Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Sorry this is so vague - ill DS aged 9

7 replies

AFingerofFudge · 08/01/2012 18:33

You know sometimes when there's no convenient "box" to put your child's illness into?? Well I have somewhat of a dilemma about what to do with DS2 and worry at sounding so vague if I take him to the doctors. Will try to keep it short:
He is 9, and when he was young has had various problems with putting on weight, had chest problems, recurrent tummy aches and had lots of doctors investigations. In the end they just put it down to fast metabolic rate and "one of those things". I have posted about him before but in relation to answering other people's queries.
Anyway... over the past few weeks he's had a number of episodes of suddenly getting very out of breath when not doing very much, gasping for a few minutes with the bit where his windpipe is being very sucked in when he breathes. He had one of these episodes on Thursday, but he has also gradually over the last week or so, losing his appetite, not eating very much, complaining of tummy aches, low-grade temperature but nothing massively raised (37.5 - 38.5 type), tired, wheezy type cough that's dry and whistly, odd periods of actually being wheezy (he doesn't have an inhaler or anything) and just no spark.
As I said it all seems so vague to go to the doctor with, wondering if anyone has any ideas??
thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Gunznroses · 08/01/2012 18:45

Shortness of breath and his windpipe being "sucked" in when he breathes are clear signs of an asthma attack! Has he got an inhaler and has been diagnosed/seen by a GP ?

I dont know what the other symptoms are but hope clever mnetters come on soon. Good luck.

AFingerofFudge · 08/01/2012 18:47

Thanks! No he did have an inhaler once a couple of years ago just as a short term thing after a particularly bad chest infection. But in the past when I've taken him to the doctors with any sort of chest thing he has never been given an inhaler.

OP posts:
Gunznroses · 08/01/2012 18:50

When you took him to the doctor's was he presenting with all the symptoms you mentioned i.e shortness of breath, wheezing, windpipe area being sucked in as he breaths....Shock what did GP say was wrong with him ? Whatever the case i will strongly advise to get a SECOND opinion, sharpish.

leftmymistletoeatthedoor · 08/01/2012 18:53

I'd go and see the GP tomorrow.

Break it down into

'Past history- which they'll have on their screen.

'Breathing problems -ongoing

  • last week - breathings got worse along with lack of appetite, general fatigue, fever and not himself.

Doesn't seem so vague (imo) then.

AFingerofFudge · 08/01/2012 18:53

No I haven't taken him recently with chest problems, that has appeared over the last few weeks. The thing is, after a few minutes it goes away. It's just that now that he has the other symptoms, it feels like I should go to the doctor, but it feels like it's all muddly and not clear cut symptoms

OP posts:
Hassled · 08/01/2012 18:58

It's enough to worry you, and you know him best. Something is clearly not right - and if you go to your GP and it's all a bit vague, well then that's just how it is and they'll still investigate. Vagueness isn't a reason not to go. Maybe see a new/different GP at the practice, if that's possible.

AFingerofFudge · 08/01/2012 19:05

I know, I think I just have an inbuilt thing from my mum when we were little. She was a nurse and only took us to the doctor when we were on our last legs. I don't often go with them, but yes I think I should. It's true, vagueness isn't a reason not to go! Thanks for saying that!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread