Doctor's, NHS Direct or sit it out?

[Chulita]

Right, DD's (15mths) had bad diarrhoea for about 4 days (as in only twice a day but always leaks out the nappy). She's not eating very much at all, I'm trying to get water down her but she's not that bothered today. I changed her nappy after about 5 hours and it was dry whereas normally it would be sodden. She feels very hot but her hands are cold, when I took her temperature it was 37.2. She keeps breathing in sort of grunts as if she's making an effort but it's not consistently like that.
The main thing is that she's very flat, she usually doesn't sit still for anything whereas today she's sat on the sofa next to me the whole day. When I get up to do something she'll potter after me and then come back and sit next to me again. She's not crying, she whimpers if I pick her up but then she's fine when I cuddle her. She's happy enough sat next to me but she's just not herself.
I went to the GP this morning and he said to bring back a stool sample but she's a lot flatter now than she was then.
Probably PFB but I'm a bit worried because she's the opposite of what she normally is. Should I just keep an eye on her, keep offering her water and cuddles and go to the doctor's in the morning if she's worse?
Ok, it sounds really over-reacting written down but ...

[Chulita]

Oh yes, forgot to say that about an hour ago her lips and fingernails went blue for about 3 mins but they're pink again now. What might that have been?

[LaDiDaDi]

What was her temp when she had the blue lips/fingers? I ask because that sounds very much like a temp spike.

[tummytime]

I'd definitely give NHS direct a call now as it has been 5 days. There are some horrible bugs around at the moment but the big thing will be dehydration esp with a temp I think.

[rubyslippers]

hmm - she doesn't sound well

the breathing thing would worry me

i would call NHS DIrect but they will probably tell you to go to A and E which may be an idea with the blue lip thing

the stool sample will take an age to come back

if you think your LO is unwell then your instincts are right

[rubyslippers]

i don't want to worry you but you know a baby isn't too poorly if they are screaming and crying as they are expending a lot of energy to do that

it is when they are quiet and flat that things can be cooking IYSWIM

if i were you i would get her checked out

[bigstripeytiger]

I think that if I was in your situation I would contact the GP. If she can be seen by the doctor who saw her this morning then they will have a better sense of a change in her condition than someone who has never seen her before.

I would get her seen today by someone though, you are obviouly worried or you wouldnt have posted. Far better to have her seen today and maybe feel like you over-reacted (though I dont think for a second that you are) than feel like you left it too long.

[youpirate]

Can you see another doctor - we have found a huge difference in the GP's when dealing with lo's. Trust your own instinct. If you are not satisfied / feel worried then go back.

[wheelsonthebus]

i never bother with NHS Direct anymore - they will only tell you to see a doctor if you are worried.

[Chulita]

I haven't taken her temp recently because she doesn't want to be left alone but she whimpers when I pick her up so don't want to carry her upstairs. She's just sat still for over 2 hours and she's never done that.
Thanks for the answers, I'll try and get her seen by a doctor as soon as I can.

[Chulita]

I just took her temp and it said 36.2 but I'm not convinced because she feels very hot. It's a Brother Max ear one, don't know how reliable they are...
GPs phone is busy, of course!

[rubyslippers]

what a worry - is she sweaty at all?

if you think she is hot, then you can take a layer of clothing off and see if this helps

also, baby nurofen is, IME much better at reducing temperatures than calpol

[rubyslippers]

also a facecloth with lukewarm water on is good to wipe her face and neck

[Chulita]

Grr! Brother Max has turned out to be a £50 room thermometer. Got an emergency appt with Doc and he said her temp is 39.6...will definitely be buying a new thermometer (any suggestions?)
He said to give her Calpol and Nurofen together every 4 hours and bring her back in tomorrow.
Thanks for encouraging me to see a doctor!

[rubyslippers]

good that you got seen

hope she continues to improve

get an ear thermometer - they are ££ but accurate

[waitingforbedtime]

The Braun Thermoscan is a good thermometer.

I would have said alternate calpol and nurofen but the docs know best.

Hope she's better soon.

Do they know whats causing it?

[maxybrown]

If she has runny bottom though, nurofen not great surely? poor thing hope she's ok. It's awful when they are flat like that.

[Chulita]

Brother Max is an ear thermo
They don't know what's causing it but I took her in this morning to ask about the squits and she wasn't this bad, saw the same doctor this afternoon and he said the two probably aren't related. He said her chest sounds fine so hopefully we caught it early enough that it won't develop into anything nasty.
maxy, she never has solid poos, they're always runny, just at the mo they're particularly bad. I long for the day she does a normal poo!

[maxybrown]

My Ds doesn't either you have my sympathies, but nurofen does not like his bottom.

Or should that be the other way around!

I have inflammatory bowel disease and nurofen not good for me either so fully sympathise with runny poo

Hope she picks up

[oddgirl]

Definately a case for straight to GP or A and E-any child who is hot but peripherally cold (hands and feet) should be seen asap...warm hands and toes are less worrying. Any blue lips/grunting breathing and letahrgy would indicate immediate medical attention to me and I wd bypass NHS Direct and get them seen asap.Children can compensate for a long time but then deteriorate really quickly-called "cliff falling"-ie they can teeter on the edge but once they start going downhill go down hill really quickly..really hope all is well and she is better soon