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Original poster

17 year old in hospital

110 replies

OneLitreOfWater · 27/07/2021 09:02

Hi, I guess I'm just looking for reassurance here and people's experiences. He's on day 11 of Covid and went into hospital yesterday when his oxygen sats went to 95%. He has typically bad Covid lungs apparently, no infection. He's asthmatic. This morning his sats were 92%. His treatment yesterday was set as nebuliser, dexomethasone, and oxygen when necessary. Obviously we're not allowed to visit and are really worried.

OP posts:
bigbluebus · 27/07/2021 11:31

I'm not sure what's worse for teenagers in hospital - being on a children's ward with crying babies/toddlers or being on an adult ward with mainly old folk most of whom have dementia. I spent many nights on both types with my disabled DD and although she was oblivious to it all I can imagine how frightening it is for other teenagers.

I hope your DS makes a speedy recovery so he can get home quickly as home is definitely the best place to get better.

languagelover96 · 27/07/2021 11:32

Prayers and good luck wishes

PinkPlantCase · 27/07/2021 11:34

If he’s 17 on an adult ward it might be worth pushing for him to be moved to a side room, it’s worth asking atleast!

And get a decent set of headphones to him if he doesn’t have some with him already. Or some ear plugs actually, I found nights to be the worst.

CatAlice · 27/07/2021 11:41

@OneLitreOfWater

In typical ds fashion I mentioned video calls and his reaction was "nah I'm good". He's a big sweetie but communication is not a strong point!
That's a very good sign! In my experience it doesn't matter how old they are when things get really bad they want mum. Paediatrics often deal with people up to the age of 25 but with covid I guess they have dedicated wards and that's where the expertise is.
SeaToSki · 27/07/2021 11:42

If he doesnt want to facetime you, maybe the family can make him short videos to watch on his phone. It might cheer him up and remind the little boy in him (at 17 they still have a lot of little boy hidden under the slightly tough exterior) that you are all thinking of him. My older boys’ little siblings send them videos of their fuzzy friends doing a ‘dance’ etc to cheer them up when they are down and away from home

Lottie4 · 27/07/2021 11:53

Sending you my best wishes and positive thoughts.

My Uncle was at the opposite end of the scale, 86. He hadn't had his first vaccine 10 days before as had pneumonia, he has a history of TB and lung cancer. Yes, he was very ill, but he's happily pottering around exactly the same as he did before.

MyOtherProfile · 27/07/2021 11:55

Would he be up to a voice call if not a video call? I find them a bit less emotional when things are tough.

crosstalk · 27/07/2021 11:58

Just good luck OP. And second PPs idea of a few short videos sent to his phone to cheer him up.

TatianaBis · 27/07/2021 12:00

Have you talked to the doctors about trying Ivermectin?

greygrass · 27/07/2021 12:05

Very sorry you are going through this. I hope your DS gets better soon.

Do you know he hasn't been vaccinated? I thought all over 12 CEV and CV were eligible now? Asthma with any previous hospitalisation puts him in CV.

Cornettoninja · 27/07/2021 12:35

I love the idea of sending him some short videos that he can choose to watch or not. He can watch them whenever he wants then. It doesn’t need to be elaborate just so he can see you all telling him he’s loved and missed.

BetsyJameson · 27/07/2021 12:43

Thinking of you and wishing your son a speedy recovery 💐💐

greygrass · 27/07/2021 12:49

Not sure this is the OP's situation, but for those with over-16s who would struggle in hospital on their own, parent carers are allowed into hospital, so contact your local carers' organisation for advice.

Re. my previous question about vaccination, actually a 17 yo with moderate/severe asthma (i.e. a previous hospital admission) would have been eligible with group 6 in the spring. But those under 16 now need access to their vaccines to avoid more of this preventable situation.

ineedaholidaynow · 27/07/2021 12:51

Hope your DS gets better soon.

I was 16/17 when I had an emergency appendectomy and was put on an adult ward. There were a number of patients who were very poorly/had dementia, and I found that really hard to deal with. I still remember one lovely patient who pretty much took me under her wing, and kept an eye on me.

lannistunut · 27/07/2021 13:09

I really hope he is able to come home soon. Covid does scare me, but it is good you got him to hospital when his oxygen was not too low, some people are much lower when they go in and then it is harder to improve. The sooner they get the help the better.

Flowers
SarahBop · 27/07/2021 13:15

I'm really shocked neither parent can be with him, he's 17! A minor in the eyes of the law..madness!
Push for one of you to be with him, I can't imagine how scary it must be for a 17 year old to be alone in hospital Sad

Wishing him a speedy recovery, he will be fine x

HavelockVetinari · 27/07/2021 13:22

Sounds like they're doing the right things with steroids and salbutamol nebs. Am assuming they're taking peak flow and that it's higher than 50% of normal (otherwise he'd be on ipratropium). If he's not on oxygen his sats must have improved to at least 94 which is a good sign.

Flowers it's so worrying as a parent, but he's in the best place for help.

YellowBellyCat · 27/07/2021 13:26

@SarahBop

I'm really shocked neither parent can be with him, he's 17! A minor in the eyes of the law..madness! Push for one of you to be with him, I can't imagine how scary it must be for a 17 year old to be alone in hospital Sad

Wishing him a speedy recovery, he will be fine x

It is bad but this was the case before Covid. Dd at 17yo was admitted onto an adult ward. Obviously we were allowed at normal visiting but not really outside of visiting and certainly not overnight. Dd found the nights a bit scary due to the dementia patients, people wandering about, coming in her bed space screaming, banging, Inc men. I remember telling her if she felt unsafe and it couldn't wait to start screaming rather than wait for the buzzer to be answered.
Unescorted · 27/07/2021 13:34

Hope he makes a speedy recovery.. My DD is going in for a planned op and that is scary enough.

Notes: Noise cancelling earphones......

Mummyratbag · 27/07/2021 13:57

Wishing him a speedy recovery. It's horrible when our children are sick however old they are.

Just to add my ex was taken in with Covid - much older, much bigger and T2 diabetic..with oxygen support and meds he was out in a week. I know I tended to think that almost everyone admitted was in ICU, but many just need support with their breathing (I think his sats were in the 80s).

Wakemeuuuup · 27/07/2021 14:00

I can't imagine what you must feel like right now. The thought of my 16 yr old being in an adult ward by himself terrifies me.

I hope he makes a swift recovery and is home safely soon

SwanShaped · 27/07/2021 14:12

Really hope you can go and see him.

Original poster
OneLitreOfWater · 27/07/2021 14:12

His asthma has always been well controlled before this. It's very similar to mine, exercise induced but needs steroid inhaler and blue one at times. It was his first typical asthma attack this week. So he wouldn't have been considered for a vaccine. I know asthma people were in and out of vulnerable groups the whole time. Ds9 has had asthma attacks before, nebulised at home once, but pretty much sailed through Covid, tho obviously he's also only 9.

Ds17 says he's had the energy to use his headphones now and that makes the noises of other patients quieter. But he's okay as he is and where he is at the moment. He'd probably deal less well with the greater business of a paediatric ward and parents as well. Neither option is particularly good but at least he's being sorted.

Again thanks so much everyone Flowers you've all be positive and reassuring and it's got me through the rough patch and hopefully tomorrow, if not this evening there's some positive movement.

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 27/07/2021 14:19

Bless him - its rough being hospitalised with covid at the age of 17. Good to hear that he should be home in a couple of days.

Cornettoninja · 27/07/2021 14:26

I’m glad he’s using his headphones, the distraction is something I’d welcome!

Is he set up for library access to download some audiobooks? I’m late to the party on this one but it’s really handy.