Is my 9 year-old sick, or is he faking? Docs?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I'm absolutely sure this is not the case. We're just coming off of summer vacation. Kids are home and my wife is a stay-at-home mom. We live in a rural lake community where most of the neighbors are senior citizens and the kids are NEVER out of my wife's reach.

Good. It could be as simple as allergies or a middle ear infection or as complicated as a neurological problem. Stay after it, particularly if he's not improving.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. He's a good kid and although I think there's some drama being added, I suspect he's really not feeling well. We played cards as a family last night (he loves that) and left the table saying he didn't feel well 10 minutes after we started. Normally he'd be wanting to play for hours.

That's a good "tell."

Odds are his issue is genuine.

[jriera]

Not a 'Doc' but two kids ages 8 and 6. Similar symptoms. Quick visit to the doctor, two x-rays and some Miralax solved the issue.

[TGTIW]

On a slightly less somber note, are 9yr olds interested in girls yet, and do they have the wherewithall to express that, you know, when they're alone...?

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

That's a good "tell."

Odds are his issue is genuine.

Also very glad it's not what some of us worried about. Pursue this to the end. Likely has an easy fix.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

On a slightly less somber note, are 9yr olds interested in girls yet, and do they have the wherewithall to express that, you know, when they're alone...?

I had my first girlfriend at age 6. By 11 i was already rounding second hard on my way to third.

[TGTIW]

Don't 11 year old girls still look like 11 year old boys?

[m21sniper]

Body wise, sure. But the faces most definitely do not.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I had my first girlfriend at age 6. By 11 i was already rounding second hard on my way to third.

yeah but you and me , we're sluts!

[m21sniper]

There's no denying that man.

[scottbombedout]

Mike,

I am going through the same thing with my 11 year old and it is gutting not being able to help him.

One thing we were hoping it was is Helicobacter pylori. One of the most common infections in the world that can cause nausea and a feeling of general unwellness.

I say we were 'hoping' beacuse it is easily cured with a course of antibiotics.

Good luck,
Scott

[ckissick]

I've read about similar situations before and after weeks of tests it finally turned out to be Lyme disease.

[m21sniper]

My mom has that.

[livi]

Difficult. Let me see if I understand the information correctly. You have a 9 year old boy, that previously has been feeling well and with no history of any serious disease? From one day to another he develops intermittent periods feeling nausea and dizziness? No other symptoms and feeling well in between? Claims he likes to go to school.

Pediatrician checked him twice, including certain blood work and neurologically. Coming out empty.

Statistically (having ruled out psychological grounds) I would guess it is infectious. There are a lot of infections that will give this symptoms, not least viral. Given that the symptoms do not progress, I would probably give it a few days to see if it disappears. However if progressive symptoms and/or other symptoms added, further investigations are necessary.

[Chocaholic]

Markus...for the most part you have the symptoms correct, although it's sometimes difficult to nail it down from his descriptions. I wouldn't say he experiences dizzyness, but he says when it comes on his head gets "cold". Go figure. I take it as good news that it doesn't seem to be getting any worse with time, and will heed your advice. Hopefully it's just something that needs to run its course.

He seems to be feeling good this morning...so, off to school. Hoping for the best.

[m21sniper]

Asked my mom about her lyme disease symptoms, they don't match those of your kid's Choco.

[livi]

How is the little guy doing today?

[Chocaholic]

Was in great spirits last night and went to school today. Freaking out and crying by 10 am. My wife met with his teacher, the school nurse and the principal. They believe it's anxiety...said they've seen it before. They offered him quiet time when he's feeling bad and offered to let him sit quietly and read during PE for a few days. He liked that and is determined to make it work tomorrow. He really seems to want to get this behind him.

My wife called his Pediatrician about it and she seemed to agree although didn't offer the suggestion herself. Nothing she sees indicates that he's sick, including lab work. He shows no symptoms lately when he's home with the family (no more showers). Seems to be a school/psychological thing. We're really at a loss in terms of how to handle it as we've never dealt with this sort of thing. The team at his elementary school are really going over the top to help him through this. More than I would expect from a public school. Taking each day as it comes, but for now, we're going to give it a bit more time before sedating him and doing an MRI (would prefer to avoid the gadolinium injection as well...bad stuff).

Thanks for all the comments and follow-up. If it doesn't resolve itself with another week and focus from his teachers, we'll go back down the diagnostic imaging road.

[Soterik]

I know that every person presents their symptoms differently, but we had something wrong with our 11 yo a couple of months ago, and he showed several of the symptoms you mentioned.

We got a diagnosis of "mono" (the old kissing disease!). I was a little surprised, but evidently it's not that uncommon and it's plenty contagious.

It's worth a question to the doc....

Good luck and keep us posted.

Eric