DS (nearly 4) tired all the time

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I've posted a couple of threads recently about DS's behaviour being strange lately - refusing to do things, hitting out at other children, crying a lot, etc. DP and I were talking about it and realised its worse when he's tired, and he seems to be tired a lot! When he wakes in the morning he often seems listless and says he's still tired (although doesn't want to go back to sleep).

And halfway through the day he just wants to lie down on the sofa and not do anything.

I've recently been diagnosed with Coeliac disease, which I discovered mainly because I was really tired, but also had other symptoms like feeling sick, stomach ache, diarhoea, etc.

I've made an appointment for DS to see the doctor next week just to chat about it, but do you think it could be Coeliac disease even though he doesn't have any other symptoms apart from tiredness?

I thought he could be anaemic - he eats a mainly vegetarian diet, although he gets lots of fortified cereals, wholemeal bread, chick peas, beans, green veg, and some tuna, mackerel, etc. We all eat the same and we're quite careful to make sure the children eat well.

Any ideas? I'm worrying now because I couldn't get an appointment until next week!

[luciemule]

I would insist they do a blood test to check everything out then you'll have peace of mind that it's nothing more other than tiredness.

[Booner]

I would keep his diet the same and definitely get him tested for Coeliac Disease, anaemia can result from untreated Coeliac Disease.
My son 4 has coeliac disease diagnosed a year ago and had the normal symptoms of stomach ache, diarrhoea, wind, pale face etc and tired but also he was very irritable, cross and prone to crying. After a year on his gluten free diet he is very energetic and very happy and sociable. He was much better within a couple of weeks.
My other son 6 was also diagnosed with Coeliac Disease we only tested him because of his brother and he had no real symptoms at all.
Good luck

[belledechocolatefluffybunny]

I'd ask for him to be checked for anaemia aswell.

[Rollmops]

Insist on full bloodworks, just checking the iron levels is not enough

[hellymelly]

My DD is rather like this,she is five. I need checking for coeliac but I haven't been eating gluten so I can't be tested yet,and so this thread has made me wonder about my dd.The GP had suggested maybe she needed extra iron,so she is on a good supplement,but now I am thinking perhaps I will have to ask for her to be tested for coeliac.How harrowing will it be for her to have a blood test though? that is a harrowing thought.Booner how did your sons deal with the blood test? Did they also have the gut biopsy?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

Thanks for all your replies - I've got my appointment next week so will see how it goes - I seem to remember the doctor once saying that children have to go to our local hospital for blood tests, they can only do adult ones at the surgery. So we might have to wait a while.

Hellymelly - I'm worried about him having the blood test. If its anything like when he had his last vaccination it will be a nightmare - it took me and three nurses to hold him down while he screamed! And surely with blood tests you have to sit still while they find a vein and the blood comes out, its not just a case of sticking a needle in.

I didn't have the biopsy so I would hope that DS wouldn't have to if we didn't want him to.

[Booner]

THe needle they use to take the blood is tiny and very fine.
For blood tests they can have some cream which numbs the area. It takes about 30 minutes to work (you can get it from the chemist to apply before you go.

Also if they are over 4 (I think) they can have a freezing spray which works instantly to numb the area.

They get a lolly afterwards at our hospital which helped!

My youngest had positive blood test and we were not forced into having a biopsy as my niece also has coeliac disease.

My two are 6 and 4 and I hold them still on my knee and a nurse holds their arm really still so the process is as quick as possible. I explained to them why you take blood and that the doctors like to do experiments on your blood to find out how to make you feel better - it seemed to work but maybe it was more to do with having a lolly after!

Hope you can both find out what is going on.

[hellymelly]

Thankyou,that is reassuring.My dds aren't vaccinated so no experience of jabs.DD1 is my concern,but I guess if she or I was positive then DD2 would need tesing too.I have a friend with coeliac and she has six daughters,two have it,the rest are clear.

[clouddragon]

I had what I thought was ME for about 3 years, was very poorly, then finally was diagnosed as a coeliac. Am also allergic to wheat (I can't tollerate the gluten free wheat stuff from Juvela)

but as others said get him tested for anemia etc too. (though of course that can be a sign of Coeliac disease!) Ring Coeliac UK they were really helpful with me.

[MerryMarigold]

My ds1 (4.5) is a bit like this - and even has a nap in the day on Thursdays/ Fridays after a long week at school. He's not a good eater so I think that's part of it. But I think he just likes his sleep. I do too. Also his behaviour is linked to how tired he is and can go through phases. Last time he had a really bad phase, I noticed he'd gone through a bit of a mental growth spurt. Let him sleep as much as he wants, I'd say. And check things out, but don't worry too much.

[ThatDamnDog]

Let us know how you get on. DS (3) has been behaving terribly recently, is really hyper and overtired but not sleeping well. I'm still undecided about whether to see the GP or not.