Teenage son unwell - advice needed please

[frostyfingers]

My 17yo ds (a twin) has been pretty run down for most of this last term, with a succession of colds, probably about 4 in the last couple of months. He has also been complaining of not sleeping or sleeping badly and recently in the last week is not hungry and I'm having to persuade him to eat breakfast. He looks pretty worn out and I can't decide whether he is "just" physically unwell or if there is more going on. He is doing A2's with exams looming, his UCAS form sent off and also has issues with his twin brother who is in the throes of first love and they haven't really been talking much for the last 3 weeks.

I think he needs to see the GP, but he's not that keen and I'm not sure how to approach it as I feel that if I do get him to the GP he will not be able or possibly will to explain things, but don't want to be a bossy Mum and demand that I go with him. Do you think it's acceptable to either get a message or speak to the GP in advance or should I just insist I go with him?

Or do you think it's best left for now and see how he goes? He only has another week off college and is supposed to be revising then, so he's hardly having a break at all.

Sounds like a trip to the GP is a good idea. As for going in with him - there may well be something he's not able to tell you, so perhaps not. He's 17, he should be able to explain for himself really.

could it be glandular fever?

i would encourage a trip to the gp

My 16yo DD had glandular fever recently. Trip to the doc will confirm/deny this for you.

I had a similar problem with ds1 (15) He had blood tests and had to have a second one for sugar. In the meantime I changed his pop for zero sugar and he cut down on sweet stuff. I also gave him a tonic as he doesn't go outside much and I was worried he had vit D deficiency? A mulit vitamin wouldn't hurt if he's not already on one? His second blood test was ok and he's much better in himself.
I'd get him to the GP to be on the safe side. Tell him it'd get you off his back and help you to stop worrying so much.

Just feed him whatever he fancies even if it's pizza every day. At least it's calories and gives him energy. That's what GP told me.

Oh and have you looked at his tonsils? DS1's were red Gp said to give him pain relief and that helped him with his appetite.

Could you make an appt for him then ring ask for a phone appt for you & just tell the GP your concerns. A bit of background might help him to draw out what is wrong if there is anything bothering him.

The Dr won't be able to discuss it with you but when my 17 yr old had an issue recently my GP listened & said it was often useful them to have pointers given how monosyllabic teens can be!

Good luck

How late does he stay up at night?
Does he snack on tonnes of junk food in his room at night?

Although I'm half wondering about glandular fever, it presents like a bad never-ending tiring cold in milder cases. There's no cure but time, but a diagnosis could be helpful, and he is the high risk age for it.

I'd persuade him to go and email the surgery with your thoughts and ask them to give it to the doctor concerned. This worked for us last time one of mine needed to see the doctor.

Start him on a good multivit with iron, and vit d3 as a separate supplement, then have a phone sonsultation about him and then persuade him to go the GP to ask for a few blood tests
Hope he's on the mend soon

Start him on a good multivit with iron, and vit d3 as a separate supplement, then have a phone sonsultation about him and then persuade him to go the GP to ask for a few blood tests
Hope he's on the mend soon

He sounds stressed.
He could have iron deficiency, could have an ulcer.
Ask the GP to test for iron, anemia, ulcers and infections.
tlc, a proper balanced diet, multivitamins and iron will help.

Thanks - really helpful information. He's generally a good eater and doesn't snack on junk at home, and we have sensible, balanced family meals although at college during the day it's possible. During term time he's up to bed at 10 and lights out 10.30ish, during the holidays quite a bit later, and he does occasional really late party nights.

I've had a chat and said that if he's still feeling grim tomorrow midday I'll make him a GP appointment for Friday which he has agreed to. When I make the appointment I'll see what the receptionist says about the best way to get some background info to the doctor. It's a small rural surgery so pretty friendly and accessible. I'll get some vitamins as a start, at least then I'll feel like I'm doing something!

You could write it all down. Glad he's agreed to go.

Frosty- if you're looking for Multivits go to a small independant health store & get a good quality multivit. Will be a bit pricier but worth it, cheaper ones are bulked out with chalk & crap which affect digestion. "Solgar" are a bran often used by nutritionists.

That said I swear by Berrocca a fizzy vit c tablet you can get from just about anywhere, as a pick me up.