Worried about DS1 (eating, pooing, general health)

[dribbleface]

I'm seeing the GP later but wanted some thoughts on here too.

DS1 has never been a particularly robust little boy, and was poorly (mildly) but frequently for 1st 2 years of his life (has gastro bug at 16 weeks, followed by ear infection, followed by bronciolitits, more ear infections, asthma at 9mths, etc etc).

He doesn't eat all that much, but eats a range, he started off on 25th centile, climbed to the 50th in first 4 mths then has dropped to 2nd now at 4 years old.

He had bad tonsillitis in May, was very ill in the end after initial improvement. Complained of headaches for a while after, one so bad we had to go to A&E as he was screaming (no problems found). Since then he has not had as much stamina and needs to rest after a busy morning out etc. His poo has been pale coloured on and off in that time.

I don't want the GP to think I'm paranoid (he is fab so sure he won't but YSWIM). Is he likely to suggest blood tests? This would be very difficult as DS has issues with doctors/dentists/getting his feet measured! (This is a whole other thread)

Any thoughts/reassurance? Worrying myself silly.

Several things here.

My first thought is that maybe he hasn't developed a proper gut flora and fauna, what with those DV bugs and (I would imagine) multiple courses of antibiotics in his first year. Have you ever given him a solid course of probiotics? I did with DD3 when she was tiny as she'd been on stonking AB doses at birth and was very windy and had smelly poos despite being BF. That sorted her out. I recommended the same drops to friends when their daughter recently caught a DV bug in Thailand and had similar symptoms to your DS (weight loss, strange poo etc...) and she is now better. The thing I used was Biogaia probiotic dtops. They're expensive but I do feel they;re worth it.

The second thing is do you give him any vitamins when he's ill? You can get a good syrup called Minadex which is really cheap and crucially ups their levels of iron and Vit D among other things. If he's having malabsorbtion problems he may well benefit from from extra vitamins.

The thrid thing is has he been screened for coeliac disease? Some bells ringing there for me.

Your GP absolutely should fob you off- your poor DS does not sound all that well the way you describe it. He deserves at the very least some comprehensive testing... Good luck!

It does sound a bit worrying but there is no need to worry yourself silly. Trust the GP - some of the things you are worrying about are probably within the normal range, but some might need investigating. I don't know if he'll suggest blood tests but perhaps you could try playing with him with a doctors kit before the appointment and giving him stickers as a reward if he is ever so good and opens his mouth wide/keeps his arms still etc etc?

My DS is also skinny for his age (10th centile), eats a limited range and sometimes has very pale poo. However, as he seems happy and active I do my best not to worry. I think you are wise to consult a GP about it - mainly because of the reduced stamina. Being poorly on and off is normal, having variable poo is normal, and there's nothing wrong with being on a low centile so long as he's following the curve for that centile. However, if he's not happy and active then it's worth pursuing. The GP will help you decide what the best course of action is.

Worth running past the GP and asking about celiacs. Otherwise, after a lot of illnesses, little kids can end up a bit run down, esp with a lack of iron, so no harm in some good multivits and spatone in fruit juice to build him back up

Thank you both.

He can be full on and bouncing off the walls (no shortage of energy at the time) but if go out for a day he visibly flakes out, if we have a busy few days you can bet your life he will get ill.

We regularly role play doctors etc. Took me 3 attempts/visits to get him to let the dentist look in his mouth.

Coeliacs did occur to me, will research a bit more.

He did have a huge amounts of antibiotics in the 1st year (some very strong ones at 6mths), would that still affect him now in terms of gut? Will give probiotics a go. We do give vitamins, although they do not have iron in them. Will look into the ones you suggested, we can't use some as they have nut oils in them (Both DS1 and I am allergic).

Being a parent is so bloody hard isn't it. I had PND with DS1 and I'm sure that him being unwell all the time in the first year didn't help. DS2 (10mths) is the opposite and although has had a couple of things he shrugs them off. Glad we have DS2 or I'd think it was me!

Will see what the GP says, and will update you later.

mercibucket - cross posts! Thank you. Will check those out

Have had a look at coeliac disease and some bells ringing for me here too now, he also has tooth enamel problems. Will mention to the GP.

If he has weak or cracking enamal he wint be able to have the syrups as they contain alot of sugar and will make the teeth problem worse. You can get gluten/dairy free vitamins from health food shop

www.naturesplus.mobi/products.xhtml

Maybe something like these?
Definately see gp he could be anaemic or as others have mentioned caelioc

Thanks

Lots of things to ask GP about, off to make a list so I do not forget to mention anything.

Tooth enamel problems affecting 2 teeth, due to see specialist in Sept, he also has extra milk teeth (24 not 20). He like to keep me on my toes!

He hasn't just already got his first adult teeth, has he? They're small molars that come in around age 5.

Waiting to find out, he's had these extra's for over a year?! They are growing out the side of his gums, to the side of the molars.

GP had requested blood tests and referral to peads doctor. Will know more in a week or so.

Quick update - all bloods came back clear

I reckon probiotics is the way to go, I think immunity does really start in the stomach. If it were me, I'd go for a range of probiotics, various 'live' yoghurts, probiotic drinks like Yakult so that you're introducing a range of different strains of good bacteria. Those Natures Plus Animal Parade Gold chewable vitamins (available via Amazon) also contain probiotics in addition to loads of vitamins + minerals.

I highly recommend raw milk too as it contains lots of good bacteria and enzymes. I buy it via Hook & Son, they deliver via overnight courier with ice packs so it's very fresh. It's lovely tasting, a real luxury but super healthy too.

It can take a while to get used to probiotics, so you're best introducing it little by little as too much at once, I've heard of people being (albeit temporarily) ill with what they call a 'die off' of bad bacteria producing vomiting or diarrhoea.

Magnesium is a good supplement too, Floradix do a fruity flavoured magnesium syrup. It binds with any toxins in the stomach and normalises bowel movements.

Thanks butterfingerz, saw GP today (blood results given by phone by receptionist), there was a query over one of his liver readings, got to repeat in 4 weeks (that should be fun, he knows whats coming this time!).

Will look into all your recommendations, anything I can do to help him I will!

Thanks again