To have insisted DD be checked by a doctor (again)?

[anxiousmumagain]

As my NC suggests I'm quite an anxious mum and prone to worrying about every little thing so I don't know if I'm overreacting here or not. DP has made me feel like I am. Hence my posting.

DD (14 months) has had recurring viral infections for several months now, probably a new one every 4-5 weeks. When she gets unwell has a horrendous cough to the point of vomiting, streaming nose, temp of 38 or higher (39.5 at its highest), no appetite, and is generally sleepy and lethargic. She became unwell this time around just before the bank holiday weekend last week. On Friday evening I was concerned about her breathing which appeared shallow and fast, so I called 111 and they advised we take her to A&E. She was seen and we were told (again) "it's just viral" and that whilst her chest appeared to be "sucking in on one side" (paediatric doctor's words), they weren't concerned enough to keep her in. So she came home.

Fast forward to 5 days later and she is still no better. Obviously we have kept her home from childcare and DP and I have take days off work between us. Monday was my turn. On Monday her temp soared yet again and she was very sleepy and refusing any fluids. I rang the GP, they told me to take her to see them. GP examined her and said "just viral" and "not concerned". She said the fact she makes a full recovery between episodes of infection is reassuring. No treatment, just sent home.

Today DP looked after DD whilst I slept (supposed to be at work but I have come down with the same virus and feel dreadful myself so I've spent the entire day in bed pretty much). I woke up around 5pm and went downstairs to see how she was. DP said she had only just woken up after sleeping for "about 3 hours" (she never, ever sleeps for this length of time, it's typically 1.5-2 hrs max for her afternoon naps). She still looked sleepy and lethargic, eyes bright red and weeping, and again refusing any sips of water from her cup. She had also developed a rash across her upper chest and neck area, removed her vest and it's down onto her tummy as well. DP said he he noticed it earlier but wasn't concerned. He was equally unconcerned about her unusual length of sleep, and her refusal of water. I changed her nappy - there was the tiniest amount of wetness but nothing like what there should be for 3 hours later (DP said she took a small amount of milk before she slept).

Putting it all together I said to DP I'm really worried, I want her to be seen again. Especially with the rash and refusal fluids. DP said he didn't think this was necessary and that I was overreacting. I said I just keep thinking "what if?", especially when I've read about sepsis and how dangerous it can be. DP said "you need to stop reading stuff online". That was the extent of his support.

So I rang 111 regardless - a lovely nurse listened to my concerns and advised we take her again to a&e to be seen. DP grumpily and reluctantly said he would take her (I offered but he said no as I'm not well either so he would do it). He's currently at a&e with her waiting to be seen. So this will be the 3rd time she's been seen by a medic in 5 days.

AIBU? Am I a neurotic overreacting mother to be worried about something more serious being wrong? DP has made me feel like I am. I'm just so worried about my constantly poorly baby. 😢

My DD had sepsis at 23 hours old. The symptoms were high pitched cry, very low temperature (rarer presentation - usually its a very high temperature), very sleepy even for newborn, then mottled skin on her legs. It led to 3 days in NICU and 7 days in SCBU before she could come home.

With your DC, I'd be concerned that the rash could indicate meningitis rather than than sepsis. Have you done the glass test? If you've spoken to 111, then it sounds like hospital is the best place to be, especially after its gone on for so long. Trust your Mama instincts!!

These viruses are so tough on little ones - my DD is now 11months and has had about 5 since starting nursery a couple of months ago.

By the way - our hospital neonatal unit recommended this thermometer as being the most accurate when compared with theirs. www.boots.com/new-braun-age-precision-digital-stick-prt2000-thermometer-10184392 They said the forehead ones don't always give an accurate reading. Might be worth investing.

Hope she is better soon 💐

Poor thing (you!).
Hopefully your DD will get sorted soon and you get some rest x

@Thereisnolight

DD had her 1 year vaccines inc MMR on 26th May and just under 7 days later she became unwell with this infection. I did wonder if there could be a connection.

If it was my child I would insist on full bloods before discharge. Also to be seen by a doctor, not a nurse.

I think you're doing the right thing. My DD is 16 months and has had very similar for the past 6 months or so - constant viruses, temps up and down, constant snot and coughing. I rang the doctor a couple of times and they said all very normal, wait and see, ring again if any change or additional queries. However, my DD never had a rash, lethargy to the extent you describe, sucking in on breathing and not drinking etc - I'd do exactly the same as you have in your position and I'm not a very doctor-y person at all. 10 yo DS has been twice in his life other than vaccines! Hope she is seen quickly and all is OK .

@Iwonder08

She's been triaged by the nurse and is waiting for doctor apparently. I would insist on the same if I was there but DP is far less assertive (and concerned) than I am so I know he wouldn't do this. I'm now wishing I'd gone with her instead of him.

The red eyes and measley rash sound like my DN.
Yes, if lethargic and not drinking a couple of blood tests are in order.

You poor thing, I’m so sorry. You’re an amazing mum, look how hard you’re fighting for your baby to get the care she needs. And you’re ill too, you must be exhausted and drained and you’re doing no one any favours by beating yourself up.

Always trust your gut. Always. That’s what it’s there for.

It's absolutely normal for a nurse to triage and a doctor to then assess. The alternative is for everyone to wait for a doctor which would mean people would be seen in chronological rather than clinical order. No need for him to be assertive, it's standard.

@Artwodeetoo

I was referring to being assertive about bloods being done, not the nurse triaging.

@AnneLovesGilbert
Thank you 😢

It does sound like a reaction to MMR, often 7-11 days later.
Its such a worry when they’re little

If you’re ever concerned then definitely take her to A&E but if it’s not urgent then try and see the GP as if you’re seeing them regularly they might be able to build a better picture.

I knew someone who sounded very similar to your DD as a baby. I don’t think they ever got to the bottom of it but she did have asthma so I don’t know if that’s a connection.

She may have allergies to something which is why she keeps getting poorly. Or it may be one of the illnesses that’s going round.

I really hope you get some answers soon.

You are absolutely not bu to have her seen again. Little ones can go downhill so quickly & I'm sure they would rather see 100 cases they didn't need to than miss one they did. I hope she's feeling better soon

You definitely were right that she needed checked over again. Your DH was also right to take her himself given you were so unwell yourself, you were in bed all day. Hopefully you will get an update soon.

Take her every bloody day if necessary. It may be nothing. It wasn't nothing with my
Little boy. A long time ago. But she's precious. Protect her. X

My daughter had very similar after her MMR (mini measles) the red eyes and high temp. She did manage enough fluid for wet nappies and temp was controlled enough with calpol and ibuprofen alternate doses. I would have absolutely took her to A&E in your circumstances though, you're doing the right thing. I hope she's ok X

Agree with pp about the under arm thermometer, much simpler and more accurate than forehead or ear ones (unless you're a medical professional)

My baby had back to back viruses from about six months onwards. He’s well over two now and it’s slowing down. It’s pretty much just how things go off the back of sheltered living during a pandemic, going to nursery and establishing an immune system.

He’d get 41 degree fevers randomly and it felt like he was forever on Calpol. But it was never anything sinister. His fevers are so tasty he has convulsions with them and also gets the classic viral rash, which is sounds like your kid has.

It’s always good to get checked, as a poster said earlier, doctors rely on us going back. I expect they’ll chuck you a course of penicillin V to give her to cover all bases now, but truly, it does sound pretty standard.

My kid also had his first whopper degree fever and convulsion a week after the one year jabs. They almost always get seem to get sick in one way of another after them.

If it helps reassure you, my daughter gets a rash every time she gets a virus and it has never been anything more serious. But we also had lots of trips to the GP around the same age as she was picking up all sorts of bugs - if you're worried, it is always better to get it checked out.

I hope she is better soon!

Sorry, I’ve just realised I’ve probably triggered you a bit there by not explaining the convulsions properly.

They’re febrile convulsions, not damaging at all, just because of his fever, he’ll grow out of them and it doesn’t mean he’ll have epilepsy.

I hope she feels better soon.

Yanbu. I would have been worried sick too. Get her checked as many times as you need, you can’t be too careful.

You’re her mum, don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re overreacting. It’s your job to worry and make sure you’re doing your best for your baby ❤️

My DC also ended up in hospital the day after MMR1 due to a 40 degree temperature that wouldn’t reduce and sky high heart rate. I knew something wasn’t right and called the GP. GP was very on it and sent us to A&E. DC was in over night on ABX and then under ‘hospital at home’ for a further three days. I’m partly posting because the hospital insisted it wasn’t the MMR vaccine that caused the problem. Reading this thread, it’s obvious that it did. You did the right thing.

Absolutely right to go back OP. Are they doing her SATs each time? Checking her oxygen levels?