to think the dietician should see him sooner?

[stretch]

Bit of background..
Ds1(9) has been quite poorly for the past 3 months. He had 3 colds, back-to-back, then was very ill with mastoiditis, two weeks after that he had another 2 colds then came down with scarlet fever 🙄
He's missed a lot of school and more worryingly, has lost loads of weight. He's always been very slight, but now he's almost skeletal.

Whilst in hospital with the mastoiditis the dr expressed concern over his weight (21.9kg) nothing else was said. He's currently under review with the gp who has referred him for blood tests. She was concerned about his weight too and it turns out he is now only 21.3kg even though he is eating more normally now! She then referred him, urgently, to the dietician who has sent me an appointment for 25th October!!

Obviously I know the clinics are super busy but I'm rather worried about him. With his immune system so low another big illness would further weaken him.

So two questions. WIBU to ring and ask for a sooner appointment, and does anyone in similar circumstances have any ideas or guidance for me. (Including being told to get a grip 😉)

For clarification: he's 133cm, ate like horse before all this, has a great diet (loves fish, veg etc) no birth problems. His activity levels have returned to near normal (albeit he gets tired easily).

I'd see the GP for more advice...is DS eating much at all?

It can't hurt to ask for an earlier appointment or ask to be contacted for any cancellations. They might say no but if you don't try you don't know and if you're worried it's worth it.

My DD was having seizures and we had an urgent referral that was 12 weeks away! I called and spoke to the Dr's PA & told her I would take a cancellation. She called a week later with an appointment for the next day! Maybe try that?

Really, unless there is something else wrong like coeliac disease, all anyone can do is to add calories to his diet - porridge made with gold top milk, blob of double cream, sprinkle of nuts. Mash potato with cream, loads of butter and cheese. Butter on all veg. Nut butter on crackers as a snack. Milkshakes made with gold top milk and quality icecream.
Basically, do all the things that you'd avoid to loose weight, offer food frequently, prioritise the high calorie foods, always offer pudding, and make drinks count

Ask your doctor for a prescription for pediasure for in the meantime

NHS has a different view of "Urgent" than most people. DD had an urgent referral for physio for a repeat dislocation of a kneecap - got an appointment for September coming.

We went private after not receiving anything for 2 weeks - private physio said that her whole gait and body position could have affected her for the rest of her life if we had waited that long. She has now been discharged fit and well.

I don't know what you expect a dietitian could do. You sound like a sensible person, we all know how to build up someone who's underweight.

FWIW, I recently attended a dietitians appointment with my DS2. He has ASD and only eats a small number of items. We had managed to maintain a reasonable weight until now (age 10) but a recent surgery set him back and his weight dropped.

Other than advise, she recommended supplemental drinks. If you saw the ingredients in these, it would make you sad. If my son would eat a reasonable diet, I wouldn't even contemplate them. There was some excellent advice upthread, I know that's what I'd do.

I'm presuming that your son had blood tests done because of these repeated illnesses? Anaemia can really dampen appetite.

Hope his health improves
All the best

I assume the GP has checked for diabetes and Addison's disease? Ask about these if not.

I agree with @N0tfinished - all the dietician will do is give you advice on how to increase his calorie intake which you could be doing yourself right now. Great tips from @CMOTDibbler. Good luck OP, hope he's okay!

Ditto what everyone else is saying.
They usually ask you to keep a food and drink diary - you could do that now. I'd do it for 2 weeks and then add up the calories/carbs/protein etc levels. You can google averages for kids.
If he is getting enough then i'd be back to the gp with the 2 week diary asking them to look for other reasons.
DS had huge food issues - the dietician could only really explain the food groups we should be eating for a healthy diet. She couldn't help at all with food issues or any medical issues or refer him on anywhere. I wouldn't pin your hopes on it.

I would suggest getting some peadiasure from boots in the meantime. It's a shake powder but you could add it to porrage too. You can get it on prescription however it is only £10 a tin and probably easier to buy than wait for a GP appointment. (And not wasting NHS resources)

I second the food diary also. When u see the dietitian they will likely suggest this anyway and saves you from another 2 week wait.

Hope he starts gaining and gets back to his old self op.

Ok thanks. Lots to read and take in.

The gp suggested supplement drinks only if the dietician recommends them. I guess I thought it would give him a boost of calories alongside food, I never looked at the ingredients. I used to have fortisip.

Mrs.. he's eating pretty well. Smaller portions than normal but I'm halving his dinner and letting him help himself after he's finished to his other half. Trying not to over face him. He's having snacks in between too. Cheese, crackers, eggs.

CMOT, funnily enough, I'm doing low carb high fat so although I know fat is good, will that cause him to be full quicker and therefore eat less? lol I might have to ask BIWI.

Food diary is a great idea. I started it this morning. I also rang the office and he's now on the cancellation list so fingers crossed.

He's having bloods done on Thursday, lots of tests. I didn't realise anemia can suppress appetite. He's having liver, thyroid, bone thingys everything I think!

My main concern at the minute is him catching something else. He goes right off food when his temperature raises.

Thank you all. 💐 I wasn't pinning my hopes on dietician completely but I was hoping they could help. I'll just carry on with what I'm doing.

High carb and high fat will cause weight gain 😀 So toast smothered in butter! Etc...

My friend's DD is recovering from anorexia, she's been in hospital but is now back home. I thought that all my friend had to do diet wise was feed her high calorie, high fat food to help her gain weight. Apparently it's not that straight forward and my friend has been given quite specific foods to give her because of vitamins etc. So I can see why they've got to see a dietitian.

I hope you can get seen sooner and that he stays healthy. X

Thank you. Hope your friend's dd continues to recover ❤️