Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Should I take DT2 to the GP?

23 replies

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 16:36

DT2 has autism, a visual impairment, some brain damage and other medical issues, but he has rarely ever seen the GP as he’s under several consultants.

For a while now he keeps sticking his fingers in his ears or trying to get me to put my finger in his ear.

He’s a terrible sleeper and can be awake for hours but he’s rarely distressed. Last night he woke up multiple times really crying, and would cry every time I left the room which is really unusual for him. He was holding his ear while crying and I thought maybe it hurt but took him into our room for a bit and he settled down and was smiling and happy.

Picked him up from nursery today and he’s been very grumpy - again, not like him but he’s calmer now.

The problem is that he seems to have low awareness of pain, so I can’t take the fact that he settles down as proof that he’s not in pain.

I feel a bit silly taking him to the GP when there’s probably nothing wrong, but I also worry I’m overlooking something and he’s actually suffering. He can’t tell me if something hurts so I don’t know.

I’m thinking I’ll see how he is tonight and maybe try and get him seen this weekend if I still think something is wrong? Or wait til Monday unless there’s more obvious symptoms?

I’d like to think that GPs would be happy to see him just to check because of his existing disabilities and the difficulties in assessing him, but that hasn’t been the case in the past. We got really fobbed off when he had chicken pox and I thought he had an infection starting, and he ended up in hospital that night with a raging infection in his leg. So I’m a bit wary of seeming like I’m overreacting.

OP posts:

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 28/02/2020 16:39

I would take him to the GP to checked over before the weekend.

MartyrGuacamole · 28/02/2020 16:39

I absolutely would take him, sometimes ear pain is referred from the tonsils or teeth/jaw so definitely worth getting him checked out. Hope he's ok.

Paperyfish · 28/02/2020 16:40

I think you should take him. You know him best and if you are worried they should at least have a good look. Is there a different gp at the practice that could see him? Will he let you take his temperature? That might indicate an infection.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 16:44

His temp is completely normal, no other symptoms, not even a current cold. Eating and drinking normally, normal nappies etc. I wouldn’t even suspect his ears if I hadn’t seen him messing with them recently. He’s sitting very happily chomping on his favourite snack right now but keeps having brief stroppy moments. Most kids if they were in pain wouldn’t be like this but then he’s not most kids.

I’ve called the GP surgery and they can’t do anything today and have said to call 111 over the weekend if I’m worried or call first thing on Monday.

It’s just so difficult to know. If I took him in they’d probably think I was mad as he’d probably be happy and calm like he is right now.

OP posts:

Jingers5 · 28/02/2020 16:49

Could he be teething?

memememe · 28/02/2020 16:53

could he have put something in his ear? id try 111 or the walk in center and see someone today. you know when your own child is not their "normal"

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 16:55

No all teeth have been through for a while thank goodness - teething was brutal.

I think I’ll keep an eye and see how he goes - usually if he’s ill then he will eat less, which is bad as he suffers from hypoglycaemia, so will see how he does with dinner and take it from there. Right now he seems absolutely fine, but this is why it’s so hard to tell because he can seem like he’s in pain one minute and be happy the next.

I would love to get to a stage where I can ask them if something hurts and they can understand, but if they’re hyposensitive to pain then that might not help anyway!

OP posts:

Spartonian · 28/02/2020 16:59

Could you use a few drops warm olive oil a couple of times a day over the next few days, incase it's a wax build up or object that could shift with the help of the oil?

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 17:00

He definitely could have put something in his ear but he’s been poking at both - unless he’s got something in both ears! His ears look normal, no redness or anything.

I need to be psychic, basically!

If he stays happy like this then I’ll leave it til the morning but if he gets really distressed again I’ll call 111. Hopefully whoever we see understands that he might not be fine even if he looks it.

OP posts:

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 17:01

Ooh yes, good idea - we do have some olive oil eat drops so might try that, don’t think it could do any harm?

OP posts:

Spartonian · 28/02/2020 17:04

Would he stay still long enough, for you to be able to have a look in his ears with a torch, perhaps when asleep if doing so when awake will distress him. If anything is in the ear you might be able to see part of it.

spiderlight · 28/02/2020 17:06

I wouldn't put olive oil in unless you're absolutely sure that he doesn't have a perforated eardrum - it's unlikely, I grant you, because he'd probably have been very distressed beforehand if that had happened.

DonPablo · 28/02/2020 17:08

Pulling at ears is a sign of an ear infection, so deffo keep a close eye on him. A warm flannel might be soothing whatever the problem is?

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 17:12

I’ll see if I can have a look while he’s eating - usually his calmest time. Won’t put anything in then just to be safe.

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 28/02/2020 17:14

The pharmacy might be able to take a look at them for you and let you know if they can see an infection?

Skierrdery · 28/02/2020 17:16

If he hasn't got a temperature, there's nothing much to worry about.

DishingOutDone · 28/02/2020 17:25

I would think any medic would be more than happy to have a look in your little boy's ear - you can't see right in without the correct equipment, whereas it will take them 5 minutes. Is your GP closed already? Do you have an OOH or walk in? This would be a rare occasion I'd call 111 to get a details of a service in your area.

AJPTaylor · 28/02/2020 17:26

I'd take him to put of hours, however you do that.
As sure as eggs is eggs if it's ears it always develops at a time when you can't get to a doctor.
A simple explanation of him pulling his ears and his autism should be sufficient.

Original poster

SinkGirl · 28/02/2020 17:47

111 are absolutely shocking here - in the evenings there are nowhere near enough appointments (we waited 8 hours for a call back with the chicken pox incident and he was screaming the house down for the whole of it) so unless he takes a turn for the worse tonight or develops a temp then I’ll wait until morning I think.

I agree - if there’s no temp there shouldn’t be an infection, I just worry he’s suffering and I’m not helping him. Its like when you have a newborn who can’t tell you what’s wrong, with the added complication that he doesn’t always behave as other children would when unwell or in pain.

Thanks everyone - keeping a close eye on him and will play it by ear (no pun intended). Have just had a look as best I can and can’t see anything in either ear. He could just like the sensation of sticking his finger in his ear for all I know (he is a sensory seeker).

OP posts:

Witchend · 28/02/2020 17:49

My GP says they never mind seeing a child because it's either quick, easy and parent is reassured or they really need to be seen.
I'd take him down to get checked.

Cuddling57 · 28/02/2020 18:01

See the go or pharmacist

memememe · 03/03/2020 13:57

@SinkGirl did his ears get better/worse? how are things now? x

BeansOnToast4T · 03/03/2020 15:33

I have a dc with autism/learning difficulties. I have visited the gp a few times in similar circumstances, my gp is always happy to check ears and throat.
I would take him. My friend has a dc with autism who is known for putting things in his ears. He had blutack and lego removed under general!!!

Flip