I am frustrated and worried and I really don't know where to turn. My son, who turns 2 in September, keeps getting sick for no apparent reason. At the end of May he got a fever and a soar throat that lasted about 4 days. The fever would spike between 101 and 104 every few hours. He was tested for strep and that came back negative. Three weeks later he came down with the same thing, only this time it lasted 5 days. He tested negative for strep again this time. Two weeks later same thing again, lasting 7 days this time. The third time they did a strep test, a urine test and a complete blood count test. All of these things came back within the normal range.
Our newest ailment started last weekend. This time there is no fever or soar throat, just LOTS of messy, stinky diapers. I had him in first thing yesterday morning and we are currently waiting on the results of a stool test. When I went in to the doctor I tried to stress that is not the immediate illness that I am concerned about, but the pattern of illnesses. It just seems to me that there must be some underlying cause that is not being seen. There is obviously something that is compromising his immune system so that it is not functioning properly. He goes to any in-home daycare and none of the other kids have been sick. He had similar illnesses last winter, once lasted about 12 days and the other lasted 17 days. In between, he had an illness the same as above. I really don't know where to turn. A few people I work with have suggested perhaps seeing a homeopath, etc. I really don’t know what to think. Has anyone else gone through something like this? Any recommendations or stories would be greatly appreciated.
**I think I should be clear that he has already been sick about 10-12 times this year. In between these long bouts of illness he has been getting sick about once a month with a fever and possibly a sore throat, no strep, no ear infections, no diagnonis of any type.**
*** In response to Tamara J: We have concluded that this is not connected to teething. He has had episodes before, after and during teething. He has also stayed perfectly healthy while cutting a tooth. We have been visiting the same physician since May. We recently moved and started seeing someone new. I wouldn’t say that she has been brushing us off, but on the same hand I also don’t think that she understands my concern with the long term pattern that I have been seeing. I was trying to stress to her that I am not that concerned about the immediate illness, but the pattern and her response was, “we can do a stool sample.”***
*** In response to Kim W: My son is still breastfead, on his own accord. He chooses to nurse every few nights or so and doesn’t have any interest in breastfeeding at other times in the day. He had a very limited amount of formula as an infant and now drinks regular cow’s milk. I am a big proponent of not using antibiotics if they are not necessary, so he has only been on antibiotics twice in his life, for ear infections. He has been on the normal schedule for vaccinations and his illnesses do not seem to coincide with his vaccinations. He was not to the doctor for anything but a well visit until he was a year old. He got the flu last January and ever since then he has been a wreck.***
I would keep looking into this, get different Dr.s or Homeopathic practitioners involved.
How is his diet?? Could it be a food allergy? Is he eating healthy enough?
When did you wean him from breast milk? Would you considering trying to breast feed again, or pumping and giving him breast milk in a cup?
R. -
Has the doctor checked his ears? I know someone that has a child that gets sick quite frequently as well and is seems to be associated with his ears - high temps at times, runny nose, loose stools, upset stomach and such. He's been on antibotics with each occurrence and continues to get sick quite often - the doctor's are suggesting to have tubes put in his ears. Just a thought. I wish your family well in finding a solution.
My grandson when he was younger 1-2 years old developed resp iratory type symptoms. He seemed to always get a cold right back as soon as he lost them. One day his parents decided to do some bedroom carpet replacing. When the carpets were removed in the closets, there was a lot of mold underneath. The closets extended over the house frame so cold and moisture became trapped. Once this was cleaned up his health improved dramatically. Hope this helps. Maybe your son is allergic to something.
As a mother of three, I really think you need to get a second opinion. This is not normal to be sick like this and going on this long. I truly would keep searching, think of your little one who is doing the suffering!
I hope they can figure out what is going on. I wish you luck!
I can relate... I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old that were the same way. In a 3 month span, my husband took off 22 days from work!! They went to at home day care too. We went through every test known to our family doctor as well as down at Children's Hospital, with all negative results. Our daughter was dignoisised with CAP (Chronic abodiminal pain) but that did not explain the "cold" like symptoms.
For us, it took me giving up my career and being home. I am not saying they don't get sick, but it is less often, WAY LESS.
When talking this over with a friend who is a peds doctor she said she sees it often. Kids that are stressed and getting sick often.
I am NOT saying this is the answer for you... just wanted to let you know. My friends suggestion (again she is a doctor) talk with your doctor about vitamins for him. Also she recommends chiropractice care. She takes her 5 year old to one, and has since birth.
Good luck, sick kids are never fun.
As scary as it sounds, pediatricians expect toddlers to have between 10-12 viruses each year. We went through the same thing with our son- he was sick every three weeks- although he finally seems to be getting sick less frequently. As long as he is well in between episodes, and is growing and developing normally, I would try not to worry, and trust your doctor.
I would suggest seeing a homeopath. There is a VERY good one in Litchfield - Julie Holmgren. The only one I know of in town is a friend of mine - Virginia Ruprecht (She runs her business out of her home). I use homeopathy myself and for my middle son who had chronic bowel problems. The chronic nature of your son's "condition" caused me to immeditatly think of homeopathy. It works EXTREMELY well with reoccuring/chronic conditions. Be sure to seee someone that is exclusiively homeopathic. I haven't had any luck from people who just dabble in it.
Hi R.,
I would suggest you have him tested for allergies. My nephew was sick like this all the time and they found out he was allergic to carpet and dust and many other common household items. Also check out his diet he maybe allergic to foods that maybe making him sick.Hope this helps. Take care!!
I have two questions and a comment:
1) How are his teeth? Is he teething? Sometimes teething can cause unexplained fevers, sore throats, blowout diapers, etc. My daughter gets these things every time she's cutting a tooth and sometimes it does last for a few days or longer. If he has all his teeth, has he been to a dentist? It's possible that he has a mouth problem that is causing these issues...
2) When you go to your doctor, what does he say? Does he just brush it off as kids get sick or does he (or she) show any concern? Do you take your kid to the same clinic every time?
3) In-home daycare and non-sick kids doesn't mean that your kid can't pick up a bug from those kids or from anywhere else, for that matter. Just because a kid isn't sick, doesn't mean they aren't carrying an icky bug around.
My niece was this way at her age. They took out her tonsils and she stopped getting sick alot. She even got the the point you could count her ribs she was so sick alot where it was hard for her to eat even. So this is something for you to think of. I am sorry to hear about your son.
Hi R.,
I don't pretend to have all the answers, but have you had your little boy tested for disease like West Nile, Lyme's, etc.? The fever spiking every few days sounds to me like a classic illness/parasite cycle (kind of like malaria). A spike in temp for some time followed by periods of "normalcy" is typical if I remember my parasitology correctly.
I must confess that my first thought was the same as Tamara's and that it sounded just like teething, but if you've conclusively ruled that out, it's time to explore other possibilities and eliminate them to narrow the field so to speak. ;o)
I've known people with Lyme's who "didn't exhibit symptoms" for a long time, only to find out (after significant damage was done) that it could have been taken care of with antibiotics. I'm NOT saying this is what he has, but merely suggesting that you ask the doctors to test.
Good luck with this... I know it's hard!
