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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect my GP to understand that I am not a crazy Mum and my DD is really ill?

58 replies

JumpOnIt · 19/01/2011 11:12

I know this is going to come out as a (badly typed) rant so apologies in advance.

My DD has had a fever, diarrhoea and other symptoms like a rash and vomiting (some of then on and off) for over a week. She has had Calpol for the entire time at my GPs recommendation. Then she developed joint pain, really chapped lips, strawberry red tongue covered in blisters and a puffy face. She was screaming in pain at one point. So we've been to the GPs twice and the out of hours once but they keep saying viral infection. I do understand that but surely she should be improving by now? I have done the tumbler test and it's not that sort of rash. My mum used to be a paediatric nurse and when I told her of all of DD's symptoms, she said it sounds just like Kawasaki syndrome. I Wikipedia'd it (dangerous, I know) but there was my daughter's face, with exactly the symptoms. It's rare but can be VERY serious. AIBU to go shooting off up there for for the fourth time, laptop in hand?

OP posts:
JumpOnIt · 19/01/2011 12:30

Thanks very much for the replies. The GP ruled out scarlet fever, she's had hand and mouth before and I phoned NHS24 who were the ones who told me to take her up to out of hours which is actually at the local A&E. I promise I haven't been googling it. I Wikipedia'd it because my Mum said there were some pictures on there. I have actually phoned the GPs surgery and spoken to my GP again who I have to say ha been really good this time. He's seeing her later, getting another GP in to consult and said he will look it up before we get there. He has promised to give it serious consideration. Hopefully a little polite firmness has worked!

OP posts:
HappySeven · 19/01/2011 12:50

Well done, Jumponit. I hope they come up with something to help her get better quickly.

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 19/01/2011 12:59

JumpOnIt - if you aren't happy when they leave, go straight back to A&E and kick up an almighty fuss. Better safe/looking like an over protective mum/PITA than sorry.

JumpOnIt · 19/01/2011 13:02

No, you're right. If I am still not H then I will cart her off to the A&E. I think that I'm better asking them to tell me why it's NOT that instead of asking what it is.

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 19/01/2011 13:06

Yes, I agree. You just hear so many scary stories don't you about GPs missing stuff, telling the Mum she's overprotective/neurotic/wrong - you ave to be so strong to stand up to them.

Just picture us all in the room with you Grin

sims2fan · 19/01/2011 13:09

If it is Kawasaki then that can lead to serious heart problems, so you need to get her seen to straight away. Take her to hospital. My niece had that a few years ago and was very, very ill. Luckily she hasn't had any heart problems (though was hospitalised every winter until a couple of years ago for chest infections, don't know if it's left her with a weak chest or if that's just coincidental), but my mum taught a little boy who had had it and he wasn't allowed to do PE at school as his heart had been badly affected, and he had to be watched constantly in case his heart started to fail. I don't want to panic you, but if it is that then you don't need the GP, you need the hospital. Another sure sign of that illness is the soles of the feet - if they turn bright red and the skin starts to peel then it probably is Kawasaki.

Rosa · 19/01/2011 13:09

Good - if they insist that its a virus -ask them what else should you expect to happen. A simple question . Often not asked or not answered.

valiumredhead · 19/01/2011 13:22

Can you update us later on? Hope she starts feeling better soon.

JumpOnIt · 19/01/2011 13:24

I will update. Thanks very much for the support
:)

OP posts:
mrsmay11 · 19/01/2011 16:15

.

cecinestpasunepipe · 19/01/2011 21:03

.

iamamug · 19/01/2011 21:08

bump

ilovemyhens · 19/01/2011 21:17

GPs frequently get it wrong. Always act on your instincts.

BurnAfterReading · 19/01/2011 21:27

A&E

good luck

BurnAfterReading · 19/01/2011 21:30

sorry, just read your updates, hope all is well - please let us know how she is.

I had the same problem with my gp last week - i can't believe how easily they fob us off!

PeeringIntoTheWintryVoid · 19/01/2011 21:31

.

bathbuns · 19/01/2011 21:33

wow, I'm really surprised to see people still get Scarlet Fever.

Fingers crossed it gets sorted OP

JumpOnIt · 19/01/2011 21:34

Update! The GP was very good and did as he promised. He admitted her tongue looks bad but still thinks it isn't anything serious. Another GP came in too. He gave her some antibiotics for a bacterial infection and told me that if she has not improved by Monday, I am to take her back. He also gave me a print out of the symptoms and told me that if she develops any of those symptoms, I am to take her straight to hospital. At least I don't feel robbed off, I've actually got something to help her feel better AND if anything else happens, she's straight to the hospital with the GPs blessing. Thanks everyone. I would have thought I was making a fuss otherwise.

OP posts:
blackeyedsusan · 19/01/2011 21:34

Grin i now have a picture in my mind of a surgeryy full of women, arms folded and glaring at aa cowering gp.

Any news or are you stuck in a and e?

blackeyedsusan · 19/01/2011 21:35

x posts Blush

Bellagio · 19/01/2011 21:42

Jumponit glad to hear you got the response you needed, hope your dd makes a full recovery soon.

fiveisanawfullybignumber · 19/01/2011 21:43

Glad you've been taken seriously and hope DD perks up soon.
I have to say, a mums intuition is usually very strong when DC's are poorly.
My DS2 got Scarlet Fever when he was 5, he suffered from bacterial tonsilitis every 3-4 weeks afterwards for nearly 18m. Eventually had to have them out as he was so pale, skinny and sickly.

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 19/01/2011 23:50

That's a pretty good outcome then!

Let us know how she is in the morning.

DeeCeeDee · 20/01/2011 04:25

take her to A&E or a Walk-In Centre. and change your couldnt care less GP. Im registered with a large practice and of the 15 doctors there only 3 are worth seeing, the others seem to think its impossible for children to be truly ill, and that all mums are over fussy. Maybe theyre of the opinion that mums like to bother doctors..well we pay our national insurance for medical care and doctors get huge salaries..so we should bother them when we need to. A mother knows her child best after all, if she knows when her child is very unwell then she should be believed.

valiumredhead · 20/01/2011 12:51

Hope she improves with the anti biotics :)