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Exhausted child and a strange smell

192 replies

BlueDinosaurs · 15/01/2025 19:49

My daughter is 9 and for the last few days has just been absolutely shattered. Laying down in bed almost as soon as they get in from school. Bit of stomach ache going on, no diarrhoea or sickness, some blood in her poo. Not a huge amount. Off her food a little bit but is eating things like toast, fruit and yogurts. Generally just under the weather but the main thing that I have noticed is that she has an odd smell about her. After she has been for a poo it has a really odd smell to it and her breath does too - the same smell. Has anyone encountered this? I’m assuming it’s a version of a stomach bug but it’s the odd smell finding a bit unsettling. Any advice welcome, thank you.

OP posts:
ilovesushi · 15/01/2025 21:12

Get her checked asap. x

coxesorangepippin · 15/01/2025 21:08

One sec

Child shitting blood and can't get out of bed and you're messing around trying to call 111?

Just go to a and e

Iwishiwasapolarbear · 15/01/2025 21:08

LBFseBrom · 15/01/2025 20:53

Please do get her checked out by your doctor. The symptoms could be caused by all manner of things, diabetes being one, GORD and IBS are also possibilities. Or it could be nothing and just clear up. However she does need to be seen at the doctor's, as soon as possible.

Good luck.
.......
You said: "My daughter is 9 and for the last few days has just been absolutely shattered. Laying down in bed almost as soon as they get in from school. "
What's with the 'they'? You had already said, "daughter", so we knew she was a girl.

Maybe she means as soon as they get in as in more than one kid gets in from school

weird thing to pick apart when op is now stressed about her daughter possibility being diabetic

Squeekey · 15/01/2025 21:06

Given that it's been going on for a few days, and the time, I wouldn't personally be rushing her to A&E, to panic her and make her stay awake in a chair half the night. It needs checking out at the GP asap though.

And yes, I do know how serious undiagnosed diabetes can be. Its entirely possible she'll be seen quicker at the GP tomorrow than if she goes to A&E right now.

ErickBroch · 15/01/2025 21:05

Weird one but this happened to me whenever I was sick as a child! Until I was in my late teens. My mum always knew when I was sick because of the smell - I know exactly what you’re talking about. No diabetes and it just stopped eventually.

Verbena17 · 15/01/2025 21:00

Obviously you’re going to get her check3d out but I’m wondering if she might be impacted/constipated?

’old poo’ smells different and if it’s impacted right up high in the intestines and can make their breath smell the same - a poo-like smell.

That could then mean (if constipated/impacted) that her poo is drier than normal and has caused a little fissure at the opening skin of her bottom.

Clearly, it might not be that, but the smell, constipation and blood could all be connected.

justthatreallyagain · 15/01/2025 20:59

Hercisback1 · 15/01/2025 19:51

Get her checked for diabetes asap

This

KickHimInTheCrotch · 15/01/2025 20:56

My DD gets really stale breath whens she gets blocked sinuses. Not necessarily linked to a cold or increased mucus but it leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood so tiredness is a symptom.

Stormyseasallround · 15/01/2025 20:56

As the parent of a T1 child, I’d say take her up to the walk in centre. Quick urine test will rule it out or in. You can’t hang around with this stuff, it’s literally life or death and can come on very very swiftly. It’s ringing lots of alarm bells for me.

hulahoopbbq · 15/01/2025 20:54

It's good to see so many people know the symptoms of diabetes. I got it aged 17 and we didn't have a clue. Def get her seen asap.

LBFseBrom · 15/01/2025 20:53

Please do get her checked out by your doctor. The symptoms could be caused by all manner of things, diabetes being one, GORD and IBS are also possibilities. Or it could be nothing and just clear up. However she does need to be seen at the doctor's, as soon as possible.

Good luck.
.......
You said: "My daughter is 9 and for the last few days has just been absolutely shattered. Laying down in bed almost as soon as they get in from school. "
What's with the 'they'? You had already said, "daughter", so we knew she was a girl.

Notgivenuphope · 15/01/2025 20:51

Poor child. I really hope we are all wrong and this has a simple explanation that can be cured. Best of luck OP.

Silvers11 · 15/01/2025 20:51

Another one here suspecting Diabetes. @BlueDinosaurs I hope you have phoned 111 by now

It may not be, but if it is, it could be very, very serious if she doesn't get seen ASAP - and I mean tonight. Please don't wait until the morning.

RebelMoon · 15/01/2025 20:47

Polistock · 15/01/2025 20:41

Does anyone think it might be diabetes?!

LOL, we'll probably get to page 14 and someone will still pipe up with "it could be diabetes", thinking nobody will have thought of that.

Polistock · 15/01/2025 20:41

Does anyone think it might be diabetes?!

paddyclampster · 15/01/2025 20:40

Can you describe the smell?

Differentstarts · 15/01/2025 20:29

madamweb · 15/01/2025 20:28

Back in the day, people had more close knit communities and asked each other.
But yes, knowledge saves lives and I expect there will be children whose lives were saved because of Mumsnet

But surely this is quite basic and if not nothing you wouldn't find in a 2 second Google search

madamweb · 15/01/2025 20:28

Differentstarts · 15/01/2025 20:23

Did people's kids just die before mumsnet

Back in the day, people had more close knit communities and asked each other.
But yes, knowledge saves lives and I expect there will be children whose lives were saved because of Mumsnet

GrazeConcern · 15/01/2025 20:28

Op, type 1 diabetes in a child could be an emergency, you need to go to A&e tonight to get her checked if you suspect it. Don’t wait for GP, and tbh 111 will say A&e or get you an ooo appointment.

Julieju1 · 15/01/2025 20:28

It could be a few things, urine infection, diabetes, pancreatic, constipation, definitely seek medical advice.

MyDeftDuck · 15/01/2025 20:27

This
An odour of pear drops is a sign of possible diabetes

madamweb · 15/01/2025 20:27

AFingerofFudge · 15/01/2025 19:56

Or (not to say it won't be diabetes, just giving you my view) it could be like DS1- when he was younger he would sometimes smell funny when he was ill (tonsillitis, a big, a cold). I would smell his illness too. It was weird, and didn't happen with the other 2 DC's.

Yes. Definitely definitely get her checked out for diabetes, really important you do

But mine do just have a certain smell to me when they are ill, or about to be, it's not unpleasant though, it's just their "ill" smell. I don't think anyone else notices it

Lucyaugust2007 · 15/01/2025 20:26

viques · 15/01/2025 20:25

Interesting that she says she is hungry, she might be confusing feelings of hunger and thirst.

I hope you get her checked out quickly OP.

Hunger can also a symptom of diabetes (from my experience).

Bimblesalong · 15/01/2025 20:26

You’ve had some good pointers here. Sounds like my 7 y/o just before he was diagnosed with diabetes. Hope you soon get some answers. Fingers crossed for your family

Differentstarts · 15/01/2025 20:26

parietal · 15/01/2025 20:24

Yes, my great uncle died age 11 from childhood diabetes. In the 1930s.

I think that was more to do with medical care rather then incompetent parenting. One of these days there is going to be a post saying my kid isn't breathing what do I do

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