Reply With Quote8 days is a LONG time for anyone, much less a 4 year old to go without eating. I cant imagine him still being energetic and not look sickly. I would most certainly get a second opinion.
I have a very real situation at home. My grandson, almost 4, has not eaten for 8 days, today. He refuses to eat. He will sit right next to me when I eat, watching. He asks what I have. I ask him if he wants some, and he responds "No" and gets up and walks away. Odd behaviour, from past experience with him. He is drinking juice, etc, but will not eat. He has not had a bowel movement since he stopped eating. He has been to the Dr 2 times, and the E.R. 2 times. None seem to think it is an issue, since he is still getting fluids. The wife and I were at the ER with him the last time.
He says he is hungry, but refuses to eat. He says his stomach hurts, but no prodding or poking him anywhere has any negative effect. His stomach is not hard, tight, or swollen. He is very active, and shows no signs of distress. He has lost several pounds, but still looks healthy. His Mommy is never at home, always with the "boyfriend". G-son is always with her.
I don't follow the way the Docs are thinking. It may be time to take him to another Doc, and/or ER. I can't force his mommy to do anything, but can and will suggest what I think.
Latest, is they told her to give him a pediatric laxative. Gee, like maybe he is constipated!
I am beginning to lose faith in the ER, which is supposed to be one of the best around here. My wife filed a formal complaint with the hospital.
I am also beginning to suspect the possibilty of a different root cause, but how do you question a 4 year old? I don't trust the B/F. He is a very overbearing person, who likes to be "in charge" of everything and everyone around him, and always appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. I have heard him scream at my step-daughter, outside the house, from in my basement with the TV on. I am inclined to suspect some possible abuse, but don't want to accuse anyone of anything without some sort of evidence, other than a gut feeling. I am not real happy with the way she raises him, but bite my tongue mostly, except to my wife.
8 days is a LONG time for anyone, much less a 4 year old to go without eating. I cant imagine him still being energetic and not look sickly. I would most certainly get a second opinion.
8 days is a long time......I would try another doctor or ER.......today!
If they don't feel there is a medical problem, have the doctor's suggested counseling?
Wow, 8 days??? I don't even like to go 8 hours without some kind of a feeding.
I'd get a 2nd opinion on that.
If they don't feel there is a medical problem, have the doctor's suggested counseling?
Their suggestion on Saturday was to take him home and feed him popsicles so he stays hydrated. If anyone needs counseling, it is his mommy.
More often then not your gut feeling is right in a situation like this. Find a child psyc. for your grandson to talk with. If the psyc will not talk to your grandson because they want parental conscent the only way to get the child help is to mention possible abuse to his doctor. The Dr. is obligated by law to get the ball rolling and investigate the situation.
Be warned that once the ball gets rolling be ready for the ruff ride. Child abuse cases can get very ugly.
Nonetheless he is your grandson and I would do something quickly.
I was almost 5 when my dad died racing.... Apparently, I refused to eat, sleep, or cry. This sounds physcological to me.... I'd seek help with a different type of doctor immediately.
Did they draw blood and test it? And the mom isn't concerned? That right there is grounds for abuse? I would would take pediatric doctor....try calling and making an appoint today. And be persisitant!
Get a second and third opinion. Doctors are indeed human and often miss with a diagnosis.
My kids were both consuming too much dairy at that age and it caused a backup in the bowel. Both take a fiber supliment disolved in juice now and it has done wonders. They did not have pain just would not eat. A doc can feel their stomach to see if they are backed up.
Have a friend with a three year old that had 12 cavaties in his teeth and would not eat. No evident pain but as a last resort took him to the dentist and discovered this. All is fine now.
If daughter is a flake tell her you will not care for the kid unless she gives you custody. Don't follow through on your threat as the kid will possibly pay the price but it might scare her into doing the right thing.
Remember the old joke about waiting for the daughters first date to arrive to pick her up and the dad is in camo and has a knife on his belt? A very serious talk with this boyfriend of what is expected of him might help. "If you yell at, strike, threaten or any similar thing to my precious daughter I WILL make you pay the price".
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