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Original poster

So worried about DS! Advice please

34 replies

MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 07:19

The last two weeks 10YODS hasn't quite been himself, quite lethargic and irritable but I just put it down to January/back to school blues. The last week though he's woken up from heavy nosebleeds three times as well as sleeping 11 hours a night and saying he feels out of breath.
Obviously I've googled and terrified myself it's leukaemia. I'm going to call the GP as soon as it opens and ask for him to be seen. Would it be better to take him to a&e? I'm guessing probably not but my GP will most likely not see him face to face. Any advice and reassurance would be gratefully received as I've scared myself sick.

OP posts:
Drunkpanda · 12/01/2022 07:22

My GP has seen both my dc face to face in recent months, if they won't in your scenario I would try the hospital option - but seeing the GP could help you be seen more quickly at the hospital too. I don't have advice about the symptoms but I am sure there are a range of things that could cause them. Take care Flowers

JuneOsborne · 12/01/2022 07:22

Well, the first thing to do is to stop googling. You're only ever a couple of clicks away from a diagnosis of something terrifying.

Yes to the gp. A&E waits are horrific ATM and if there's nothing they can do to patch him up immediately, they'll send you home with instructions to see your gp.

Has the bleeding stopped? If it's pouring out of him with no sign of stopping, that's an A&E job in my mind.

Hope you get some joy with GP and your lad feels better soon.

BrambleRoses · 12/01/2022 07:22

Is private healthcare an option? It shouldn’t be this way but for anything like this I would be using it at the moment, and probably for the foreseeable.

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ilovebagpuss · 12/01/2022 07:26

I took my DD and GP saw her I would say what you are worried about and ask for blood tests to reassure. My DD had very low Vit D and folic acid so was prescribed loading doses. She was pale and tired and shaky.

ilovebagpuss · 12/01/2022 07:28

Also if he’s wearing a mask a lot you do get very dry nasal passages and can have nosebleeds. I had this last year when wearing them all day in a warm building.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 07:30

He's not been wearing a mask, he's just at primary and we've not really been anywhere indoors other than home and school for a few weeks now. We do have a new dehumidifier though but have had it a month and the bleeding only just started. Doesn't account for the lethargy either but maybe?

OP posts:
Riverlee · 12/01/2022 07:30

I would go the gp route first. Most gps are now seeing patients face to face so request that. Insist on blood tests being done to check things like glandular fever, thyroid levels, iron, anaemia etc. That can all cause lethargy.

If you have no joy there, try 111 before going straight to a and e, or even ring 999 and ask for their advice.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 07:34

He also never seems to get nosebleeds during the day, it's always at night.

OP posts:
BonneMaman15 · 12/01/2022 07:37

He needs to go to Paeds A&E today.

Lovemusic33 · 12/01/2022 07:38

I’m sure a GP will see him.

My dd started getting nose bleeds around 9/10 years old, it could possibly linked to puberty as well as sleeping more and feeling tired?

Do ask for a full blood test to rule out other things.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 07:48

@BonneMaman15

He needs to go to Paeds A&E today.
Will they do anything though? I assume they'll just send us back to the GP for further tests as it isn't an emergency?
OP posts:
QueenVictoria11 · 12/01/2022 07:56

I would try GP first.

And take away the dehumidifier to see if it makes any difference.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 08:10

Ok I've booked a call back but been told he'll only be seen face to face "if the Dr feels there is a need"

OP posts:
AlternativePerspective · 12/01/2022 08:14

If you have a callback then that’s a start. They can arrange blood tests etc which is what they will do at the hospital anyway.

And stay away from google. It’s the work of the devil.

SummerHouse · 12/01/2022 08:15

Hand hold.

By far the most likely outcome is this is nothing serious. Hope you get some reassurance. Bodies are so complicated and so many things can upset the balance.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 08:49

@SummerHouse

Hand hold.

By far the most likely outcome is this is nothing serious. Hope you get some reassurance. Bodies are so complicated and so many things can upset the balance.

Yes I am sure you're right. We had a really terrible cancer scare with DD two years ago and I think It's just brought back those memories and how scary it was waiting to see what was wrong etc. I don't deal very well at all with my DC's being ill! He seems otherwise ok in himself, no loss of appetite at all and no real pains anywhere, just really tired and sick of being woken up covered in blood Sad.
OP posts:
JugglingJanuary · 12/01/2022 08:52

Have you done an LFT?

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 09:54

@JugglingJanuary

Have you done an LFT?
We did one a couple of days ago (though very gently as didn't want to set his nose off again!) and it was negative, nobody else in the house is unwell either so I'm assuming it isn't Covid. He doesn't really have any of the typical symptoms.
OP posts:
x2boys · 12/01/2022 10:04

My son has tested positive for COVID twice now ,with very vague symptoms ,I would do another LFT ,just to rule it out
I hope you get some reassurance from the GP today .

SilverHairedCat · 12/01/2022 10:07

Tbh, it could be as simple as an infection in his nose that's causing the nose bleeds. I have this from time to time and an ointment sorts it out.

I hope its nothing sinister, glad you're speaking to the GP.

Original poster
MumbleCrumbs · 12/01/2022 10:24

@x2boys

My son has tested positive for COVID twice now ,with very vague symptoms ,I would do another LFT ,just to rule it out I hope you get some reassurance from the GP today .
I dare not put anything else up his nose tbh as I really don't want to set it off again. He's finding it a bit upsetting. I hadn't really considered it might be a sinus infection to be honest, I didn't think they caused nose bleeds?
OP posts:
ScatteredMama82 · 12/01/2022 10:27

Didn't want to read and run. I'm terrible for googling symptoms but honestly stay away from it! It always comes up with the worst case scenario. I once ate a lot of beetroot, was peeing red and was convinced I had bladder cancer.

Regarding your son, if the noseblood has stopped then I would make an appointment with your GP asap.

Vapeyvapevape · 12/01/2022 10:28

If it's not actively bleeding now, I don't think a and e will do anything but definitely a gp appointment for sure.
My niece used to have horrendous nose bleeds , always at night and she was fine x

Xiaoxiong · 12/01/2022 10:36

My 10yo cousin has this, he has a weak blood vessel in his nose and gets nosebleeds at night when the air is dry - so winter, central heat, dehumidifiers, etc all make it worse. He uses the NeilMed Nasogel spray for dry noses and it helps. My guess is it's the new dehumidifier making his nose dry. Definitely get it checked out of course but I bet you anything that it's the new dry conditions.

SilverHairedCat · 12/01/2022 10:49

When I get it, it's not a sinus infection, it's literally up the inside of my nose. No other symptoms I'm aware of except I snore. I have frequent nosebleeds when it occurs, every night without fail just before the bed and always when I blow my nose. I have the ointment kept as a spare now - not sure why I'm so prone to it!

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