Quick help-wait till tomorrow or ER today

[Quiver0f10]

My 13, who I posted about before, fainted today. I was blow drying her hair and she fainted in my arms. She sat on the toilet for a few and semed Ok. So she stood again and next thing I knew she was on the floor. I let her lay there a few and helped her up and sat her on the toilet. A minute or two later she went out again. She was pale and sweaty. I asked her after and she had eaten a bagel and cream cheese, but hadn't drank anything. I am assuming she is having BP issues. I know she needs to see a Dr, but do I want til morning or hear to ER now.

[MJN]

have blood sugar issues? Keep us posted, Jean!

[Laura K (NC)]

I don't think a faint is a reason to go to the ER, but you should call your pediatrician/primary care just to make sure.

My son fainted out of the blue one time, and the only reason they were really concerned was that he stayed out for so long, so we took him to the ER. They were able to take EKG's (I think that's what it is) that showed a snapshot of the heart while something was going on, so that was really the only benefit of taking him in that day. Later on they did an EEG and some other tests, most of which I forget, and found that there was really nothing wrong with him. The doc suggested that he drink more water, because that will help the blood pressure. They were looking for some heart problems and signs of epilepsy. Turns out that my son had a very mild, very benign heart thing, but most likely he was just not hydrated enough.

[Unicorn]

I would take her to the ER today. At the very least call the primary today and see what they recommend. What concerns me, is the paleness and sweating. She may have an undiagnosed heart condition. The feinting could be a result of bp issue, but adding in the other symptoms really sends up my mommy radar.

Keep us posted. I hope it is nothing too serious. (((Jean)))

[Tammyla]

Do you have a nurse line, or could you call the Dr.? They will ask you a number of questions and help with the decision.

Some things they might (most likely will) ask are.

1. How is she now? Normal heart rate, accelerated pulse, does she feel dizzy? Is she sweaty, does she have a fever or any other symptoms.

2. Is she menstruating?

3. And of course they'll ask if anyone else is experiencing similar symptoms. Do you have a gas heater or fire place?

I'm sure they'll have a better list of questions. My dd has fainted more than once and man is it scary. Prayers she feels better and hugs to both of you.

[Claire]

My friend's dd has fainted a couple of times. I would call your doctor's office; they usually have an out-of-office-hours number to call for information and advice, but I would not expect a fainting spell like this to warrant a trip to the ER.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

I just read this to DH (Family Practice MD who does a few ER shifts a month) and he says to get to the ER NOW. I hope you are already there! Keep us posted!

[HomeOnTheRanch]

BTW, he said that if she had just fainted once, it may not warrant such concern, but three episodes within a short period of time is definitely cause for immediate attention.

[Quiver0f10]

Thanks everyone. I called the clinic here who suggested I bring her into my primary tomorrow unless she has another episode today. My primary doesn't have on call serives, just the clinic I called. I will have her seen tomorow and hopefully have an answer. I am really thinking it's low blood sugar or BP.

[cin]

pale and sweaty and fainting, that could also indicate low blood sugar.

Shakiness
Dizziness
Sweating
Hunger
Headache
Pale skin color
Difficulty paying attention
Clumsiness
Sudden moodiness or confusion
Tingling sensations around the mouth
Loss of consciousness My mom was a brittle diabetic and she never passed out, but she got clumsy, confused and MEAN. (moreso than usual :p)

Hugs and Prayers,

[Jenny in Florida]

I had the first few episodes when I was about 10, I think. The one I remember most clearly was one morning when my mother was brushing my hair before I went to school and I passed out. We did go to the doctor, and I spent the next month or so having all kinds of tests. For a while, the leading contender was epilepsy, but they eventually ruled that out and told us to come back if it happened again.

Over the years, I had various episodes large and small. And I distinctly remember going to the doctor as a young teen complaining that I felt dizzy whenever I stood up too quickly.

The doctor--no joke--told me to stand up more slowly and promised I'd grow out of it.

I didn't, but I just got used to standing up slowly.

I had a few more rather spectacular episodes in my 20s, including a couple that required my husband coming to rescue me from our local grocery store. After that, I went back to the doctor and got subjected to yet another series of tests. Each doctor I saw had a pet theory, and I had tests to rule out low blood sugar and various heart and nuerological problems.

Eventually, as a result of my own research, I was diagnosed with neurally mediated hypotension. Here's a link to a page of information about the condition: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mecfs/general/nmh1.html

I was on medication for a while, until we decided to have another baby. In my case, though, the problem seems to come and go. I'll have several weeks of problems and then go a year or more without anything. And I've learned to recognize my triggers (heat and humidity, dehydration, standing in one place for too long, being over-tired or stressed . . . ) and have found I'm usually able to avoid serious problems simply by staying aware and taking care of myself.

Frankly, of all the things it could have turned out to be, I find this among the most manageable.

--Jenny

[Tammyla]

Thinking about the two of you here Q. Hope she is feeling better and gets the all clear from the dr.
Blessings~

[Liz CA]

My 13, who I posted about before, fainted today. I was blow drying her hair and she fainted in my arms. She sat on the toilet for a few and semed Ok. So she stood again and next thing I knew she was on the floor. I let her lay there a few and helped her up and sat her on the toilet. A minute or two later she went out again. She was pale and sweaty. I asked her after and she had eaten a bagel and cream cheese, but hadn't drank anything. I am assuming she is having BP issues. I know she needs to see a Dr, but do I want til morning or hear to ER now.

this is a blood pressure issue, it could wait till tomorrow IMHO, however being sweaty and pale makes me wonder if there is something else.
I had a LOT of BP issues growing up and even as a grown woman, my BP rarely exceeds 115 over 60 but I don't remember being sweaty. Being pale can be more of a result of the low BP. What is her blood sugar level?

[Quiver0f10]

I had low BP as a teen and I remember blacking out alot , but not the sweaty and pale. I am thinking low blood sugar, which is something I have suffered all along too. I do have an apointment for her this week and in the meantime I am making sure she eats small meals throughout the day.

[Quiver0f10]

I brought Dd to the doctors today for her fainting and they are doing blood work tomororw ( fasting) and then she is having a CT scan on Thursday. Dr thinks it's low blood sugar, but wants to rule out seizures also. I should have an answer next week. She hasn't fainted again and I am making sure she eats well and doesn't go too long between meals.

[sdWTMer]

That's super...nothing like covering all the bases IMHO. My son saw all kinds of specialists because I didn't want him to come back to me when he's older and say, "But why didn't you pursue all the options?" Now, I know with all certainty that I did what I could at the time.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm so glad you are having this checked out! I hope it is "nothing" but it is always good to know that you've looked at the problem comprehensively. If it is low blood sugar, make sure she eats a bit of protein with her meals. It does make a difference.

[Jackie in AR]

Sounds like they are really going to check her out! I know you'll be glad to learn the results.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

I'm glad they are checking it all out. Thanks for updating us.