Tired all the time - 4yo

[Thesebootsweremadeforwalking]

I think I'm hoping for some reassurance that I'm not being too PFB about this, and also for some ideas on what I might expect from our GP at our appointment tomorrow.

My DS is 4, and for the past few weeks just seems not to have his usual stamina. He's taken the odd afternoon nap, which is not usual for him, and by mid-afternoon he looks tired and pale. Usually he's raring to go all day.

He doesn't seem ill in any other way, and the only thing going on in our home life is that DC2's arrival is imminent and I've recently begun maternity leave (his tiredness started before my leave began though).

I'm wondering if he might be a bit anaemic, possibly? Or is there anything else I could usefully ask about tomorrow?

TIA, as always

Anaemia is a possibility, does your DS have a healthy diet? Has he had any bugs recently? There do seem to be a lot of stomach/cold things around at the moment which pass fairly quickly but leave them wiped out afterwards.

DS1 was similar last year, I didn't want to read and run as it was a worrying time. Our GP wasn't keen on doing blood tests or anything involving needles, if it wasn't entirely necessary, on a 4 yo. He very much advised watch and wait and DS1 did recover, although it took a few weeks longer and he did go through a really vile naughty phase between being tired and getting back to normal.

Fingers crossed it's nothing serious and everything goes well with DC2's arrival.

Thank you LastOrders - his diet is ok but now I think about it, he has been a bit picky lately about what he will and won't eat. Eggs and other dairy are always a safe bet, and he'll happily go for most fruits, but veg are limited to peas, carrots, cucumber, green beans or baked beans. Meat and fish can be a bit hit or miss, though, unless it's a fish finger.... Naturally he eats anything nursery put in front of him, though, and he has lunch there 3 days a week.

His appetite has been a bit rubbish lately too. A relative offered him a box of chocolate raisins the other day, not even they got finished.

Has he had any viruses in the last few weeks?

My DS is like this when he has constipation - could that be it? Hope he perks up soon!

No viruses recently, but he has a longstanding constipation problem which is currently very well controlled with movicol. Do you think the two might be linked, then? That didn't cross my mind either! (He is otherwise usually fit and well.)

Yes my DS is on v low dose of movicol now too. When he needs to "go" he fights it and the signs are tiredness, bloatedness, irritability and goes off food as he's already "full"! Does he have regular bowel movements now or is it still hit and miss?

Yes, been there! We've got really good control at the moment, 1 sachet a day and a bm most days with no soiling. I think that if we didn't I'd give him a multivitamin with iron to see what happened, but I'm really loathe to do anything to upset the balance (going on what iron supplements do to me ).

GP has given us forms for a full blood count in paeds outpatients to rule out anaemia. I'm a bit upset at the thought of having to put him through it TBH. Will make the call for the appointment unless he makes a miraculous recovery before the weekend.

OP -that's weird I was just about to post the exact same thing with my DS who is 3.5. For the past 3-4 months he has been feeling tried occasionally, has started having naps during the day, looks slightly pale an drained at the end of the day. He is very active and must burn everything he eats off. He doesn't eat a lot either, feel like I'm forcing him most of the time. His bowels have been fine. Started him on chewy multivitamins.
Spoke to HV last week and his weight has dropped from the 25th centile to the 2nd in 6 months. He is a skinny little boy. I'm worried he's anaemic but also don't want to feel like a PFB mum. Was going to book a GP appt at advice from HV but thought I'd ask here first.

Sparkle, TBH my opening line to the GP was "I'm aware I might be bringing you a perfectly healthy child, but..." - I do know what you mean about the PFB thing!

However, I am going to grow up and make the bloods appointment. If it's all ok but he's still tired at least I've started the conversation, IYSWIM.

We had similar with ds2 when he was also 4. At its worst he was getting up at normal time and putting himself back to bed at 9am Also turfing his brother out of the pram for a nap when we were out and about.

We had blood tests done (the phlebotomist was brilliant btw - it wasn't traumatic at all) and they showed nothing.

It continued for a few months and the conclusion was it was post-viral. I was so worried but he just gradually recovered.

Hth.

I've also read that at around 4 they have a testosterone surge (?!) so maybe it's hormonal exhaustion!

Low Vit D can cause tiredness. It would come up on a blood test and is easily fixed with supplements. I've had it and I have assumed my DD has had it too as we get near on identical exposure to sunlight.

That would make sense too. He's an outdoors kind of kid, but winter was so long and spring has been so rainy too, he's just not been outside as much as usual.

We try to get out in the sun as much as possible or even just going outside everyday. But its something i hadn't thought of. He just seems to get tired at random moments.

Maybe it is just a growth spurt. Hope so, he's still in 2-3 clothes. He just doesn't put weight on though his height is up 2cm in 6 months. I will book an appt anyway as the HV suggested and will also probably start the converstation by saying the same thing. I always feel I'm in the wrong by going but better to get checked than continue worrying.

Hope the blood tests come out fine for your DS theseboots I hope it's not too traumatic for him having them done. Let us know the outcome.

I've just had a look at the NHS Choices website about vitamin D - I had no idea under 5s are supposed to be given supplements! He will start them tomorrow.... No blood appointment yet, so he could be starting on those in the meantime.

Was also startled to note that I should be taking them too - I will also be starting them tomorrow.

Have you booked an appt yet for his blood tests theseboots ?
I've tried getting dr appt but none this week for non urgent cases. Phoning daily for cancellations.