Is it just a growth spurt coming on?

[Halifaxmum]

My daughter is 11 and has been really off colour these past few days - she's usually full of life from 7am to 10pm, but, just lately has been very pale, tired (so she falls asleep at school), weepy, no appetite, quiet. I know she isn't getting bullied, as we have had it before and we talk about everything together.

She has alopecia areata, but no other health conditions. I'm thinking it's probably just building up to a growth spurt, but should I be more concerned?

She loves her school, has loads of really good friends and can't wait to go to high school. Any suggestions or comments would be gratefully received, as ever! x

[Halifaxmum]

hi planks - i don't think so - i didn't start til I was 16 and there are no signs (if you know what i mean!) - she still chucks her mucky clothes down the stairs n leaves them there!

[poodicat]

She maybe pubsecent,my son lost his hair when he was going into puberty

[Halifaxmum]

thanks poodi - she's had aa since she was 2 1/2, i'm still hopin that puberty mite help...!

[poodicat]

Wee lamb,how has she coped?

[cazzz1975]

it could be hormonal, she could be just tired as well at the end of a school year, especially year 6 where its a bit harder work with sats then leaving assemblies and awards stuff, not to mention leaving the school which is a big event.

if she doesnt improve in a few weeks I would take her to the doctors for a check up x

[boxtops]

It could well be hormonal, getting ready for puberty. If you Google "signs of puberty girls" there are lots of sites which might help, here's one http://tweenparenting...t/GirlPubertySign.htm

This does comment about weepiness and mood change. I hope she's OK.

[Halifaxmum]

it's been difficult! she went to playgroup, reception and nursery with the same kids, so they grew up knowing her like it. When she moved primary schools last year, it was hard, but we found a fab charity who provide her with human hair wigs, so only a few of her best friends know at this school.
I still pray that she can have hair and I get the alopecia tho! x

[Halifaxmum]

thank you caz, box, planks & poodi! it's good to know i can ask you and get sensible and supportive replies :-) x

[poodicat]

Can relate to a certain degree,did they ever tell you what might have caused this?

[Halifaxmum]

They did the usual - blood tests and specialists etc, but said there's no medical reason - just for some reason the immune system suddenly thinks the hair follicles are foreign bodies that need to be fought!

[Halifaxmum]

Do u have it poodi?

[poodicat]

I dont,but my son hasnt the full alopecia,but has to take thyroxin daily,is scalp is bald,apart ftrom some hair that grows like a brillo pad in patches

[Halifaxmum]

how old is he, if you don't mind me asking? I've not met another parent with the same thing before!

[poodicat]

He is 27 now,has some real hard times,he was suicidal,he has learned to live with it,but always wears a baseball cap,unless he is in the house with people he knows

[cazzz1975]

is it caused by hypothyroidism poodi?

[karenmac60]

Halifax, although your daughter is only 11 and you were 16 when you started, it does sound very like how my daughter was before she started her periods. She still can be a bit pale, listless and weepy at certain times of the month now, but it's not as bad as it was. Incidentally, she was only 12 and I didn't start mine till 15. Good luck - you'll be in for the stroppy moods next ;)

[poodicat]

He was told he had hashimoto's disease

[joko]

the age you started your periods has no bearing whatsover on when she will start hers...you were actually rather late in starting, she is at a more normal age to start.
what other signs are you expecting? she seems to be showing lots of signs to me!

no idea what the mucky clothes reference means....