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Original poster

Breath smells of pear drops /sweet tea!!

42 replies

Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:15

Have noticed a few times this smell on my DS [2.6yrs] He has never drunk tea or eaten pear drops but the smell is very noticable. I vaguely remember it being an indication of something but dont remember what.

He does not eat much at all but is always thirsty. Drinks a lot of milk and water [about 4 ints altogether in 24 hrs}He goes from a bouncing ball of energy to lethargic but I put that down to a lack of food to sustain energy.

OP posts:
soapbox · 01/05/2006 22:17

Isn't that a sign of being in ketosis? That is when the body isn't getting enough carbs and is living off the fat stores/protein?

How well is he eating? Is he having a good mix of different food stuffs?

hoxtonchick · 01/05/2006 22:17

a pear drop smell can be a symptom of diabetes, as can drinking a lot. if i were you i'd take him to the gp, they can do a urine test for diabetes very easily. hth, & let us know the result.

PanicPants · 01/05/2006 22:17

Is it diabetes?

Not sure but it's something like. I could be very wrong though so don't want to worry you!

Ledodgyherring · 01/05/2006 22:17

It's ketones and can be a sign of diabetes i'd take him to the gp to make sure.

PanicPants · 01/05/2006 22:18

I'd take him to Gp, especially as he drinks a lot.

Ledodgyherring · 01/05/2006 22:19

\link{http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:lMGcE8Yl8qQJ:www.diabetesnow.co.uk/library/ketones.asp+breath+smelling+of+pear+drops&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=4\here}

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 01/05/2006 22:20

It shows that he's low in sugars. DS1 gets like this if he doesn't eat anything (and then he's sick- for days- triggers migraines). You should get it checked at the GP though to rule out diabetes. It can make light headed anyway to be producing ketones. Worth checking out, although don't worry too much overnight about diabetes- he'd be on the young side for it- he may just need to eat more (obviously 2 year olds burn off energy rapidly)

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:21

thanks all..will make him an appointment tommorow.

OP posts:
edam · 01/05/2006 22:21

Go and see your GP. IIRC pear drops smell is ketones (when your body is using its fat stores as source of energy). This can be a sign of diabetes. Obviously I'm not a doc and don't want to panic you, but it is definitely worth checking this out.

Found this link for you:

\link{http://www.diabetesnow.co.uk/library/ketones.asp\diabetesnow}

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:26

im not overly worried but just want it to be sorted if it is diabetes or anything else. Just looking at the site and can actually tick of a few things for him so will ask GP to check ketones

OP posts:
Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:27

ok bit of a tmi but would diabetes make his urine smell strongly aswell?

OP posts:
Ledodgyherring · 01/05/2006 22:29

It could be both or either or, get him checked out anyway. I'm on msn if you want to chat.

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:36

lol thought I was signed in

OP posts:
LillyPink · 01/05/2006 22:37

yes diabetes would make his urine smell too, I think it is likened to an ammonia type smell.

My dd was recently diagnosed diabetic, she was drinking a lot and weeing a lot before diagnosis. Has he lost any weight?

Fingers crossed he gets all clear

x

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:40

lilly he hasnt lost weight as such but has only put on 2lb since he turned 1. So he is 28lb at the minute.

OP posts:
LillyPink · 01/05/2006 22:41

What other symptoms did you tick off?

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:41

btw how old is your DD?
Does she have to take insulin or just check blood sugars?

At least its treatable and no major concerns until he would be older.

OP posts:
LillyPink · 01/05/2006 22:43

DD was five in Feb. She has twice daily insulin injections, regular blood glucose checks and a controlled diet. Yes, its not the end of the world but quite daunting and upsetting in the beginning. Hope he hasn't got it.

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 22:44

tiredness
he keeps complaining his stomach and head hurts but it is constant then he doesnt say.
Sounds silly he has also been very clumsy the past couple of months.
Breathing hard at times especially if he has been playing but to be honest I thought he was putitng it on because I am asthmatic and my 4mth old dd was just in hospital with bronchilitis and now has inhalers.

OP posts:
LillyPink · 01/05/2006 22:49

I think that the breathing hard thing (IF hes diabetic) is something to do with the body struggling to deal with vast amounts of glucose in the blood.

My DD wasn't noticeably tired, constantly dragged her feet walking to school and I'd moan at her to hurry up etc, and get quite cross with her, but it must have been such a slow build up cos now shes on insulin she has bundles of energy.

The docs said that she would have been feeling quite poorly in general, but she never complained!!

Don't want to worry you though, he may not be diabetic, but get him seen asap because very high sugar levels are not good.

KristinaM · 01/05/2006 22:50

nemo - you need to get this checked out. 2 is not too young to get type 1 diabetes. If ( a big IF)he does have it he will have to take insulin - its no big deal once you all get used to it and he will feel much better. Honest. Dont worry, people with diabetes live a totally normal life.

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 23:00

thanks kristina and lilly.
I had notcied that he has been a lot more grouchy and aggressive the past month or so too but again put it down to being a 2yr old with a fairly new sister

OP posts:
KristinaM · 01/05/2006 23:04

Mind you I have a grouchy and agressive 2 yo who has a new brother and he has no symptoms of anything Grin

Original poster
Nemo1977 · 01/05/2006 23:06

lol kristina..bless him. Hard isnt it!

OP posts:
LillyPink · 01/05/2006 23:08

Yes, don't worry too much Nemo - a two year old with a new sister is sure to be acting differently.

Don't forget that his sypmtoms could be something else, an infection of some kind or something.

take a urine sample if poss to the doctors and they can tell you straight away.

Good luck!