A&E or wait to see the Gp??

[ohnoohnoo]

Have posted a few times about this issue, I should probably change my username as my details are now probably quite outing but I've kept it the same so people can see the previous issues!

Short version of backstory is that DD (5) has been poorly every few days since Feb which was when she got admitted in to hospital with stomach pains and vomiting. Eventually needed a drip and was told it was some sort of gastroenteritis. Since then she has been on antibiotics almost constantly for different things, tonsillitis, urine infections etc. She can't seem to go more than 5ish days without coming down with something else.

Things ramped up 3 weeks ago when she got another urine infection. Temp went to the highest it had ever been (41+), got put on antibiotics and after a couple of days seemed to be getting better. However she then developed severe diarrhoea, going up to 15 times a day and it was just fluid, sometimes had blood in it. That has continued and is still going on.

Gp agreed to do a stool sample and also referred for bloods to see if there is a reason she keeps getting poorly. Stool sample has come back negative for c diff, gastroenteritis and anything else they tested for. She is booked in to the hospital for bloods tomorrow.

Here's where I'm not sure what to do. I picked her up from school yesterday and as soon as we got home she started screaming and crying saying her stomach hurt again, she was literally lying in the foetal position and said she couldn't move. Gave her some calpol and rang Gp to let them know it was happening again. They have booked us in for a face to face appt this morning. Since then she has developed a really high fever and is still crying with stomach pain.

Should I wait and take her to the Gp this morning or should I just take her up to A&E so they can see how bad she is getting and hopefully find the cause quicker? I don't want to waste anybody's time but I'm also at the end of my tether and just want somebody to help her.

Just to confirm she is no longer screaming with the pain but has been struggling to sleep all night because of it

a and e. Not to worry you, but really just to get the wee mite into the system so she can be investigated all at once rather than in dribs and drabs

Your poor daughter xx
I think if she is no longer screaming, is there a chance you can dose her up with calpol and get her to sleep until the appointment?

I’m just guessing that time-wise to seeing a doctor there’s probably not much in it by now, by the time they triage her in A&E. So long as she’s not in serious pain she may as well be getting some sleep while waiting rather than sitting in uncomfy chairs in A&E?

Sounds a bit like appendicitis I'd definitely take her to a&e.

Regular antibiotics can affect your digestive system, and much of your immune system is located in your gut. Gut health is therefore very important to overall health. I'm not saying she shouldn't have her immediate health issues investigated, of course that's the immediate priority. However, I'd also look at trying to improve her gut health at the same time.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3337124/

I'd look to temporarily eliminate sugar from her diet, and ideally bread, as she may have candida (urinary infection indicates this is a possibility) and candida feeds off sugar and yeast. Get her to eat probiotic yogurts. Try and introduce foods that promote a healthy gut and reduce candida.

A&E..... I'm with the appendicitis...... Or Could be a grumbling appendix...hope she feels better soon xx

If she's able to doze I'd wait to see the GP as hopefully they'll send her directly to the correct department.

currently at most A&E the waiting times are really long.

However if she has another really bad bout I'd call for an ambulance for her, unless you live very close to the hospital. They won't mind coming out for a small child & it's better she's in an ambulance en route than your car.

bless, hope they get it sorted soon for her xx

Has the temperature responded to drugs and come down? What's your A and E like, will she see a children's doctor there or get seen after a long wait by the same doctor who does adults? For us, the best way to get specialist pediatric input would be for the GP to send you in to the children's Day assessment unit (if your hospital has one). Failing that, them calling the hospital for urgent advice at least gets some form of expert input.

Just to answer a few questions. The temp hasn't responded to calpol, but that's usual for her. Normally only ibuprofen brings it down but we have been told not to give her that until they know what is going on. She's woken up now and is watching tv. Still very hot. She is fine one second then crying and writing around the next

Also at our hospital they have a childrens a&e so they don't have to sit in the normal department

I would definitely take to A&E. This has been going on for long enough now and if she’s still writhing around in pain intermittently then I think take her.
I agree with the poster above about the gut health after antibiotics - acidophilus is supposed to be good for post antibiotic use.
I think a&e now though. I hope you get some answers soon 🙏🏼

@ohnoohnoo we have a children's A and E department too - but it's the same A and E doctors covering that and the adults one. Last time we were in (tonsillitis) we were seen by a locum. Whilst we were prescribed antibiotics which fixed the urgent issue, without a family friend doctor I wouldn't have known they hadn't prescribed a long enough dose and that I needed to go in to my GP 4 days later to get more...

If she's still hot and in pain though I'd probably take her in though.

If she's no worse pain wise I'd do gp first then follow up with a&e if not satisfied. Small children do get repeated illnesses but I think you are definitely at the point now where more investigation is warranted. Your poor dd

Another one who thinks a and e as could be appendicitis.

What's the current wait at A&E?

It may be that you end up there anyway after seeing the GP

I think you have to be careful - don’t assume current pain is linked to the other pains - as others said could be her appendix this time.
also my son often had high temps as a child (over 40 about 30 times before he was 3). I would take to a& e because she will be seen by a peds doctor - gp can’t really do much but refer to a&e or the long route via peds department whereas an a&e dep can get her seen quicker. Has she been tested for ceoliac disease?
also tummy pain can actually be headache pain in kids.

also from my a&e experience early morning could be a good time to go as people tend to take kids there after school or during the day after seeing gp in the morning

Thanks for all the comments. Just got to A&E. will update when we know more.

A and E . I’m a doc. Its much easier to get the tests she needs done. If she needs a drip they can do it. Easier to refer for tests / Paeds/ surgical opinion et .

How far is your nearest children's hospital? And does it have A&,E?

Hoping it’s nothing at all but glad you’re in the right place to be treated and get some answers a bit quicker 🤞🏼

Another who was about to ask about coeliac disease. Poor little thing, I hope she's feeling better soon.