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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A&E

307 replies

Chipperton · 29/01/2017 06:46

I'm really in two minds about this. I know A&E is crazy at the moment, but I am really quite worried about 3 year old DS.

He's been complaining of leg pain for the last few weeks, I decided to 'wait and see' thinking it was just growing pains. Over the last week the leg pain has got worse, he's been holding his leg and crying, calpol/ibuprofen not having much effect (although the pain comes and goes). He's also lost weight, is generally fatigued, has a poor appetite and for the last 3 days, a fever.

I suspect the fever is just viral but I'm quite worried about the leg and the general malaise. His childminder (goes 3 days a week) and nursery (goes 1 day a week) have both commented that he doesn't seem to be himself.

We saw Out of Hours Nurse yesterday who had a look at him and declared that she 'couldn't really do anything' and to see the GP on Monday. So no point going back there.

What he needs (I think) is a blood test. AIBU to go to A&E with him today - he's never been to A&E before (we're not overly anxious parents but we are really worried about this)

OP posts:
Lalala82 · 29/01/2017 08:17

I never comment on threads like this and I'm def a wait it out prior to a and e however, your three year old is crying in pain, with a temp and lost weight. It could be that there are several things going on together ie growing pains/virus etc but on the small chance it's something worsening I think I would take my child. Be prepared to wait and take food/activities etc? In my experience (v v limited!) the docs at a and e have always been amazing with a child and would rather see them and make sure they are OK than think something has happened to them iyswim? Not sure I've phrased this all right...! Take care

NE14T · 29/01/2017 08:17

I genuinely don't understand mumsnet at times. I work in a paediatric A&E and the amount of times I've posted to say A&E perhaps not the best idea when everyone piles in to OP with a bloody paronychia or whatever telling them to go!

And now this, a totally A&E worthy case, and OP is being told to stay home, gently in some cases and horribly in others.

Put simply, nothing is likely to happen if you wait till tomorrow but GP won't sort this themselves, they will refer to paeds or A&E depending on the process at your local hospital. Either way all you're really doing is delaying it by another day which is fine if you're happy with that but if you're sitting there and worrying, just take him now. Seriously, no one in A&E would mind seeing a child like this. Go as early as you can so it's not too busy!

Good luck, I hope he is okay Flowers

Crumbs1 · 29/01/2017 08:19

Does your area not have a paediatric assessment unit? Most do. I would go OOH again and insist on referral. They should be able to go direct to paediatricians. He needs a few things doing tomrule outba few possibilities. If OOh is useless, I would go to A&E and say as much but stand my ground and insist on being seen by consultant paediatrician.

NE14T · 29/01/2017 08:19

Sorry I see I've cross posted with about 15 other sensible posters in the time it took me to waffle on... the therapeutic blood test comment just made me see red Angry

WellErrr · 29/01/2017 08:20

Mine had v similar when he was three. Sudden leg pain, poor appetite, general lethargy, always lying on the sofa. He had blood tests and all sorts but all fine and after a few weeks it just went away.

My advice - dont Google, and go to the GP Monday morning and insist on a blood test.

lougle · 29/01/2017 08:21

"OOH saw you, took a history, examined him and gave you advice. How does that qualify as 'not very good' ? Sounds like exactly what they are there for."

OP:
"Out of Hours Nurse yesterday who had a look at him and declared that she 'couldn't really do anything' and to see the GP on Monday."

A nurse 'not being able to do anything' isn't the same as 'nothing needs to be done'. If the nurse couldn't do anything, she needed to consider what needed to be done. You can bet your bottom dollar she wasn't paeds trained. It's quite possible that she didn't recognise the seriousness of the situation and was simply looking for a mechanical injury, which she wouldn't have found because this is almost certainly not an injury.

Original poster
Chipperton · 29/01/2017 08:21

Thanks, this has helped. I'm not usually an indecisive person (although it probably sounds like I am). The opinions from medical posters are especially helpful!

OP posts:
OneOfTheGrundys · 29/01/2017 08:21

I'd go to A&E.
An otherwise robust child losing weight, general malaise over several weeks, accompanied by an acute deterioration and fever in the past few days. And screaming in pain.
I'd heed the advice of those in the profession on this thread and take him OP.
I hope he and you feel much better soon. Flowers

passthewineplz · 29/01/2017 08:22

Please take him to a&e.

NavyandWhite · 29/01/2017 08:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Chipperton · 29/01/2017 08:22

The therapeutic blood test comment pissed me off too...

OP posts:
OneOfTheGrundys · 29/01/2017 08:22

You don't sound indecisive OP, just concerned. All the best for whatever your next step may be.

minmooch · 29/01/2017 08:22

NE14T. That comment did for me too.

We are talking about a 3 year old child in pain with worsening symptoms.

If nothing else less sarcasm and some empathy with a mother struggling.

Nannewnannew · 29/01/2017 08:23

Another vote for taking him to A & E. I worked in a minor injuries unit and any child presenting with a limp we would refer immediately to the local A&E or paediatric assessment unit. They will be able to do X-rays and any other necessary tests to rule out things such as juvenile arthritis or a missed fracture. Wishing you and your son best wishes. Please go today.

Claireshh · 29/01/2017 08:24

I took my son to our urgent care department when he was 3 years old. He had a limp, fever and pain in his calf. He looked properly unwell and wouldn't eat. He was examined by the doctor and was immediately referred to the Paed department. As soon as we arrived they inserted a cannula and said they were concerned about toxic arthritis or transient Synovitus. Happily after a few hours when the blood results came back they had ruled out toxic arthritis. He was diagnosed with transient synovitus. I can't remember if he was given any medication. So long story short I would take him.

A1Sharon · 29/01/2017 08:26

Good luck OP, kelp us updated if you can.

Bugsylugs · 29/01/2017 08:28

Leg pain not really weight bearing and temp in a 3 year old I would either go back to ooh or A/E . I would suggest that the nurse you saw yesterday doesn't know their limitations unfortunately.
If you came to see GP on Monday it is unlikely that can do the bloods that day due to young age.

Ankleswingers · 29/01/2017 08:30

Please listen to the medical posters. If I were in your shoes, I would be going to A and E.

Let us know how you get on please

Original poster
Chipperton · 29/01/2017 08:30

Actually that's a point, how does one do a blood test on a wriggly toddler? He'd go apeshit.

OP posts:
namechange3214 · 29/01/2017 08:30

Please go to A&E, better safe than sorry.

bubblemcgubble · 29/01/2017 08:32

A paediatrician would do the blood test. They use a special numbing cream first.

Ankleswingers · 29/01/2017 08:32

Batfurger that was nasty and unnecessary.

SoupDragon · 29/01/2017 08:32

I would take him to urgent care rather than A&E, depending on their opening time where you are.

If you do go to A&E you'll need to timeit carefully between the Saturday night drunks and the Sunday morning sports injuries.

Poorlybabysickday · 29/01/2017 08:33

Are you going to go to A&E then? I'm also a HCP, and I most certainly would go today Flowers

FauxFox · 29/01/2017 08:33

Just go to a&e - how can you endure another day of wondering what is wrong without trying to find out? It would be driving me bananas! Go now before it gets busy - take iPad/snacks/blanket and just go. Good luck x