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Children's health

Please please help with my son's never-ending illness

368 replies

Twunk · 25/07/2013 10:47

I honestly think I am losing the plot. Sad

Brief synopsis

DS2 has just turned 4. He was premature and had all sorts of issues in the first 6 months but has been healthy since then. He was breast fed until he was 3 and had normal run of short illnesses.

June 10th he developed a fever. His throat hurt and muscles ached. The fever lasted about 5 days. He recovered but looked pale and tired.

A week and a half later it came back - much worse. I took him to the doctor because he had a lot of pain in his legs and couldn't walk/stand. He had blood tests and I was called and told to take him to hospital, they thought he had leukaemia. Thankfully after a couple of retests they concluded it wasn't. He got better and started walking after 5-7 days.

One week later he got the fever again, but this lasted 48 hours.

Another week and he got it again. Stopped walking and hasn't done since. He fever lasted about 24 hours. This was the weekend before last. However, he's looked much better and been laughing and playing and crawling about. Eating normally too.

This morning he has another fever. I've made an appointment at the doctor but I am just at my wits' end.

His blood tests showed that it is probably a virus. He's anaemic (blood iron fine). Anyone had/heard of this? Please help I'm close to going crazy.

Thanks

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Twunk · 25/07/2013 10:48

He's had a urine sample done, and his joints have been scanned (ultrasound). All clear.

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Caster8 · 25/07/2013 10:57

I am sorry, I have no idea. But will bump for you.

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Quangle · 25/07/2013 11:00

No idea but just bumping for you. Sounds really stressful for you.

All I would say is that DD had a string of vomiting episodes that lasted for six months - she lost a lot of weight and would complain of pains in her legs in the end I started to think she had something really serious. She would cry with exhaustion in the middle of the day - which for a 5yo was just weird. I took her to the dr so many times I lost count and in the end we saw a paediatrician. They did loads and loads of tests and concluded in the end it had probably been post viral. Really hope you get to the bottom of this and it turns out to be something and nothing, as in our case.

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Twunk · 25/07/2013 11:11

Thanks Quangle! Deep down I think it's post-viral or a virus he can't get rid of, and he's had so many tests I'm sure something sinister would have turned up? (It nearly did!) but there's just that niggle. And the Groundhog Day feeling is just so demoralizing too - every time I think he's getting over it, up it pops. The leukaemia scare aged me 10 years and has made me really quite anxious.

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Twunk · 25/07/2013 13:35

Bump? Anyone else had anything similar happen?

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LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 25/07/2013 13:44

Glandular fever? Sounds post viral. There has been a very nasty bug this spring that seems to go away and come back again. I had 2 years off following glandular fever in my early 20s and I have been off work for the first time since that with similar sort of thing. Lots of rest, gradually increasing activity not doing loads when he feels okay and then crashing, vitamins to try and help him shift the virus. Post viral stuff can be resolutely very physical and scary (I used to get loads of nosebleeds and bruises which scared my doctors but nothing was really wrong according to their tests), but it is very benign and it will go away, just have to treat energy like it's money - don't go overdrawn, don't spend what you don't have, try to save it up by resting and he will turn a corner, promise.

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larrygrylls · 25/07/2013 14:10

Something parasitic? They tend to give cycles of fever depending on the life cycle of the parasite.

I would, in any event, insist on a lot more tests at a specialist children's hospital.

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Twunk · 25/07/2013 14:25

Thanks longbefore it does seem to come on after a day when he's done a little bit more. You do make a lot of sense.

larrygrylls I will suggest that to the doctor tomorrow (not thought of parasite at all) and ask about the children's hospital - there's one in Utrecht (am in holland)

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PJM18 · 25/07/2013 23:08

Is he limping when he tries to walk or can he just not weight bear at all? My son had a fever when he was 3 and the next day wouldn't walk. We took him to hospital and he had blood tests and ultrasound of his hips which were normal. He was diagnosed with irritable hip which was due to a viral infection and it took about 3 weeks for him to walk normally. Not sure if this would explain ongoing fever however and if it was this you may notice him not moving one leg so much when lying down.

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Twunk · 25/07/2013 23:29

Some have suggested it but I'm not sure as he's bed able to crawl. Tbh I'm not sure it isn't psychological which I feel is ore worrying. Today he was saying it hand and foot hurt. It's all very odd.

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 25/07/2013 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twunk · 26/07/2013 08:55

He's been referred to the local hospital and we go at 11.30 our time. Doc looked worried Sad

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bamboostalks · 26/07/2013 09:01

Good luck. How horribly worrying for you. These things do tend to settle. It's hard to believe that when you're in the thick of it.

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Twunk · 26/07/2013 09:12

Thanks bamboo - I'm a wreck after no sleep. This is horrible :-(

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Twunk · 26/07/2013 11:30

He's having tests for everything - ultrasound scan on stomach, X-ray on hips, blood tests and urine test. It's going to be a long day, but I am assured they will leave no stone unturned.

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inneedofrain · 26/07/2013 11:54

I can only agree with the advice up screen

Hopefully you will know what you are dealing with by the end of the day

Fingers crossed it "just" a virus

Unmn hugs

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Twunk · 26/07/2013 13:07

He's had everything but the urine tests so just sitting here waiting for the doctor. I nearly fainted in the ultrasound room because they brought the doctor in to look and I got upset about it. He seemed to be looking at his liver Sad

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Quangle · 26/07/2013 13:45

Twunk you poor thing. Glad they are looking at everything and hoping you get the answer that it's just one of those things.

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Twunk · 26/07/2013 13:45

Doctor has been in (I love holland for the speed of test results and the computer systems!)

All the nasties have been ruled out (at least for now!). He doesn't know yet about RA but thinks its unlikely as his fever will be higher. We're also waiting for glandular fever results.

We're staying in hospital until Monday and if he gets any worse we will be transferred to the children's hospital in Utrecht. He's sitting up and gently moaning whilst watching Cars2.

I'm worried but mostly relieved.

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Twunk · 26/07/2013 17:39

Unfortunately I spoke too soon. Tests were done manually after I got the all-clear and he has leukaemia. I'm broken

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honeyking · 26/07/2013 18:13

Gosh, I honestly do not know what to say, I am so sorry to hear this about your little boy. Words fail me.

Do you have some support around?

Wishing you lots of hugs and support from London to Holland.

There are some lovely ladies on here that will be along soon to offer more support and advice.

Take care.

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NulliusInBlurba · 26/07/2013 18:23

So sorry to hear that Twunk, it's the worst possible news, and so frustrating after you thought he'd had the all-clear. What kind of support network do you have there? Can any family fly/drive over to be with you straight away? It's the kind of thing neither of you should be facing alone.

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AvonCallingBarksdale · 26/07/2013 18:30

Just read this thread - so sorry to hear your news. Do you have someone with you now? Do you have friends/family/partner in Holland? Keep posting.

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SantanaLopez · 26/07/2013 18:31

I don't have any words of advice but sending you lots of good wishes and hugs, for you and for your boy.

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Caster8 · 26/07/2013 18:35

So so sorry.
I will pray for you all if that is ok? Hope you are not offended by me writing that?

Do you have friends/family to come and support you at this time?

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