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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you take your child to the doctors for this?

81 replies

AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 02/01/2013 22:20

Ds is 6, (7 next month) and has a extremely fast metabolism (he gets treated on a diabeties type diet)

He is 3st 2oz and wears 5-6 year old clothes.

We call him tin ribs as you can see every rib in his body, including his back bones.

When he eats, he needs to use the loo on average 5 to 30 mins after every meal and sometimes even snacks.

He is pale and over the past few weeks has started getting dark circles under his eyes.

He's fit and healthy otherwise, plays football twice a week, does karate, and runs around like a normal 6 year old.

I'm just worried about his weight and metabolism, he eats well and has a good varied diet.

Is this normal or would you get your child checkout if it was them. Just seems he's not growing (been in the same shoe size for 20 months now and showing no signs of sprouting. (Shoes size size 10.5)

OP posts:
OddBoots · 02/01/2013 22:22

Is he under any kind of medical care? Actually, either way, I would take him to the GP without any question at all.

IwishyouaMerryChristmas · 02/01/2013 22:23

Yes, I would. What are his poos like? he could have some kind of absorption problem or intolerance.

acsec · 02/01/2013 22:23

I think, for your piece of mind as much as his health, it wouldn't hurt to take him to doctors and get him checked over.

WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 02/01/2013 22:25

Who put him on a 'diabetes type' diet? I'm not really sure what you mean by that? Have you cut out certain food groups or was that suggested by a GP?

notapizzaeater · 02/01/2013 22:25

I'd take him to the gp too. Has he been tested for coeliac ? He sounds just like my son before he got diagonosed, even down to the dark circles under the eyes .....

mamababa · 02/01/2013 22:25

Yes I would. On the basis you have noticed all this and generally mum's instincts are good Smile

Pancakeflipper · 02/01/2013 22:25

Watching this - got a 7 yr old who is super skinny. His naked body is all bones. I know he genetically was very likely to have a slim build but this is now worrying me. I can circle my thumb and index finger around his upper arms no problem.
Like your son, he's a very active kid.

Spoke to our Dr 2 yrs ago and they weren't worried. They said more cake.

5madthings · 02/01/2013 22:25

Yes def, we have similar with ds2 and are getting him checked out for diabetes actually.

CloudsAndTrees · 02/01/2013 22:26

Yes, I would.

DrRanj · 02/01/2013 22:27

Is there any chance he could have something like cystic fibrosis or Crohn's disease? Or a thyroid problem? Yes I think you should get this investigated more thoroughly.

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 02/01/2013 22:28

Has be been to the GP for it at all? I would get him checked for at least coeliac disease and diabetes.

Nanny0gg · 02/01/2013 22:31

Is that a medical diagnosis or yours?

And yes, I would take him.

5madthings · 02/01/2013 22:36

Ds2 poos a lot, are you meaning he poos a lot wee's a lot? We have had a general check up which go said he is fine just skinny but ds2 was I'll before Xmas and it wiped him out, plus just today ds2 mentioned poo in blood so def going to drs tomorrow.

Original poster
AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 02/01/2013 22:39

He got put on the diet a few years back, to get him to eat every 2-3 hora with sugar in as if he looses to much, his energy levels and suger levels drop, and he looses concentration.

Today his diet has been

7.30 Wheatabix x2 with full fat milk. Handful of berries.

9.30, breadsticks and handful of mixed nuts

11.30 ham and pease pudding sandwich.

1.30 banana smoothie and a biscuit

3.30, small packet of buttons, (as his energy dipped) and a glass of OJ

5.30, we had lentil soup, ds had 2 bowls. (No bread)

7.30 he had large bowl of porridge, and a malt drink.

He woke at 9.45 saying he was hungry and ended up in the bathroom again (about 5 the day I think, sorry tmi) (gave him some toast)

OP posts:
5madthings · 02/01/2013 22:41

Does he get headaches? If ds2 doesn't eat/drink regularly enough he gets headaches and loses concentration, sounds similar.

KobayashiMaru · 02/01/2013 22:41

Weight wise he's not much lighter than my incredibly thin but remarkably healthy 8 year old, so I wouldn't be worried about that aspect personally.

Original poster
AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 02/01/2013 22:42

Dr put him on it, that should have said.

Trying to text while ds2 is playing up, been getting in and out of bed for 3 hours now little tink!!

OP posts:
MammaTJ · 02/01/2013 22:43

I would be taking him to the doctors. This is said as a mum of a 6 year old who has never done a solid poo in his life and has learnt to be relaxed about it.

Original poster
AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 02/01/2013 22:43

Yes, he gets headaches, but he drinks at least 6-7 beakers of water a day. + hot drinks, fresh juice etc...

OP posts:
Original poster
AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 02/01/2013 22:45

I wish, he doesn't let you in the bathroom, so I've no idea what try look like, dh does say they are always soft however (tmi)

OP posts:
DorisIsWaiting · 02/01/2013 22:46

He needs a proper review don't get palmed off by a (crap) Gp saying this is fine.

About his poos do they float? does he stuggle to get them to flush? greasy looking? smelly? You can tell alot by a poo! Grin

How about the rest of his health is he prone to coughs and colds?

Personally I would say he needs at the very least to be seen by paed and dietician, and then if no definite diaganosis an allergy specialist.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 02/01/2013 22:46

Sounds like coeliac disease to me too. All the symptoms of malnutrition, plus his food is literally going straight through him. I was dangerously thin before being diagnosed. I'd get him to a GP straight away.

5madthings · 02/01/2013 22:46

Well if you get to the bottom of it let me know, we are none the wiser with ds2. Basically told to 'feed him up' which we try but never makes a difference weight wise and if he gets I'll it knocks him out. My mum is a nurse and has said Dr needs to do some blood tests etc to see what is going on, she thinks diabetes, just have to persuade the Dr to test!

5madthings · 02/01/2013 22:47

Soft pops verging on diahrea here as well. Sorry I am not helping but interesting to hear of a similar child.

DorisIsWaiting · 02/01/2013 22:49

It's pretty shit of the GP to put him on such an intensive diet ( eating every 2-3 hours with snacks must be hard especially at school). How much follow up has he had? regular weigh in growth plotted?

When was the last time you saw the GP?