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Another health concern with my toddler


mommyx4
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As some of you know, I struggle with anxiety. Especially with regards to health. Well, last week my 20 month old developed a very high fever(106). . He was rushed to the hospital because he had a febrile seizure. After 3 days in the hospital and all the tests(meningistis,etc). He was diagnosed with a virus. His fever went down on the 3rd day and he was discharged. They ran a CBC in the hospital and all the results were normal except for his white blood cell count was low. They said this was indicative of a virus. I had them run another cbc on the 2nd day(because I was worried it was Kawasaki disease-which he had at 5 months of age and the numbers helped give the diagnoses). All his numbers were again normal, but his white blood cell count was even lower. They said it was due to him being pumped full of fluids and caused the blood to be diluted.

Now, I know I should just accept what they said, but I'm still a nervous wreck. He had a follow up at a doctor today and another cbc ordered to see if his counts went up. The doctor said if they stayed low, they would send him to a hematologist. Well, of course, I ran home to google and now I'm petrified....

Should I just accept this was his body fighting an infection and caused his wbc to be low, or would you be worried it's something else? He doesn't have a fever at all now, it did go away 3 days after it began...

Would there be other symptoms if he had something more serious?

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Hugs!

 

A few thoughts:

-Viruses can cause transient bone marrow suppression and resulting leukopenia and neutropenia. If the white blood cell count has rebounded on the repeat CBC and all of the other cell lines (i.e. platelets, hemoglobin) look normal then this is probably a reasonable explanation.

-Kawasaki Disease does result in an elevated platelet count (as do many other inflammatory illnesses) but there other clinical diagnostic criteria that must be met as well. Your son's fever resolving after only three days goes against the fever criteria for Kawasaki.

-If the white blood cell count is still low on the follow up CBC it honestly could still due to viral suppression especially if the other cell lines are appropriate. Getting some input from a hematologist is reasonable though and that is probably why your pediatrician is offering the referral.

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Accept what the doctor is telling you unless the test results tell you otherwise. At this point, the information the doctor gave you sounds very reasonable.

 

I know you're a worrier, and it's so hard with little ones who can't tell you exactly how they're feeling, but STOP researching the internet for this stuff.

 

Seriously.

 

STOP.

 

I have done the same thing. I have researched symptoms when I was worried and every single one can either be "the common cold" or "get your affairs in order because your number is up." Do not keep letting yourself get sucked into this!!!! You will scare yourself to death, and it will turn out to be nothing.

 

Really.

 

He's going to be just FINE. There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for his blood results. He was very sick with a bad virus and a super-high fever! It makes perfect sense that his counts would be off for a while. His tiny little body has been working awfully hard!

 

But repeat after me: HE'S OK.

 

I'm so sorry you're so worried again. This is so unhealthy for you, and I know you're trying to be calm, but it's very difficult when you worry so much. Many people don't realize how hard it is to stop obsessing about something, even when you know in your mind that you're being irrationally worried. :grouphug:

 

If it's OK with you, I'll pray for your little guy, as well as for your peace of mind.

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From what I understand(which isn't much)...the only thing that was flagged was the count. Everything else was normal. I'm not sure even what that means as the doctors don't want to take the time to explain it to me and now the doctor's office is closed and I have 10 more questions )-:

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I, too, have health anxiety and I found a wonderful book that might help if you find it is interfering with your everyday life. It's called Overcoming Health Anxiety by Owens and Antony. My library had it. It gives some great advice on how to not let health anxiety take over your life. There are some good tips and exercises to do in there that can really make a difference, along with some advice on how to manage stress.

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Thank you for the book suggestion I'm off to see if my library has it.

I've been doing research all afternoon and I think my son had Roseola. He had all the classic symptoms and one thing I noted today in the the textbook of peidatric infectious diseases was low wbc 3-6 days in which would coinside with it. They didn't diagnose him with Roseola in the hospital, but the rash didn't show up until we got home....I don't know I'm trying to cling to something positive.

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Thank you for the book suggestion I'm off to see if my library has it.

I've been doing research all afternoon and I think my son had Roseola. He had all the classic symptoms and one thing I noted today in the the textbook of peidatric infectious diseases was low wbc 3-6 days in which would coinside with it. They didn't diagnose him with Roseola in the hospital, but the rash didn't show up until we got home....I don't know I'm trying to cling to something positive.

Yep, Roseola. Very typical toddler virus. No complications. Nothing more to worry about. His WBC wouldn't even cause me to raise my eyebrows. They're performing the tests because you requested them and not because the doctor thinks your son needs them. To be honest, if patients pester us about things that are benign, they tend to be shuffled off to someone else (like a hematologist), because we don't have time for it, and we don't want to deal with *those* mothers. Not trying to be rude, just telling you the truth from the other side. Don't force your son to go through the pain of recurrent blood draws and other unnecessary, invasive and expensive tests because of your anxiety disorder. The doctor will let you know if there is anything to be concerned about. And trust me....there isn't. Try and relax. He's fine.

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The reason I think it was roseola is because when we got home from the hospital, he broke out in a rash on his trunk for about 24 hrs(after fever had subsided)...so that would be typical for roseola, right? And low wbc would be as well, right?

 

Yes. Again, don't worry. Roseola is no big deal. Kids handle it really well.

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I'm sorry to post these...I know you people think I'm crazy. I think I'm crazy. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and have been suffering with this anxiety for over a year. I'm just tired of worrying....but it's like when I feel like everything is going o.k. something major happens. Like last week, he got sick, I tried to stay calm and wait it out..then bam...he has a seizure-which scared me half to death(along with my other two boys that were home with me) I thought i was going to pass out from the stress....

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Stop goggling. You don't really want to end up being that "mom" and not being able to be taken seriously when needed. Several of us have mentioned this before but please get some counseling for your anxiety. :grouphug:

 

:iagree:

 

I'm not one to recommend counseling for every little thing, but in your case, I really think it could help.

 

Here's the thing -- This isn't just affecting you. This is affecting your little boy. If you can't find a way to deal with your anxiety, your poor child will end up being put through test after test after test after test -- not because he's sick, but because you're worried that he might be.

 

That's not fair to your son.

 

I hope I don't sound harsh, because that is not my intention at all. I just hate to see you suffering like this, and I also hate the thought that your precious little guy may be put through a lot of potentially frightening and/or painful tests, just to ease your mind... until a short time later when you start to panic about something else and he's back at the doctor for more tests.

 

Thankfully, your son's current condition sounds like nothing to worry about. He'll get better and have no lasting effects.

 

But I can already imagine you starting to worry about the next thing, and that's so awful for you. You seem so nice, and you are obviously a very loving and concerned mom, but I think you need to find some help in dealing with your anxiety.

 

You owe it to yourself, your son, and your unborn child to get some counseling so you can move forward with your life with a more positive attitude.

 

And please keep posting here and venting to us whenever you feel the need. We're happy to be here for you. :grouphug:

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I would take the doctor's word on the virus idea at this point. My son had leukemia, no doubt that came up on Google, so we have seen bad blood work and viral bloodwork (as well as bacterial infection blood work and bad allergy blood work ;)). When he was diagnosed with leukemia his WBC was not the only number that was off. He had lots of blood work over the course of treatment, so we did see just his WBC bottom out when he had viruses. Our WBC is probably low many times with viruses, but we do not have blood work done, so we do not know it is low. There are soooooo many viruses out there right now, and it is very likely that it is just one of those. Try to keep him away from others as much as possible, because with a lowered immune system he is likely to get anything that comes around.

 

Fluids can dilute the blood sample like they said, and it can change minute to minute and even vary by machine the sample is run in, so try to relax. I know it is hard. Hugs to you.

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:iagree:

 

I'm not one to recommend counseling for every little thing, but in your case, I really think it could help.

 

Here's the thing -- This isn't just affecting you. This is affecting your little boy. If you can't find a way to deal with your anxiety, your poor child will end up being put through test after test after test after test -- not because he's sick, but because you're worried that he might be.

 

That's not fair to your son.

 

I hope I don't sound harsh, because that is not my intention at all. I just hate to see you suffering like this, and I also hate the thought that your precious little guy may be put through a lot of potentially frightening and/or painful tests, just to ease your mind... until a short time later when you start to panic about something else and he's back at the doctor for more tests.

 

Thankfully, your son's current condition sounds like nothing to worry about. He'll get better and have no lasting effects.

 

But I can already imagine you starting to worry about the next thing, and that's so awful for you. You seem so nice, and you are obviously a very loving and concerned mom, but I think you need to find some help in dealing with your anxiety.

 

You owe it to yourself, your son, and your unborn child to get some counseling so you can move forward with your life with a more positive attitude.

 

And please keep posting here and venting to us whenever you feel the need. We're happy to be here for you. :grouphug:

 

:iagree: And....saying this very gently....mothers who make repeated appointments for their child, and continually request unnecessary and invasive tests, against the recommendation of the doctor, and within days of the previous one, are in serious danger of being flagged and having CPS called in to investigate suspicion of Munchausen by Proxy. It is NOT something you want to be labeled with....it is considered a form of child abuse and your child will be removed from your care if that's what medical professionals think may be going on. Putting your need to feel relief from anxiety over your child's well being and comfort is a HUGE red flag for doctors. Please, please think before you continually request tests and procedures your doctor doesn't think your child needs. Serious illness in a child is not subtle. You will know if there is something drastically wrong and your child's doctor will suspect it before you do. A child with Roseola is NOT a child with a serious illness. A child with a fever that resolves in three days is NOT a child with a serious illness. Please seek counseling for your disorder before you pass your anxiety issues on to your children. You are not in a healthy place and you need to get there for your kids' sake.
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Back again...I can't even believe I'm writing this, but now I don't know what to do. So, my toddler has been well for about a week, eating great, sleeping again,etc. One of my older son's gets what seems like a virus-low grade fever, stomach ache, etc. He gets over it in about 3 days and on the last day takes a bite of an apple and gives it to the toddler. So, now he is sick again! I don't know if he contracted it in the hospital(it's been almost 2 weeks since we were there) or it's from big brother. He has had a fever for 2 days, coughing, runny nose, etc. We have been treating with Motrin because I'm deathly afraid of another seizure. In fact, he jumped up last night to 102 and my we got it down quickly with Motrin and cool compresses on his head, but I was so scared that I was shaking. My husband cancelled his business trip today because he saw how it affected me. He has been acting great, playing, running around etc. but he won't eat anything. He will drink milk and water so we are keeping him hydrated. I'm just scared now to bring him to the doctor because some of you had said the doctor may feel like I'm making him sick or something. My husband feels we don't need to bring him if he's acting o.k. but how long should I let the fever go, before I should bring him in? Can you have a virus, get better and than less than 2 weeks later contract another virus?

Oh, his WBC count came back great(6.4 one week after his last draw, so I breathed a sigh of relief there)....but literally, the night I got the test results back for the WBC(because I did worry about it all weekend) he got sick again. I just don't know if this is some sort of test of my patience or faith or something....I'm just really tired.

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Being a mommy can be scary. Being pg with littles is exhausting. But, kids get sick. A lot. Kids who are in and out of doctor's offices get sick even more. (They store germs there no matter how hard they try not to.) Febrile seizures are scary. Fortunately, they have little risk associated with them other than scaring the parent to death. I usually give a fever 3-4 days before seeing a doctor. As far as his not eating, that is fine. The old adage is feed a cold starve a fever after all! His body probably knows just exactly what it is doing. Making sure he stays hydrated is really all you need to be concerned about at this point. And, he probably got it from big brother. They just love to share!

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So, you wouldn't be concerned if he got sick, got better and then got sick again in a 2 week span?

We are all so healthy usually, but this year everyone in my family keeps getting sick(except for me). I'm wondering if it's because of my husband. He travels with his job and is on a plane at least once a week. But, still it just seems crazy for little one to be sick again so soon, know what I mean?

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I'm so sorry your little guy is sick again, but it's not at all surprising, nor is it unusual, especially when someone else in the house was sick first. It's also totally normal that he's not hungry yet -- sometimes it takes a while!

 

If you said he was feeling awful and couldn't get out of bed, I would be concerned, but that's not the case, so I'm sure he's on the mend and just hasn't regained his appetite yet.

 

I'll say a prayer that he's 100% back to normal again soon!

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So, you wouldn't be concerned if he got sick, got better and then got sick again in a 2 week span?

We are all so healthy usually, but this year everyone in my family keeps getting sick(except for me). I'm wondering if it's because of my husband. He travels with his job and is on a plane at least once a week. But, still it just seems crazy for little one to be sick again so soon, know what I mean?

 

It really and truly isn't crazy at all! It seems like some years, everyone keeps getting sick, and this year, it seems to be a common thing among many families here on the forums, as well as many families I know in real life. The kids just about recover from one virus and they pick up another. It's such a nuisance!

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I don't find it strange!

 

The years that we get sick, it seems we're catching everything possible. I'm not sure we've ever had just a single virus.

 

 

I know! Sometimes you can reach a point where you don't even want to leave the house, because you're paranoid that you'll catch something else! This particular year seems to be a rough year for a lot of families.

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So, you wouldn't be concerned if he got sick, got better and then got sick again in a 2 week span?

We are all so healthy usually, but this year everyone in my family keeps getting sick(except for me). I'm wondering if it's because of my husband. He travels with his job and is on a plane at least once a week. But, still it just seems crazy for little one to be sick again so soon, know what I mean?

 

 

Not at all concerned. As the kids get older, you tend to be out more, they touch more things...more illnesses. Husbands on planes would add in there too! Just keep telling yourself that these illnesses are GOOD for them. Their bodies are learning to fight off infections. Studies have shown that youngsters who are raised in very sterile environments tend to have more allergies!

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My son has caught thing after thing since October. It's not at all abnormal and especially at his age. He's building immunity to all kinds of new things and there is a lot going around right now.

 

In my experience a child who is really sick acts really sick. Look at the child and not the fever. Beyond that things like flu can be acting sick and still not necessarily require a trip to the doctor. When it's serious you'll know just like you knew with the Kawasaki disease. There have been three serious illnesses in my kids, two that were very serious, and in all those cases it was abundantly clear there was something very wrong.

 

I think you've been traumatized by first his serious illness with Kawasaki and now a febrile seizure. That's scary stuff! Of course you're jumpy. I'm sure the pregnancy hormones add to it.

 

You might look into OCD. It sounds like it might be part of what you're dealing with in terms of the anxiety and there is treatment.

 

But big hugs to you. You've been through an awful lot.

 

I would not take him in unless your husband or another person without health anxiety, on his/her own and not due to your fear, thinks your son needs to be seen. You are probably going to want to take him in for reassurance because you love him and want to make sure he's safe. But the anxiety makes your judgement unclear. So, if you can, rely on someone else who can stand up to your anxiety and make the choice with a clear mind. If you are a person of faith do pray about this...and stay off google for health stuff as much as you can!

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We have been consistently sick with one thing or another since before Christmas. One kid gets well and the next one gets sick and so on. I don't take my kids to the dr unless they complain of their ears hurting or if the fever isn't gone in a week or so. I usually just put a call in to the nurse if I think they may need to be seen and she guides me from their.

 

I think you need to get a handle on your anxiety. Your kids will pick up on it. Kids WILL get sick, they just do. And you need to find a way to stop worrying about every little sneeze, sniffle and fever. If they never got sick their immune systems would never get strong!

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