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.

@ohnoohnoo I really would take her back to be admitted then tonight if after 2 doses of antibiotics she feels no better or she looks off. I really wouldn't hesitate

So, have they tested for what bug it is that’s obviously not being killed by the antibiotics she has been taking. I would’ve thought by now they’d have sent the urine sample to the lab to be tested and her put on the appropriate antibiotic it somet8mes you have to be an inpatient to push that far.

I agree with this.

I'm sorry to hear about this and it's worrying.

One very simple question..

does your DD wipe herself after pooing?

or do you supervise it?

In women (and girls) most UTIs come from the bowel and it's caused by bacteria from poo getting into the bladder.

Have they ever done an analysis of her urine to find the bacteria that are causing it?

After a poo she really needs to be super-clean using wet wipes or soap and water if she is being infected by poo.

The other factor causing lots of UTIs can be a physical issue with the kidneys so she isn't passing water often enough and again, it's lying there being infected.

Does she drink enough during the day to flush her bladder out enough?
Are you giving her plenty of plain water every day?

Just some ideas that may help.

Has your DD been checked for Ulcerative Colitis (it's what I have and I sadly know very young children that have the condition) I'd also ask about her being checked for Crohn's disease.

Your DD is obviously very ill bless her and your Doctor's need to be doing a better job at helping her poor little thing, I know it must be a nightmare for you all, I hope you soon get some proper awnsers.

I think you need to be pretty bolshy about this.

If you say could it be Chron/cholitus etc and they say no. Ask how can you prove that. I want a test to prove its not.

Quote the NICE guidelines.

Yes from hearing lots of stories, I'm afraid you are going to have to be really pushy, otherwise your dd will recover again (eventually) and the same thing will happen again. NHS is on its knees - not sure what area you are in - but they are under so much pressure to just 'deal' with patients, and push them 'down the line'. Getting her admitted might get her access to more tests I don't know. I'm sorry but it just doesn't sound like a good standard of care at the moment and I've read so many horror stories of things being missed, I'd really push. And if they do find her notes, can you ask for copies, or do an FOI request. So bad that they cant find them

Better to be labelled as "That Mum" than have your little one in pain again right. It's a shame it's come to this tbh but you have to deal with how things are

If you keep getting nowhere, your other option if you can afford it is to see a private paediatrician at one of your local private hopsitals.

You will get more time and a chance to talk it all through in detail.

They may be able to refer you back to the NHS for more tests, to save you money, but they will have some ideas based on any tests that have been done.

If you don't have private medical cover, it's something I'd strongly advise if you can possibly afford it. The sooner you start, the better as it won't usually cover existing conditions. If either you are any partner have cover though your work, you may find you can add children or they may already be covered.

I know I said paediatrician, but based on your DDs symptoms, a gastroenterologist would be a good start.

You do not need this. You just need your GP to comply with NICE guidelines are refer her. She should already have been referred.

So frustrating Op and appalling that the system is essentially been ignoring what could be a serious health problem. Is the NHS really that bad? (Not from the UK)

@ohnoohnoo how's it going op?

You daughter seems really unwell and I don't understand why are you not in A&E already? Sorry I know it must be stressful but you got to go. It seems she's been unwell with one thing or another almost constantly, going to the bathroom 15 times a day is far from normal. If your daughter's fever is high you have to give her ibuprofen to make her a bit more comfortable and she has to drink a lot. Its an advice any doctor would give, carpol does nothing for such high fever alone. If its going past 39.8 you can give paracetomol and iboprufen at the same time. What kind of doctor tells you not to do that and to wait till appointment?? Please get your daughter the help she needs.

I don’t understand why you’ve not read the thread already?

Sorry I am an idiot. I can see you were sent back with repeated antibiotics. I believe more that 3 urine infections should definitely call for a stomach ultrasound to make sure there is no abnormality. My son suffered from that as a baby but it was related to wearing nappies was very bad too and he's had antibiotics 3 times. You should definitely go back tomorrow if she isn't feeling better and push to get admitted and investigated.

Make sure they check that her intestines are not twisted

Have you got the money to go private. A concierge doctor referral to a gastroenterologist would be less than£400.

If you get nowhere you know you can check her out privately

I would be doing that asap

You could give her d-mannose to help clear and prevent UTIs, as long as she isn’t diabetic as it’s a simple sugar. It’s very effective and suitable for kids (but do check packet). No nasty side effects. I had terrible side effects from antibiotics in the past, including passing blood, so only ever use d-mannose now for UTIs.
www.sweetcures.co.uk/products/waterfall-d-mannose-children-strawberry

DD had the same thing with our second grandchild, she was basically failing to thrive and was constantly ill - urine infections were so persistent, as well as a constant upset stomach/pain.

In the end, our GP was so unhelpful that we paid for a private paed appointment, and within minutes they'd said Coeliac disease and luckily they were able to diagnose from her bloods alone without needing a biopsy. Within 2 weeks, she was a different child.

There's something causing this, and I'd be really pushing your GP for a paed referral if you can't afford a private one. A & E are no help whatsoever, it's immediate treatment only and like putting a plaster on a broken leg.

I hope you get some answers soon.

@fcukyoubitch she's been sleeping most of the time since we got home but did want to eat lunch which is a sign she's perked up a little. I'm going to see how the rest of today goes and then decide whether to go back in or not.

Unfortunately we can't afford to go private so I'm hoping we can just get this sorted through the Gp/ hospital.

They have mentioned a few times now about testing for coeliacs so that is something that will be tested with the blood tests tomorrow.

I feel so frustrated for you, can you go back later when there is no improvement as it sounds like it’ll be the case.
i’m so sorry you feel like you’re not getting anywhere. Do you have the funds to go private?

Sorry I posted as you replied. Hopefully you’ll get somewhere tomorrow, in the meantime you could maybe look into a coeliac’s diet and see if that improves her symptoms.

We've been asked not to change her diet at the moment so that it doesn't alter her blood test results but hopefully if it is coeliacs we will get the results back soon and be able to start making changes. I'll definitely be going back again later if she's not better. So frustrating as I just feel like we aren't getting anywhere