Concerns About My Son's Health
I am deeply worried about my 19-year-old son. For the past three years, he has experienced recurring bouts of severe illness every six to nine months, during which he becomes unable to keep anything down, even water, for an extended period—often lasting around three months. Currently, he is hospitalized for what seems to be the fifth or sixth time, with alarming potassium levels dropping to just 2. Upon arrival at the hospital last night, his face, arms, and legs appeared gray. This latest episode has persisted for six weeks. The medical team has ruled out conditions such as Crohn's disease and gastroenteritis. Comprehensive tests, including both upper and lower endoscopies, have yielded no definitive answers. Initially, they suspected his marijuana use might be the culprit; however, he stopped smoking after his previous health scare, yet the symptoms continue unabated. The doctors remain perplexed, and I am reaching out in hopes that someone may have insights or advice to offer.
Answers (1)
7/13/2025, 4:40:34 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your son's health struggles; that sounds incredibly challenging for both you and him. Managing complex and recurrent issues like these can be frustrating when answers seem elusive. It's commendable that you are seeking further insights.
Key Points:
Your son's recurring severe illness, inability to retain food or liquids, and significantly low potassium levels are concerning. Despite thorough examinations and tests, finding the underlying cause can be difficult. The fact that doctors have ruled out some common conditions is a step forward, but it can feel daunting without clear explanations.
Explanation:
Past episodes in which your son has been unable to keep food or liquids down may suggest an underlying gastrointestinal, metabolic, or neurological issue. The low potassium level (normal potassium levels are typically between 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L) can lead to serious complications, including muscle weakness and heart issues, so this aspect deserves continuous monitoring.
While it appears that marijuana use has been ruled out as a direct cause, it may be worth considering a broader view, including lifestyle factors, medication side effects, dietary issues, or other hidden conditions that may be exacerbating his symptoms.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keeping a detailed log of your son’s symptoms, timing, food intake, and any other relevant activities might help healthcare providers spot patterns that could provide clues.
-
Communicate with the Healthcare Team: Ensure you discuss with his doctors any potential non-gastrointestinal causes like metabolic disorders (such as adrenal insufficiency), autoimmune conditions, or even genetic factors that may not have been previously considered.
-
Consider Nutritional Support: While he is hospitalized, inquire about nutritional management options, such as enteral nutrition (tube feeding), to maintain his strength and prevent further complications from poor nutrition.
-
Explore Mental Health Support: Chronic illnesses can take a toll on mental health. Be open to integrating psychological support for him as he navigates these challenging episodes, especially if anxiety or depression emerges due to these repeated health issues.
-
Seek a Specialist Consultation: If not done already, consider requesting a referral to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or an internal medicine doctor with expertise in complex cases, to review all existing data and possibly approach it with fresh eyes.
Staying engaged and proactive with the healthcare team will be crucial in managing your son's ongoing symptoms. Please feel free to ask further questions or share updates; you're not alone in this.
Related Questions
Understanding Patent Ductus Arteriosus
I recently learned that my 7-year-old daughter has a minor patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She underwent an echocardiogram due to our family's background of bicuspid heart valves, which I, along with my father and brother, also have. While her heart valves appear healthy, the echocardiogram did reveal this small PDA, as indicated in the report I received. Although I anticipate hearing from the doctor by Monday, that means I have two days to ponder this situation and feel anxious about it. I’m curious—do all PDAs require surgical intervention? Considering her age, it’s unlikely that it will close spontaneously. If anyone has any experiences or knowledge regarding this condition, I would greatly appreciate your input! Thank you!
Should You Discuss Your Own Research on Test Results with Your Doctor?
I recently underwent an echocardiogram, and while awaiting my cardiologist's call, I took it upon myself to look up what constitutes normal values and compare them with my own results. When she eventually reached out, she highlighted two abnormalities in my readings; however, one noticeable irregularity was not mentioned in our conversation. This has left me pondering whether I should address this overlooked abnormal result at our upcoming meeting, or if it might be best to refrain from mentioning it, considering her expertise in this area. I have complete confidence in her assessments, yet I find myself feeling a bit anxious about this situation.
Mild Symptoms After a Head Injury: Should I Consult My Doctor?
Greetings and thanks for taking the time to read my post. * I am a 37-year-old woman. * My weight is approximately 165 pounds, and I stand 5 feet 9 inches tall. * Current medications include daily Symbicort for asthma and melatonin on rare occasions (about once a month) to assist with sleep. * I also smoke marijuana a few times each week, but have refrained from using it since my injury to avoid hindering my recovery. **Background:** * One week ago, on January 31, I had an accident where I tripped and struck my head against a doorframe late at night. Following this incident, I exhibited signs of confusion and slurred speech, prompting my partner to take me to the emergency room. There, a head CT scan was done, which the physician reported as normal with no significant issues. A nurse also checked for signs of a stroke, which were negative. * I received advice to limit my activities and to reduce exertion if any symptoms arose. I adhered to these recommendations, spending the past week primarily resting, eating, and sleeping. * I suspect I sustained a concussion, although I do not recall any doctor directly informing me of that diagnosis. * Curiously, I do not remember the moment I hit my head; I thought I recalled tripping, but I believed I caught myself before the fall, even though I developed a large bump on my head shortly afterward, leading to two black eyes a day or so later. At the hospital, I didn’t have any alarming symptoms upon my discharge—the initial confusion and slurred speech had resolved within hours. During this week, I have been cautious and have largely avoided any strenuous activity. Notably, I have experienced absolutely no headaches or confusion, which would raise concerns about a concussion. On Thursday, five days after my injury, I felt sufficiently well to meet a friend for lunch, but I noticed some dizziness at the café and struggled slightly to engage in conversation. The following day, which marked six days post-injury, I attended a work conference featuring speakers and presentations. However, while navigating a crowd, I felt quite dizzy and experienced mild nausea, leading me to leave early and head home. I do have a slight pain in my neck—it’s mild, around 1 out of 10 in intensity. My range of motion is unaffected, though it feels a bit tender. This discomfort did not exist during my hospital visit but started a few days later, possibly due to an awkward sleeping position rather than being related to my head injury. **My inquiry is this:** Are milder symptoms one week after a head trauma common, or should I consider making an appointment with my primary care doctor regarding my condition? If a slower recovery is typical and I simply need to allow more time for healing, I would prefer not to occupy a scheduling slot at the clinic. Conversely, I want to avoid potential complications—or post-concussion syndrome—and seek help if necessary. I genuinely appreciate any insights you can provide.
What Could These White Fibrous Strands in My Wound Be?
Age: 30, Weight: 140 lbs, Height: 5'6, Racial Background: White. About seven days ago, I accidentally cut myself while shaving. I've visited a medical professional and am currently taking antibiotics. However, I'm curious about these strange white, fiber-like materials appearing in my wound. The nurse indicated that the pus I have might be green, but I don’t see it; I thought it was merely a scab. How serious does my infection seem? It’s tender and has moments where it throb, causing me to limp occasionally.
Will This Last or Can It Change?
I’m a 27-year-old male, standing at 170 cm and weighing 53 kg; nothing out of the ordinary there. About three weeks ago, after extended use of my headphones, I experienced a sudden loud ringing in my left ear. I quickly took off my headphones, and this intense ringing lasted only a few moments, but it was followed by a persistent lower ringing sound. Here are my symptoms: - I can't hear the ringing in louder environments such as at school or with windows open; it’s only noticeable in quiet settings. - The ringing tends to subside when I open my jaw, and I noticed it changes as I move my mouth, like when making a duck face. - Sleeping isn’t an issue for me. - The frequency of the ringing seems influenced by my stress levels. - Occasionally, I hear a hissing noise in my head when I turn it. - The sound diminishes when I focus my attention elsewhere. - I feel like my hearing has become more acute since this started. Though it’s manageable at the moment, the uncertainty surrounding my condition is really stressful. Previously, I used to sleep with headphones positioned awkwardly, so I suspect this may be linked to muscle tension or issues with my jaw. How can I determine whether this condition is permanent? What steps can I take to protect my hearing?