A bit of a moan

[Shirley]

I'm so worried.. my 12 year old has been poorly for the last 7-8 weeks with what the doctors say is labyrinthitis. (Dizziness, tiredness and nausea) He's had two lots of meds... the first being Prochlorperazine which made him feel even worse... he was on them for a few days and then the doctor (a locum) gave him some different ones.. an antihistamine this time... and I can't remember the name of it for the life of me. Anyway... he's not getting better, and so now the hospital are going to do a CT scan this afternoon. I'm worried.... they apparently don't expect to find anything untoward, but surely they wouldn't do one of these without good cause. I've googled... and then decided it's probably best not to as it's just making me feel worse.

I just want my son to be better again - he is usually so full of life.. always bouncing about, but now he's like an old man... walking slowly with little enthusiasm and not much of an appetite.

[Martin]

got you out of the surgery didn't it!
I'm incredibly cynical about high tech medicine, and suspect that it's far more the gp wanting to "cover themselves" than any genuine fear of something particularly untoward!
I'd be tempted to demand a "second opinion" if you have any doubts whatsoever about any treatment offered, and opt to see a homoeopath on the NHS!
Funnily enough, I'm suffering from something similar at the moment, and am going my usual "witch doctoring" route - garlic, zinc, echinacea, vit c for the infection, and am contemplating either Hopi ear candles, or "Merc Sol" - a homoeopathic remedy particularly good for neck/head/jaw problems - if it doesn't clear up within a few days, off to the acupuncturist!
Good luck, hope he's better soon!

[baldowrie]

My son during investigation into his problems was tested for fragile X, some his then school pick up on and decided before the results he obviously had it!

The consultant said he did not expect the results to be positive but wanted to completely rule it out. They were negative, as expected, but often simple tests for the most serious of problems is done just to rule them out completely.

[red]

the problem is dizziness is a symptom that comes with many ailments. Its sensible of the drs to suggest a scan - its not invasive and if there is something bigger going on, it is better to know sooner rather than later.
Equally there are many things it couldbe that are not the end of the world, but they are only diagnosed by ruling other things out.
I'm sorry he is feeling so grot, but good that the Drs are taking the seriously, the CT scan is part of the diagnosis route.

Of course you are worried you are his mum, its your job! nothing I can say would make you not worried.. just know we are thinking about you.

[Merry]

Hi Shirlz - consider yourself hugged! Keep us informed eh?

[Andy Hamilton]

poor little tyke, you got me looking my natural remedy books and nothing under labyrinthitis. - ginger and chamomile will be good for nausea. Symptomns could be caused by anaemia too so perhaps some more iron in his diet? Or even an ear infection according to one book.

Tell him I said get well soon anyway.

[the.fee.fairy]

Labrynthitis is a middle ear infection.
It can lead to Meningitis, which is why the doctors will be being overly cautious.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad stuff...my dad had a stroke 3 years ago that they thought was labrynthitis at first, so maybe that's why they've ordered a CT scan.

Hope he gets well soon!

(BTW Dad's fine now, it wasn't fatal or lifethreatening or anything)

[Shirley]

Thanks guys

I feel a bit lost with all of this because he's going there with his dad etc... (we are separated) and I'm getting this news secondhand as it were.

Anyway.. he saw some more specialists today - including an eye specialist who said that he had oval pupils... he's got to go back tomorrow for the scan, and an ECG and blood tests etc.

There is absolutely no point in my suggesting holistic/homeopathic medicine.. his dad would just laugh at me. God knows what I ever saw in him

[PurpleDragon]

Was it oval pupils or oval eyeballs, Shirlz?

I have oval eyeballs and it is what they call astygmatism.

It is very common and a pain in the butt because it means spex forever and they cant use laser eye surgery to fix it. Also contacts cost more than they would if it was just poor eyesight.

In fact, my eyesight isnt that bad but I cant see without my spex because of the astygmatisms in both eyes.

[Muddypause]

The CT scan, and all the other stuff too, is just a way for the doctors to find out what's going on inside. Clearly something is amiss, and doing a scan really just means they haven't worked out what it is yet. This seems like a good way of finding out more. Of itself, it's not a diagnosis of anything, so wait a bit to hear the results before you stress yourself out too much.

Even if you want to go down the 'alternative medicine' route, get a proper diagnosis first, so that you know what you are dealing with. That way you can plan rather than just worry.

Even if you are separated from his dad and that makes things more difficult, surely you can talk first hand to the doctors?

All the best with it.

[Shirley]

Was it oval pupils or oval eyeballs, Shirlz?

I have oval eyeballs and it is what they call astygmatism.

It is very common and a pain in the butt because it means spex forever and they cant use laser eye surgery to fix it. Also contacts cost more than they would if it was just poor eyesight.

In fact, my eyesight isnt that bad but I cant see without my spex because of the astygmatisms in both eyes.

Well... his dad said it was oval pupils.. I'll ask him!!

edited to add - I asked him... and he rather helpfully said... one or the other! I think I should talk to the doctors, like Muddy suggested.

[Shirley]

The CT scan, and all the other stuff too, is just a way for the doctors to find out what's going on inside. Clearly something is amiss, and doing a scan really just means they haven't worked out what it is yet. This seems like a good way of finding out more. Of itself, it's not a diagnosis of anything, so wait a bit to hear the results before you stress yourself out too much.

Even if you want to go down the 'alternative medicine' route, get a proper diagnosis first, so that you know what you are dealing with. That way you can plan rather than just worry.

Even if you are separated from his dad and that makes things more difficult, surely you can talk first hand to the doctors?

All the best with it.

You are right MP - Thanks for that... I fear I was letting my emotions get the better of me - yes.. I should wait until the results are in before getting stressed out!

Good point about talking to the doctors... I'll do that tomorrow! Thanks again.

[Boots]

Aw Shirlz, sorry I am a bit slow getting here.

Tis no fun watching our kids when they are crook, and probably even worse if you can't watch them (as in, they are at their Dad's).

It is totally normal for the docs to start running investigative tests if he has not responded to two variations of medication. Prolonged ear inflammation can lead to long term probs so it is necessary that they respond quickly and identify the cause and any developments quickly.

A CT scan can be likened to any ol X-ray nowdays. We weren't rushed off to have our brains or bits scanned when we were kids, but that's just cos we are OLD and OUTDATED!!! ...And part of the deaf and dyslexic generation because our ear conditions were left unadressed. A CT is quick and simple, and kinda cool - so your little mate will soon be boasting how he went inside a computer and the docs looked in his head.

The CT will eliminate a lot of things very quickly and provide the docs with some idea of how inflamed the bone is and possibly more importantly whether there is anything in there or any fluid developing that needs addressing.

You would be surprised by the many strange things that have been found in external orifices! Bugs are the worst for ears. I had to have a peanut removed from my nose once... but that's another story. (Stupid bloke thought it would be funny to insert one while I slept... Bloody Idiot!)

Tis the waiting game Shirlz, and its no fun. Tomorrow you will know what you are dealing with and can then look at how you plan to respond. Everything will be ok.

Hugs.

[Shirley]

Thanks Boots....

He's been there all day... and I've just had a phone call from his dad to say that they've hardly done anything... some blood tests, and cold water in his ears to test the reaction of his pupils (nice eh!) - the scans etc haven't happened because they are short staffed!!!!! Now he's got to stay in overnight tonights and they will hopefully do the rest of the tests tomorrow.

Seems silly to have asked him to go in today if they were not able to do the tests... fingers crossed that they do them tomorrow.

I think the results will take a while to come through anyway.

[Boots]

Don't be afraid to talk to the radiographer during and after the test. His or her report will guide the next course of action and they can put your mind at rest a lot quicker than waiting on the traditional docs appointment.

I hope they don't keep him waiting too long. That really sucks.

My daughter had a broken arm once and we waited hours in a cubicle for someone to come and set it. She is pretty much a low maintenance no fuss type of kid and just kept waiting patiently and quietly with her arm bent in 4 places instead of 3. Other people and kids were coming in hollering and hooting, and kept being put in front of her. After a few hours of this I realised manners might have been our problem... so I suggested she up the ante a little. She was a bit surprised, but finally obliged me and agreed to howl... Sure enough, in they raced and she was X-rayed and her arm set before they even noticed us laughing about it.

Needless to say, I had to remind her that it wouldn't work at home!

Better she make a racket than get me started, I figure.