Worried something is up with my 5yo

[Newperson4]

My 5yo has always been a dream, he sleeps well, eats well and is just an all round joy. He is a quiet, sensitive child not boisterous and not much one for sports/bikes more into drawing and bug hunting.

Just lately I feel really uneasy by the drastic change in him, he is suddenly extremely emotional and will cry at almost anything (us saying he needs a bath or that he can’t watch bluey at tea time) but not just small tears full on emotional breakdowns and big “Waahhh” crying. If he gets hurt even a little cut or bump he completely loses control - hyperventilating and repeating “mummy, mummy, mummy” over and over and i’m unable to get him to calm down for a long time.

He has also lost all interest in his toys, he will instead mooch around looking to annoy his younger brother (1yo) or snatch things off him (and then cry when we make him give them back!) or he will constantly just watch to watch his kindle. He doesn’t want to draw anymore and instead will constantly try to wrestle me and his dad or pick fights. I’ve tried suggesting things - lego, playdoh, colouring, sticker books, imaginex, playmobil, etc! he has so much to play with but he will groan and say no.

Another thing he has started doing is feigning injuries for attention. Today his dad took him to the cinema for a treat and some one on one time, they went in a taxi, when i asked him about it he said “the taxi hurt my arm” whereas his dad said he enjoyed it and didn’t mention that at the time. He will constantly bite his nails too short and then cry that they hurt, but we have witnessed him do it in bed before and then shout to us and cry that they hurt.

We honestly pay him SO much attention, we schedule tons of one on one time with him, take him on days out without his brother so he can have us to himself.

He is also having a lot of tummyaches. At first I thought they might be exaggerated but he gets really hot and sweaty and has to pass nasty bowel movements when he has them. They’ve been happening probably 3x a week for about 4m.

I’ve made an appointment with the GP for Monday but I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this at all.

I feel really concerned, its a total personality change and I just want my lovely boy back.

If he is having lots of tummy aches, it could be a physical problem causing his behaviour. I'm pretty annoyed with everyone and everything if I'm having health problems.
I hope the GP can tell you what's going on.

Thanks @Belladonna56 I’m hoping one way or another we can get to the bottom of it.

make sure the GP tests him for coeliac disease. Agree with a PP that if he’s feeling physically rotten that could be the explanation for it all

Tests not only for coeliac but for colitis and lactose and gluten intolerance xx

My grandson cannot have dairy and was diagnosed by doctor and he had issues with bowel movements xxxx

Good that you have a GP appointment to check his physical health and see if he has any food intolerances.
Alsi consider whether he might be worried about changing classes at school or something else? Did this start when his sibling arrived?
Our youngest DD had tummy aches throughout primary school and was a worrier who wouldn't talk about her concerns. Tummyaches/imaginary injuries always increased before return to school, exam time or other stresses etc.

There is no test for lactose intolerance unfortunately (my son is lactose intolerant) but there is a blood test for dairy allergy.

Lactose intolerance is one of those things you can diagnose after quitting dairy and then noticing an improvement in symptoms.

You have lots going on @Newperson4 and it sounds rough. You definitely need to speak to a doctor about the pain and diarrhoea because that’s not normal.

As for the behaviours, it does sound like there’s some underlying anxiety which is causing the meltdowns over relatively small things, and the attention seeking. Is he at school? Could the school holidays and lack of routine be throwing him or has this been happening for longer?

Undiagnosed coeliac can cause physical symptoms such as lethargy (could explain his loss of interest) as well as anxiety. Worth getting that checked with the GP. Hope you get some answers