Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think dr was wrong?

102 replies

lucie333 · 10/05/2023 22:12

My son who is 3.5 came home from nursery with a temp, crying in pain whenever he tried to pee, he was ago sick when he got home had a temp of 39.5 & very lethargic- never seen him to unwell actually. I took him to dr who requested we did a urine sample- I tried my best but he was crying in too much pain he just couldn't do it, he then examined him and his boy parts seemed okay, no signs of infection or anything like that. He told me to go him and give him regular calpol, I said I wasn't happy to get sent home with nothing as I'm positive he has urine infection but he said it's too early to tell, he also said he can't prescribe without pee sample and I asked if it was possible to get sent to hospital for them to do one and he said it wasn't necessary, I trusted his word and left... I'm now thinking that possibly wasn't the right thing to do. I tried my best to get him to pee for me when we got home but he was crying saying please no mummy😢 he eventually let one out when he was in the bath ( yuck I know but it seemed more comfortable for him)

I guess my question is, was the dr right with not prescribing antibiotics?

OP posts:
Original poster
lucie333 · 10/05/2023 22:47

Daisy95 · 10/05/2023 22:43

Your son has done 1 wee in 18 hours?! How much fluid intake has he had today?

Yes, he's had plenty at nursery & home

OP posts:
Original poster
lucie333 · 10/05/2023 22:52

Greengold123 · 10/05/2023 22:43

The doctor wasn't wrong, you just need to collect a urine sample and they'll be able to test with strips immediately to determine if there's infection.

Suggestions of going to A&E with this when your child is otherwise ok and you haven't even got a urine sample is everything that's wrong with the NHS.

I wouldn't say my son having a temp & vomiting in pain is him being other wise ok but I would always phone 111 before I took him up to A&E.

OP posts:
Daisy95 · 10/05/2023 22:52

That's my concern that he's having normal fluids but only passed urine once. Have you rung 111?

Original poster
lucie333 · 10/05/2023 22:55

Daisy95 · 10/05/2023 22:52

That's my concern that he's having normal fluids but only passed urine once. Have you rung 111?

I'm on hold right now as we speak as I'm getting worried now, the dr knew he hadn't pee'd all day he only passed urine when he was in the bath

OP posts:
Oopsadaisysgranny · 10/05/2023 22:55

Oh poor little boy . You are so right to be cross seeing a child in this much pain is dreadful . I had too many to remember uti’s as a child and it’s terrible . Try putting a hot water bottle on his tummy or between his legs to relax the muscles . And calpol for the pain/temperature. Lots of water to drink or really anything you can get Jim to drink and if he gets worse go to an and e . Do you have a children’s an and e near you ?

Houseupdate · 10/05/2023 22:56

Daisy95 · 10/05/2023 22:52

That's my concern that he's having normal fluids but only passed urine once. Have you rung 111?

Mine too. This is a very worrying sign. I would ring 111. How long ago did he last wee?

Quisquam · 10/05/2023 22:57

Different circumstances, but when I want DD to go (she has learning disabilities at the level of a toddler), I turn the taps on. The sound of running water makes women want to go - not sure about boys?

Frankie291 · 10/05/2023 23:00

He has fever, vomiting and passed urine (with difficulty) once all day?
I wouldn’t wait until tomorrow, unless you get 111 advice soon I think you should take him to A&E tonight.

Soubriquet · 10/05/2023 23:00

I’m glad you’re on the phone with 111

1 wee in 18 hours is not right

Pieceofpurplesky · 10/05/2023 23:01

I hope he's OK and I would take him to A and E now

Daisy95 · 10/05/2023 23:01

Poor little boy, I hope you get some answers, glad you're on hold to them. Lots of posters have thought of brilliant ideas. I'm a nurse and our go to is just to strip off and sit with a bowl. But much better ideas here.
I hope he feels better soon

AnyaMarx · 10/05/2023 23:01

Trust your instincts op .

I had a go tell me 4 times I was an over anxious panicky mother

My son had meningitis. You nearly lost him and I spent 8 weeks in hospital and 2 year's recovery.

You know your little boy - the doctor doesn't .

AnyaMarx · 10/05/2023 23:02

*I nearly lost him ducking auto correct is doing my head in

Salome61 · 10/05/2023 23:06

Best wishes to your son. He can pee into anything and you can transfer it to the sample pot - I don't think anyone ever pees straight into one.

Original poster
lucie333 · 10/05/2023 23:14

update

Spoke to nurse on 111- she has put through an emergency prescription 7 day antibiotic I'm going to pick it up at my hospital

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 10/05/2023 23:21

That's good, OP. I'm a strong believer in following your instincts on stuff like this. It might end up with you being over cautious, but better safe than sorry. And ultimately, you know your child better than anyone.

APoppyLicks · 10/05/2023 23:22

So glad you've been listened to and got a prescription, but if you can't get your ds to urinate first thing please take him to A&E. He's been withholding for too long already.

Original poster
lucie333 · 10/05/2023 23:25

APoppyLicks · 10/05/2023 23:22

So glad you've been listened to and got a prescription, but if you can't get your ds to urinate first thing please take him to A&E. He's been withholding for too long already.

Absolutely! Nurse told me to feel his nappy as he still sleeps with one at the moment & it was slightly wet so he's urinated in the last 30/40 mins so hopefully I can get sample tomorrow as she still wants me to hand one in if I can

OP posts:
IndiaPaleAle · 10/05/2023 23:28

There is no way on gods green earth that any dr will catheterise a child for a wee sample. If you turned up at a&e you'll be told to take his nappy off and hold a cup to his penis and catch a sample that way.

GrassWillBeGreener · 10/05/2023 23:30

Please do your utmost to get a sample off him before you start the antibiotics if you possibly can. UTIs in boys this age are unusual, and if proven may merit investigations for an underlying cause (such as a minor urinary tract abnormality). Doctors don't like doing those investigations unless they are certain they are warranted, which might mean, for example, two lab-proven episodes of infection (I'm not up to date on protocols). The investigations needed are a bit invasive, so not great to justify based on symptoms alone.

I hope your son feels better soon.

SimplyReadHead · 10/05/2023 23:30

Not urinating can be a sign of sepsis - please check the symptoms here and take him immediately to A&E if you’re worried - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/

Cropped image of a child getting urgent medical treatment on a hospital bed.

Symptoms of sepsis

NHS information about the symptoms of sepsis in children and adults, and where and when to get help.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/

confusedlots · 10/05/2023 23:31

Yes I would expect a GP to refer a systemically unwell child to A&E in that situation. Different situation if not systemically unwell with temp, vomiting, lethargy etc.

We had a similar situation with my 2 year old and he was catheterised very quickly on arrival at A&E. Turned out the source of the infection was elsewhere, but he deteriorated extremely rapidly and I was very glad the GP made me take him straight to A&E, thankfully he understood just how poorly he was even though he wasn't too sure what was wrong.

I hope your son recovers quickly.

KCIII · 10/05/2023 23:32

Greengold123 · 10/05/2023 22:43

The doctor wasn't wrong, you just need to collect a urine sample and they'll be able to test with strips immediately to determine if there's infection.

Suggestions of going to A&E with this when your child is otherwise ok and you haven't even got a urine sample is everything that's wrong with the NHS.

Sorry your little one is unwell and I remember how tricky it was getting a sample but have to agree with this.

Invasive procedure, time at hospital and antibiotics without a proper diagnosis are not sensible.

kangaroopelicanartic · 10/05/2023 23:42

Please keep an eye on him even if you give him the antibiotics. My kiddo presented in a very similar way amd actually had appendicitis! He was five at the time and we ended up spending two weeks in the RVI because he was so poorly.

Robinni · 10/05/2023 23:44

My son had balanitis a few times when toddler, tight foreskin. Similar symptoms, no discharge or anything dodgy, just sore Willy/pain when peeing. We got fucidin cream and calpol until it calmed down. More recently had a problem where his glans/foreskin was cut/irritated and this obviously was very sore when peeing so he held on and was in agony when he did go. Again, cream and calpol.

Try and get a sample to confirm. Avoid using antibiotics unless definitely required as unnecessary or inappropriate use promotes drug resistance (which would be a problem for your son if he had a serious bacterial infection in future - could reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics or limit the number available that are likely to work).