will I get laughed out of the GP's surgery?!

[Sparkletastic]

Soooooo - my 4 yr old DD still needs an afternoon nap, often pretty lengthy (up to 2 hrs). No problem with that as such BUT when she wakes from her nap she is completely hysterical - crying, screaming and sometimes as a real piece de resistance, peeing all over the place. Takes ages to calm down and nothing seems to help. She also wakes once most nights to wander in and wake up my DH (not me as she knows I am 'designated night-time parent for DD2 11 mths ). DH was doing a bit of Google research last night and came up with some US site saying that this behaviour may be linked to adenoidal problems / snoring and whipping out tonsils might help . She is a snorer... So what do you think? If I go to the doc's with this suggestion for an op will she think I have Munchausens by Proxy or somesuch?! Anyone got similar issues or suggestions?

I would try and discourage her from napping in the afternoon, as 1) she won't be able to do when she starts school and 2) It may be the reason she wakes up at night. When she gets sleepy in the afternoon try and have a quite time instead, reading books, listenning to music or go out for a walk...... and have a earlier bedtime instead.i know it may seem impossible but its worth a try

If you feel you need to the doctor, then i don't see why you shouldn't. She your child and you are entitiled to be concerned. Good luck, let us know how you get along...

I think it's unlikely that they'd consider taking out her tonsils for that -- it's a significant operation which can affect ongoing immune system and normally you have to have lots and lots of really nasty recurrent sore throats to "qualify".

No harm taking her to GP and describing problems and potentially even mentioning that you've heard it can be related to adenoidal problems, though.

Hiya - my ds 2.5 is also a bit like this, he still has quite lengthy afternoon naps and wakes distressed, he never really woken up happy - he also dribbles a lot and it had been suggested to me that he might have problems with his tinsils/adenoids which is casuing the dribbling - I had no idea that it could also be a cause of what you described - I think I might book him an appt with the GP now - there seems to be too much that is connected with this adenoid thing - If you are concerned, why not book an appt for your dd - the previous post was right, she won't be able to nap when she starts school.

Thanks Ash and Lemon. I've tried keeping her awake in the afternoons but I work in the mornings and when I pick the kids up from nursery and then drive home she almost always drops off en-route. She's asleep now but she's been chucking up all morning so I feel she's entitled! I think I'll try harder with that in future though - maybe shouting along to my Justin Timberlake CD will help in the car . I really don't want her to have an op - I think (hope) she'll grow out of it. As you rightly say Ash, no sleep once she's full-time at school... My DH really doesn't handle the hysteria well though which is why I've posted today. She did it Saturday (and peed everywhere) and he absolutely lost it with her. Very embarrassing for our friends who were here for the weekend and even more distressing for DD. Maybe I need to start a 'hysteria coping strategies' thread somewhere .

How interesting Mummy2! What are adenoids for anyway - they haven't had a mention on Holby City recently . Wonder if health visitors are any good on this sort of thing?

Adenoids are fleshy bits above the tonsils that help out the immune system (like the tonsils do). They do shrink after early childhood and should have almost entirely gone by adulthood, so the problem may go away on its own. You can have the adenoids out without having the tonsils out but again you'd need to convince the doctor that the problems were serious (e.g. sleep apnoea or high blood pressure rather than just snoring).

P.S. Roald Dahl had his adenoids out with no anaesthetic at all in his doctor's surgery as a child. There is a rather gross description of it in his autobiography...

I have spoken to the health visitor about the dribbling etc and they just said speak to the GP - it wasn't until ds has his 2 yr check that they suggested the adenoids. Am afraid I don't really know what they are for either - most of my health knowledge comes from either Holby or Casualty

P.P.S. Not that that's in any way relevant, but I always think of that scene whenever anyone mentions adenoids.

as soon as you get a biscuit or juice into her does she calm down?

its quite common for children to have low blood sugar after pm naps

I wish someone had told me that when DS was doing it

I've read that about Roald Dahl too Lemon!! On a par with the teeth extraction scene in 'Marathon Man'

Another good thought Twig. Only trouble is she'll only accept a drink or snack once she's over it pretty much. Will try to coerce her into having something earlier in freak-out next time. Deffo better if I deal with her rather than DH though - he just roars at her and drags her off to her room then berates her about being out of control until she gets a grip. Wonder where she gets it from

have you tried giving her something to eat in the car when you pick her up - giving him something to eat often staves off DS going to sleep in the car, though does only work for 15-20 mins so depends how long your journey home is.

In-car snack is a good plan Sue. Have only just gone back to work so am struggling getting organised with kids' bags, changing bag, handbag etc - need to add food items to packing list!

Jordan's breakfast bars are a good bet .. you could keep a packet in the car

and some juice (diluted if preferred)

Twiglett - agree with your suggestion. ds used to wake up inconsolable & no idea what it was. He said he wasn't hungry, but amazing how quickly he recovered after a sugar snack.

sparkle - I too have only just gone back to work but a few weeks before you (hence I understand the problem). I keep a packet of humzingers in the car they are essentially dried fruits pulped and formed into a stick - every thing from cherry to apple to pineapple to plum.

DS love them and they stoer easily because each portion is foil wrapped. No idea whether they have been approved by the MN food police though