DS1 keeps "fainting"

[JumpandScore]

Has happened 3 times in the last couple of months. I hear a thud, go to investigate and he's picking himself up off the floor saying "I think I blacked out"

If he did, he was only "out" for a matter of seconds. He says it only happens when he stands up too quickly.

He's 14. Is it just something that happens when you get up too quickly or should I get him to doctor?

Doctor. I developed epilepsy at around that age.

I'm not a doctor but it could be something like postural hypertension. Whatever is going on you need to take him to the GP and you and your son need to describe exactly what's happening. It's probably nothing serious but should be checked out.

Low blood pressure, maybe? Is he tall?

I use to hit the floor often due to it when I was a teenager, particularly in hot weather. Drinking more water during the day can help, and also avoiding standing up too suddenly especially if he has been in the same position for a while.

Doctor of course its not right for a 14 yr old to black out - even if he stands up too quickly ...

STARS is very helpful for fainting. But yes, GP appointment, and in the meantime, make sure he gets up from lying down in stages (lying to sitting to standing) and drinks plenty of water. If it's happening first thing in the morning, keep a bottle/glass of water by his bed, and take a biggish drink before standing up.

STARS has a fainting checklist/diary which gives you an idea of what kind of things the GP should be asking you.

Doctor. I developed epilepsy at around that age.

These two sentences don't actually have anything to do with each other. Just because you developed epilepsy, it doesn't mean that's what the OP's son has.

This happens to my DS1, aged 11. It is when he sees or hears something squeamish and after lots of tests the doctor said it was a response of the nervous system to something he finds difficult to "cope" with. It literally just shuts him down. I was told it is common in teens and early adulthood, but you grow out of it and it is harmless (apart from obvious risk of injury when fainting of course). And then I remembered that I also used to faint at that age at anything I found squeamish.

Just a thought.

DS also had it when there was anything sqeamish and even felt faint in Biology class. He was 11 - 16 when this happened but he seemed to grow out of it.

I had postural hypertension - freaked the hell out of my mum. Have mostly grown out of it now at nearly 40!

I had this as I started going through puberty. Normally when getting out of bed too quick.

All these years later I still suffer with it but don't actually black out now just feel dizzy if I get up too quick. I suffer from vertigo though.