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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Doctor cut me off

44 replies

Gingermuffin · 13/01/2017 23:52

Apologies if this is long but I just want to be clear and what I've said here is pretty much what I tried to say to the GP.

I will start by saying I am not the type to rush to the doctors with the first sign of anything. I know that most illnesses in kids are most likely viruses that can't be helped by anything more than TLC, calpol etc where necessary and keeping a close eye and I make sure that I always consult the NHS and other websites before I make an appointment.

For the last week or so DS (4.5y) has had a horrible cough mainly at night which has been a pain but nothing to worry about. Last night however he had a high fever and was really out of it. He seemed to recover before bedtime but this morning he was burning up again and vomited which was bright green. Not the cough induced kind of vomiting, it was spontaneous and the poor little bugger was throwing up for a good couple of minutes.

Despite alternating calpol and nurofen every couple of hours, his temperature (38.9) didn't come down much all day, at the lowest it was about 38. He actually seemed fine in himself though apart from being lethargic and a bit more cuddly until in the middle of talking he went white, his temp shot up higher again and he started shivering like crazy despite being snuggled up and couldn't stay awake. He was rousable, responsive and not confused but not able to stay awake for any length of time.

I called 111 and relayed all of the above and they advised to keep a close eye and get him seen within 6 hours either by our own GP or out of hours so I phoned my GP and managed to get an appointment for 5.10pm today.

About 40 minutes before the appointment he perked up a bit and his temperature came down a lot although only to around 38 a and I took him to the appointment and tried to explain the events of today as above, which looks quite long as a MN post but in the context of a Drs appointment I think it's pretty much to the point and covers the facts.

About 30 seconds into explaining (I got as far as trying to explain that he seemed better apart from the temp but suddenly got much worse) the doctor told me to stop talking and told me that my son has a cold and ended the appointment. At first I was embarrassed and felt like a total time waster but once I got home I Sam more confused. Was IBU to take him in the first place or was HBU?

For what it's worth DSs temp shot back up, I've given him some more calpol and he's currently asleep but I'm keeping a close eye on him and will ring 111 again if he gets worse.

OP posts:

Gooseberryfools · 14/01/2017 07:45

But yes monitor him. Keep a close eye naturally.

My gentle GP would have checked him over. Then told you as a general guide to put your fingers in your ears and simply look at the child and see how he is in himself. If he seems fine (which you said he is) then don't worry.

toptoe · 14/01/2017 07:49

Why are we all so worried about 'bothering' doctors? It's there job to listen to the symptoms if they are unusual then advise. You know what is normal for your dc and doctors are trained to listen to the parents' concerns as we know what is normal or not. Very few people make things up and exaggerate for attention. They do want to cut down on antibiotic use but once a child shows possible signs of infection they are to use them. I would ask the gp straight 'do you think this is an infection?' It's ok to ask and see what they say to a. allay your worries b. get the right treatment and c. if they misdiagnose they learn from it as you directly asked them.

3luckystars · 14/01/2017 07:54

Did he even look into his throat? My dd gets like that and vomits with tonsillitis, and that's not even mentioning what else it could be?

Did he examine your son at all?

it's such a hassle getting an appointment and so stressful, no normal person would go though all that for a cold, he should take into account your experience as a mother too. Also, it's a child. I would definitely get your son seen to again today if you you feel he is unwell, and don't let this knock your confidence, your child IS sick.

Eyedrophell · 14/01/2017 08:05

Had the same with my Ds last week. Ended up at out of hours on the weekend. He had perked up, I felt like a fraud. Saw a lovely doctor, he had bad tonsillitis. That night temp spiked again and he was up and down for a further 4 days.

GP's should not dismiss you without examining the child. I personally would book to see the same Gp if I had concerns still and I would explain that I felt dismissed last time. Always better to be upfront and the Gp has the chance to rectify, or explain.

flumpybear · 14/01/2017 08:05

Fever not being controlled by calpol and ibuprofen I think needs investigation more than 'it's just a cold!' IMO - ring OOO doctors again if he's still not better today

flumpybear · 14/01/2017 08:06

OOH not OOO

NormaSmuff · 14/01/2017 08:12

i am sorry the doctor was short with you. GPs are having a really hard time of it currently.
did you get the name?
i would make sure i never see this GP again.
let them know if you think it might help future patients op

Katastrophe13 · 14/01/2017 08:40

I've had this before with an over the phone appointment where dr refused to see but I knew I was really unwell. Eventually after crying and begging she agreed to give me an appointment. On examining me she realised I had a bacterial infection and needed antibiotics. I would've been another person clogging up a&e if she hadn't given in. It was horrible not to be listened to though and made to feel like a time waster. Have also had the similar with DD when dr thought she was just teething but agreed to examine and then saw she had tonsillitis! Again needed antibiotics. So if you are still concerned today, go and see an OOH GP. As others have said you know what's normal for your child and drs aren't always right. hope your son feels better soon, and don't feel bad for taking him in yesterday!

KathArtic · 14/01/2017 08:41

Reminds me of when mine were little and we went to OOH. The Dr was fab and advised we give lemonade to drink opposed to water as it contains sugars and salts; and that we keep the heating on but a window open. We did get some amoxicillin too but that advise has always stayed with me.

Goingtobeawesome · 14/01/2017 08:41

How is your son today?

FurryLittleTwerp · 14/01/2017 08:46

It was fine for the GP to stop you talking if they felt they had the necessary information, but it sounds rather abrupt.

Something like "let's have a look in his ears and throats then" would have been better.

I'm assuming he was examined bet he's got an ear infection

FurryLittleTwerp · 14/01/2017 08:47

Throat. Not throats.

GarrulousGrimoire · 14/01/2017 08:50

The shivering isn't from cold OP so don't snuggle him up, it's called "rigors" and it's the body reacting to high fever so strip and cool him instead. DD2 always had it when Ill, very scary.

Did the GP check his ears, throat and chest? It might well be viral but he should have checked for secondary infection regardless.

If he didn't and your son doesn't improve I'd be taking him back.

PacificDogwod · 14/01/2017 09:08

Did your GP examine your DS?

I am sorry the doctor's communication style was rubbish.
He may not have needed the run-down of every change in symptom though and have been pressed for time.

Children's temperatures do change readily and a fever is a surefire thing to make a child look ill (vomiting is often part of a fever). Uncontrollable shivering is a sign of the fever going UP, so no amount of keeping warm will help, in fact is counterproductive.
Keep given regular Calpol/Ibuprofen, make sure he drinks regularly and of course get him seen again is you are worried.
Upper respiratory infections are usually at their worst in the first 3 days or so, in children often with varying high fevers, headache, general malaise, vomiting/no appetite etc. Hopefully he'll feel better rapidly.

It is worthwhile feeding back to the practice that you felt rather dismissed. It does not need to be a formal complaint if you don't want it to be, but feedback is a very good thing.

goldangel · 14/01/2017 09:17

Hope your ds is feeling a bit better today. I'd be interested to know it the GP examined your DS too. Over the years my dc have been sent home many times with nothing but only after being examined (temp, chest, ears, throat) but sometimes they've had chest or ear infections etc so I never feel I shouldn't take them as you just never know...

jimijack · 14/01/2017 09:24

The gp should have been more professional and kinder BUT it can be so hard.

You go from talking to someone with an end of life problem, desperately sad situation to speaking to a young fit & healthy man with a sore toe that he stubbed 2 days ago hasn't taken pain killers and wants to know why it still hurts....as a human being it is tough, as a professional it's got to be done to the best of your ability.

I expect that as its winter and as these viruses are rife at the moment, he will have seen about 20 of kids with your boys symptoms before seeing him.
Still, not nice to be dismissed like that and btw so warming to read that you are a very sensible type by checking out all the readily available info and treated him at home for as long as you felt safe. Warms the cockles does that, many would be at walk in/a&e at the first sign of a temperature and green vom.

Original poster

Gingermuffin · 14/01/2017 09:52

Sorry for not responding sooner. I am feeling much less stressed today and I think I must have just caught the doctor at the end of a long day yesterday. He did examine DS and said to keep an eye out for any symptoms worsening. Maybe it is just a nasty virus. DS seems a bit better today, more like how I am used to him being when he has a temp so I'm getting lots of cuddles off both of the kids because DD wants in on the action . I'm still keeping a close eye though and will take him to out of hours if he gets worse again.

Thank you everybody you are lovely.

OP posts:

PacificDogwod · 14/01/2017 09:53

Aw, I'm glad he's a bit better and you are feeling better about it all too

ArgyMargy · 14/01/2017 10:06

Sorry you had a bad experience. You might think about going back to that GP and explaining how you felt. Lots of posters are saying complain but that doesn't help anyone. GPs should be receptive to learning how they can improve their communication. I did this once - it was one of the hardest things I've ever done but the outcome was fantastic.

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