7-year-old was diagnosed with flu but couldn’t walk — mom’s response led to life-saving diagnosis
When it comes to children’s health, symptoms should not be taken lightly and need to be thoroughly checked. A mom named Jennifer McCollum (@jennifermccolum) revealed that when her 7-year-old son, Nicholas, was having trouble walking, it immediately alerted her. Other symptoms prompted her to visit the doctor but she was told that her son had the flu. The mom didn’t settle and did her own research, per The Daily Mail. An astonishing discovery helped her uncover a life-saving diagnosis for her son. The mom mentioned that Nicholas complained of leg pain and that he couldn’t walk. She rushed him to the ER.
“They first did a swab of his nose for flu/Covid,” Jennifer recalled. The doctor then told her that her 7-year-old had “Influenza B.” The boy was given ibuprofen and hydration for his recovery. Something didn’t sit right with the mom and she decided to continue her research. That’s when she recalled a baffling instance from a few days ago. “You're going to think I'm crazy and I truly don't care, but every minute I was searching TikTok 3 days ago, for maybe an hour a day, I kept seeing Myositis,” she mentioned. The mom noticed how other parents had similar struggles with wrong diagnoses or being dismissed.
@jennifermccullom TRUST YOUR GUT!!!! We went to the ER at 9am when Nick woke up saying couldn’t walk and it his legs hurt so bad. At the ER til 2pm when we were about to be sent home with a somewhat incorrect diagnosis. We weren’t in the ER long before they took Nicholas back. They first did a swab of his nose for flu/Covid. About 30 mins later the doctor came in and said he has Influenza B, sending him home with a recovery with IBPUPROFEN and hydration. You’re going to think I’m crazy and I truly don’t care but every minute I was searching TIK tok 3 days ago, for maybe an hour a day I kept seeing MYOSITIS. One mom said they sent her home 3x, another said that their kids kidney function was failing and another one said they could just have a fever. They all said get a CK blood test done!Nicholas started to have a fever Monday morning of 103. My husband use to work at the ER so he said let’s wait it out and see. Since Monday every 6 hours Nick needed machine. There is only one medicine he takes and nothing else. This kid has had antibiotics one time in life. Not any other symptoms, maybe a cough here and there, but something you don’t think is serious….when he said his legs are hurting my heart dropped. When your child walks like this you would think it’s not just the Flu.The doctors at the ER stated it’s time to go. His legs hurt because he has aches. I legit wanted to slap the shit out of him. I asked him for a CK and he looked at me crazy, like how does she know this. TIK tok came through babe, now go test that shit.He came back with his head down and say OMG I’m so surprised. He said Nick needed to be transported to the children’s hospital by ambulance. His CK levels were high at 4000 and they can’t get to 5000. They said he needs an IV.Dude this kid can’t take Tylenol at all, he legit in his life only takes IBUPROFEN. They did the blood draw without trouble and the IV but that Tylenol did not get in his system at all. Crazy huh? I feel this kid can take so much pain but won’t have anything in his mouth 🤦♀️This morning I was scared shitless but I freaking had no doubt in my mama brain that I knew something was up. Thank you TIK TOK and thank you all for your love, advice, support, messages and so much more.I’m thankful my girls have each other at home and so much support if they need it. My husband is amazing guys. He kept my heart feeling like I was safe. I have been more calm than I could ever imagine and it’s him and GOD. This process wasn’t as hard as it could have been and I’m so thankful. I need him and I need my boy. Again friends, I love you guys. I am grateful and appreciative of every single one of you. Not only do we need the prayers but I want to pray for you as well. If you are struggling with something, share it if you want. We are here to support you as well. It takes a village and I’m freaking so happy with mine.
♬ original sound - Jennifer McCullom
Furthermore, all the parents whose kids faced the condition recommended getting a “CK blood test.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, CK (Creatine kinase) is an enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscles and the brain. The test is done to check the level of CK and a higher level might indicate injury or damage. Jennifer kept all of these things in mind and when her son got a high fever, she knew she had to act. “No other symptoms. Maybe a cough here and there, but when he said his legs were hurting, my heart dropped,” she remarked. The doctors told the mom that the boy was unable to walk due to the ache in his legs and that he’d be fine.
The mom took heed of the information she received from fellow parents on TikTok and asked for a CK test. “They were going to send me home, but I told them I wanted the CK test,” she recalled, per Arizona’s Family TV. “TikTok came through,” she remarked. After her persistence, the doctor was surprised to see the results of the test. "Nick needed to be transported to the children's hospital by ambulance. His CK levels were high at 4,000 and they couldn't get to 5,000,” the doctor revealed to the mom. Nicholas was finally given the right diagnosis — rhabdomyolysis. The condition refers to a rare muscle breakdown that can be life-threatening and requires attention, per Cleveland Clinic.
“I was scared but I freaking did not doubt my mama brain that I knew something was up. Thank you, TikTok,” the mom exclaimed. The 7-year-old was reportedly treated and is back home, stable and well. Many parents revealed that they, too, have relied on CK tests when they faced dismissals and similar symptoms. @bhaddyglossco remarked, “My daughter had Influenza A and this happened to her. She was diagnosed with myositis.” @nikonadventures said, “So glad you were able to advocate with TikTok.”
You can follow Jennifer McCollum (@jennifermccolum) for more content on parenting.