4 year old boy - I'm sure there's something wrong

[fixuplooksharp]

My DS is 4 and has always been so happy and outgoing, until a few months ago. I have noticed for the last 2-3 months he has been waking up grumpy and very upset at the slightest thing, disturbed sleep because he needs a wee and/or is thirsty, very sensitive during the day and after school is just so incredibly tired, if he sits down to relax he starts falling asleep. He hardly ever plays after school because he just wants to sit and watch tv, which he never used to do.
He always looks tired too, slight dark red circles under/around his eyes and seems to pick up coughs and colds continuously.
I have booked him a doctors appointment and an eye test for the end of this week. I just wanted some advice/experience really, I don't want to take him to the doctors and get fobbed off and brushed aside, I know this sounds a little crazy, but I wanted to go forearmed and mention things/conditions for them to specifically check for?? I'm not usually over the top and we hardly ever go to the doctors unless absolutely necessary but I have noticed a change in him and am concerned.
I hope this doesn't make me sound completely crazy!!
Advice/ experience please......
Thanks

The first term of the first year in school is absolutely exhausting for most children. A chocolate biscuit and a juice after pick up and a half hour earlier bedtime may help as well as laying off the after school clubs and play dates.
That said, only you know if it is more than that. If you're worried, doctors it is!

Ask the GP to check for diabetes x

A friend's dc was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 5 - very similar, tired all the time, thirsty, weeing a lot. Please go to GP.

Thank you. I had considered Diabetes so will be asking about that.
I was actually going to mention in the first message - he goes to bed at 18.30 and sleeps until 06.00-06.30, but does wake up for a wee or drink in the night sometimes.

I agree, it could just be the first term at school exhaustion, but I would definitely get him checked out. Definitely x

May be worth checking for coeliac- although doesn't fut with the thirst or needing the loo. But I've met a couple of people who's childreen were v v tired and were diagnosed with it

As a special needs parent my best advice for dealing with medical practitioners is to write it down.

At this stage a list of concerns before you go, but it you are still concerned that it's not being resolved keep a note of dates and times, a list in your phone or whatever.

It is much more helpful for you both to be able to say "4 out of 5 days in the last week I he fell asleep before he ate his dinner abs on each of those nights he wakes up thirsty" "he is irritable every day after school and has had full scale temper tantrums on Thursday and Friday"

Than.. "oh he's just not himself, he's quite grumpy and tired"

Great advice thank you, I will write it all down, thanks!

Be sure to have him checked for hypothyroidism. This sounds exactly like what happened with my cousin.

Thank you Aquamarine I will. I took him to the GP on Friday who checked his ears, temp, chest (the usual) and couldn't find anything, (but I didn't expect him to by checking like that), because I was persistant, as DS is not himself at all, the GP has referred him for blood tests, we have an appointment this Friday. Not sure what blood tests do and don't pick up, so not sure if they'll pick up Hypothyroidism? I'll google it!
Thanks!!

Keep us posted fx for you. Sorry I can't add anything useful xx

Any news OP? Hope you son is feeling better

How was your son OP