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Original poster

Nursery are very concerned about DD's health

86 replies

nutcracker · 01/04/2004 16:58

Have just got back from dd2's parents meeting at nursery. Her teacher started the meeting by saying that herself and the head nursery teacher are very concerned about my dd. They said that she seems to be constantly tired and lethargic, and that it is affecting her work.
When she said it, i wasn't really all that surprised as i had thought the same thing about a week before. They said that she just sort of sits there with a tired, glazed look on her face like she's on another planet. To demonstrate to me what they meant they showed me two pictures that they had asked her to do. They asked her to draw something(can't remember what but something she new) and then left her for half an hour to do it (she wasn't on her own, other kids were drawing too). All there is on the page is two lines and thats it. It was done at 11-11:30.
I am now very worried and slightly confused too. She goes to bed no later than 7:30 and gets up at 7, so she's getting enough sleep. Her diet isn't particularly brilliant as she's quite a faddy eater but that has only just started really, she used to eat well. She has a multi vitamin every day, and will quite happily eat the fruit bowl if you give it her.
I know that what they are saying is true as i've had her complain of being tired at 10am when she's done nothing. She's definatly not an active child and is quite content to lie around all day.
She got up at 7am today, and apart from walking to school, she hasn't done much, but she's just fell asleep on the settee.
If i take her to the doc's what will they do ????
They will probably think i'm over reacting but she shouldn't be like this should she ?? What could it be.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 01/04/2004 20:54

Completely forgot to say that nursery suggested it may be a thyroid problem.
Anyone think that this is likely. Are thyroid probs hereditary ??? My mom, aunt and nan all suffered with thyroid probs.

OP posts:
tamum · 01/04/2004 20:58

Nutty, I would definitely get her to a doctor and mention that, it certainly sounds worth checking out. Thyroid problems aren't always hereditary, but lots of them are, and with 3 close relatives like that it sounds highly likely that there is a strong genetic component (doesn't mean your dd has it, but certainly makes it more plausible). If that's what it is it will probably be eminently treatable, but it is important that it is treated. Good luck, as if you didn't have enough to worry about.

Original poster
nutcracker · 01/04/2004 21:01

Cheers Tamum. It never rains but it pours eh !
I have had my thyroid checked twice due to tiredness and it has been fine, but like you say. i think it's definatly worth mentioning at the appointment.

OP posts:
tamum · 01/04/2004 21:33

I don't want to sound cynical, but might it help in any way with the housing waiting list if your dd did actually have something like that? Obviously it would be better if she didn't- hope you know what I mean.

miggy · 01/04/2004 21:50

Do go to the Gp but try not to worry too much. DS2 had similar spell at about 31/2, lasted about a month, no illness just tired all the time, didnt want to go out to friends, falling asleep in the day, just seemed really sad. I tortured myself with all sorts, leukaemia/lead poisoning (was renovating house)/anaemia. Went to GP and had stand up fight when he said nothing wrong (well actually said he was "depressed"-at 3 , I think not!) "so I can hold you directly responsible then if you have failed to diagnose leukaemia" etc etc. Actually after a few weeks he just got better. I'm sure it was a virus of some sort. Not saying dont do anything just that dont worry too much until you have been to the doctors.

StripyMouse · 01/04/2004 22:00

Nutty - stop feeling like a rubbish mum RIGHT NOW !! Do you hear me?!! The very fact that you are so concerned about your child proves just how great you are. I have read many posts you have written over time and have to say that I feel I know you quite well - your posts come across as very caring and constantly wanting the best for your kiddies. If that doesn?t make you a godd mum, then what on earth does? The diet you wrote earlier sounds very healthy and sensible and those bedtimes you quoted also seem very normal so please don?t give yourself a hard time - if not for yourself then stop feeling bad as it will stop you focussing on the real isse here - not that you are a bad mum but that your DD might be a bit poorly at the mo and it is worth getting to the bottom of the problem before it becomes a problem. You are making me feel rather bossy and defensive for you from yourself and I am not normally bossy (well, maybe only a bit)

StripyMouse · 01/04/2004 22:02

sorry for that garbled post - I really must start previewing but am always in such a rush - hope you get my sentiments behind that dribble

JJ · 01/04/2004 22:08

Nutty, just read the first post and was reading up from there -- first thing I thought was thyroid problems. Yes, my cousin had a thyroid problem and it's easy to check. She had it about the same age as your daughter (or started to show symptoms then). I've got the same thing (it's hereditary in my family) and it does sound like something that you should look at.

Sorry if I'm repeating stuff! I'm posting now after reading your "the nursery said she might have thyroid problems" post.

Let me know if you want any info on hypothyroidism.

JJ · 01/04/2004 22:10

Sorry if that didn't make sense. My cousin and I (and my mom and all my aunts and my other cousin, etc) have thyroid problems. SHE was diagnosed when she was your daughter's age. My symptoms came in my 20s.

Marina · 01/04/2004 22:44

Nutcracker, hope you get some answers soon. Please stop calling yourself a rubbish mum though...her diet sounds OK to me, maybe she needs more red meat, a good source of iron if you can get them to eat it. Anaemia is really common in toddlers - also wondered if there was any history of sickle cell in either your or dp's families...it's when you mentioned her legs hurting.

Original poster
nutcracker · 01/04/2004 23:18

O.k i'm not a rubbish mom, i'm not a rubbish mom.
Is that better ??? Thanks for the telling off Stripeymouse, i did need one

JJ - Could you possibly tell me what the other symptoms of Hypothyroidism are ?? My mom had got it in her 40's but my aunt had it from about 8 i think. TIA

Marina - No history of Sickle cell in either family. I will have to come up with some ways of getting her to eat more red meat.

Miggy - When i googled her symptoms depression was one of the things that came up. I thought it was a bit odd too.

Tanum - That thought had crossed my mind. Terrible aren't I.

Thanks all for your advice, i'm going to ring doc's tommorow, probably won't get in until monday though.

OP posts:
robinw · 02/04/2004 07:42

message withdrawn

Original poster
nutcracker · 02/04/2004 18:51

Hmmm well some of her syptoms definatly fit hypothyroidism. She has always had dry coarse hair, is extremely grumpy and has cried from being cold before now (that was when it was very cold though).

I spoke to nursery again today to tell them that she has an appointment on Monday evening. The head of nursery was there too and she said that she was very glad i was taking her as she felt that there definatly was something wrong. She said since talking to me yesterday she had mentioned it to another teacher who immeidiatly knew which child and what she was talking about. They said that not only does she seem extremely lethargic but she seens to go in to a trance too. They said that she can be playing in the home corner quite happily and then the next time they look at her she has just topped what she is doing and is standing still staring into space whilst the other kids carry on playing around her.
I mentioned anemia but said that i didn't think that her diet was that bad, and they said maybe she is anemiac but it isn't her diet that is causing it (didn't really need to hear that).

I haven't a clue what is going on now.
I told nursery that my g.p isn't very good and they said that if i get no joy that they would be more than willing to write a leeter to g.p describing what has been happeneing.
I am quite worried about just how worried nursery seem to be.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 02/04/2004 19:17

aLSO DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD REASON OR ANY REASON TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER G.P WITHIN THE SAME PRACTICE ???

Whoops caps lock on sorry

OP posts:
stace · 02/04/2004 19:34

Nutcracker try not to worry too much remember that generally shes fine and that you are on the road now with your appointment for monday.

As far as the doctor is concerned why not just say that you would rather have a female doctor or male if thats the case, then hopefully the doctor in question wont take offence.

Chin up and hows ds bottom doing?

Original poster
nutcracker · 02/04/2004 21:17

Thanks Stace. Ds's bottom is alot better but he still has a few pathces that are quite red. Everytime i think it's cleared up, it comes back.

OP posts:
eddm · 02/04/2004 21:32

Nutrcracker, I've hesitated before posting here because don't want to alarm you but the most recent thing the nursery is describing could, possibly, be an absence seizure. It's a form of epilepsy ? if you do want to find out more see
this Hope appointment goes well.

Original poster
nutcracker · 02/04/2004 21:58

Don't worry eddm epilepsy had already crossed my mind so you haven't alarmed me. After reading that link though i really do not thin it is epilepsy as i have never noticed her looking vacant whilst at home. I have noticed her looking exhausted, but not really day dreamy, i don't think.
The most possible things at the mo seem to be anemia or hypothyroidism.
TBH i am more concerned at how bad nursery seem to think it is and the fact that i didn't notice, or rather i did but didn't feel it was bad enough.

OP posts:
eddm · 02/04/2004 22:34

Relieved to hear I didn't frighten you!
Nurseries see hundreds of children so a some way maybe bells might ring a bit earlier there if there's something not quite right? I never know whether I'm over-anxious or too relaxed about ds, he'll be an adult before I've got the right approach worked out!

robinw · 03/04/2004 08:33

message withdrawn

Lesley76 · 04/04/2004 11:33

About your question on changing GPs - you can ask for an appointment with any of the GPs in your pratice. It doesn't matter who your daughter is registered with. If you want to change to another practice, you don't have to give any reason to anyone. You just have to go to the practice you want to register with & ask if they will take you on their list. If they aggree, they will give you a form to fill in and all the records will be transferred across.

Just a note of warning - if you do change practices for one family member eg your daughter, or if you make a complaint, GPs have been known to put the whole family off their list. they don't have to give a reason in the same way you don't.

If anyone pushes you to give a reason,eg new Gp and you don't want to offend them, just say something general like I would prefer male/female GP, or "personality clash" or "i don't have confidence in them". Don't go into details. I'm not saying this is right BTW, just warning you. You REALLY do need to have GP in whom you have confidence.

BTW I also have 4yo in nursery. Your daughter's diet and bedtimes seem pretty normal to me, so i'm sure you are not doing anything wrong. I agree with the other mums here - if she does have a medical problem, you need to get it diagnosed & treated asap. If your GP doesn't know what's wrong, or they think your child shoudl see a specialist, they will refer her to your local children's hospital.If this happens, it is worrying for you but but its A GOOD THING for your daughter - they are the experts!!

stace · 05/04/2004 13:36

nutcracker, just thinking of you and your kids did you get an appointment with the gp if so what did he say? hows ds's bum?

Original poster
Nutcracker · 05/04/2004 20:36

Right heres the update......

G.p is going to do blood test to check full blood count, thyroid, liver and kidneys. Can't get her in until 5th may though whcih i'm not to pleased about.
After my inital description of what nursery had said her response was that she wants me to ask the nursery to look out for dd looking absent, or as though she is daydreaming as it could be epilepsy.
I myself haven't noticed her being vacant, but the g.p said that it is usually teachers that notice first as they can see that the child is not concentrating. She said that each episode can sometimes only be for a second or two so i just may not have noticed it.
I also have to get her weighed and basically checked over by h.v too.

I am nearly convinced that it is not epilepsy as i am sure i would of noticed something. The g.p did ask if their was a family history, my cousin is/was epeleptic but she didn't say if that was significant or not.

So now i'm still not really any wiser, just more concerned really. Having to wait a month for the blood test will be hard too.
Oh and typically dd ran around like a lunatic whilst we were there. So much for her being tired and having no energy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nutcracker · 05/04/2004 20:38

Oh sorry Stace, meant to say, i bought some Bepanthen cream for Ds and it seems to be working.

OP posts:
StripyMouse · 05/04/2004 20:39

wow - that sounds like a long wait nutty. At least you are being taken seriously by the GP and they have taken the blood tests rather than fobbed you off with nothing... sorry, that is about as positive I can get! Hope the time passes fast and it is sorted out really easily and quickly. Hugs xx

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