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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be a tad annoyed with a&e

122 replies

elf0508 · 19/12/2015 18:38

Yesterday around 7, my son started throwing up. Very unusal as he's normally a well baby. This continued until 8 so I phoned NHS 24, they told me as its only been an hour they won't do anything. Que loads of changes of sheets etc. By 10.30 he was still being sick, had a temp but also shaking. Phoned them again, they finally said to bring him in. After an hour wait, he was seen as said he either has a tummy bug or a urine infection Hmm he has a tummy bug before, it didn't make him spew eight times in 5 minutes! Still spewing today and now he has got a rash. Phoned NHS and they said "I realise you are both distressed but if he's not got a stiff neck we can't do much" why won't people help!!

OP posts:
Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 19:40

It's far more appropriate to see the out of hours doctor. You will get better advice and a prescription for dioralyte. They should also give you advice on what to look for if things start to deteriorate. It's not unusual for small children to vomit like this in the first 24 hours unfortunately. Give fluids as has been advised.

MedicalAdviceNeeded · 19/12/2015 19:40

At the very least he's dehydrated. One nappy all day is not enough, obviously.

MrsDeVere · 19/12/2015 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Doublebubblebubble · 19/12/2015 19:49

It's far more appropriate to see the out of hours doctor it is. but it is very very difficult to see one easily. (in my area anyway) at least being at a+e you are already in the right place.

Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 19:49

Are you managing to get him to take any fluids? When did he last have a wet nappy?

And dehydration doesn't cause vomiting btw. Confused

Doublebubblebubble · 19/12/2015 19:52

Dehydration DOES cause vomiting. I've had hyperemisis 5 times. I've been hospitalised each time on iv fluids.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 19/12/2015 19:54

Isn't the hyperemisis causing the vomiting? A quick Google search doesn't suggest dehydration causes vomiting.

Doublebubblebubble · 19/12/2015 19:55

Whoops posted too soon. Look up ovt.

MrsDeVere · 19/12/2015 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 19/12/2015 19:57

OVT?

Sallystyle · 19/12/2015 19:59

I had hyperemsis and dehydration certainly does make vomiting much worse.

The second time I had it after I had been on the drip my sickness was heaps better. A DR told me it is common for someone to be really sick and not be able to get stop vomiting until they are hydrated again.

After reading your updates OP, I agree that he needs to be seen as one wet nappy is not enough.

Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 20:01

I have no idea what ovt stands for and dehydration does not cause vomiting in normal childhood illnesses, which I think this is. It is fairly easy to see an ooh in my area and it should always be attempted at least.

Nothing will be given to stop the vomiting. Dioralyte is prescription only for this age group and is pretty unpalatable anyway. If you can get coconut water that's a good substitute, otherwise very dilute squash.

It's very unpleasant but so is sitting in A&E for hours with a poorly child. The OOH should be tried.

Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 20:02

I truly doubt an 18 month old will have hyperemesis!

Sallystyle · 19/12/2015 20:05

Well no obviously not Hmm

But that doesn't change the fact that dehydration can make vomiting a lot worse and it is a vicious cycle. unless my DR was talking out of his arse.

Doublebubblebubble · 19/12/2015 20:06

I'm not say he will have hyperemisis lol I'm just saying what I was told, by consultants when I was hospitalised for dehydration. it was rotten hope op has taken him to ooh or a+e now.

Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 20:14

I have worked in A&E for 9 years and NHS direct before it changed to 111 so I've spoken to plenty of doctors and done emergency paediatrics and dehydration does not CAUSE vomiting. It may delay resolution of the vomiting, but that is not the same

Potatoface2 · 19/12/2015 20:19

a few years ago my 3month old was poorly has gp out in the morning and was given antibiotics, he continued to be chesty and porrly, vomiting on and off all day, had an out of hours doctor come in the early evening to assess him and said 'hes okay'.....i was not happy....we took him straight to a and e as soon as the doctor left.....he was rushed through, admitted and very nearly ended up ventilated as he was so poorly...3 weeks he was in hospital....GO NOW AND DEMAND TO BE SEEN....!!

GraciesMansion · 19/12/2015 20:19

My dd has been hospitalised three times for dehydration after bugs and once, food poisoning. Once she starts vomiting she just can't stop until rehydrated. Twice this has meant iv and once was 5mls of fluid every 15 mins. Take him to OOH if possible. The dry nappies sounds like the key bit of info. If they think he needs hospital treatment they might just refer him straight to the children's ward. That's what happens here.

Ubik1 · 19/12/2015 20:24

Why not just phone back for some advice. It's fine to do that.

A&e will be crazy tonight so I would get some advice from OOH, let the nurse decide.

Potatoface2 · 19/12/2015 20:25

dioralyte is okay for children with diarrhoea but useless in vomiting....if he cant keep anything down hes not going to keep the dioralyte down, so its pointless.....dehydrated young children can become very ill very fast......also hyperemesis is totally different than having vomiting from a bug or virus....hyperemesis is to do with hormones ....and when you are dehydrated it can make you feel sick but not actually make you vomit.....cant believe the advice on here from armchair doctors!

ALaughAMinute · 19/12/2015 20:25

It could be meningitis although I hope for your sake and your sons sake that it's not.

If you suspect meningitis you need to get help fast. Phone for an ambulance. Don't take any chances.

ohtheholidays · 19/12/2015 20:33

Straight back there now OP.Dehydration can be very serious and can happen very quickly in very young children.

Please don't leave it!Yes the rash can be a viral rash but unlike another poster said that is not always the case.It is always better to be safe than sorry!

The no wet nappies in that amount of time would be something they would be worried about OP!

Boomingmarvellous · 19/12/2015 20:35

Potato...... Dioralyte can and should be given in vomiting. How else do you think the child will be rehydrated? Despite vomiting some of the fluid stays down in most cases,and regardless will at some point stay down as the vomiting eases. It should not last longer than 48 hours.

It can be a factor in meningitis along with a fever, and it appears earlier than the rash, so should never be ignored. However the majority of vomiting episodes are caused by a virus and just need to keep on top of the dehydration, which is the real danger.

BumWad · 19/12/2015 20:39

Please take him back in don't bother phoning

goodnightdarthvader1 · 19/12/2015 20:39

How else? A drip!