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Original poster

What to do next? (Poorly 7 year old)

75 replies

Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 21:45

DS started being Ill 9 days ago.

High temp (40 at highest), cough, sore throat but mostly when coughing.
Saw GP on day 3 told it was viral give Calpol, fluids etc

He didn't get any better (although temp stopped being quite so high but still high) sleeping a lot, very grumpy. So I phoned 111 on Friday evening and went to out of hours GP, told again just viral.

Seemed to pick up Saturday and Sunday Am but then Sunday PM went downhill again, cough got worse, bad pain in throat when coughing.

Phoned 111 again bank holiday Monday and took him to out of hours GP who looked in his throat and said it's tonsilitis and uvula stuck to roof of mouth, tonsils very swollen (that's what's causing cough apparently, his chest is clear) and coating pus on one tonsil.
Gave him anti biotics and said he'd feel better in a couple of days.

It's been 36 hours and he's not really better. He's quite bright with ibuprofen almost like his normal self but still coughing but as soon as it wears off he gets tired, grumpy and temp goes up (not been higher than 38 since this morning but was up to 39.3 during last night)

OH isn't worried, in fact he pissed off out at 3pm yesterday afternoon to his mates and came back at about midnight (He can't remember what time exactly says he was too drunk to remember)

I had 4 hours sleep last night and managed to get an hour this afternoon but am now up with him and will be until 11pm when he can have last dose of anti biotics (OH gave him pasta at 9pm and anti B have to be taken on empty stomach)

The dog wakes up at 5am anyway.

I'm not sleeping well anyway because I'm waiting for him to wake up poorly with raging temp like he did last night.

I suffer with anxiety which has been bad for a few months but so much worse with this.

I'm so worried I keep crying but trying not to let DS see it.

I honestly don't know what to do if hes not showing improvement by tomorrow. I'm worried about sepsis, meningitis and leukemia (I'm sure most of you are making the face at the phone my OH makes at me)

Sorry I know that's long but honestly don't know what to do. He's never been poorly for this long.

OP posts:
recklessgran · 28/05/2019 21:47

How old is he OP?

Mummyshark2019 · 28/05/2019 21:49

I would take him to the drop in centre. I would not allow this to continue. Hope he feels better soon. Flowers

Quartz2208 · 28/05/2019 21:50

What antibiotics is he is on. It sounds like it could be a tricky strep A infection that is not shifting DS had it, a friend of his had it and a friend of mine. All need 2 doses antibiotics (second one really strong 4 times a day stuff) to get rid of it
Check his throat yourself and if not better get to the doctors and ask for a swab

And your OH is a twat I’m dorry

Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 21:52

He's 7.

If I go anywhere tomorrow I'll ask for blood tests and chest x ray.

OH says I'm going to get reported to social services for calling 111 so often.

OP posts:
recklessgran · 28/05/2019 21:53

Oh sorry - just saw he's 7. Well, what has he got to say - is he feeling better than he was? If he's got antibiotics then I think you've got to give them a chance to work - 3 days maybe. His temp. seems to be coming down a bit too. See how you feel in a day or so OP. If you don't think he's improving then maybe get him looked at again. I know it's scary when they're ill but there are some really weird viruses about. Is he able to drink plenty? Don't worry about food at all but he does need plenty of fluids.

milkshak3 · 28/05/2019 21:53

I would take him back to GP in the morning. no question. hope he is on the mend soon!

milkshak3 · 28/05/2019 21:54

OH says I'm going to get reported to social services for calling 111 so often.

he is an idiot and you know that!

Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 21:55

I'm not sure about the anti biotic type it's in the fridge and I'm too tired to check. I know it's penicillin based and 4 times a day though.

He's totally fine when calpol/ibuprofen kicks in and like his normal self just with a cough!

OP posts:
milkjetmum · 28/05/2019 21:56

My threshold for thinking children are 'properly' poorly is the food test. If they wont eat or drink then thats when I am worried most, especially if they wont even have their favourites eg chocolate button or chocolate milk.

Sounds like your ds has an appetite, so if eating and drinking well I would suggest things are looking ok. Tonsilitis is terrible, my dd missed a week of school each side of a half term with it.

I hope your ds feels better soon, and of course if his fever peaks again you should phone out of hours for advice. Might be draft question but are you doing calpol +ibuprofen? If not, start doing both (I usually alternate so something is going in every 2-3hr.

Not surprising that your anxiety is triggered in this stressful time, once the dust has settled it might be worth reviewing if you are looking after yourself as well as you do for others Flowers

Quartz2208 · 28/05/2019 21:56

A throat swab would be your best bet if they are still pus filled and swollen. Had you had a look (doctors use I phones)

Cath2907 · 28/05/2019 21:56

Take him back to the GP in the morning if temp still v. High overnight. Sounds like a different antibiotic might be needed.

moreismore · 28/05/2019 21:57

If antibiotics aren’t working it could be a nasty virus? I can understand why you are concerned but the most important thing is that he isn’t getting drastically worse. How does he feel in himself? It may just be a bad virus and unluckily a secondary infection. Obviously continue to seek medical advice if that’s what your instincts tell you, but don’t worry solely on length of illness.

Houseonahill · 28/05/2019 22:01

It's only been 36 hours and his temp is coming down. Keep an eye on temp if it goes above the 39.3 you said it was at yesterday or he's no better after being on antibiotics for 3 days definitely go back to GP. The fact he is his normal self when on ibuprofen and temp is slowly coming down are really good signs.

nocoolnamesleft · 28/05/2019 22:01

Hang on, how long has he actually been on antibiotics? Only 36 hours? They don't usually work that fast.

endofthelinefinally · 28/05/2019 22:03

Are you shaking the bottle thoroughly before giving him a dose?
I had strep throat years ago. It wasn't sensitive to the first lot of ABx, I had to have a different, second course.
Are you giving ice lollies, cold jelly, ice cream?
I wouldn't hesitate to get him seen again if he is still feverish and in pain.
Your partner is an idiot. Ignore him.

Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 22:05

He's fine in himself when the calpol/Ibuprofen kicks in and says he feels better but then the pattern continues.

You can tell when it's worn off during the night because he starts moaning in his sleep.

He's currently sitting next to me on the sofa enjoying BGT and temp is normal.

He's drinking plenty and he's eating ok once painkillers have kicked in.

I've got a long standing fear of social services taking him or OH getting custody because of my history of anxiety, but I'm not going to let that stop me from taking him to get help.

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 28/05/2019 22:05

Oh, just realised he hasn't even had 48 hours on the ABx yet. See how he is after 2 days worth.
Continue with painkillers and plenty of fluids.

bluebluezoo · 28/05/2019 22:07

If I go anywhere tomorrow I'll ask for blood tests and chest x ray

Not being funny but what good will that do you or him? Exposing him to radiation when not clinically indicated if his chest is clear, and blood tests in children can be pretty traumatic for everyone. Results will show what? Infection markers, which you know about.

Tbh it sounds like a pretty horrible virus. If he’s ok with brufen just keep on with that. Sepsis, meningitis and leukaemia are unlikely to improve with brufen so I wouldn’t worry too much.

Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 22:08

Yes he is an idiot. In many ways he is wonderful dad but there is a history of him prioritising drinking with his friends over poorly DS.

Apendecitis, sprained ankle which docs thought was broken and now this.

I've got everything crossed that he's better tomorrow. I feel so so sorry for him (and if I'm honest feeling pretty sorry for myself too.)

OP posts:
Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 22:11

Bluezoo yes I know, that's my anxiety talking. I've always found the children's a and e doctors more thorough and had so many things misdiagnosed at the GPS (me rather than DS) that my trust isn't really there.

I'm sounding more unhinged the more I write aren't I!

OP posts:
FoxSquadKitten · 28/05/2019 22:15

OH says I'm going to get reported to social services for calling 111 so often.

Your OH is a twat.
You don't sound unhinged you sound like a very worried mother doing the best for her son.
Hope he's better soon 💐

Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 22:16

OH is in his 40s by the way just for context (I'm fucking angry can you tell?!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Notrusthere · 28/05/2019 22:17

Thank you fox

OP posts:
BiscuitDrama · 28/05/2019 22:20

I think that he’s responding to calpol is really reassuring. We’ve had quite a few meningitis type scares (non blanching rashes and fever) and the drs always put a lot of emphasis on that.

I’d also not be expecting to see an improvement from the antibiotics quite yet.

You sound exhausted. I hope you can get some sleep.

Your OH sounds horrible.

SinjunRivers · 28/05/2019 22:21

Take a deep breath.
He's had 36 hours on antibiotics. You need to see how he is after 3 days on them.
Alternate calpol and ibuprofen. His temp is coming down gradually. The pain is eased by painkillers and he is able to eat and drink.
Let him rest.
Unless he gets drastically worse or stops improving he appears to be on the mend.
You are doing everything you can and you are exhausted and your anxiety has kicked in big time.
Honestly, from what you have written he sounds like he is improving.
Wish him a speedy recovery.

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