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Post by sockthing on Apr 7, 2014 13:02:54 GMT
I have a suspicion that kipper may have an iron deficiency.
I might be putting 2 and 2 and getting some ridiculous number, but my brother in law who is a consultant with a special interest in sleep problems, has suggested that Kippers pains in his feet at night could be restless legs, which could be a hereditary problem tied up with iron deficiency.
Furthermore, it can cause irritability, fatigue, constant restlessness, behavioural problems that get misdiagnosed, and, a craving to eat non food items including ice. It's also more likely in bottle fed babies, babies born under weight or prem, poor maternal nutrition.
All the the above fits kipper, ....he eats bowls of ice cubes like they are crisps! but because he has dx of SCD, SPD, attachment issues, all these above symptoms have been slotted neatly into one or several other Dx. I'm not so daft as to think all his behavioural issues are going to vanish if I'm right.
Anyway....... I'm planning to talk to the doctor...but the big stress for me is that kipper is TERRIFIED of doctors, and the thought of achieving a blood test is making my blood pressure rise already. I think it will involve two or 3 grown adults pinning him down, and it will serve to reinforce his phobias. He hates me to take his temperature, and most visits to the doctor end without the doctor even managing to use their stethoscope.
Thanks for reading, not sure there's much to be said in reply, but grateful for the space/place to muse.
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Post by wibbley on Apr 7, 2014 13:15:40 GMT
I understand this, my DS needs to see a specialist regarding his eyes, but I haven't got the courage as yet to book an appointment. He has had enough poking and prodding for now so will categorically refuse to co-operate. It will also involve the stingy eye drops.
For now can you get some good quality supplements going? Not the stuff you buy in supermarkets, but more specialised?
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Post by sockthing on Apr 7, 2014 13:32:42 GMT
Thanks for understanding wibbley. Yes I would feel the same about the eyes.
I'm nervous about iron supplements without consulting a doctor.
I've also read it can cause anxiousness, stomach upsets, repeated infections (check....check...check...) and drinking lots of cOws milk can make it worse.
Anyhow, I've made an appointment for me to go and discuss it in more detail on my own. I must be overtired today as this has made me feel a bit tearful. I'm now berating myself about his lack of vegetables (won't eat them) and stressing about blood tests! He is scared of blood too, so theta is not helpful!!!!
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Post by serrakunda on Apr 7, 2014 13:43:15 GMT
Will he eat rice, as in risotto? Paddington's Green risotto is one of our favourites. Its just a risotto with pureed peas and spinach put in at the end, turns it all a lovely green colour, it would probably work with other veggies. Kipper wouldnt know he was eating them.
In Simba's defence here - he loves veggies, its mummy who has a problem with eating her greens and even I like this
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Post by sooz on Apr 7, 2014 14:17:29 GMT
My ds loves ice cubes, pops them in whole and crunches them up! School have even used Ice cubes as a reward!!
Is there another way for iron levels to be taken without blood tests? Stool sample maybe?? X
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Post by twoplustwo on Apr 7, 2014 14:30:27 GMT
Couple of things to try BEFORE a blood test. Not definitive but will give you some indication: First hold down the bottom of Kipper's eye. Look at the part where it is usually red or pink, if he has iron deficiency, it will be white or really pale. Press onto his nails quite hard for a few seconds and observe if they turn pink really fast. If this takes a while to return the color, like a few-5 seconds, then he may well be deficient. Obviously these are no substitute for a proper blood test but might give you an idea as to how urgent it is that he has one. If it's not urgent you'll have more time to prepare him. In the meantime you can feed him iron rich foods together with foods that help the body to absorb iron. See link: www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/iron.html |
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Post by moo on Apr 7, 2014 15:45:12 GMT
Ooh sockthing a real toughie.....
Great advice from 2+2.... Certainly for a quick test.... As for taking blood my heart is fluttering on your & kippers behalf.....
Bribery & maybe copious amounts of anaesthetic cream to rub on the arm/vein.... Shame he couldn't be sedated a bit first....
Hope it is not as serious as you fear....
Good Luck....
xxx. moo. Xx
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Post by sockthing on Apr 7, 2014 17:31:13 GMT
Thank you all. Writing quickly during bath time....
Serrakunda, def worth a try..he'll eat a mushroom risotto I do so will try adding some spinach. All hinges on whether the colour puts him off!
Twoplustwo - thank you'll , I'll try that.
Thanks all for the sympathy!
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Post by serrakunda on Apr 7, 2014 17:34:02 GMT
You could try carrots if orange is more his colour! I've not tried it with other veg but can't see why it wouldn't work.
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squeak
Bronze Member
Married Adopter
Posts: 73 
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Post by squeak on Apr 7, 2014 21:36:02 GMT
Iron deficiency can be caused by coeliac disease - intolerance to gluten. Worth asking about when you talk to doctor. Also causes tiredness, irritability and food sensitivities... Well done you for spotting a possible issue, take it one step at a time, and keep breathing.... Squeak x
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Post by littlemisscheerful on Apr 8, 2014 14:59:29 GMT
Interestng, my YD has just had a blood test and has all those symptoms. She came up clear on them all though.
Have now been refered to paed.
She managed the blood test - I'd put the magic cream on one arm, course nurse couldn't find a vein in that arm! She did let her do it on the other arm - I was very surprised, - but she's 12, so a bit different.
I've done the pinning down at the hospital and it's really not the way to go!!!! I got a referral to a clinical pysch attached to a hospital who helped my ED get an xray by making a step by step program. He didn't do much else, but it did help the radiographers not push her in the way that they wanted to.
I tried getting access to the play therapist at our local hosp - but you needed to be booked in for a procedure.
Has your GP got any ideas?
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