Worried about DD2

[evilhamster]

She has recently become very, very tired after going to school or going on short walks, just to the shops, and often says she needs a rest, although she never actually goes to sleep, just lies on the sofa.

She has recently lost some weight, probably because she's lost her appetite, she doesn't even want her pudding, although we've tried, and I've begun to think she might be ill, not just being a bit stubborn about things.

As well as this, she had a temperature etc; last night, a bit like flu, which her friend has currently- so probably competely unnconnected actually, but just wondering.

The reason I really started this was because she begun complaining that her 'bones hurt' and because she gets really sweaty- I'd have thought she'd wet the bed sometimes, but obviously she hasn't. I've put a fan in her room and asked her if she got hot in bed and she says she feels itchy and hot all over, but when I asked if she felt better when I took her blanket off, she said it didn't make a difference and made her feel cold on the outside but still hot on the inside.

So, are they actually connected? Will take her to the GP because of the tiredness, bones and appetite, and booked a few days ago, but have started to get more worried. No other symptoms- no pain apart from her bones, spots or marks or anything, no stomach ache etc; so I just feel confused.

Any advice appreciated. She's now in bed, along with my other DCs obviously, but she looks sweaty and pale too. Thanks.

Anyone? I know it's late and compared to other people, not much of a problem, but I'm feeling worried. I heard yesterday a friend I had at secondary's daughter recently died of meningitis which wasn't recognised until too late, so I'm feeling very edgy.

DD2's five by the way.

I would push for an appt tomorrow. She sounds poorly. Write all these symptoms down ready for the phone call and consultation. Try to get some sleep now.

It doesn't sound like meningitis.

Hello there. Didn't want you to be unanswered so even though I don't have anything useful to say at least you have some virtual handholding.

You're doing the right thing with the GP appointment and will hopefully get the reassurance you seek. There are a lot of viruses around at the moment so perhaps the temperature and tiredness relate to one of them. And the ache in her bones - could that be growing pains? My 4 yo has started to make similar complaints and I will mention it to the GP but I think it's pretty common.

Anyway, I hope all is well. Try and get some sleep. I think things usually seem more alarming at night.

Agree that you should get her looked at.
Without wanting to be alarmist, a friends DD had random fevers and achy bones.
She was diagnosed with cancer of the knee. She is fine now.
Get it checked out.

Thanks. I will. I know it's not meningitis- and I haven't seen the old friend since I left school- but I'm getting very jumpy.

The growing pain thing is a reassurance.

Cancer of the knee? I'm glad she's fine now. Will push for the appointment to be moved forward (it's for Wednesday, will try to push for next day maybe) and if it gets bad, will possibly phone NHS Direct to see what they say.

I'll try and get some sleep thank you.

I think the others have covered it, it does sound most likely to be a virus, especially as her friend has been ill too, flu viruses vary, but can be pretty nasty and cause aches & pains & fever too, which at 5, your DD is going to struggle to explain properly, so bone pain is quite likely her way of verbalising the aches that can accompany a true flu virus.

You sound like you are doing the right things, keep her comfy with kiddy paracetamol & if she's bad you can use it along side kiddy ibruprofen too, I've always found staggering the doses of the 2 is best when they are feverish & sore.

If she gets worse, more feverish & you worry about febrile convulsions - where high temperature can in rare cases cause fits, go back to the old methods of sponging her down with a cold wet flannel - I find keeping a few on the go & freeze them, then use the frozen flannel on her forehead and back of her neck. Also get her drinking lots of fluids, it helps flush it out & replaces fluids lost in sweating - anything she will drink is good, but milk is great for dehydration, even sugary drinks, such coke, ribena etc are good in situations likevthis, as they give her some needed glucose too

Do ring your doctor in the morning bough & ask for an earlier appointment, have a doctor come out if she's very ill, but basically it's just time & keeping her comfy with flu viruses, and of course keeping a close eye on any worsening symptoms, such as chest, headaches etc

& if you still feel worried, you can always ring NHS direct, they can be a great source of advice & reassurance.

We use lavender aromatherapy oil ŵith any viral illness, it helps the body fight the bugs and its calming & helps them relax and sleep.

If she was getting very regular aches and pains for a long time, then perhaps I would be more concerned - my own DD has has this for years and after been fobbed off for years with it being nothing more than growing pains by our GP,

• she was recently diagnosed with joint hyper mobility syndrome, so it can be down to other things, but very very unlikely from what you post here, & nothing you say sounds like meningitis either. But that said, do trust your instincts if it gets worse & you you really feel worried & are not anxious by nature, but from what you write here it does sound likevshesvpicked up a nasty flu virus

I hope you both manage to get some rest,

Please take her to GP asap and ask a full blood count done asap. Hopefully it's nothing serious but insist on the full blood count.

Make sure you mention all the symptoms ie, tiredness, weight loss, night sweats and itchiness, also aching bones.

A quick trip to the GP for a full health check is a good idea. It is probably nothing worrying but you need to rule things out.

I have a 5yo who suffers growing pains in her legs. I remember having them too, really uncomfortable. And all the viruses are out in force atm. We have a fluey virus and gastroenteritis whipping through dd's school. Lots of pale, tired, unhappy children round here.

And please don't ever sponge down with cold water. It's no longer recommended. If a fever becomes that high that you're worried and it doesn't respond to meds, then you need to see somebody. High temps don't cause febrile convulsions and actions like sponging can increase the risk of them. In a child who isn't prone to them, I wouldn't worry about that at this stage.

Actually Isee putting cold flannels on DDs forehead and back of neck WAS recommended by TWO different GPs at our surgery and it did help her a lot to feel more comfortable & IMHO preferable to over medicating

though re reading my post, I realise I did say sponging down, though meant ice/cold flannels as I explained in the details - note to self, take more care when replying to posts in middle of night and sleep deprived

Yup, was referring to sponging down! This used to be recommended and I still hear people recommending it now along with cold baths. Gently lowering the temperature is what you want, so tepid baths and a gentle sponge to the forehead/neck is fine. My nieces have febrile convulsions and their paed is always mentioning how often people sponge/cold bath and see convulsions afterwards due to the shivering and rapid temp shifts.

Please take her to GP sooner rather than later, she needs atleast a full blood count. Hope she's better soon x

There is a big difference in night sweats and running a normal virus type temp.

Thinking of you hamster. Hope DD is ok.