Concussion in child--upset

[sbgrace]

Updating:

 

I started another thread to ask if people might pray. My son has gotten worse (persistent/frequent vomiting, facial twitching, dizzy).

 

He is being sent from the pediatrician's to the hospital for a head CT. The pediatrician said the symptoms are still consistent with a severe concussion. The CT is precautionary/to rule out more serious trauma. She still believes it's concussion and had my husband call to tell me he's lucid (can answer questions) and stable. My mother is with my husband and son. I would really appreciate any thoughts/ prayers. This is really upsetting/scary for me.

 

===== older post follows:

 

It looks like my 8 year old has a concussion. He and his brother were happily and actively playing (inside-but we have hard/wood flooring). I could hear them running/laughing/pretending. His brother, being "Mr. Claw", pushed him down and he hit his head on the ground. I heard the hit as it was loud. I didn't hear the usual crying after something like that and came in from the kitchen. My son, on the ground, asked what happened to him and then complained of vision changes. He couldn't remember anything about their play previous to the push or the push/hit. The last thing he remembers was playing Lego with his brother earlier.

 

The vision issues settled down after about 20 minutes but then he threw up twice and he's sleeping on the couch.

 

The pediatrician's office said they couldn't do anything for a concussion and not to come in unless he threw up again, began acting strange, or had vision changes come back. The nurse said he could sleep.

 

I'm really upset. There has been all that stuff in the news about head injuries in sports, my boys are just really rambunctious--how do I not worry someone will get more seriously injured with their play? How do I keep an 8 year old boy with a spectrum/ADHD brother from getting another hit to the head for two weeks?

 

His head hurts. The nurse said I could do tylenol or ibuprofen but I'm afraid to do that in case there is a more serious injury not apparent? They really didn't feel they needed to see him.

 

Help me feel better or tell me what to do or something please!

[Catwoman]

Take him to the ER for a CT scan. Don't take any chances. It's probably nothing serious, but I don't mess around with head injuries.

 

I hope he's OK! :grouphug:

[jennynd]

I found the pedi response are very weird. I thought the common sense is if he throw up, attention will be required. I have to agree with pp. take him to ER.

[jessicamcc]

I think you should bring him in. Just my opinion, but if you are anything like me, you won't be able to relax till you know for sure. Does he throw up easily? Neither of my boys have ever thrown up after hitting their head. That would worry me. Keep us updated. :grouphug:

[JudoMom]

I'd lean towards taking him to the ER. I've always been told that throwing up after head injury means they need to be seen. That, along with the vision changes and memory issues would cause me to take him to be evaluated.

 

:grouphug:

[Cindy in FL.]

I'd want it checked out if I was you.

[Jennifer in MI]

Oh my goodness! How scary! Did he lose consciousness for any bit of that time? Not that that would change my recommendation. I'd definitely go in to the ER!!! Get an exam done just to be sure.

[AimeeM]

Take him to the ER.

My 7 month old launched from a bed onto the hardwoods and his head swelled. When I first called the pedi, they "didn't need to see him" and told me to "call back if anything got worse". I hung up... then noticed the swelling increasing and called back - insisting on an appointment. We ended up at the ER for an x-ray and CT scan. Good thing too - he had a fractured skull.

Go to the ER.

[DianeW88]

We always have kids come in for head injuries that cause them to lose consciousness (even briefly), vomit or have vision problems. You can check his pupils for reactivity with a flashlight. If they are dilated, not reacting to light, or not equal, please take him to the ER. And if you're feeling at all nervous, take him to the ER. Can you see a bulge on his head where he hit it? That's more reassuring than not seeing one, to be honest. And do you know where he hit his head? That makes a difference, too.

[goldberry]

We were taught at my fire department that any head injuries with loss of consciousness/loss of memory needed to be checked at the hospital. I would take him in. He is probably fine, but I wouldn't take any chances.

[JFSinIL]

Take him in. And - what is it with the nurse saying he could sleep? I always was told a concussion you need to keep them awake, and then wake them up at night, too.

[klmama]

sbgrace, are you still at home? I agree that you should take him in right now.

[Terabith]

Praying and hoping for a good update soon! :grouphug:

[Harriet Vane]

That nurse is an idiot. Please take him to the ER asap for a CT scan. Those symptoms may be for a mild concussion, or there may be further trauma that can only be evaluated by the ER (broken or cracked skull or bleeding on the brain are two that come to mind).

[Miss Marple]

If he has thrown up, take him to the ER immediately. And until you get there you need to keep him awake.

[sbgrace]

He's thrown up 5 times now, is lethargic, and complaining of dizziness. He at the pediatrician's office with my husband right now. I'm so worried. Make that 6 times. He just threw up in the waiting room.

[Catwoman]

Praying for him right now!!!

 

Please be sure your dh insists on a CT scan -- it's so important to be sure everything is OK. Don't let the doctor get away with telling you to just keep an eye on him for the next several days. That's just not good enough.

[Shellydon]

He's thrown up 5 times now, is lethargic, and complaining of dizziness. He at the pediatrician's office with my husband right now. I'm so worried.

 

 

If your pediatrician does not recommend a CAT scan, you need to take him to the ER yourself.

[jessicamcc]

I'm glad he's going jn. Hopefully you find out soon. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Tiramisu]

We had a similar thing happen--dd fell from a counter onto tile over a concrete floor head first. Though she's usually loud and over-the-top about every little thing, dd did not cry and hid in her bed. She started throwing up a little later. I called the pediatrician twice and they were not concerned. I knew I couldn't live with myself unless I got her checked out. At the ER, they did a CAT scan and all was well, but I never regretted the decision to take her in.

[Tiramisu]

He's thrown up 5 times now, is lethargic, and complaining of dizziness. He at the pediatrician's office with my husband right now. I'm so worried. Make that 6 times. He just threw up in the waiting room.

 

I'll say a prayer right now. Hang in there! :grouphug:

 

I know it's scary, but he's being taken care of.

[Lang Syne Boardie]

Praying.

[Jennifer in MI]

Praying like crazy here!!!!

[Catwoman]

Bumping for more prayers for your ds!

[DianeW88]

Make sure he has a CAT scan.

[Harriet Vane]

Make sure he gets a CT scan. With these ongoing symptoms this is essential.