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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think we are fine to wait to speak to the GP tomorrow?!

27 replies

Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:37

My mum is driving me mad (in a lovely caring way).

DS is 16 months and has had a low temperature, not a fever, on and off for two weeks. Only in the afternoons (seen some
Other posts on this but no replies to them!) bizarrely usually around the time he goes to sleep for his wee afternoon nap.

The GP is aware - he had a brief hospital visit about three and a half weeks ago due to fever and rash which ended up being viral.

He got better but then this started happening, around the time he also got very very red cheeks on and off, dribbling, trying to chew on everything, vile and more frequent dirty nappies.

I’ve spoken to GP again yesteday and today because it got a bit higher than it has been (38) they weren’t worried as he is otherwise well and said they’ll call me back tomorrow morning.

My mum is panicking and saying I should be insisting he’s seen and making me feel like a terrible mother. She keeps sending me links to things like viral pneumonia and kidney infections (I’m aware a low “fever” can be a UTI) and is really making me anxious when I wasn’t worried after speaking to the surgery.

I’ll be speaking to a doctor tomorrow, his temperature is now 37.4 and 37.3 so back to normal so it was a brief low temp spell that lasted an hour or so.

She thinks I’m being too laid back considering it’s been going on for a couple of weeks (but not constant!)

AIBU!!

OP posts:
MammaBear92 · 05/05/2021 15:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:43

Hey @MammaBear92 he’s definitely teething. Can spot two wee gnashers in his bottom gums (you know when they are about to break through they suddenly become very visible?) and he’s biting on everything.
Mum thinks I’m being too chilled out because it’s been going on for a week or two, but I’ve been in touch with the surgery during this time and teething episodes can go on for weeks in my experience!
Is your DC generally fine aside from being warmer and usual teething signs?

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:44

She’s just really made me second guess myself and now I’m wielding the thermometer at the poor wee boy every couple of hours and feeling my anxiety levels rise if it’s started to creep up again.

OP posts:
Lougle · 05/05/2021 15:44

38°c is a fever. It's not a low temp. Having said that, if it's only for a short while, he's otherwise ok and your GP is aware, then watch and wait is a sensible choice.

Namechange13101 · 05/05/2021 15:45

Sounds like textbook teething.....my DD was the same. If I were you I’d watch and wait.

MammaBear92 · 05/05/2021 15:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flashylamp · 05/05/2021 15:51

It wouldn't even occur to me to take my babies temperature every day, what prompted that?

Your mother sounds neurotic tbh. Your child has had a recent viral infection and it honestly just sounds like they are teething now.

Out of interest, are you taking the temperature before, after or during the nap?

Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:51

@Lougle yes I’m aware 38 is a fever, I didn’t phrase that well, he’s only gone up that high twice and once was yesterday which is when I rang up. Aside from that the highest it’s gone has been 37.8

I think her issue is that we have been watching and waiting for a couple of weeks now, but as I said I’m speaking to the GP again tomorrow, got advice from the hospital (due to his previous stay) so it’s not like
I’m just merrily ignoring it

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:51

Thanks for advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:53

@flashylamp I wouldn’t normally either but since our hospital visit I seem to have become a neurotic thermometer wielding lunatic. I can’t seem to tell from touching him
Anymore, he seems to feel constantly warm to me (husband seems to have a better measure)
But because mum keeps on I’m now paranoid I’m going to miss a spike and a fever

I’ve taken the temps just before his nap, it’s when it always seems to be raised

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:54

Thanks @MammaBear92 that’s reassuring
I will still get him checked as planned

He does get a sudden red face and feel warm to touch which prompts the thermometer attack! Poor wee boy

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:55

And thank you @Lougle sorry if that came across as arsey! Wasn’t intended :)

OP posts:
flashylamp · 05/05/2021 15:57

[quote Acrookedhorse]@flashylamp I wouldn’t normally either but since our hospital visit I seem to have become a neurotic thermometer wielding lunatic. I can’t seem to tell from touching him
Anymore, he seems to feel constantly warm to me (husband seems to have a better measure)
But because mum keeps on I’m now paranoid I’m going to miss a spike and a fever

I’ve taken the temps just before his nap, it’s when it always seems to be raised[/quote]

When is the low temperature though? After the nap when he is naturally cooler?

wateraddict · 05/05/2021 15:57

This was classic teething for my little one as well. Vile green nappies that smelt of vinegar, pink cheeks and a temp of 38 which could be brought down with paracetamol. My doc wrote a letter to nursery explaining that she was happy for DC to be on paracetamol for weeks for teething as it was so predictable and nursery kept wanting to send her home each time for fear of illness. In the end they just used to call to say 'another tooth, can we give paracetamol?' Which worked well for everyone. DC wanted to stay and play and it was more fun and a good distraction.

flashylamp · 05/05/2021 15:58

Your mum is massively over reacting. It helps no one to jump to the worst case scenario. You will know yourself if your baby needs to be seen sooner.

Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 15:59

@flashylamp usually after nap once he’s had his snack it’s lower. It’s Lower all morning, and sometimes goes up in the evening around bedtime after his milk, then I’ve been checking him when I go to bed (I know, I know) and he’s always 35.9/36.4 ish so naturally cools overnight and his fine again in the morning
It seems to be around lunchtime and sometimes late afternoon/ early evening so when he’s tired actually

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 16:00

@flashlamp thanks
I have pointed out I knew when to get him to the doctors previously when he had to go to hospital.
I suffer from health anxiety unfortunately and generally have it well managed but this is starting to trigger it again as I’m starting to distrust myself

OP posts:
flashylamp · 05/05/2021 16:03

[quote Acrookedhorse]@flashylamp usually after nap once he’s had his snack it’s lower. It’s Lower all morning, and sometimes goes up in the evening around bedtime after his milk, then I’ve been checking him when I go to bed (I know, I know) and he’s always 35.9/36.4 ish so naturally cools overnight and his fine again in the morning
It seems to be around lunchtime and sometimes late afternoon/ early evening so when he’s tired actually[/quote]

I'm no medic but I have raised some DC and this sounds perfectly normal to me. Obviously discuss it with your GP as you plan.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 05/05/2021 16:07

It sounds like classic teething to me. Especially the dragging on for weeks.

Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 16:08

@flashylamp do you mean getting warmer prior to a nap is normal?
I will definitely check with GP just to be safe I was just starting to think I was going slightly crazy due to mums attitude
Thanks for your posts

@wateraddict thank you for posting. As it has only got to 38 twice we haven’t given him calpol every time, especially as he seems well, only on those occasions. I was concerned about giving him too much over weeks of it is teething, especially as he seems ok.
Must have been a pain with nursery initially.

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 16:08

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut thank you. I think the thing that made me think it wasn’t teething was the fact it’s so time predictable, but then I guess there’s no reason as infection would be set times either!

OP posts:
flashylamp · 05/05/2021 16:11

do you mean getting warmer prior to a nap is normal?

I think you are obsessing over it tbh. Yes it is normal for a temp to go up and down slightly. Particularly the low temp when he is asleep/after his nap. Babies don't regulate the same as us and if they are sleeping their temp can often drop a bit. They also get warmer when they are more active. What you describe sounds like it's on the outer edge of 'normal' range.

wateraddict · 05/05/2021 16:12

@Acrookedhorse it was a pain initially but I was very pleased to work it out. I am sure checking with your GP will help you find what's best for you too. Mine is a paediatric specialist which made me feel more comfortable about giving the pain relief as needed. All the best for your little one!

Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 16:14

@flashylamp oh i am, undoubtedly. I wasn’t, but I am now. The lower end of the scale hasn’t bothered me it’s just the higher end.
But hopefully the GP will be able to help tomorrow

OP posts:
Original poster
Acrookedhorse · 05/05/2021 16:22

I think I need to calm down with the thermometer, mute mums WhatsApp’s for this afternoon and just not stress about it and speak to the doctor as planned

Would be great if it was teething (not that he’s suffering but you know what I mean!)

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