Son just went blind at 10:30am

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a cna student - entering RN nursing program this fall.

My son (17) came down with the flu this morning - with the diah. and some really severe vomiting. After the latest round he came and sat next to me on the couch and said he didn't feel good.

He was really pale and listless so I checked his temp- 98.9

His head lolled forward and his body followed, I pushed him back on the couch and

he said he couldn't see. Everything was black.

His pupils were totally dialated and he was white -absolutely no color- even his lips.

I called our doctor to see which hospital to take him to - now 2 minutes elapsed and still no vision.

Breifed doctor on stats and he chuckled and said "Isn't the human body FUN???" -NOT the best thing to say to a panic stricken mom.

Said it was a vagel(?sp?) His eyes got congested from the violent vomiting, to lay him down flat. By this time, Alex could see outlines and pupils were contracting again. By the time I got off the phone, Alex could see again, and there he lies in my living room where I can watch him. Total blindness time: 6 minutes + 2 min. partial sight.

Can someone tell me more of what happened? I have been trying to find something on the internet, but obviously am not using the correct search information.

Thanks.

a worried but grateful mom:kiss

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I have never heard of this happening...if it were my son, i would have him chked ag ER NOW!.......it may just be as MD said, still, this is NOT a common occurence and warrents further investigation today....IMO.......good luck and let us know how he does........LR

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I have never known anyone with that experience or symptom,but I do know that you ought to complain loudly about that physician-what a terrible thing to say to someone calling for help! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so glad he recovered his sight, but you are not out of the woods yet-you need to have him fully tested to find out REALLY why it happened.

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I've got my three year old son under investigations for vagelling at the moment,but his symptoms are more of a faint.He's out cold for a few seconds.Sure feels like longer!

I agree with LR,get this checked out as soon as poss! Just reading your post made me feel panicky for you,what a horrible experience for you both.

I've heard of people bursting eye blood vessels through excessive/violent vomitting..but not with loss of vision.

Hope he's ok,sweetie,let us know,ok?

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just want to add, he needs ER visit to get the nausea under control...gawd forbid he should vomit again and do some damage to his eyesight that may be irreversable......LR

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I have to agree with the others, get him seen soon. I've never heard of anything like this happening, and it would probably be wise just to make sure no permanent damage was done, or could occur in the future.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Heather

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Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

The last time I had that flu, November 2002, I had severe vomiting. I did not go blind, but things got blurry and I ruptured a bloodvessle in my nose. It was so bad that it looked like I was throwing up blood. that's the closest thing to that, that I have ever heard of.

I bet that was scary! It would be horrible going blind!

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I would be taking my son. Could detach a retina or something. My hubby had four detached retinas and that is how they started. He needs to have his eyes checked.

renerian

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Take him in to be seen....by anybody but the jerk you called. I hope he is OK and feeling better soon....

Kristy

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Bad vagal response can cause loss of consciousness. Dilated pupils , lethargic. But at least he was responsive and breathing. So this was a near-syncope episode and he needs to be seen now.

Love

Dennie

What I'm thinking as "now" is like Now and not tomorrow or something. Likely they will give him something for nausea and not find any horrible syndrome going on. But that's what they're there for!!

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On my way to the ER. Will post when I get back.

Thanks.

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Why are you posting a question to a BB?

If that were my child or any child I cared for I would be on the way to the ER.

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