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.

OP I'm so sorry you're going through this. When you see the paed can you push for more tests for underlying immune deficiencies? It does sound like she's really suffering disproportionately

She did have some blood tests done back in June or July which tested for an auto immune condition but everything came back clear. They are saying that the only reason she is getting poorly is just because of her tonsils. After it going on for so long I'm kind of at the point where I'm thinking it's been one long infection that they have never clearly managed to get rid of because I don't know how sometimes it's only been 4 or 5 days after finishing antibiotics that she gets poorly again. I'm really just hoping they will whip them out quickly and we will see out happy little girl back again

So this time is turning out much worse that the previous ones! Been on antibiotics since Sunday, had 3 febrile seizures since then as we are struggling to get her temp below 41. Still got a really high temp, won't eat as her throat and tummy is so sore. Her left tonsil is about double the size it normally gets. Saw our normal Gp last night, he could see how poorly she was and said he was debating sending her straight to a&e as she was so drowsy and hot but I asked if I could manage at home for a bit longer because a&e just always say there is nothing they can do and send us straight home. Spoke to a Gp (not our normal one!) today to say I'm concerned she seems to be getting worse instead of better and I've just been told that it's because kids go up and down when they are poorly and there's probably nothing wrong. So now I'm kind of thinking I should have just gone in to hospital yesterday, but even the Gp admitted that they would most likely send her home because they refuse to treat tonsillitis there. My little girl can't keep going through this!!

This is a joke. Can PALS do anything to help you? They can't just keep sending her home. What if you refuse? Just refuse to leave? Then what do they do?

Oh the poor girl.

Im really sorry she’s still suffering and seems to be getting worse doesn’t she. Bless her

That's exactly what happened in July (I think, I can't fully remember the times because it happens so often). I was commenting on here and people were giving me really good advice. I refused to leave. The paeds consultant refused to look at her notes, they told him I refused to leave and he refused again. I ended up with three patronising drs/ nurses coming in to the room and telling me I was being over dramatic, she only had tonsillitis and "most parents know how to deal with that at home". So after 3 hours of crying and arguing with them I said well I'll take her home then. They then refused to let me discharge her myself because her temp was too high. I said obviously that's why I'm here because she's so poorly but you've refused to help her so I'm taking her home. Their response was that they couldn't actually do anything to help but they would 'watch' her for a few hours and then discharge her. I ended up taking her home because they clearly weren't going to do anything. Since then it's been the same every time I take her in.

Our Gp was furious last night as he finally saw her when she was at her absolute worse but even he said they will just refuse to treat her in a&e so there's no point going. He's just furious that ENT haven't taken them out already

Is it possible she has sepsis? I would be (as you are) very concerned and wondering joncs he needs IV antibiotics.

That's what was concerning me as her hands and feet stay cold even when her temp is very hot but the Gp today basically told me This is normal for childhood illness and I've got to wait 7 days apparently before they expect to see the antibiotics to work. Despite her only being on a 7 day course

I wouldn’t risk it, I’d go if you have even the slightest concern about that and make sure you mention the specific concern.

Don't hesitate to take her to a and e. You might just get the right person at the right time with the right mindset and the right experience. It's shit that this is how it is. It's hit and miss. But you have had so many misses, you must be due a hit.

God, I am so sorry you are going through this. One day it will be a memory. You will be stronger, more resilient and more thankful for health and every good thing in your life. Your little girl will be minus her tonsils and will have caught up on school, her sleep and her weight. She will thrive. Keep the faith OP.

Is there a different hospital even?

@CottonSock thank you, that's what I needed to hear tonight.

@SummerHouse no unfortunately, our nearest hospital is 45 mins away, there's two slightly closer but they don't have a children's department and won't treat children.

@CottonSock @SummerHouse sorry I got those comments the wrong way around!

Just read though this, what an awful time for you and DD. I really hope they sort her asap

How was she overnight OP? Cold hands and feet are not (as far as I know) 'usual' with childhood illness. If she's still as rough as y'day I'd be very tempted to ring your Dr first and then take her to A&E (hopefully he can prep them first). Good luck.

Her fever actually finally broke a bit overnight. She's still fairly warm so is still having calpol but nothing like she has been. I must sound like I'm a constant worrier but now I'm concerned she may be developing quinsy.

Her left tonsil has been getting bigger and bigger over the last couple of days and is now so big it's pushing against the dangly bit in the middle of her throat. Has anyone had any experience of this?

I would be concerned about her breathing. That her tonsils would swell so much that it obstructed her throat.

Take her back and keep taking her back. Someone must listen eventually

Even NHS website says to take her back

No experience of this but I would be concerned. You could call 111 first?

I think I'll give 111 a call because even if it's not quinsy I don't think her tonsil should be doubling in size each day after she's been on antibiotics for 5 days

No it really shouldn’t.

111 will likely to tell you to go back but it’s worth getting their advice anyway because then you can say “I called 111 and then told me to come straight here”

My OH was hospitalised with quinsy aged 20 after a lot of infections. They were whipped out

@ohnoohnoo it's Thursday after tomorrow there's no one high enough up the food chain to make a decision at our health board . So we're fobbed off. I'd take her in

Just spoke to 111 and they are getting an OOh Gp to call us back. They've said it will be within 6 hours but hopefully it will be sooner than that

Fingers crossed for you. Poor wee mite. She’s been through so much and it would have probably cost the NHS less to get them tonsils out rather than all these doctor visits and medications