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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to take my son to A&E

44 replies

kat088 · 07/01/2017 09:01

Completely freaking out at the moment because my son has a large hard painful lump on his leg that is getting bigger and more painful, pain worse at night. A quick google shows that this is not good news, saw doc on Thurs am who made urgent referral for an X-ray. Nothing has come through yet and I am beside myself with worry. A lot of me just wants to take him to A&E to get this xray, but I am also aware of the pressures on them at the moment and that there is a referral coming. WIBU?

OP posts:

downwardfacingdog · 07/01/2017 12:24

If you can't wait, go to ooh not a&e

Springer13 · 07/01/2017 12:25

I'm a GP and think if it's a warm hard painful lump that's getting worse, it is not unreasonable to take to A and E for assessment.

Olympiathequeen · 07/01/2017 12:35

Unless you DS becomes unwell with a fever etc then no it's not appropriate to go to A&e. Warm to touch sounds more infection than cancer but I am surprised your gp didn't arrange a same day X-ray.

Check at your local hospital to see if they have a minor injuries unit. They can do quick X-rays there and if there is an infection refer and start treatment. Infections near to bones are not good.

SoupDragon · 07/01/2017 12:36

I'm a GP and think if it's a warm hard painful lump that's getting worse, it is not unreasonable to take to A and E for assessment.

Why do you say A&E and not an out of hours service?

CondensedMilkSarnies · 07/01/2017 12:39

Your best bet is to go back to the GP on Monday and ask for an urgent ultrasound referral. We do not routinely xray lumps like this because a) it doesn't show much b) it's an unnecessary dose (albeit small) of radiation.

CondensedMilkSarnies · 07/01/2017 12:40

Also if you have an X-ray you will have to wait for a radiologists report which can take ages to come through . If the report comes back as showing nothing then you've waited ages and are no further forward with regards to treatment.

3luckystars · 07/01/2017 12:41

He it's hot and you think it's an emergency then please get medical attention today. I'm back to Gp, or walk in clinic, or even a pharmacist, it sounds more infection than a break.

3luckystars · 07/01/2017 12:43

If all else fails then absolutely go to the hospital, especially if your son is a baby.
Good luck and follow your instincts and get medical attention today.

What are your options where you are?

Bitlost · 08/01/2017 20:18

How are you doing, OP?

FannyFifer · 08/01/2017 20:20

How old is son, did a bump or injury cause the lump initially?

Littledrummergirl · 08/01/2017 20:29

Where we are the GP refers to xray and you phone them for an appointment. The receptionist will have the number to give you as you leave.

I would definitely not take to a&e if it was me.

Original poster

kat088 · 09/01/2017 21:37

Thank you for your responses. I spoke to docs reception today and annoyingly, the GP should have told me that I could drop in for xray, not wait for referral. I'm going to take him tomorrow morning. Absolutely bricking it TBH, anxiety levels through the roof, any tips other than deep breathing /alternative nostril breathing which I'm currently doing.

OP posts:

3luckystars · 10/01/2017 08:04

And what if you hadn't called back?
Anyway only a few more hours now and your son wil be seen.

Don't be afraid to say "I am still worried" or "I'd like another opinion because I am very worried"
Practice saying these this morning and if you think your son is being sent away with no answers, just ask the doctor to write down what exactly is wrong, when it will resolve and what you should do if it gets worse. There is nothing worse than leaving an appointment and not having a clue what happened!

I have no doubt your son will be absolutely fine, but I think your anxiety is coming from worrying about being fobbed off.

Practice speaking up and the phrases above. They are OK to say to a doctor if you are unclear.

CondensedMilkSarnies · 10/01/2017 09:03

The X-ray will not be done by a doctor and it's unlikely the op will be given the results today.

HardofCleaning · 10/01/2017 09:08

Good luck OP I very much doubt it's a serious problem but obviously you're doing the right thing to get checked out. I know how horrible anxiety is, hope the deep breathing is working!

Foxysoxy01 · 10/01/2017 09:42

Good luck op, hope you're there now and all is well

Let us know how it goes.

SparklyMagpie · 10/01/2017 11:59

Hope your son's ok and you get some answers OP x

TheTantrumCometh · 10/01/2017 12:02

Good luck, OP. Hope it's gone well

Original poster

kat088 · 10/01/2017 15:04

Thanks for the good wishes. We went in first thing and got the xray. The radiographer couldn't see anything ontoward so I explained that there was a physical hard lump and this info was passed on to consultant radiologist. Consultant couldn't see anything on xray either so had a good feel of the leg and couldn't feel any lump. I've had a feel too and lump does seem to have gone ... The thing was rock hard and pointed, the GP referred to it as a bony projection. I'm going to follow up with GP later in the week as he is still in pain at night and to the touch but do feel comforted that the bones look ok.

OP posts:

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