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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the hospital should have prescribed calpol for my baby?

157 replies

PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 10:17

Ds3 is 9 months old and was admitted to hospital for the 2nd time on Monday in the last few weeks. He has a nasty chest infection, oral thrush, ear infection, tonsillitis and a viral wheeze. He was admitted via our walk in centre as his sats were very low.

Fortunately after nebulisers and inhalers he was ok and we were able to being him home with a prescription for thrush medicine and inhalers. We were told to give him dioralyte as he has diarreah and was a bit dehydrated and paracetamol for pain relief.

I had used the last of our calpol just before we had for to the doctors so I asked if we could have a prescription to get some more. I had spent over £10 on a taxi to the hospital as there were no transfers available and needed to spend the same amount to get back and I didn't have any spare money with me nor in the bank as I am broke until Friday.

I was told they wouldn't prescribe paracetamol or dioralyte as they were available to buy in boots (over £3 each) I did explain that I didn't have enough money and just got a shrug and a sigh. They eventually wrote a prescription for one sachet if dioralyte but not the paracetamol.

I could have used the taxi money to buy some but didn't want to take a sick baby on 4 buses in the dark, he was only wearing shorts and t shirt as we hasn't expected to be sent to hospital.

I called my mum and asked her to get me some medicine for him and luckily she could.

Should the doctor have prescribed pain reliefs and dioralyte?

OP posts:
EmptyCrispPackets · 28/03/2012 11:42

I stock up on Calpol & ibuprofen for the kids at the 99p store.

Bargain.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 28/03/2012 11:42

YABVU. You got to take your child to a doctor and get him treated for free, and you are complaining that you have to spend a couple of quid on some paracetamol?

The mind boggles.

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 11:43

Scuzzy - we had calpol/nurofen etc but I have had 3 children unwell for 4 weeks now, plus having to buy tubes of canestan which are £9 and lots of extra nappies as we are using 15 or so a day, (thank you to whomever posted the tip about the zinc too) plus lanestol etc for the thrush in my milk ducts (thanks for that repeatedly ds3) we have just run out and with it being the end of the month all my money has run out until Friday ( although have borrowed a bit from my mum now so not an issue) had unexpected extras to pay for £20 in taxis, more on the electric metre through all the extra sicky and pooey clothes etc I will be restocking the medicine drawer on Friday Smile

OP posts:
Leverette · 28/03/2012 11:45

This reply has been deleted

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dietcokehead · 28/03/2012 11:45

I am amazed they didn't prescribe a paracetamol suspension. Every time DD has gone to the GP (her inoculations and a couple of bouts of tonsillitis), I have been offered a prescription for a calpol equivalent. I haven't accepted it because I always have some at home for emergencies. I really am shocked those who would struggle to afford it aren't prescribed OTC medicines for children.

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 11:45

IF I had had the money I could have taken 3 sick children in a long walk to find an open late night pharmacy, but I didn't so couldn't Hmm

OP posts:
scuzy · 28/03/2012 11:46

am sorry you are having a tough time with kids being sick. and i understand your plight. i think (and hope they did cant read anywhere in your posts) that they at least gave his a dose before you left giving you time to get supplies. but definately replenish all your medicines when you get some money in. and keep them topped up.

scuzy · 28/03/2012 11:48

dietcokehead but wouldnt that mean you have to go to doc every time your child has a cold or some illness that doesnt really warrant a doctor? the surgeries would be full all day! and am i to presume that the doctors visit is free? (as wouldnt make sense to pay them to get a script for calpol).

Sirzy · 28/03/2012 11:52

Ds has been in and out of hospital, sometimes he is sent home with Paracetamol, others he isn't. I certainly wouldn't expect him to be given them though. I am greatful enough to be given his treatment and the bag of medicines he needs to take him with us!

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 11:53

They didn't give him any before we left although he was crying and due a dose, they did make sure his sats were up and did a fluid challenge to make sure he was keeping enough down though and gave us an inhaler for him.

They were very very busy and had 3 children in the resus room whilst we were there, poor babies Sad

I didn't realise they sold calpol or the equivalent in the 99p shop, I know where I am going to stock up!

There seems to be some really nasty viruses around at the moment, typical that the weather is so lovely when we are up in bed all day.

OP posts:
kelly2525 · 28/03/2012 11:54

OP If you know they aren't allergic to eggs, try egg white on the bum, my 14m old is teething and has had the worst explosive nappies for over a week, I read about egg white after every nappy change on here and its much better than canestan.

I saw an improvement in his little red raw bum within a day, it really is good.

scuzy · 28/03/2012 11:55

well now thats terrible. other patients or not would take 2 secs to give him a dose and send you on your way. now THAT is scandalous.

scuzy · 28/03/2012 11:56

yes but make sure they are def not allergic to egg white.

also invest on an aloe vera plant. the leaves once split open are very good for a raw bum.

larrygrylls · 28/03/2012 11:59

I don't see why the OP is being unreasonable. To be honest, children's prescriptions are free because society has made a decision that parents should not have to worry about the financial side of medicines when their children are ill. The only difference between prescription meds and OTC ones is safety. Many many meds which used to be prescription only are now available OTC. Does that suddenly make it a parent's duty to budget for them?

Mosts docs routinely prescribe antipyretics for children, purely because of this. It is a sensitive area and these meds are really so cheap at the wholesale level that it seems crazy to me not to just prescribe them as a matter of course.

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 11:59

He eats eggs quite often so I don't think he is allergic to them so will give it a go, will look at getting an aloe plant too, thank you.

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 28/03/2012 12:10

Op, YABU but in difficult circumstances.

Kal - I don't understand the hysteria about this. Either people think you're handing over a handful of tablets, or, they don't trust their own judgement.

Greythorne · 28/03/2012 12:13

What larrygyllis said

ipswichwitch · 28/03/2012 12:19

to all those saying the nhs cant afford to prescribe otc meds to all and sundry, go have a word with the many patients i see who are prescribed paracetamol on repeat. its 20p a box in the supermarket fgs. i do think, esp given the op's circumstances, they could have done a one off prescription for calpol to keep them going if the nhs is willing to keep on prescribing paracetamol tabs for adults
op, hope your DCs are better soon

WasabiTillyMinto · 28/03/2012 12:31

Alpine, i dont get the hysteria about the crushed tablets either. with any medicine you need to read the label and the patient info leaflet, if there is one, & if you dont understand 100%, ask a pharmacist etc.

familyj · 28/03/2012 13:03

True about paracetomal for adults. My mum had it on a repeat. Yet I know our gp won't prescribe calpol etc. It just seems wrong that there is such a postcode lottery. Some areas have minor ailments service and have access to free otc medicine and some don't.
Op YANBU

GeorginaWorsley · 28/03/2012 13:13

Am a paediatric nurse and we do not routinely prescibe calpol/nurofen as take home medication because of cost.
If you factor in the cost of the dr'd time prescibing it,pharmacist's dispensing it and nurse's checking it,all of which would have to be done,it becames very expensive,way more than it would be to buy,especially own brands.
However,in this instance I would have prescribed it,although usually only a small bottle to tide patient over.

FannyFifer · 28/03/2012 14:34

Sorry kal I am quite used to peg tubes so just wondered what the reason was, often had to crush tablets as no liquid version available.

ragged · 28/03/2012 15:11

I feel Kal was unnecessarily given a hard time. I have crushed up paracetomol sometimes for DC when I felt I had to, just read the labels carefully to be sure of dosage; same as any meds, really.
yanbu to OP also.
But I'm amazed that OP's baby was not kept in, being so young & having so many conditions (I think I counted 7), the chances of complications from any must be high never mind all occurring together. DS went in for just viral wheezing at 3yo, and only narrowly escaped being kept in overnight on that one.

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 15:23

We were kept in for a couple of nights 3 weeks ago due to a viral wheeze, scared the life out of me but it seems to be a common thing.

They considered keeping him in but as they couldn't do anything there that I couldn't do at home and the fact that I am a single parent with 2 other children they sent us home, have to go back if he needs his inhaler more than 10 puffs 3 hourly though

OP posts:
Tw1gl3t · 28/03/2012 15:29

Poundstore sells either bottles or sachets. Galpamol seems to be just as effective.