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Worrying it may be leukaemia

12 replies

Hnr20 · 11/03/2022 05:32

I’m trying not to worry too much but I’m just concerned for my daughter.

She’s displaying a few symptoms of leukaemia but I don’t want to jump the gun, but at the same time I don’t want to not worry too much incase it is something serious like this.

Although well in herself in the sense that she doesn’t look seriously ill, the symptoms she’s displaying are

Bruising at the slightest thing (like falling over, knocking it on something etc).
Legs aching, even worse at night, can’t walk for long as she then complains of pains in her leg, and sometimes even finds sitting for too long painful.
Constantly complaining of random tummy aches on and off.
Excessive sweating especially when she’s once asleep, to the point where her face is dripping wet and her hair is drenched.
Always feeling tired, and also wakes up at times and complains that she can’t get back to sleep even though she’s yawning and tired.
Being constipated a lot.
Not eating as much food as she used too, telling me her tummy feels full after a few bites but then saying she’s hungry soon after eating.

And her behaviour has completely changed, it’s all over the place and her mood is up and down.

I’m just concerned the doctors are going to fob me off, I’ve had issues in the past where they’ve told me nothing is wrong and I’m just a young mum(I’m 28, although I’m never sure why they feel the need to say it in the first place), I’ve also been fobbed off with other medical issues with her in the past, to then be told oh no it is that. So I know when my child is ill.

I don’t know how to approach the issue and what things I should be asking for to rule out any issues.

Sorry it is such a long post, I’m just a bit panicked.

OP posts:
LunaTheCat · 11/03/2022 06:04

Take her to the doctors.
Explain you are worried - can you write this down and hand to the doctor at the beginning? That way you don’t have to explain in front daughter.
I am a GP - overwhelmingly it’s not leukaemia.

carefullycourageous · 11/03/2022 06:10

These are all symptoms I would want checked, and the doctor should not fob you off.

Write them all down and say you are concerned it is something serious, even leukemia, and you want the doctor to investigate.

Ring today for an urgent appointment. Just tell the receptionist your child has a number of concerning symptoms that need a doctor.

Agree leukemia is statistically unlikely but you are doing the right thing to check if worried.

Mamiddaubach · 11/03/2022 06:17

If the doctor tries to say that it's very unlikely that it's leukemia, ask them how they can tell it's not leukemia. This is a question I've had to use to get a GP to order tests in the past.
(I have no idea what the symptoms of leukemia are by the way).

If they say anything about you being a young mum, tel them you've been a mum for x years, and you know you're daughter. Good luck!

Whatthefleckster · 11/03/2022 06:18

If the bruising is in unusual places (ie not the standard shins/knees) they'll notice that. Take pictures of the bruising if possible. But go to the doctor, hopefully it's just a bit of anaemia or something easily treatable. But do go.

Fluffruff · 11/03/2022 06:21

I think it’s a good idea to write her symptoms down and have it to hand so you can mention them all to the GP. Any doctor should take your daughters symptoms seriously I would have thought - good luck with the appointment.

rebekuh · 11/03/2022 06:25

I hope not. Check it out though

Sweating is very unusual isnt it
Im sure doc will not dismiss that and arrange blood test asap

Hnr20 · 11/03/2022 07:00

Hi all, thank you so much for the kind words and reassurance. It’s helping to calm down my panic, I will definitely give the doctor a call today and get an emergency appointment. This morning she had a sip of water and then threw it all back up immediately after, so I will definitely be getting her checked out.

It’s such a worry knowing that I’m not much use and have no idea what is wrong, it’s definitely made me feel like a useless parent at the moment.

OP posts:
LunaTheCat · 11/03/2022 07:26

You are not useless - you care for your daughter and are doing the right thing. 💐💐

nether · 11/03/2022 07:37

With that list of symptoms, a doctor will not fob you off.

Make sure you mention all of them, and if necessary be prepared to ask for a full blood count to be done, and for the bloods to be drawn that day (how/where that is done will depend on where you are)

No point in trying to talk you down from your worries -her symptoms closely align with those of leukaemia. And it needs to be tested for first to exclude before other diagnoses are considered.

Leukaemias are not that common. There may well be other causes. But make sure you get this one tested for at the outset

Flowers

And even though you won't stop worrying, try not to panic - treatments for leukaemia are getting more effective and less hostile. Step away from google for now, and get to the GP

carefullycourageous · 11/03/2022 07:57

You are not useless. Say 'I am worried my daughter may be seriously ill, she has a lot of very concerning symptoms and I need her to be checked urgently'.

If anyone says no - say 'please can I take your name and I will be making a complaint as this is not a time wasting request and my daughter needs to be checked'.

Strawberriesinsummertime · 11/03/2022 10:08

Hi, @Hnr20, I'm so sorry that your child is unwell. The best way to confirm or rule out leukaemia is by asking for a blood test. As you say a lot of the symtoms your daughter is experiencing are listed here: www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/blood-cancer-awareness-month
If the GP will not refer you for a blood test (which they should!) I would try AandE if you have to.

Chance2020 · 13/10/2022 19:45

@Hnr20
Hey did you get to the bottom of your child's illness? X

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