchy to you ?
either way, i think i'd ring 111. they will advise you what to do.
good luck.

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:15

sunshinerainstorm · 07/11/2022 21:10

Not a doctor or medical professional but could it be linked to blood sugars and diabetes. Do you have any in your family?

I did wonder about that but he has felt fine during the episodes today by all accounts. We don’t have diabetes in the family no.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:18

alexdgr8 · 07/11/2022 21:15

does his hand look blotchy to you ?
either way, i think i'd ring 111. they will advise you what to do.
good luck.

It didn’t to me this evening no. But I asked him how he felt or if his hand hurt when he was at school when it happened and he said it didn’t hurt but it looked “funny” and when I asked him to explain how he said it looked like it was blotchy like when your hands are cold or you’ve had pins and needles.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:19

ChangedMyNameToday · 07/11/2022 21:08

Hopefully it could be something like a trapped nerve, but I would ring someone like after hours Dr or 111 tonight, maybe. I should say I don't have a medical background but I've had migraines for a few years.
One thing I found out , is that there can be an overlap with symptoms that seem to be migraine but are actually symptoms of a stroke. I know hopefully, this is unlikely but maybe you could look up symptoms of Stoke in children or pediatric stroke, because children can get them, as well as older people. Hopefully he's fine and it is just a minor problem, the reason I posted is that I know it's one of those medical things where you need to act quickly to prevent worse problems. Though sorry to be worrying and I hope he is ok

Thanks, I agree that symptoms can overlap. I’ll keep an eye on him and be sure to speak with someone tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 21:24

And I am not sure it matters but it is his right hand and that’s the one he writes with but it’s happened and various times today when he wasn’t using it.

i asked how often it was and he said “dunno” in true teenage fashion but thinks it happened in every different lesson today so at a guess 6 times at least at school and a couple at home.

I have made him have a good stretch and move his arms around and it’s not sore. He thinks I’m bonkers and has wandered off 😂

OP posts:
greeandorange · 07/11/2022 22:06

OP I don't want to worry you too much but could you call 111 and discuss all of the symptoms with them.

The blotchy, shaking and headaches can also overlap with early stages of meningitis.

I'm sure like you say a trapped nerve after sports of something simple but the blotchy and coldness is concerning.

Could you check him for other blotchy areas?

greeandorange · 07/11/2022 22:10

Sorry meant to say mention the coolness as well.

NoDoor · 07/11/2022 22:15

I would call 111 tonight and run it past them and let them decide whether to see him tonight or it can wait until tomorrow to be seen

WYDMAD · 07/11/2022 22:24

Another saying 111. Weird symptoms and as a non medical professional I'm not sure I'd be happy waiting.

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 08/11/2022 08:41

Managed to get an appointment today for 10. He’s woken up feeling fine, no sign of the shake today and he happily went off to school but it does need to be checked out.

Thanks for making me feel less of a worrier and validating my concerns over this. It’s just DS and I so not having another adult to bounce off stuff like this is tricky sometimes!

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 08/11/2022 11:35

just to update: GP felt he seemed fine after a lot of tests but she wants a second opinion so we are waiting for a call from the childrens A&E to go for an assessment with them today.

OP posts:
Jaybird43 · 08/11/2022 12:10

@SunshineBoy really hoping all is well and it is nothing to worry about x

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 08/11/2022 12:14

Thanks jaybird.

He seems fine in himself. Has had the shake twice so far today, once that the GP saw the end of - she stepped out to chat to the senior doctor and caught the end of it happening. Only thing noted in her examination was a low temperature and all other tests were normal but the suddenness of its onset and the amount of times it happened yesterday means she wanted him assessed.

she was very thorough and said it was absolutely the right thing to get him seen today

OP posts:
ICanHideButICantRun · 08/11/2022 12:17

I'm really glad he's been seen so quickly. I hope they give him a thorough examination and find nothing is wrong.

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 08/11/2022 17:01

Hope A&E have called you by now op and that everything is ok.

MiniDinosaur · 08/11/2022 19:20

Hope everything is ok OP, glad to hear you managed to get a GP appointment and that she took it seriously. I hope you get some answers soon.

ChangedMyNameToday · 08/11/2022 20:28

I'm glad the Dr was nice and took it seriously - hopefully it is just a coincidence that he has a problem with his hand at the same time as having a migraine but I'm glad you got referred and I really hope it went ok at A&E and that he's ok Flowers

ncforyetanotherone · 08/11/2022 21:06

Keeping everything crossed for you and your precious child OP.

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