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Original poster

4 yo Leukaemia symptoms, i'm spiralling

132 replies

Lockdownbaby2021 · 05/11/2025 20:14

My 4 year old has been unwell since last Friday. He went downhill on saturday, very pale, temperature, headache, stomach ache, tired. Perked up sunday but Monday woke up with another temp and stayed on sofa. Took him to the doctors and she said she couldn't find anything (other than temp of 39.7) and it was a mystery as he's showing no signs of a virus e.g sore ears, throat, snotty etc and told me just to observe him.

Yesterday he went to school as he seemed fine in the morning. but he got home and took himself off to bed fully clothed at 5:30pm (never ever done this!)

Today again he seemed okay this morning but he's come home from school and complained of tummy ache and suddenly got a temp and fallen asleep. He's also been a funny yellow colour recently.

I've been googling tonight and the horrible C word has come up. Now i'm spiralling. The last couple of months he's been starving but eating loads but has got quite skinny, he's also been complaining of leg pain which passed eventually so I put it down to growing.

My partner thinks i'm being crazy for thinking it. But now it's all I can think about. I feel like it's all adding up. I wanted to take him to the hospital tonight as he was screaming with his stomach and was saying he just wanted to go to bed (no sickness or diorrhea). But my partner saying let him sleep. I am in tears. Can someone reassure me, I'm not going to sleep tonight

OP posts:
Dublassie · 05/11/2025 22:24

He doesn't sound well but I would not wake him to take him to the ED. You said he was in school today ?
Also a doctor saw him recently . Surely they would have noticed yellowing ?
And what symptoms of diabetes are present other than some weight loss ? My brother died of DKA but it does not sound like it to me .
Am sure he will be fine , OP .Most likely a virus but I would get him checked again tomorrow by the GP. If you still feel uneasy then go to the ED.

Mistyglade · 05/11/2025 22:25

I’m so sorry this is happening your fear is palpable. I’d bypass 111 who will undoubtedly tell you to go to A&E and as pp have said get a bag packed and get him seen first thing in the morning unless he gets worse tonight. Sending much support and love.

burntoutnurse · 05/11/2025 22:26

Paeds nurse here who works on a paeds assessment unit.

first of all, there are lots and lots of virus’s around atm! And it is far likely to be a virus that’s got hold of him, the high temp is his body fighting the virus so a temp is not always a bad thing.

the weight loss and yellowing of the skin though. I’d be ringing either out of hours and asking them to refer you into paeds assessment or if he wakes go to A&E. If he’s fine in the morning he gp won’t likely do anything, are you able to get an afternoon appt if you don’t want to go straight to A&E?

DeftWasp · 05/11/2025 22:29

Starwomanwaiting · 05/11/2025 20:53

Could be a virus if it’s coming on at night. Don’t panic. Do you have anxiety at all? Saying that, if he’s yellow and screaming I’d be straight up to A&E. No harm in going, even though it could well turn out to be a virus.

Yep, my vote would be for a virus, I currently have the latest Covid variant and its presenting quite differently for a lot of folks (me included) aches, pains, nausea, heartburn, hoarse voice, but not the "regular" cold symptoms.

Saying that, getting your ds checked over by the gp will put your mind at rest, and if further action is needed then it gets sorted.

Clonakilla · 05/11/2025 22:29

sellthebigissue · 05/11/2025 20:37

Are you able to palpate his tummy and feel if its soft or firm in any places?

Show quote history

She is not remotely qualified to do this and draw any conclusions, reassuring or otherwise.

Stop googling and take your child to the emergency department.

LondonLady1980 · 05/11/2025 22:30

How worrying for you OP.

Without a doubt, if my child was starting to look yellow, as well as the symptoms you describe, I would have them down A&E straight away.

Whytry · 05/11/2025 22:30

As a children's nurse (with paeds oncology experience) almost nothing in your OP is screaming leukemia at me, but I do also think he needs to be seen. In our trust, 5 days of fever was a threshold for bloods at a&e, which you have met now. There are lots of differentials I would be ruling out before leukemia, but a FBC would give enough of an indicator if that was an avenue to explore anyway.

I'm on the fence as to whether I would wait until the morning or go now. If he was also drinking/peeing a lot I would be inclined to wake him up and go now, in the absence of that I would probably wait until the morning based on what you have said so far.

I hope he's feeling better soon OP!

Postitnoteme · 05/11/2025 22:32

Thinking of you and your little boy. It seems like you’ve been given advice above so I won’t repeat. Hope he gets a check over and everything is ok x

XiCi · 05/11/2025 22:32

Really hope you're on your way to A&E OP. Id have been there the first sign of yellowing skin. Please don't hesitate.

DoYouReally · 05/11/2025 22:35

A 4 year old with yellow skin needs to ne assessed urgently.

It's not normal and you know it isn't.

When it comes to children and illness, it's better to over react than under react.

labtest57 · 05/11/2025 22:35

My daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 4. Her only symptom at diagnosis was a sore leg which had started that day. Our GP sent her to hospital and they did blood tests. The blood count was 'normal' but the blood film showed blast cells which are indicative of leukaemia. I would go to A&E and ask for blood tests.

YourLoyalPlumOP · 05/11/2025 22:36

Lockdownbaby2021 · 05/11/2025 20:14

My 4 year old has been unwell since last Friday. He went downhill on saturday, very pale, temperature, headache, stomach ache, tired. Perked up sunday but Monday woke up with another temp and stayed on sofa. Took him to the doctors and she said she couldn't find anything (other than temp of 39.7) and it was a mystery as he's showing no signs of a virus e.g sore ears, throat, snotty etc and told me just to observe him.

Yesterday he went to school as he seemed fine in the morning. but he got home and took himself off to bed fully clothed at 5:30pm (never ever done this!)

Today again he seemed okay this morning but he's come home from school and complained of tummy ache and suddenly got a temp and fallen asleep. He's also been a funny yellow colour recently.

I've been googling tonight and the horrible C word has come up. Now i'm spiralling. The last couple of months he's been starving but eating loads but has got quite skinny, he's also been complaining of leg pain which passed eventually so I put it down to growing.

My partner thinks i'm being crazy for thinking it. But now it's all I can think about. I feel like it's all adding up. I wanted to take him to the hospital tonight as he was screaming with his stomach and was saying he just wanted to go to bed (no sickness or diorrhea). But my partner saying let him sleep. I am in tears. Can someone reassure me, I'm not going to sleep tonight

If he’s yellow you need to go to an and e

sittingonabeach · 05/11/2025 22:37

Did they check blood sugars?

Alpacajigsaw · 05/11/2025 22:39

Hope the wee one is ok and it’s just a horrid virus, but do go to A and E. You won’t rest anyway.

Animatic · 05/11/2025 22:43

You need to get his blood test +stool+pee done asap plus stomach ultrosound if his stomach hurts when doctor examines. I'm surprised your Gp didn't suggest that.

Happyjoe · 05/11/2025 22:45

Partners sister's childhood leukaemia was discovered with severe bruising and being very pale and unwell, is there any bruising or bleeding? It's not so often cause yellow skin (actually very rare). Hopefully this helps put your mind to rest because am pretty sure being an ace mum and keeping such a great eye on him, that you'd have noticed other symptoms before last Friday.

The fact that your son is bouncing out of bed in the morning is a good sign too, not normally one of leukaemia. Leukaemia fatigue doesn't let up, at all. Try not to frighten yourself too much and try and deal with getting your son back to either the doc, or A&E. Don't let them fob you off though and at the very least, ask for a full blood count, that should show any issues with blood cells/platelets as well as anything wrong with the liver.

Try not to panic, easier said than done I know. Hope all goes well.

PyongyangKipperbang · 05/11/2025 22:45

The yellowing indicates liver issues, the rapid weight loss is also worrying. A&E first thing if he is sleeping peacefully, but if he wakes in pain then I would go straight in.

PickASize · 05/11/2025 22:46

I'd call 111 for advice, they will send you to a and e probably so you have an excuse ready when you turn up there.
The stomach symptoms and yellowing skin would worry me as they sound liver related.
I'd rather be over cautious with a child than ignore something and it turns out to be a serious medical problem.. Go with your gut op, if it's nothing then you can breathe a sigh of relief.
For the record I've take my child to a and e several times and they've always said with children they would rather parents turn up and it's nothing than a sick child not being seen.

OhDearMuriel · 05/11/2025 22:50

A&E as soon as he’s awake.
Don’t waste time.

hardtocare · 05/11/2025 22:58

Look, you must get him seen. Agree with all PPs. Rule out the bad. But I just wanted to say when my eldest started reception she was so unwell from half term to Xmas I was absolutely convinced she had a brain tumour. You know your child best but bear in mind this if exhausting for them in

Wordsmithery · 05/11/2025 23:16

I don't think this is something we can reassure you about, OP. You should trust your instincts. If you're really worried, go to A&E or phone 111 and see if you can see or speak to an out of hours GP (that might depend on your region). If it turns out to be nothing serious, as we hope, then you can come home reassured and let him sleep it off. Anything else and hospital is the best place for him.
(Also, one decent night is not enough to recuperate a child sufficiently to be fit for school. Home rest for a few days is very important.)

Lauralou19 · 05/11/2025 23:16

Phone 111 and always go with your gut instinct.

ButFirstCovfefe · 05/11/2025 23:28

I had this three times with my son (7yo). They swore point blank it wasn’t appendix. It was and ended up so much worse because they dismissed it 3 times. Ended up with peritonitis and a secondary infection after the first surgery.

NovaF · 05/11/2025 23:35

While not a child, I managed someone who had leukaemia. Her main symptom was exhaustion. She did not jump out of bed. She had no energy. When I would ask her what she did on the weekend she would sleep. That was it, spent whole weekend in bed. She did not have yellow skin, nor tummy pains. She then went for a private blood test and they got the results back that day, she got a diagnosis, had treatment and recovered.

Speak to 111. Ask them to get an out of hours gp, they may be able to book you in with your surgery, but will be able to advise and reassure.

Doobedobe · 05/11/2025 23:36

I would be taking him to a and e tomorrow morning if he doesnt wake up tonight in pain. GPs arent experts. Tell them abouy his worst times over the last few days, not the times he he jumping out of bed. Maybe tonight write down everything that has been happening and also call 111 and see if they can get you an actual appointment at the hospital, they can do this so you dont have to wait. We have done it before. Basically bypassing a and e to get to a specialist.

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