Faking it to get attention

[anonymous]

Hi, I have a 3 yr. old daughter with CF. For many months she suffered from chronic ear and sinus infections and reflux and we were constantly battling with dr visits and medication. The situation is finally under control but she has started complaining again. We have been taking her to see the dr. when she complains of ear or sinus pain and they can't find anything. She also says she is going to throw up, but of course never does. I think she is doing this to get our attention and the CF team and our pediatrician say it is normal, especially in kids that have chronic conditions. We have tried the 'placebo' method which works sometimes, but I don't want this to get out of hand. How do I know when she is really sick? I'm worried that one day I won't believe her and she will really be sick. She rarely fevers so I can't use that as a monitor.<b>Text</b><b>Has anyone else had this kind of trouble? Any tips on how to get past this?</b>Thanks,AM

 

[anonymous]

I have CF and when I was about 5 I too faked all kinds of thing then I got really sick and never told anyone that I coughed up blood and i had to go into the hospital for about 8 weeks it was the longest weeks of my life. Don't make a big deal about things faking or not take her to the Dr. but don't over react and try to find out if she has more of a reason. Like I did I was faking my throat hurt when it was really a lung infection. The weird thing was when I was 13 I stared getting strep really bad and all the time no one believed me and would take me to the Doctors when I went to a normal check up i had strep and scarlet fever and several other things for having strep untreated for so long. Other times like for my Brother who also has CF it was just a normal thing to feel that way and didn't really notice that it had stopped point out other things that feel good my brother only did this for a few months and he learned that he really did feel good.

 

[anonymous]

My son, who is 9, often complains about headaches. It's very obvious to tell when he is "faking" it. Generally, when anyone has a headache (cf, child, adult etc) they intuitively limit thier activity to those things which do not increase thier pain. Sinus infections, as you state, would very likely give your child headaches. However, sometimes, clinically you cant readily see the culprit. This doesnt mean that your child isnt experiencing pain. My son's headaches are often caused by swelling in the mucous membranes and sinuses ("air"pockets in the head) Some of his medications also induce headaches. And its VERY prudant to read the leafletts that come with your medications. Even some medications that don't indicate that headaches may occur, will still result in a headache, as everyone reacts differently to medication. The key to tell if they truely do have a headache, stomache ache, or any other severe symptom is asking yourself these questions: a) has my child's behavior been altered in any way today b) is my child not drinking enough fluid c)is there something that my child may be trying to get out of doing, or coerce me into letting them do. If you can say Yes to any of these questions, explore the "why" of that. This may very well be a real symptom, which may vary in degree of pain.As CF patients have many different types of "reflux" to choose from (and you didnt say which) I'll go with the obvious and guess GI reflux. My son at nondescript times has problems with reflux, depending on what he eats, if he takes his medicine, etc. As you probably already know, "acid reflux" is nothing to mess with because it can cause breathing problems most severe. (among other conditions) I have found in my 9 year old that the most common complaint regaurding acid reflux is "chest pain" non specifically at night, or in accordance to anything spicy, fatty or oily that he eats. This symptom can be confused with gas or with more serious heart conditions, so you need to make sure you investigate "chest pain" complaints thoroughly.In closing, I'd like to tell you that I have non affected children ranging from age 9mo's to 13 years, and its my experience that any child, whether sick or not, has the occasion to fiegn sickness and or pain to get attention. I try to make sure that when something like that happens I ask myself, have I spent my quota of time with this child today? I do find that my CF child goes through stages of being extremly needy when it comes to attention. I think thats ok, he needs me, I need him....its ok to be and feel needed. As your doctors told you, its normal and typical. I would first try to rule out by your mothers intuition whether or not your child is truly experiencing pain. I have much experience with doctors telling me there "is nothing clinically wrong with your child" when in fact there was and IS something very wrong with my child. Doctors are very educated, but only YOU know your child best. Other then that, I wouldnt sweat it until it because more then just a minor disturbance. (if in fact its fiegned pain)Something that just struck me when I read the "nausea" statement, have they checked her blood sugar? Imbalance in blood sugar often causes nuasea, and is tricky to pin down, because it can change at a moments notice.Hope even one of my experiences can be of some help.MatsMoM