AIBU to book an appointment with GP for that

[Exegete]

Daughter is 16 months old. She’s had a cough/runny nose for over a week. Feverish (39) for the last 48 hours. During the day she’s tired, a bit grumpy but seems alright. But last night she woke up every 45 minutes to 1 hour (happy New Year’s Eve...). All night. Same during her nap today. She sleeps peacefully then very suddenly starts crying unconsolably, arches her back. Unusual cry. Refuses the breast. She’s obviously in pain. Can’t figure out where she hurts. Same tonight. When she’s crying I want to call the Gp first thing tomorrow and see if they can see her, maybe check her ears. But then when she’s finally sleeping again (and I’m reading a thread about NHS ressources misuse!!) I think it’s unnecessary, most probably they’ll tell me to give her calpol and that she’ll be alright within a few days. What would you do?

If she has a temperature in the morning I would ring GP. Think it says on Calpol box to seek medical advice if symptoms last 3 days or more? Something like that.

I always think it's better to be safe than sorry, especially if she seems to be in pain. If it were me, I'd call 111 and get their advice - they should be able to help you sound out whether or not she should be seen.

Hope she's feeling better soon and that you get some sleep, it sounds rotten for both of you

I agree with better safe than sorry. I took my ds to urgent care today for what we thought was a sprain turned out he actually broke his arm and is now up to his arm pit in plaster. Even if it just turns out to be a cold it will still put your mind at rest.

She may have an ear infection.

She sounds to me like she’s getting uncomfortably hot. When a child is ill they can’t take off clothes or kick off covers like we can and put them back on when we freeze again. I’ve seem the same reaction in my own children when they were ill and thought they looked in pain but removing clothing, offering juice or water instead of milk and letting a small breeze in the room before tucking them back under the covers stopped the continual cycle of waking.

just back a GP appointment, i wouldnt bother with 111

Is she rubbing or pulling her ears or rubbing here cheeks- indicating ear ache or tooth ache? Next door's ds3 currently has this and he's been really unwell.

I always say though, if you are unhappy or unsure, always best to get it checked out (plus you are into Day 3 of calpol which ideally should not be given longer). Better to be told everything is fine, than to have a poorly baby.

I remember when ds2 was about a year old, he was crying pulling his ear, rubbing his face- put it down to teething, he also had the classic bright red cheeks.

After 2 days he was still the same, so I was in work and my dm said she would take him to the GP.

Whilst in the waiting room he let out out the most piercing scream. Dm said she'd never heard anything like it. He had his head on her shoulder, and he pulled back and there was all puss and blood on her top and running out of his ear.

GP called him in and would not even touch his ear- he had an abscess deep inside that had burst.

I felt soooooo guilty that he had been in that amount of pain and I had put it down to teething.

After it burst though, he perked right up. A few days of antibiotics and he was fine, no lasting damage.

High fever and unusual cry warrants urgent investigation. Trust your instincts and don't worry about NHS. If they can't see a clearly sick and distressed baby/toddler, then let's stop pretending that they are so marvellous.

I would be concerned re meningitis (although rare and unlikely). It does not always present with rash. Is she light sensitive or stiff necked at all?

Thank you so much everyone. You helped a lot. Just not being alone in the night with a poorly baby helped reduce the anxiety... She finally slept without interruption from 4am to 8 (after I partially undressed her so Streetlife, you might be right... could she cry that bad just because she’s hot??). I called our GP this morning. After asking few questions he said he’d see her if really want to but he doesn’t think it’s necessary. To him looks like your good old seasonal virus, go on with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Call back if she gets worse or is still feverish on Thursday (5 days of fever). She’s still feverish but having a better end of night makes me hope she’s getting better already. Thanks again.