To go to A&E

[Chipperton]

I'm really in two minds about this. I know A&E is crazy at the moment, but I am really quite worried about 3 year old DS.

He's been complaining of leg pain for the last few weeks, I decided to 'wait and see' thinking it was just growing pains. Over the last week the leg pain has got worse, he's been holding his leg and crying, calpol/ibuprofen not having much effect (although the pain comes and goes). He's also lost weight, is generally fatigued, has a poor appetite and for the last 3 days, a fever.

I suspect the fever is just viral but I'm quite worried about the leg and the general malaise. His childminder (goes 3 days a week) and nursery (goes 1 day a week) have both commented that he doesn't seem to be himself.

We saw Out of Hours Nurse yesterday who had a look at him and declared that she 'couldn't really do anything' and to see the GP on Monday. So no point going back there.

What he needs (I think) is a blood test. AIBU to go to A&E with him today - he's never been to A&E before (we're not overly anxious parents but we are really worried about this)

[Gladysmum]

Take him you're clearly very concerned.

[PossumInAPearTree]

Sorry but it doesn't sound like a&e to me.

If it's been going on for weeks it can wait 24 hours. Or if you think it can't do you have an out of hours drs?

[lastnightiwenttomanderley]

If the OOH wasn't concerned enough to say take him to A&E then sounds like it can wait until you can get an appt with the GP.

[QODRestYeMerryGentlemen]

Yes. If it was sudden onset I'd go but ring 111 and get an Ooh Dr appointment for today or go tomorrow
A and E will take hours and hours. You'll not really benefit
Alternate calpol with ibuprofen so he has something 2 hourly

[AllTheBabies]

I can see why you're worried but I think it would be better to make an emergency gp appointment tomorrow morning. I doubt you would get seen quickly anyway and the wait in A&E could be upsetting and hard on him and you. Hope all is well.

[PossumInAPearTree]

I think a&e will tell you the same as the nurse did yesterday. They're not really there for blood tests.

[Sirzy]

If it has been ongoing for a couple of weeks then GP tomorrow would probably be more appropriate.

A and E isn't a short cut to blood tests.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

yes I would with all those symptoms. He sounds to be suffering quite significantly and to be poorly enough to give rise to weight loss is concerning. Children can sustain slipped epiphysis injuries which are really painful, amongst myriad other possibilities.

[Phillipa12]

Take him to a and e, my sister had similar and was transferred straight from the gps to hospital, dr thought it could of been septic arthritis but it was actually osteomyelitis which is an infection of the bone causing high temp and bone pain.

[Chipperton]

Yes you are probably right. A&E would be horrid for him, especially as he's feeling so poorly. Our GP takes a 'wait and see' approach to virtually everything, this is why I've waited 3 weeks to see if the leg pain would disappear on its own. He's actually gone downhill quite noticeably in the last few days.

[bubblemcgubble]

Yes with leg pain I would take to A and E. The GP can't do an x ray and it sounds as though he needs an x ray with leg pain to rule out fractures etc . Of course then you can then explain the other symptoms too which they will want to investigate.

[FusionChefGeoff]

No. If it's been going on for 3 weeks then it's neither I'm afraid. This is a GP visit - explain that you've already tried 'wait and see' and that you would like a referral for x-rays and a blood test.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I would alternate ibruprofen and paracetamol and ring the GP for and emergency appt in the morning. I'd it gets worse today then I'd ring OOH Doctor.

[OhTheRoses]

I think if he's escalating I'd take him to A&E and go now when it's likely to be quieter.

[catwoman0815]

I'd go. It's probably quieter in the mornings.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

Has he actually lost weight?
He needs to see a doc for a thorough examination and very likely a blood test and some sort of imaging of his leg.
This could initially be a GP or A&E.

[bubblemcgubble]

Either way you have said you're not anxious parents and you're saying you know something isn't right - get him seen by someone today. Ring 111 or go to A and E. A child clutching his leg and crying needs looking at.

[GreySuitsAndBeetroots]

Your poor DS, he definitely needs a proactive approach but I don't think it really qualifies as an Accident or Emergency. However it does sound like he needs you to go in and be very firm with the GP about needing quick referral for blood test and possibly X-ray. A and E is a miserable, boring place for children (and parents!) The other option is an out of hour GP appointment (not nurse) - I had one a few weeks ago and they were able to order blood/urine testing etc. I really hope your son is on the mend soon.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Out of hours doctor definitely. I'd try to avoid A&E if you can as it's horrible.

[Miserylovescompany2]

Hello OP

Personally, I'd get an emergency GP appointment tomorrow. Bullet point all your concerns, insist on bloods being taken.

Like others have already suggested alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen today.

That said, the GP will most likely do a referral to a pediatriction. I know when any of mine have had bloods done its never been at the doctors. So ask for time frames?

[Lilaclily]

How old is he ?

I'd make a gp appointment for tomorrow

[Chipperton]

Yes, I have to say sitting around for hours in A&E is pretty miserable as an adult. It must be horrible for a small child who is feeling ill anyway.

I will ring the GP first thing in the morning, we call this 'the scrum' as it's always a nightmare trying to get through and when you do all the appointments are gone.

Does anyone have any tips on being firm with a GP - I will need to be, I know they will just say 'Virus. Goodbye' as soon as we walk in. I always find myself smiling and nodding and going along with whatever the doctor says

[minisoksmakehardwork]

This is one time I'd call nhs direct or whatever they are now and ask their advice. If you explain you've done the watch and wait plus regular pain relief then they may suggest you go straight to the hospital.

We had similar with ds1 in that over the course of 4 days he went from the odd comment about a sore leg, to limping and then completely refusing to weight bear on it. Luckily it was a weekday so I went to gp and they sent us straight on to peads assessment, rather than hanging around a&e for them to just do the same.

We never did get to the bottom of it as after 2 weeks of high dose ibuprofen, he was fine. However, I know the hospital suggested it could be other things that would need investigation if the pain carried on after the 2 weeks.