Okra Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) Dd, age sixteen, fainted tonight on the bathroom. Apparently, she hadn't been feeling great most of the day, but not awful either. She went to take a shower, like she normally does before bed but passed out as she was getting out of the shower. She doesn't remember anything but waking up on the floor. We actually don't know for how long she was out either. Apparently, she hit the back of her head because it is hurting. And, I'm worried. She is fast asleep, so I don't think there is really anything to do right now. But, how do I know when or if it is serious? I'm assuming I can let her sleep until morning and then make an assessment? I hate worrying about children. I also hate worrying about them when they are asleep. Edited September 26, 2017 by Okra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Does she tend to have low blood pressure? Sometimes a hot shower can actually lower blood pressure more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 I'm not certain about her blood pressure. That has never been on our radar before. But, it definitely is something to consider. She was able to talk fairly clearly about what happened, but was super upset. So, we just put cold pack on the back of her head and she is now asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 You should definitely go to urgent care. She fainted, which is already potentially serious, and then she hit her head. As far as sleep and head injuries go, the current advice is that you can go to sleep normally, but you should be woken periodically to make sure that you do wake up and aren't abnormally groggy, disoriented, or hard to rouse. If the patient goes to sleep when they don't normally sleep, that's a big sign of something wrong, but it's not unhealthy to go to sleep at bedtime. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I used to get light headed very easily at that age, and anything out of the ordinary could make it worse -- a sickness coming on, hot weather, standing too long, and more. If she wasn't feeling well beforehand, I'd assume it was some virus hitting her. I think I'd wake her up every few hours to make sure she was okay, and reassess in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 Well, definitely a normal time for her to sleep. And, no urgent Care is open right now. It would have to be ER. My gut reaction is to wait until morning, but it doesn't stop me from worrying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 (hugs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I would be worried too but I think that I would have the same gut reaction to wait until morning. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I'd rather err on the side of caution. Did you check her for concussion symptoms before she fell asleep? If you didn't, maybe you should wake her to check to see if her pupils are dilated or if they react normally to a sudden bright light (flashlight) by getting smaller. See if she can walk around normally or if she has problems with balance or stumbling. Be sure she can converse normally. If all seems well, ice her head again where it hurts and let her go back to sleep. If there are problems, call your clinic's after-hours nurse or the ER to ask if she should be seen tonight. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Ok, I'm seeing mixed results when I google sleep and concussions. I'd still take her in. Another vote for the ER. You have no way of knowing how hard she hit her head and I wouldn't want to take a chance that she might have a concussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Does she tend to have low blood pressure? Sometimes a hot shower can actually lower blood pressure more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yup. This happened to me when I was around that age. Never hit my head though that I can remember. If she has anything more than soreness in the morning, I'd call the pediatrician / doctor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadenceSophia Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 This happened to me all the time at this age and through college. Once was coming out of the shower just like that. I do tend to have low blood pressure, there was some hormonal influence because it happened roughly around the same time in my cycle, and fatigue was the major trigger. If I had to wake up early for something, I was pretty much guaranteed to throw up or faint. I grew out of the fainting by my mid twenties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) I fainted a lot as a teen as well. In regard to he head hitting. Last month my brother fell over while picking up firewood. He came to 2 hours later, staggered to his house and went straight to bed and slept. He never sleeps during the day The next day hecalled in sick for work because his head was hurting so much. As he did the next day as well. The following day he hopped into his car to drive to work and realised he could not remember how to drive. He went to the doctor and found out he had a brain bleed. The dr.ticked him off sternly for not coming I straight away. Told him to NEVER sleep after concussion and could not believe he was still alive. Edited September 26, 2017 by Melissa in Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Ditto the low blood pressure/hot shower issue. My BP has always been very low and I love a nice, hot shower. The two don't always mix well, especially when you add in not feeling up to par. I hope your DD is okay! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 How is she doing this morning? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof1 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Two of my sister's fainted as a teen. Just only once a piece. It had to do with there periods and really heavy flow. We were told. The first one was checked out by EMT the other school nurse. It's best to get her checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) DD woke up and started vomiting at about 4:00 am. I did check her pupils then and they were fine. I made the decision to wait until morning and see how she was when fully awake. So, this morning when she woke up, she seems much much better. She reports that she feels better, her head does not hurt. She is walking and talking fine. I talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office whose gut feeling is the same as mine, that most likely she is fine. But, we do have an appointment in the early afternoon just to check things out with the Dr. So, right now, I am thinking that DD had some stomach virus. When she went to take the hot shower something happened (low blood pressure, like Jean and Pawz and others suggested?) which caused her to pass out. But, I am making a guess that she does not have a concussion. Edited September 26, 2017 by Okra 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdj2027 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 The exact same thing happened to my daughter when she was five. I took her to the ER, they checked her out and could not find anything so they send us on to a neurologist. She was diagnosed with abdominal migraines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Our friend has this problem, too. Stress, a hot shower, and BAM he's on the floor. This isn't as rare as one would first think. Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 DD woke up and started vomiting at about 4:00 am. I did check her pupils then and they were fine. I made the decision to wait until morning and see how she was when fully awake. So, this morning when she woke up, she seems much much better. She reports that she feels better, her head does not hurt. She is walking and talking fine. I talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office whose gut feeling is the same as mine, that most likely she is fine. But, we do have an appointment in the early afternoon just to check things out with the Dr. So, right now, I am thinking that DD had some stomach virus. When she went to take the hot shower something happened (low blood pressure, like Jean and Pawz and others suggested?) which caused her to pass out. But, I am making a guess that she does not have a concussion. Thank you for the update -- I hope everything goes well at the doctor and that your dd is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I fainted a lot as a teen as well. In regard to he head hitting. Last month my brother fell over while picking up firewood. He came to 2 hours later, staggered to his house and went straight to bed and slept. He never sleeps during the day The next day hecalled in sick for work because his head was hurting so much. As he did the next day as well. The following day he hopped into his car to drive to work and realised he could not remember how to drive. He went to the doctor and found out he had a brain bleed. The dr.ticked him off sternly for not coming I straight away. Told him to NEVER sleep after concussion and could not believe he was still alive. :scared: Wow! Glad he IS still alive! OP, hope everything turns out okay for your daughter! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I'm glad your dd is feeling better! When I was a little kid, I was playing outside on a very hot, humid day and got overheated and passed out. That's the one and only time I've ever fainted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 My girls and I all have blood pressure that can be on the low side. I fainted while kneeling in church as a teen, and I've passed out more than once after giving blood. My 17 yo had a stomach virus this summer and passed out in the bathroom. I think that tendency is normal for us. Hope your dd is much better today and that all goes well with the doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 In medical terms, she passed out, not fainted. Fainting is when you feel weak and know you're going down. Passing out is hitting the floor hard, without control. Passing out is infinitely more dangerous than fainting. It isn't as likely to be caused by low blood pressure or a hot shower. Do not cancel the doctor appointment, and make sure if she has any more symptoms you take her to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 ladybugs Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Push fluids. When I was in chemo I once felt faint (thankfully I am not one of nearly every women on my mothers side that faints ALL the time) in the shower and they (the doctors) told me that it was common when people are on dehydrating chemo. I got a bag of fluids and I was fine after that. So I would REALLY push fluids with her and if she is refusing them, think about taking her in for a bag of fluids if nothing else. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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