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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

235 replies

anxiousmumagain · 08/06/2022 19:05

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. 😢

OP posts:
whateveryouwantmetosay · 09/06/2022 23:59

I just wanted to pop on and say, OP, as I have read this thread that I am sorry you have had to deal with not only your baby being unwell and you (the expert on your child) being dismissed, but also the gaslighting and bullying towards you that has taken place on this thread.

Every single poster who has told this OP (both directly and in your passive aggressive "nice" way) that she is "just anxious" should move on to a different thread. You don't know the OP and you don't know her baby. If she says she's worried it's not a virus, she absolutely SHOULD be advocating that to the doctors. Doctors are wrong. All the time. In fact, I believe there is a whole other thread in AIBU unrelated to this specific thread about others experiences.

OP, listen to your gut. You aren't being a "neurotic anxious mother" you are being a sensible and balanced mother who knows their child better than anyone here. If you feel like something isn't right, keep going back. I once refused to leave the hospital when my DD was lethargic, feverish, etc so they relented and agreed to admit us even though I was reminded it was "just viral". It wasn't "just viral". When they "wasted all that NHS funding" to X-ray her, they found she had pneumonia DESPITE the clear chest.

Anyone else who has something critical to say, march on. May you know one day what kind of impact your poor choice of words and advice have on a mother. Karma.

SunflowerGardens · 10/06/2022 00:19

anxiousmumagain · 09/06/2022 17:15

She's had another off day. Temp has been OK but she's had little fluids and minimal food - refused pretty much everything I've tried her with apart from a few bites of banana and a bit of toast. She's currently sleeping (again). I've given her ice lollies to try and hydrate her - she's taken to those a bit better than juice or water from her cup. Nappies haven't been great - some of them diarrhoea and others bone dry, so I can't actually tell if she's weeing or not.

Such a worry. I HATE illnesses with a passion. Can't wait for her to be better.

How is she now?

Qazwsxefv · 10/06/2022 00:42

It’s not “just” a virus

viral infections can be v serious - covid is a virus, hiv is a virus

an infection being serious or prolonged does not mean it is bacterial rather than viral (or fungal)

antibiotics will do f all for a viral infection

what they may well do is give your child a rash (if viral infection is mono) and then they get labelled penicillin allergic which may well be v serious for them later on when they aren’t then given the antibiotics they need for a serious bacterial infection

having a viral infection does not mean a child may not be so unwell they need hospital treatment, they just don’t need antibiotics.

Basic blood tests are unlikely to be able to tell if a person has a viral or bacterial infection. Blood cultures which take five days may show a bacterial infection but can be normal in people with severe bacterial infections if they just don’t happen to pick up the bacteria . Viral swabs (like covid swabs) can show a viral infection but a negative swab doesn't rule out a viral infection. What a blood test could possibly help tell in a reasonable time frame is if the child is severely dehydrated or has a very low blood sugar. This can be often done by fingerpick (a “blood gas”) which is much less upsetting for the child.

multiple viral infections - around 12 a year - is standard when a child first starts attending childcare (or moves to a new setting with new bugs) and is more common than ever at present as the current crop of preschoolers didn’t get as much exposure to all the usual viral nasties that due the round when they were younger due to covid rules

OP - it sounds like the real concern here is dehydration not sepsis. Dehydration is always a risk with littles as they just don’t drink when their sick. Little and often of diyoralyte or apple juice 50:50 with water (not squash) will help hydrate her. Don’t stress about the food intake for a few days. If you are worried she is more sleepy and still not making 50% of her usual wet nappies do take her back/call 111 again.

Marotte · 10/06/2022 02:11

I do have a form of anxiety but I don't have health anxiety and wasn't particularly anxious when my young babies got ill and I still think you did the right thing. And 111 agreed with you so even if it turns out that she is just very prone to infections and sometimes gets a temperature and a rash and that's it, it won't have been a wasted trip out. Alternative there may be an underlying reason why she is getting so many infections or reacting this way or this infection might be different. It's better to be sure especially with small children. May I ask was she premature or otherwise needed any special care early on?

Marotte · 10/06/2022 02:14

I realise I should have RTFT. My original comment stands in terms of whether you did the right thing in the beginning and I am sorry to see from posts upthread that you have had a rough time of it on the forum but also have now had some good advice. If not about our precious children then WHAT are we allowed to check and doublecheck (and triplecheck if causes for concern although obviously not to extreme excess)?

fUNNYfACE36 · 10/06/2022 04:58

I spend more time with DD than DP does, I have done so since she was born. I know her in a way that he doesn't - I have an instinct that he doesn't
To be fair though your 'instinct' was wrong! I ou had her seen 3 times for what turned out to be another run of the mill infection, of which your child will have many more.
I think you perhaps do owe your dh an apology

whateveryouwantmetosay · 10/06/2022 05:16

fUNNYfACE36 · 10/06/2022 04:58

I spend more time with DD than DP does, I have done so since she was born. I know her in a way that he doesn't - I have an instinct that he doesn't
To be fair though your 'instinct' was wrong! I ou had her seen 3 times for what turned out to be another run of the mill infection, of which your child will have many more.
I think you perhaps do owe your dh an apology

You can't say her instinct was wrong. You don't know. Perhaps move on to another thread...

MrsMo21 · 10/06/2022 05:31

I feel like I could’ve written this thread myself as I’m going through the same thing with my DD 12 months right now. The latest one is she had what looked like a cold sore and my ‘D’H refused to take her to her doctors appointment because he says I’m a hypochondriac.
Turns out she has impetigo and needed antibiotic cream.
Thats the 5th doctors or hospital trip we’ve had in three weeks now because of viral illnesses (she’s been at Nursery 8 weeks and has been unwell the entire time since she started). I’m also really worried.

@anxiousmumagain you’re not alone. In fact, it’s really comforting to me to know you’re going through this too.

anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 07:58

whateveryouwantmetosay · 09/06/2022 23:59

I just wanted to pop on and say, OP, as I have read this thread that I am sorry you have had to deal with not only your baby being unwell and you (the expert on your child) being dismissed, but also the gaslighting and bullying towards you that has taken place on this thread.

Every single poster who has told this OP (both directly and in your passive aggressive "nice" way) that she is "just anxious" should move on to a different thread. You don't know the OP and you don't know her baby. If she says she's worried it's not a virus, she absolutely SHOULD be advocating that to the doctors. Doctors are wrong. All the time. In fact, I believe there is a whole other thread in AIBU unrelated to this specific thread about others experiences.

OP, listen to your gut. You aren't being a "neurotic anxious mother" you are being a sensible and balanced mother who knows their child better than anyone here. If you feel like something isn't right, keep going back. I once refused to leave the hospital when my DD was lethargic, feverish, etc so they relented and agreed to admit us even though I was reminded it was "just viral". It wasn't "just viral". When they "wasted all that NHS funding" to X-ray her, they found she had pneumonia DESPITE the clear chest.

Anyone else who has something critical to say, march on. May you know one day what kind of impact your poor choice of words and advice have on a mother. Karma.

Thank k you so much for this, honesty I'm desperately worried, she is no better this morning. I'm also really quite unwell myself, almost fainted yesterday in the kitchen and my throat is complete agony,my voice Is just a hoarse whisper it's almost gone.

I'm actually scared, we have no family nearby to help. Why aren't we getting better?

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:00

@Marotte

No she wasn't premature and no special care needed, she was healthy full term baby.

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:02

fUNNYfACE36 · 10/06/2022 04:58

I spend more time with DD than DP does, I have done so since she was born. I know her in a way that he doesn't - I have an instinct that he doesn't
To be fair though your 'instinct' was wrong! I ou had her seen 3 times for what turned out to be another run of the mill infection, of which your child will have many more.
I think you perhaps do owe your dh an apology

How was my instinct wrong and for what exactly do i owe him an apology???!

Do you have nothing better to do than make shitty comments on threads (not the first time I've seen your username against a shitty comment towards the Op).

Get a life and get off my thread. I am REALLY not in the mood.

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:02

MrsMo21 · 10/06/2022 05:31

I feel like I could’ve written this thread myself as I’m going through the same thing with my DD 12 months right now. The latest one is she had what looked like a cold sore and my ‘D’H refused to take her to her doctors appointment because he says I’m a hypochondriac.
Turns out she has impetigo and needed antibiotic cream.
Thats the 5th doctors or hospital trip we’ve had in three weeks now because of viral illnesses (she’s been at Nursery 8 weeks and has been unwell the entire time since she started). I’m also really worried.

@anxiousmumagain you’re not alone. In fact, it’s really comforting to me to know you’re going through this too.

Thank you and I'm so sorry you're also going through this. It's absolutely the pits. You have my empathy Flowers

OP posts:
NewMN · 10/06/2022 08:05

Instinct is there for a reason. Anxiety in small doses can help us right? Just don’t let it take over your life. The chances are you will both get better pretty soon.

You could always keep a log of symptoms if it helps.

anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:09

@NewMN

I started to do this yesterday actually - I've got notes saved in my phone of everything so I can be clear on the history of how often she's unwell and symptoms etc.

OP posts:
Idilliedanddallied · 10/06/2022 08:22

As the mother of a sickly child I just wanted to send you some love and support.
My son is also prone to getting everything- he has a rash several times a week, if he gets a cold he will get croup and cough for months, he has chronic stomach problems, it seems like he gets a temperature for 48 hours just because he is having a bad day! etc etc.

I’m not health anxious at all but it’s still exhausting and worrying- no one who hasn’t had a chronically ‘just not right’ child understands it I don’t think. Hopefully your daughter will grow out of it a bit as her immune system improves.

QuidditchThroughtheAges · 10/06/2022 08:35

@anxiousmumagain sounds so stupid but have you done a Covid test?

anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:40

@QuidditchThroughtheAges

I haven't, we don't have any. We all had covid back in January and has to test daily so used up our covid tests! Could we have it again so soon? 😕

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 08:42

@Idilliedanddallied
Thank you. Sorry to hear your little one is suffering too. It really is so upsetting to see them keep getting poorly and not understanding why. Sending love to you Flowers

OP posts:
QuidditchThroughtheAges · 10/06/2022 08:43

@anxiousmumagain yes absolutely! I've seen so
Many kids with it this week!

Marvellousmadness · 10/06/2022 08:44

Do a glass test next time to see if the rash dissapears when you press on it
A longer sleep is normal when a toddler feels like crap. And not enough fluids should be treated by other fluids like juice and or Icy poles etc anything really.

Dont go blaming your dh for not caring enough or be too hands off. Most of the times its first time mums that are overly anxious. 3 times to the a&e seems over the top for sure . You need to maybe do a bit more reading on how to help your child and not read dr google on what potentially could be wrong with your child as it is a dark rabbit hole...

Stay home when you are sick. Dont go spreading your illness to others.

itsgettingweird · 10/06/2022 08:53

Have you thought of trying a children's tonic like minidex?

It'll help set all her levels right as sometimes the back to back illness is because they don't ever fully recover enough to fight the next one.

I'd also consider another a and e if she's still got d and not peeing.

itsgettingweird · 10/06/2022 08:54

Have you thought of trying a children's tonic like minidex?

It'll help set all her levels right as sometimes the back to back illness is because they don't ever fully recover enough to fight the next one.

I'd also consider another a and e if she's still got d and not peeing.

anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 09:33

3 times to the a&e seems over the top for sure

If you bothered to read the OP properly it was TWICE to A&E and once to the GP. And both times we attended A&E on the advice of 111.

Are you saying it is "over the top" to follow medical advice you are given over the phone regarding your 14 month old baby?

Do you have small babies / toddlers? Have you ever been advised to take your little one to be seen at the hospital and ignored it? I'd argue that's stupid and risky, as opposed to arguing that I am over the top of doing precisely what I was advised to.

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 09:34

Last post was @Marvellousmadness

OP posts:
anxiousmumagain · 10/06/2022 09:35

@itsgettingweird

I hadn't considered that actually. I wonder why the GP hasn't mentioned anything like that? I might do a bit of research on it. Thank you .

OP posts: