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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

DDs symptoms went to a+e in the early hours. Sent home no treatment or plan?

34 replies

Insheerpanic · 10/08/2023 09:03

DD is 4 and has had sepsis twice previously. Shes been complaining of stomach ache for about 2 weeks and sleeping more which isn't like her AT ALL. Took her to a+e at midnight as she was crying in pain and complaining of pain in her right side abdo. She also has vomiting, pain in legs, saying she can't stand because her legs hurt, tried to poo but couldn't because it was hurting her, whingey, quiet, headache which shes never had before, very high temperature (they kept us for 4 hours in hospital to make sure they could get it down as it wasn't coming down but did in hosp) -all these symptoms started about 1pm yesterday. They did all the usual obs which were ok apart from temperature and they dipped her wee and said she had leukocytes but nothing else.. we were sent home and the dr told me it was probably all stemming from a stomach upset or something she'd eaten.. shes eaten the same as us all and were all fine and has barely been eating anyway! I left unhappy but thought ok you're the dr not much I can do.. but when I got home I googled the symptoms together and it said go to a and e right away as could be kidney infection and needs urgent treatment? Why have we been sent home then with nothing? Has anyone experienced symptoms like this and have any idea what it is?! Missed the 8am drs race for our GP so they're no good.. dont want to go to a and e again and have eyes rolled at me. Just clueless and scared to be honest.. TIA x

OP posts:

loudbatperson · 10/08/2023 09:07

I would call the doctors anyway, many have some afternoon emergency slots that are held back for people who need help later the day, and children are often prioritised.

If no good try calling 111, they may be able to get you an emergency GP appointment elsewhere.

Urgent cares and A&E only deal with the here and now, follow up treatment and investigations will be organised via GP.

Stopthatknocking · 10/08/2023 09:12

You followd the google advice, you went to a and e. Presumably they checked for kidney issues and found none..
Just because Google says it might be, doesn't mean it is.

I know it's scary when your child is ill, but I think.the best course of action is to call.the gp and get an appointment ASAP. Even if you have missed the 8am.slot, call.and see what they can do.
Or 111 for further advice.

Starlightstarbright2 · 10/08/2023 09:16

Our gp has an on call gp if classed as an emergency . See how she is when up if still not well call gp anyway

RuthTopp · 10/08/2023 09:16

How is she now ? If it's settled and she slept well , then I'd just have a quiet day at home and see how it goes.
still unwell, then insist on GP appointment.

Original poster

Insheerpanic · 10/08/2023 09:18

I didnt Google till I got home they only did urine dip no further tests. Will wait until she wakes up and see how she is. Our gps are useless and just say ring 111 the appointments go instantly! Shes groaning in her sleep still and woke up told me her knees were hurting and went back to sleep after medicine. Will keep a close eye on her and see how she goes. Thanks all

OP posts:

dottiedodah · 10/08/2023 09:26

I would return to A and E when shes awake.A different Doctor there may treat her. If you are worried this will ease your mind ,and if DD is groaning while asleep may need further investigation

Moonberri · 10/08/2023 09:32

Follow your instincts. You know her better than the doctor. If you think something is seriously wrong then go back to A&E. They might take it more seriously if you go again. You could also try writing down all her symptoms as I find that sometimes doctors will listen more if they see a list in front of them.
DS had appendicitis but the doctors kept telling me he was constipated (he wasnt). I had to go back to A&E three times before they finally admitted him.

L3ThirtySeven · 10/08/2023 09:34

I’d go back to A&E will be different doctor on duty and might get a proper second opinion. I would have thought they’d have checked her appendix and also for an umbilical hernia or diverticulitis given the abdominal pain, vomiting, unsteady on legs, fatigue and constipation.

ChocHotolate · 10/08/2023 09:34

The role of A&E is to diagnose and treat life threatening conditions. Once that has been excluded you will generally be discharged back to your GP for ongoing care. The fact that it can be near impossible to access GPs in some areas unfortunately does not make it A&Es job to diagnose everything.

Moonberri · 10/08/2023 09:35

Also write down that she's had sepsis twice before.

Hummingbird89 · 10/08/2023 09:35

See how she is when she wakes up. I wouldn’t worry re groaning in her sleep; if she’s sleeping, she is comfortable, which is reassuring.
Its worth trying the GP- as PPs have said, often they keep emergency slots for vulnerable patients (ie small children)
If she hasn’t improved when she wakes, and you’ve no luck the the gp, then take her back to A&E for a second opinion.

L3ThirtySeven · 10/08/2023 09:36

ChocHotolate · 10/08/2023 09:34

Yeah well dipping wee isn’t going to rule out appendicitis now is it? They should have done a blood test based on the symptoms.

cestlavielife · 10/08/2023 09:37

Constipation?

Gerrataere · 10/08/2023 09:37

@Insheerpanic has she had her appendix out? Because my sibling was ill for months in similar circumstances and it turned out their appendix had an infection and was slowly poisoning them (got extremely dicey in the end when they finally figured out what it was).

cestlavielife · 10/08/2023 09:39

Giv e her oramge juice prune juice probiotics etc to shift the constipation , which can cause severe symptoms if impacted

Original poster

Insheerpanic · 10/08/2023 09:58

Shes still got her appendix that's the main reason I went really incase it was that. I wondered if she was constipated but dr said that wouldn't cause a fever. She's always pood every other day and has been still doing this it was just yesterday when she said it wouldn't come out. She has a glass of orange most mornings too and has a good diet. Will just see how she is and go from there. He pushed her belly she said ow alot but nothing more was said? It seems when the calpol and nurofen wear off shes in pain again but will just see how she goes. Was going to put her on prebiotic anyway because she has bad eczema behind her knees which she's got steriod cream for when it's really bad.

OP posts:

Pashazade · 10/08/2023 10:03

I'd still be concerned about appendix if he was pushing her belly and she said ow that really could be a sign. I'd ring 111 and look for an emergency docs appointment, but I'd probably be more tempted to try A&E again if she's feeling no better when she wakes. Standing hurt when my appendix was gangrenous so I'd be pushing for them to exclude that as the cause. Plus really shout about the fact she's already suffered from sepsis twice

Pandaflop · 10/08/2023 10:14

Phone 111 and they might be able to get you an appointment somewhere. If they can't I'd go back to A&E if she isn't improving or if she gets worse. I mean this kindly but it could (reasonably) be that you're more worried as she's had sepsis previously, but it does sound like she is quite poorly and I'd follow your instincts. Far better to regret seeking a second opinion as it turns out its fine than to regret not doing so when everything is telling you something isn't right.

L3ThirtySeven · 10/08/2023 10:16

Yes, that’s my concern too as appendicitis can move quickly in children and she has symptoms of it so it needs to be ruled out. The fact they didn’t even do a blood test last time you went means they did not rule out appendicitis.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/appendicitis/

Id go back to A&E

Appendicitis

Find out about appendicitis, a painful swelling of the appendix, including what causes it, when to get medical help and how the appendix is surgically removed (appendicectomy or appendectomy).

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

dearJayne · 10/08/2023 10:20

Constipation in girls can cause a urine infection so absolutely can cause a fever because of the knock on effect.

Dd has had more urine infections than I can count because of constipation. We've had countless hospital visits (sent up by the gp)

We now dip urine at home and call nhs 24 for them to phone antibiotics over to pharmacy.

RosesAndHellebores · 10/08/2023 10:24

What sort of hospital was it @Insheerpanic? There's a huge difference between a small district general hospital and a teaching hospital. The former may have little consultant oversight overnight August is also the change date for the F2 rotation so you may have been assessed by a Dr who was very young and very green. Did you see the paediatric consultant? If not, go back and ask for her to be reviewed by them. If it's small DGH can you get to a teaching hospital - the staff there are more likely to be leaders in their fields.

Write down all the symptoms and all your concerns before you go. I hope you get it sorted out.

If you have the money can you pay to get her seen by a paediatrician privately?

Moonberri · 10/08/2023 10:27

Blood tests are not diagnostic for appendicitis. This is in the NICE guidelines. DS had normal blood tests which is part of the reason they decided it was constipation - despite him having regular bowel movements 🙄

He had all other signs of appendicitis. Pain when his stomach was pressed (more pain when the pressure is released than when pressure is applied), guarding when stomach is pressed ie bringing knees towards stomach, and they even got him to do a jump to see if he had pain on landing (he did). Despite all of these they said that as blood tests were fine he didn't have appendicitis.

I researched the NICE guidelines and questioned this. They didn't like that and tried to discharge him. I refused. They called me a neurotic mum. I asked to speak to a more senior surgeon. They made us wait for 48 hours nil by mouth. Eventually let us see a surgeon who agreed to do the surgery. It ended up being complicated 6 hour surgery as the appendix was so inflamed and wrapped and hidden around the bowels. They told me afterwards that if he hadn't had surgery that day the consequences would have been extremely serious.

This is your daughter. You know something is wrong. Trust your instincts. Doctors are human and don't listen make mistakes.

Original poster

Insheerpanic · 10/08/2023 10:38

I wanted bloods doing or some sort of test to give me some reassurance she was ok but he said she didn't meet the criteria YET. That word pissed me off. It was our local district hospital which has a separate a and e for children think he was a dr. I dont want her stabbing for bloods and neither did she but id rather know what's going on. She's had some breakfast and is watching TV in bed which she couldn't manage yesterday so fingers crossed! Am still going to keep appendix in my head incase it comes and goes. Interesting that constipation can cause uti, still confused as to why she wasn't given antibiotics if this is the case, baffled. Id never act like this if I was ill but with my children and their history I do worry alot more.

OP posts:

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 10/08/2023 10:52

I would just ring 111, they’re really helpful with children and will be able to get you an appointment if necessary.

I don’t see why you wouldn’t ring them if you’re concerned.

Noorandapples · 10/08/2023 10:58

With a history of sepsis I would call the Gp and explain your concerns. Sometimes a Gp will contact A&E and can get a time slot and recommend certain things like a blood test. It's worth an ask when she's had sepsis twice.

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