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Original poster

Should I be worried about my DS

45 replies

lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 10:01

For about the last month he has been saying constantly that he is tired and wants to go to bed, sometimes an hour or two after he has woken. He does have bursts of energy and generally seems happy. He sleeps well, 3 hours in the afternoon, eight hours at night. Eats well but hasnt put on any weight for about the last six weeks (although he doesnt look skinny).

He drinks an awful lot and keeps complaining of itching although I can't see a rash or anything.

Took him to the doctors and he said he had a virus a couple of weeks ago.

DS is 2 and a half. Should I be worried or is this normal growth phrase or similar?

OP posts:
jellies · 03/03/2008 10:05

Take him back a two a half year old should not be so tired.. I would have hime checked again by a different GP

trulymadlydeeply · 03/03/2008 10:08

I agree - get him seen again; he shouldn't be so tired. I'd be a bit worried ... but I am a worrier!

belgo · 03/03/2008 10:10

eight hours sleep at night for a two year old doesn't sound enough.

Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 10:11

sorry meant twelve hours at night.

OP posts:
Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 10:11

sorry meant twelve hours at night.

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 03/03/2008 10:12

Definately take him back with the symptoms you describe it's worth them testing for diabetes. It probably isn't this and is just the tail end of a virus but it's best to make sure.

belgo · 03/03/2008 10:12

12 hours at night is normal.
I agree with the others, take him back to the GP.

Elibean · 03/03/2008 10:20

Also agree, take him back - best to be safe, and itching and drinking are both possible symptoms of various things. Is he itching all over, all the time, or is it localized and/or linked to particular times of day?

tangarine · 03/03/2008 10:21

I agree with Ledodgy. Ask them to do a fingerprick blood glucose test rather than a urine test though, as if it is the early stages of diabetes (and I really hope it isn't) it might not show up. Ds1 has diabetes and was undiagnosed for 10 days because his urine was clear the first time he was checked. By the time we did get a diagnosis he was very ill indeed.

Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 10:24

itching in different places and seems to be not at any specific time of the day.

i'm really worried now, will phone doctors for an appointment.

tangerine... what do you mean really ill? what happened that quickly?

OP posts:
Elibean · 03/03/2008 10:25

Do phone, but try not to worry too much - odds are he's postviral, but definitely best to play safe

jellies · 03/03/2008 10:26

If you cant get an appointment today.. go the A&E!

Smurfs · 03/03/2008 10:26

Does his breathe smell of pear drops?
Does he itch?

My DH is diabetic and if he is late with his injection he starts to smell of those lovely sweeties strange but true.

The itching is also something if DH is late with is insulin that he gets.

Off to the Dr's for a second opinion I would suggest.

Smurfs · 03/03/2008 10:29

Try not to panic but the lethargy again is one of the symptons as is weight loss. Off to the hospital if Dr's are just offering a sit and wait appointment would be my advice

Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 10:29

Taking him down to doctors now luckily they have open junior clinic this morning. will keep you all posted. thanks everyone

OP posts:
tangarine · 03/03/2008 10:36

I hope he's OK - will be thinking of you.

Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 12:05

Dr was great, said tiredness etc. was not usual in a child and may just be post viral but he has given me an appt for DS to have blood tests at the hospital.

Thanks for all the support.

OP posts:
belgo · 03/03/2008 12:11

Glad that the doctor was helpful.

I hope your ds gets well soon.

Smurfs · 03/03/2008 13:08

Good news lmb, hope DS is recovered soon.

tangarine · 03/03/2008 14:02

Glad to hear you got on OK. Hope the blood tests come back clear.

paddyclamp · 03/03/2008 16:17

Did he not do a finger prick or urine test?

Don't want to sound like a drama queen but i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 9 and i had all these symptoms. My GP wasted time and i got very ill due to the delay in diagnosis.

Have these symptoms come on quickly? Also does he wee a lot (if he doesn't it's probably not diabetes)

Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 18:55

No the GP didnt test for anything

He does wee an awful lot but then he drinks loads too.

the blood test is on wednesday and results should be back in 3 days after that.

surely nothing drastic would happen after that would it?

what does very ill mean if you have diabetes? what should i look for?

OP posts:
Original poster
lottymadbird · 03/03/2008 18:55

sorry meant nothing drastic would happen in the meantime, i.e. 5 days.

OP posts:
tangarine · 03/03/2008 20:06

lottymadbird,

If you have undiagnosed diabetes for a while your blood sugars go up and up to the point where you get something called diabetic ketoacidosis. This is what my son had when he was finally diagnosed. He was almost comatose It can come on quite quickly and can be fatal if untreated. He was on a drip for 5 days as he was so dehydrated (your body tries to flush the sugar out by making you pee more).

My ds was drinking constantly and wetting the bed (he was 5, and had been dry at night for a couple of years). He would wake at night screaming hysterically for water (i.e. not just politely asking for a drink).

If you are in any doubt go back and ask for a fingerprick test. it might be nothing, but then again it might not be. The test takes a few seconds and doesn't hurt, and it will put your mind at rest.

tangarine · 03/03/2008 20:07

ps wave to paddyclamp - we must stop meeting like this!

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