Sleep Apnea

[Lamona]

DD3 recently started pausing breathing in her sleep and then gasping for breath 15 seconds later. GP has said its sleep apnea caused by huge tonsils. He said there's nothing they'll do unless it affected her development.
It doesn't sit right with me. I'm not sleeping because I'm listening to her splutter and gasp. Shouldn't they be removing her tonsils- or at least sending her for an ENT checkup?
WIBU to ask for a referral? Does anyone have any experience of this? Its causing me major anxiety. She's tired during the day- but its all come on so quickly it hasn't had a major impact on her life yet. but I'm the one whose not sleeping at all... i feel so helpless and don't think I can wait the 3-4 years until she "grows into her tonsils"

Get a different doctors opinion, ask for a referral or just keep going back saying this is causing her sleep deprivation ( which waking up every so often definitely will)

He seemed so calm and factual- like it's normal to just wait it out for a few years. I don't want to do that but I don't know if thats just what happens normally.

Definitely a paediatric ENT referral! There are things that can be done. You must be terrified to see her struggle to breathe.
If your GP is being a dick about it “affecting her development “ then yes, it is!
She’s not sleeping, is irritable, off her food and generally distressed.
Demand a referral!
Good luck op x

Thanks. He just gave the impression it was just one of those childhood things that you have to wait out.

My DS has his tonsils out in March because of sleep apnoea.

It has made a world of difference. Try to get a second opinion

Your GP’s being ridiculous. She has a sleep disorder that needs to be addressed. Definitely ask for an ENT referral.

Definitely seek second opinion, from paediatric ENT specialist. This just doesn't sound right. If the tonsils are responsible for sleep apnoea, it will take too long to "grow into them" ... in fact they are likely to just keep growing with DD. Besides, there may well be adenoids there too. Airway needs sorting, pronto.

Good Lord you definitely need to assertively insIst on a referal to the EMT.
Use an another Doctor if need be.
What a bloody thing to leave you with.
Oh she's got sleep apnea but I'm not going to do anything for it.
My dad had sleep apnea he was given a mask. It worked wonders. It's obviously not a cure but a solution. Did he not speak to you about a mask. That's assuming they have them for children.

Exactly what AntI says.
If she's only 3 years old. It's going to a long bloody time for her to grow into her tonsils.
What an idiot comment

Hi
Over time sleep apnea puts a strain on the heart pls get it sorted
Much love to you

Hi OP
I've been through exactly the same with my DD.
She was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea, we ended up going private to see a paediatric ENT consultant. X ray showed her list nasal space completely blocked by adenoids.
She was skinny, tired, and after we had them out, she is completely different. Put on weight, so much better, appetite completely transformed.
I would push and push for a referral.
The only problem was, a criteria has to be filled to qualify for the op. Then finding had to be applied for, approved, and only then she was on the waiting list for surgery.
I agree it was terrifying to watch her struggling for breath.
Push and push for the referral OP

My niece had her tonsils and adenoids out (and grommets put in) because if sleep apnea when she was only two. It can be serious and you should definitely seek a second opinion pushing for an ENT referral

Second opinion or try to get a referral. It's simply not on that something like Sleep Apena can be so causally brushed under the carpet as one of those "childhood things" that she will grow out of ?

He said a tonsillectomy would cure it, so that's what needs to be done.
Horrible condition, had it myself years ago, used to wake up heart racing and feeling awfully tired the next day. Thankfully I had a great doc who dealt with the cause quickly and easily.

Good luck to you and your little one.

Definitely get a second opinion and a referral. My DS has just undergone a sleep study to see how oxygen levels are affected by large tonsils during the night. It's my understanding that they do remove tonsils if it's affecting oxygen levels.

Good grief, yes definitely see another doctor to get an ent referral. I had it when I was a child and had to have my tonsils removed, albeit in 1972.

Thank you everyone. I needed to hear I wasn't being unreasonable!
I've got an appointment to talk to the same GP tomorrow. I'm going to insist on a referral. None of us had much rest last night.
DD has private medical through her dad's work- which I've never had to use. Does anyone know how that works for referrals? Can I insist on a referral to private if the GP digs in his heels about NHS referral?

We have private medical insurance through my husband's work. You'll be seen very quickly, might have to pay an excess (I think ours was £100 for my husband's last treatment he had over the course of 6 months). This may sway your Gp if they realise you're going down the private route.

The only reason we didn't go with a private referral is that our local private hospital doesn't see children so we would have had to have traveled further afield. Hope you get sorted.

Ask for a referral to a ENT. My daughter had undiagnosed sleep apnea at night. We initially didn’t suspect anything was amiss with her. When she was a little over a month old I actually witnessed her stop breathing. So I made a video of what I was seeing on my phone and then emailed the pediatrician. We were immediately asked to head to the hospital. Hopefully you’ll be seen soon. Consider going private if they cannot help you.