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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I wouldn't be overreacting if I took DS to A&E?

203 replies

kege · 30/09/2022 23:13

DS is 17, he struggles a lot every winter with illnesses etc, he has ARFID which makes getting vitamins etc into him harder, he's supposed to take a vitamin supplement but I've tried everything dietician has suggested to give it to him but he knows and it makes him vomit.

He's been unwell since Monday although he seems to have gotten worse the past few days, on Wednesday night I was working and he refused to have any dinner and was in bed for about 6:30/7 DP says, I woke him up when I got home and gave him calpol as he had a temp and he threw it up not long after and went back to bed until 10am yesterday when he got up took his meds and went back to sleep and was asleep on and off all day, I tried to give him some toast last night, he took 1 bite and was nearly sick again. He was asleep early again last night and woke up today at about 12 and hes not had much to drink today apart from a bottle of water and a can of fanta (not ideal but I use this as a bribe for his meds) he seems very lethargic and is complaining he feels sick as he has what seems to be a chesty cough and he just looks poorly in his eyes etc.

DP has said I'm overreacting and to let him sleep as much as he wants as he'll sleep it off etc.

AIBU?

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 30/09/2022 23:15

Have you called 111 to see what they say?

TrashyPanda · 30/09/2022 23:19

He sounds very poorly.
id be worried too, especially as he isn’t drinking.
i think I’d wait till morning, rather than go to A&E on a Friday night.

ThanksAntsThants · 30/09/2022 23:20

Do you think 15 hours in A&E will help him?

TrashyPanda · 30/09/2022 23:20

Sorry, meant to say “isn’t drinking much”

EdinaMonsoon · 30/09/2022 23:21

Call 111. Has he done a Covid test? Last time I had Covid I had vomiting & intense lethargy.

vipersnest1 · 30/09/2022 23:22

@ThanksAntsThants, how is that helpful?
OP, if you think he needs A&E, take him. If he's seriously unwell, he will be seen quickly.

AnneLovesGilbert · 30/09/2022 23:22

I’d avoid a&e unless I or a loved one was in serious danger. Call 111 and you might get an out of ours GP, possibly at the hospital if they have one, tonight or tomorrow. Even that will be rammed and grim. If he’s weeing and not dehydrated I’d review in the morning.

VeridicalVagabond · 30/09/2022 23:23

I don't think it sounds A&E worthy to be honest. Getting liquids into him is more important than anything, even if it's fanta or lucozade or something else fizzy. Sounds like a bad bug, but unless he can't keep fluids down I don't think it's worth sitting in a crowded A&E for hours and hours on a Friday night. How's his temperature now? And has he had a COVID test? Some new strains are presenting with sickness and lethargy, seen a lot more of it last few months because people think it's Norovirus.

Amarette · 30/09/2022 23:23

Covid test?

rosael56 · 30/09/2022 23:24

He sounds poorly but it doesn't sound like A&E emergency to be honest. Maybe out of hours GP would be better? I'd call 111 and ask them before going to A&E on a Friday night, you'd be in for a hefty wait, but only you know how ill he is.

user7817811 · 30/09/2022 23:24

I wouldn't take him to A&E - bright lights, noise, uncomfortable, drunks and potentially a long wait when he feels rotten. NHS 111 would be a sensible first step. I'd give him whatever he wants to drink now if it helps him stay hydrated.

Silverbirch2 · 30/09/2022 23:25

He's 17 and not drinking lots, not eating much and not feeling well. I'd say not an emergency or an accident, I'm with your dh,let him sleep. He's drinking so that's good... not sure what a&e would say? Rest and fluids I would guess!

Feelingconfused2020 · 30/09/2022 23:25

I think the main worry is his temp and whether he's drinking enough. I'd phone 111 and let them decide but taking his temperature would be good as if he still has a temperature on day 5 that's surely a worry.

BobbyBleu · 30/09/2022 23:27

Soooo many bugs around at the moment. I think he probably does need to sleep and maybe see how he is tomorrow?
I hope he is doing better soon!

underneaththeash · 30/09/2022 23:28

That is definitely not an A&E situation.

Ship · 30/09/2022 23:30

He sounds like he has a rotten virus. If it was my son I wouldn’t take him to a and E with what you’re describing as he has had a can of fanta with sugars in I’m guessing unless it was a diet fanta and also a bottle of water so has had fluids. I’m not sure what a and E could do really. However if you feel he needs to be seen I would call ooh for advice

Punxsutawney · 30/09/2022 23:31

Ds has ARFID and is underweight. Because of his low weight we were told by the specialist team that treated him, that not eating for 48hrs was an A and E job, as he could become very unwell.

ThanksAntsThants · 30/09/2022 23:32

vipersnest1 · 30/09/2022 23:22

@ThanksAntsThants, how is that helpful?
OP, if you think he needs A&E, take him. If he's seriously unwell, he will be seen quickly.

Oh, you don’t think it’s helpful to consider whether a lengthy wait in an overcrowded understaffed A&E on a Friday night would be helpful?

Workyticket · 30/09/2022 23:32

Would he not be better taking adult OTC meds rather than calpol?

I'd go with flat full fat coke until tomorrow morning and re-assess unless he's unresponsive I think

Explaintome · 30/09/2022 23:32

If he's had a bottle of water and a can of Tango he's not "not drinking".

It sounds like he is responsive and even getting up during the day? I don't think that's A&E, but you should phone for proper medical advice.

Skelligsfeathers · 30/09/2022 23:35

Why are you giving a 17 year old capol?

Choopi · 30/09/2022 23:36

Skelligsfeathers · 30/09/2022 23:35

Why are you giving a 17 year old capol?

Presumably he won't take tablets because if his ARFID?

Explaintome · 30/09/2022 23:36

Skelligsfeathers · 30/09/2022 23:35

Why are you giving a 17 year old capol?

I'd guess because of the ARFID?

Punxsutawney · 30/09/2022 23:37

Why are you giving a 17 year old capol?
He has what can be a serious eating disorder....... that could be the reason.
**

MbatataOwl · 30/09/2022 23:38

Your post reads as if he is 7 years old.

He is practically a grown man and has a bug/ virus. Get a grip.