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Original poster

Absolute bloody disaster!! We're supposed to go to Disneyland in a few hours

248 replies

Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 05:37

We have to leave at 9am to drive to the eurotunnel and go to Disneyland and I've been awake since 2am with a sobbing 4 year old really distressed that his ear hurts. We've all had horrible coughs/colds this last week and I think his has developed into an ear infection. He keeps asking if we can still go and I'm telling him not to worry and just to rest but then he gets distressed that he doesn't want to not go. I phoned 111 at 3am but not heard back yet (I know that might sound dramatic, but it is the weekend and it seemed better than A&E?)

He's had calpol when he first woke, ibuprofen not long ago, got a warm flannel on his ear. I'm sat up so he can rest on me and be a bit more upright to try ease pain. We wait for the doctor to call. But in the mean time.. gonna have to shatter all my kids excitement about Disneyland aren't I?

OP posts:
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stomachamelon · 17/02/2024 05:39

@Sneakysloth I would do everything in my power to find a plan b. Can you take him to an out of hours? Dose him up and just go? Make sure you have lots of meds with you

Goinoutalone · 17/02/2024 05:40

oh that’s very upsetting @Sneakysloth have you checked your travel insurance etc what are your options?

Josette77 · 17/02/2024 05:41

I would go to a&e and get antibiotics. Then leave on your trip and he'll feel better tomorrow.

Ideally find an after-hours but if not a&e.

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NowStartAgain · 17/02/2024 05:43

Tricky. Would be such a shame not to go as he could be feeling loads better by lunchtime tomorrow. A call back from the doctor, maybe an antibiotic prescription and hope for a quick recovery?! ❤️‍🩹

Superfoodie123 · 17/02/2024 05:44

Is there anything over the counter you can use? Apparently warmed up olive oil drops can kill ear bacteria. I would try a few things to help him and just go. Take a flask of hot water and flannel with you and keep it at his ear all day. If he's in agony that's a bit trickier and you shouldn't go :(

AndrewGarfieldsLaptop · 17/02/2024 05:47

Olive oil, calpol.

1TangoWhiskeyAlphaTango · 17/02/2024 05:50

Just take him to a&e now @Sneakysloth

youspinmerightround22 · 17/02/2024 05:51

Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 05:37

We have to leave at 9am to drive to the eurotunnel and go to Disneyland and I've been awake since 2am with a sobbing 4 year old really distressed that his ear hurts. We've all had horrible coughs/colds this last week and I think his has developed into an ear infection. He keeps asking if we can still go and I'm telling him not to worry and just to rest but then he gets distressed that he doesn't want to not go. I phoned 111 at 3am but not heard back yet (I know that might sound dramatic, but it is the weekend and it seemed better than A&E?)

He's had calpol when he first woke, ibuprofen not long ago, got a warm flannel on his ear. I'm sat up so he can rest on me and be a bit more upright to try ease pain. We wait for the doctor to call. But in the mean time.. gonna have to shatter all my kids excitement about Disneyland aren't I?

Euro Tunnel are really flexible. I think it's up to 24 hours either side of your booking they will just put you on the next train with availability. We were late to the tunnel returning from Disney and it wasn't an issue , so you may have a bit more time to hopefully get him seen and leave a tad later.

Original poster
Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 05:52

He's finally getting some sleep on my lap after hours of tears so think the ibuprofen and warm flannel have helped. Travel insurance is with my husbands bank but I'm trying to not wake him because if 4yo suddenly feels better and my husband hasn't slept he won't drive so I'm fretting about that until I can check exact details!

Everyone was better apart from me, two youngest still coughing a bit but much less than a week ago. I'm the one who feels the most rotten as I came down with it last so I'm dosed up on Sudafed but to be honest not sure how well I'll cope going, I went to bed at midnight after finishing sorting everything and then been up since 2 Sad this never happens when you have nothing planned does it.

OP posts:
Eachpeachpears · 17/02/2024 05:54

Oh bless you op. Is ear infections something pharmacy can now help with under the new guidelines?

ZeroFucksGivenToday · 17/02/2024 05:54

Go to your local out of hours. I had an event with my DD and she got a bout of impetigo, I took her at 6am. It was reallllly quiet. I explained what was going on and was really lovely about it, she just needed antibiotics so no major triaging etc. we were in and out within 40 mins.

Whatnowfgs · 17/02/2024 06:11

Have you tried any of the online GP services? Maybe they will issue an antibiotic and you can pick it up on route.

Roselilly36 · 17/02/2024 06:18

What a shame, my DS1 often had ear infections, I can remember it well, he always went to bed fine, and woke in the early hours with pain then a tearful night until we could see GP for antibiotics. We also had a holiday when we had to see emergency dr. I wonder if 111 could arrange for a prescription to be sent to a chemist close to the tunnel for you to pick up? Good luck OP, I hope your little one is better soon and you have a lovely holiday.

Peekingovertheparapet · 17/02/2024 06:21

Regarding the travel insurance/cancellation then our insurance (via HSBC) were fab last year when we had to cancel a trip to Paris because my child woke up and vomited everywhere at 3am the morning of our flight. You do need to see a dr today so that you can get all of your medical forms signed off. A&E might take hours, ideally you want someone to look in his ear. As long as a Dr says the child was too unfit to travel and you couldn’t have known when you booked all is ok.

But. Since you are not flying and are going within the EU I might be tempted to bundle him into the car and medicate him and seek help in France, although it is the weekend so not sure how that works.

in our home town we have an urgent treatment centre via 111 which is reasonably quick and if you’re all packed then that might be best

MayThe4th · 17/02/2024 06:25

How long are you going for?

Honestly with an ear infection and possible temperature I wouldn’t go.

It’s miserable but it’s going to be worse being stuck in a hotel with a miserable 4 year old who is just going to want his bed, however much he wants to do Disney.

Gunpowder · 17/02/2024 06:26

Every time I’ve had to take my children to the doctor in France they’ve been brilliant. Provided you don’t mind paying up front and have a GHIC/EHIC I would be tempted to dose up on paracetamol/ibuprofen and go and if it doesn’t improve seek a doctor’s appointment over there. Obviously you risk missing a chunk of holiday while you sort that though.

Redcar78 · 17/02/2024 06:27

Go to A&E get antibiotics, for a small fee you can go online and change your euro crossing for a later time, am sure it's about £10. You can still make it you'll just arrive a bit later. I've done this, don't panic xx

Tilleuil · 17/02/2024 06:30

Gunpowder · 17/02/2024 06:26

Every time I’ve had to take my children to the doctor in France they’ve been brilliant. Provided you don’t mind paying up front and have a GHIC/EHIC I would be tempted to dose up on paracetamol/ibuprofen and go and if it doesn’t improve seek a doctor’s appointment over there. Obviously you risk missing a chunk of holiday while you sort that though.

This. I had to take dgs with an ear infection last summer, too much swimming. They fitted him in that day and gave ear drops.
If you’re not flying then I would dose him up and go but he does need his ear looking at.

Sirzy · 17/02/2024 06:30

I would pop down to your local pharmacy when they open and speak to the pharmacist.

holiday or not a run of the mill ear ache is not an A and E job.

Whatsinthebag2 · 17/02/2024 06:30

Pharmacists can prescribe for ears now. We did it last week and got antibiotics.
I would dose up and still go. Ear infections can clear up so fast.

ChiefEverythingOfficer · 17/02/2024 06:32

If there is no fever then it's likely not bacterial. Treating with alternating ibuprofen / paracetamol , saline nose spray and warm compress then seeing a doc in France if needed would be my option.

Honestly sitting upright in the car may help. If flying I might have reconsidered.

Recurrent ear infection parent here.

Tel12 · 17/02/2024 06:39

Go to a and e. Get some antibiotics, for you too.

Original poster
Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 06:42

111 finally phoned back and referred to OOH. We had to see them last year for something different and after 111 had referred to them they phoned and saw us within 40 minutes and we'd left the hospital with a prescription 40 minutes after that and were very impressed so I'm hoping it's that quick now. Didn't know that about pharmacies, will do that. I'd hate to go all the way and him be poorly as he will miss out and I'll stay in to take care of him but then we'll of had the trip and not be able to afford to go again for him to enjoy so unless I see a dramatic turn around I don't know if I can risk it Sad the other kids would be sad for it to be postponed but still get to go not too long after if we reschedule for a couple of months from now whereas if I go and he's poorly he'll be sad he missed out and the others all got to have fun and that'll just be that. It doesn't feel fair to take that risk Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 06:43

That's only if we can postpone.. if the money is gone anyway then just we will (if he is at a level he can manage) try and make the best of it.. Sad

OP posts:
changefromhr · 17/02/2024 07:03

Shocking how many people think it is acceptable to go to A&E for this. No wonder waiting times are a mess. Ridiculous.

I would still go op. And warm olive oil can work wonders for ears.