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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be terrified of sepsis striking twice?

11 replies

Whatsername7 · 16/04/2019 19:29

Last month, dd2 (aged 2) developed sepsis after recurrent bouts of tonsilitis. Each time she had tonsilitis, we had been advised it was viral, then when she didnt get better they prescribed antibiotics. This last time, she was on oral antibiotics when she developed sepsis. We were in hospital for 5 days and she was given iv antibiotics. Due to how quickly it was spotted, we were repeatedly told we were very lucky. Fast forward one month and she is poorly again. Just starting with cold and a bit of a temperature. Im terrified. Im scared I won't spot it in time again. I think we are in for another bout of tonsilitis. Im also worried that im over reacting because im so scared. How do I cope?

OP posts:

Jinxed2 · 16/04/2019 19:31

I’m not sure the answer to this but I think you are right to be vigilant given the history and i wouldn’t hesitate to take her in to hospital to get checked out if you are worried at all x

Chartreuser · 16/04/2019 19:40

I am sorry to hear she is ill. My late mum had frequent bouts of sepsis, and was told as soon as she spiked a temp or got the rigours (shaking when actually got but the feel like they're cold) it was worth getting checked out, as they were her signs. She did have several conditions that made her more prone though.

Do you have a good gp you could get an emergency appt for tomorrow? May be with getting her checked out and get them to tell you especially what to keep an eye out for

Chartreuser · 16/04/2019 19:41

And obviously any concerns before then straight to a&e

Helspopje · 16/04/2019 19:43

Sorry to hear she was ill
I am also disproportionately amscated of another bout of sepsis
I’ve had it twice - kidneys packed in, low blood pressure went blue hands, feet and face and best part of it tried to die. Medics quoted 40% survival.
I live in absolute fear of another episode.

RosieposiePuddingandPi · 16/04/2019 19:57

I don't think there is an answer really except to try and stay calm, do what you need to to keep on top of the virus and go straight to the GP if you need to.
DS had sepsis last year when he was 1 and we came close to losing him and for the last year its put me on edge every time he gets a bad virus. The trauma of it has worn off a bit over time and I'm a lot more confident about reaching out to our doctor straight away if I'm worried. They're always happy to see us to put my mind at ease and it helps.

Original poster

Whatsername7 · 16/04/2019 20:02

Thank for the replies and sorry that you all have suffered too. If she has a bad night im definitely going to take her to the gp in the morning. It was a fluke that we caught it last time. 111 sent a paramedic, who incorrectly thought he heard crackles on her lungs. The A&E doc almost sent us home but had a second thought and decided to monitor her as her temperature hadnt come down after nurofen. I took her pj top off because I wondered if it would help her cool down and spotted the rash when it was literally a handful on spots. The doc forgot her notes and popped back in and I asked if the rash was something to worry about and then they ordered blood tests. The rash spread and she was on iv antibiotics with the hour. It was absolute chance that events happened the way they did. Im terrified that, next time, I wont be that lucky. My dad nearly died from Sepsis in August. Again, it was chance that they caught it. He had pneumonia. He was in A&E and my mum and I felt like he wasn't making much sense. I went to the loo, saw a poster that said 'ask us: could it be sepsis?'. I said to my mum as I was leaving that she should ask. She was assured it was pneumonia, but the hospital had no beds so he was transferred to another hospital who said he had the highest sepsis score they had seen in someone concious. He was admitted to the HDU and started the iv antibiotics and the dr told my mum that if they had left it just 20 minutes more he would have died. It is fucking terrifying. The sooner dd2 gets her tonsils out, the better.

OP posts:

nauseous5000 · 16/04/2019 20:03

Ok, whenever I get tonsillitis it develops into Quinsy, which is abad progression and can be life threatening if not treated, but at I'm 34 I can spot the signs and how I feel. I'd be asking the docs for a list of "when to A&E" in your position. Fc this time it's just a simple, viral thing x

Quartz2208 · 16/04/2019 20:15

DS had it from scarlet fever nearly 3 years ago and I have to say I am only just at the stage now that I dont completely panic when he is even slightly ill. I have had to train myself to compare how he was when he had it to a simple bout of tonsilitis.

It didnt help with us that about a month after he had an awful case of hand foot and mouth - he had a huge temperature and a bad headache to start with (it took 2 days for the spots to appear) and the doctor sent him to A&E. I do find though that with his history doctors are very reassuring and happy to look at him as well.

Oh and in the summer he had an episode on holiday where he had a febrile fit! So he does put me through it!

I have learnt to trust my instincts, try not to panic and go to the doctors when needed.

We have (touch wood) just gone 6 months now at 6 without tonsilitis so he is growing out if it

ElfridaEtAl · 16/04/2019 20:21

I think you're right to be vigilant and take her to the docs or 111/A&E overnight if she gets worse bless her. Like PPs I've had sepsis before, mine due to a kidney infection I wasn't even aware of and I get into such a panic at any twinges in my back or sides.
I was treated in hospital over a weekend, sent home and as it turned out the treatment hadn't been enough and I ended up back in the following weekend as it reared its head again.
for you OP and well wishes for your DD, I hope she doesn't get it this time around and that she feels better soon x

Quartz2208 · 16/04/2019 20:41

Thinking back we were in the OOH attached to the hospital when his rash appeared - an appointment that was later because I was waiting for his sister to come home - so all worked well

I found that medical professionals have always been very sympathetic and happy to check him over once they know his history at the start - about a year later I was on the phone to 111 and they sent an ambulance through - he had some pointers for sepsis again so they took him to A&E and they monitored him (he needed 2 lots of antibiotics to shift that one). And no one has ever said I was wasting time and have always been happy to reassure. In November he needed a strong antibiotic to shift it and he has been much better since

Original poster

Whatsername7 · 17/04/2019 07:56

Quartz it is so terrifying, isnt it? Dd2 has always been a worry. I had a tricky pregnancy, followed by induction for reduced movements and then she was resuscitated after the cord was wrapped around her neck. I think she is just going to keep me worrying! She has febrile seizures too! She seems ok this morning. Temperature doesnt seem to have spiked. I think i will just be on high alert for a while.

OP posts:

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