ProudGrandma Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 The last month or so my ds9 has complained about being tired. It seems like no matter how sleep he gets, or how much rest he gets during the day or how much or how little activity he has, he is just tired. It doesn't usually stop him from playing...but today it did. We went to the pool with some friends (an activity he LOVES) and he asked to go home after only being there about an hour... Right before we went on vacation (early July) I took him in to the doctor because at that point it had already been about 2 weeks of this...and she ran a battery of blood tests and everything came back normal...but I am beginning to think I need to call them again. My husband thinks it just a growth spurt or normal "boy" tiredness...and isn't really concerned at all....but now that it's been so long, I am not sure. I just asked him if he has been "this tired" most of the days since vacation and he said "not this bad"....but tired. He did say there were some days or times when he didn't feel tired. He is unable to say whether one is more than another. And the puzzling thing is that this isn't every day...but it is often..but not to the extent of wanting to leave or stop an exciting activity. So I am not sure what to think. If I do take him back to the doctor, what specifically do I ask them to do or look for?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Off the top of my head: thyroid, iron (ferritin), Lyme if they haven't yet been ruled out. I'd also wonder about constipation. We've been there, too. It's scary and frustrating. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 they tested for iron and tyroid....not for Lyme, I don't think. How can constipation cause tiredness? and this long ...like 1 1/2 months or so??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Dehydration? If he's not drinking enough water, he might start to feel tired. How much he drinks probably varies from day to day. Since it is summer, maybe he's not getting enough for the weather conditions. This happens with my dd. scholastica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 How can constipation cause tiredness? and this long ...like 1 1/2 months or so??? I realize it sounds crazy but when we finally realized one of ours had this problem (despite going everyday) and we did a major clean out, her fatigue improved a lot. She had been tired for years. I was talking to a specialist about this and she said when she's making her rounds in the hospital she can often spot the kids with constipation. It can just make them feel poorly in a vague way. There's also depression. I actually hate when people quickly jump to emotional stuff as a reason, but it's true that it can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 well, today especially constipation sounds possible...he was complaining of a tummy ache that comes and goes...gas?? How did you do the "major" clean out? That simply doesn't sound like much fun for a kid.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 dehydration...is another thought....he doesn't drink as much as he probably could...but then other times he doesn't stop drinking....it's a back and forth thing....maybe I need to pay more attention to that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 he went to bed about 2 hours before his normal bedtime....he is sound asleep now. He wasn't hungry at all....so he went to bed without eating anything but a cracker since lunch today at 11:30....I hope he wakes up feeling better...I am somewhat nervous about him tonight....I hope I can sleep.... if anybody has any other ideas...PLEASE share them....this is just so unlike him.... or....i thought he was asleep...but I went to check on him and he was squirming around...he said he can't get comfortable and that his tummy hurts...so maybe this is a virus thing....guess, time will tell...but he has been complaining of a tummy ache since about 4 this afternoon....so I would think if he is going to get sick, I will know before I have to go to bed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Did they check for mono? Ds had NO symptoms of mono, not even a sniffle, and at his annual check a few years ago his doc found an enlarged lymph node in his armpit. They did lab work and sure enough, he had had mono sometime previous to the visit. The fatigue can last a very long time (though Ds didn't even have that). This is also important, because if he did have mono, he can be susceptible to an enlarged spleen for several weeks. They usually tell you no contact or rough sports, bike riding, etc. for 6 weeks until that chance diminishes. Our pede told us it presents differently in young children, versus teens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Sleep apnea? Maybe he needs a sleep study to see if he is actually going through all the cycles of sleep properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeenagerMom Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 We recently started going through this with my DS. He is currently wearing an Actigraph watch for 2 weeks and will likely have a sleep study later in the month. We determined last week that part of his issues are respiratory. His Ped couldn't hear good breath sounds in one of his lower lobes. Since starting breathing treatments, he seems to have a little better energy though he still feels tired. Some of the symptoms the Sleep Specialist asked about.......Mouth breathing, moving a lot in sleep, headache in the a.m. upon waking, and snoring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 he doesn't snore or sleep with his mouth open. He was tested for mono. yesterday, about 8:30 he threw up one time....and then sleep through the rest of the night. He is awake now....still doesn't feel "right" he says...but I don't he has the flu...but I don't know what to think...if the getting was related to his tiredness...or if his tiredness is related to his getting sick. It's all so weird. thanks for your reponses.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Dehydration can cause constipation. A clean out is uncomfortable, so if your ped is willing, a good start might be to get an abdominal xray done that will show if there is a build up of stool. Our pediatrician wanted to be able to see the xray, not just the report. They usually can tell if it's an issue by gently pressing on the abdomen. Another way to tell is the smell of the stool. I know it's gross, but older stool smells distinct, much worse than the usual. If constipation is an issue, they can recommend the best approach, usually Miralax, possibly combined with laxative tablets. The lack of appetite sounds familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Dehydration can cause constipation. A clean out is uncomfortable, so if your ped is willing, a good start might be to get an abdominal xray done that will show if there is a build up of stool. Our pediatrician wanted to be able to see the xray, not just the report. They usually can tell if it's an issue by gently pressing on the abdomen. Another way to tell is the smell of the stool. I know it's gross, but older stool smells distinct, much worse than the usual. If constipation is an issue, they can recommend the best approach, usually Miralax, possibly combined with laxative tablets. The lack of appetite sounds familiar. Agree with this. I was astounded to be told by a doctor that one of my kids was severely constipated even though he had a movement every day. Can definitely cause fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.