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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Another A&E thread

534 replies

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 12/10/2023 21:53

AIBU to take granddaughter to hospital this evening or will it wait?

She's been having headaches regularly this year. She describes pounding and pain in eye. GP said eye test - optician immediately said that she could see a large prescription. DG had glasses then three months later had another checkup and a stronger pair prescribed. She's due back in December. So I'm assuming that they're increasing the strength of the glasses in increments.

Her headaches have persisted. This current one she's had since last Friday. I picked her up from school on Monday and could tell that each footstep was making her wince with pain. She couldn't sleep Monday night because of pain and feeling sick. We've been alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief. Saw GP on Tuesday who said it was nothing sinister but was referring her to paediatrician. This evening she was complaining of eye and nose pain and appeared to be light sensitive. She's woken in pain a couple of hours after she went to bed and her eyelid is drooping.

Is this worth a trip to A&E?

We're very worried.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
whateveryouwantmetosay · 13/10/2023 06:19

I would not be leaving without a CT or MRI. Hope things are ok OP.

Sleeplessinseattle234 · 13/10/2023 06:41

Fingers crossed she is okay

Loubelle70 · 13/10/2023 06:47

whateveryouwantmetosay · 13/10/2023 06:19

I would not be leaving without a CT or MRI. Hope things are ok OP.

This..and id be complaining if not considering its ongoing

Kweenbee · 13/10/2023 06:48

Day staff should be coming on duty very soon now, I am so sorry this is happening to your family on top of everything else you're having to deal with. Let us know what the medics say.

Princesspollyyy · 13/10/2023 06:51

Hopefully youve gone to A&E. I don't think any complaining will be needed, or demanding of mri scan, as with those symptoms and the new addition of the dropping eyelid, they would also be concerned.

Hope your granddaughter is ok x

HeadAgainstWall0923 · 13/10/2023 06:56

I hope your granddaughter is okay.

Woahbodyforrrrm · 13/10/2023 07:12

@Wishitsnows I'm glad things are moving along but please don't let them reassure you that it's nothing sinister. They simply cannot tell that without a scan.

So many people with brain tumours are diagnosed via A&E when they're in a life threatening situation and this is often due to them being misdiagnosed by various healthcare professionals who put their symptoms down to other things. In my case, my symptoms were put down to having 4 children under 5 and being very sleep deprived. I was having headaches, extreme tiredness and one of my pupils was bigger then the other. I ended up in a coma in ITU.

So little exposure is given to brain tumours that people are unaware of the signs. @Somuchgoo post is brilliant and well worth a read.

For the first time ever, I heard an advert on the radio yesterday talking about the signs and symptoms of brain tumours. We need more awareness.

Please please please push for that MRI and don't be afraid to tell them that you're concerned about the possibility of a BT and need it ruled out. She is a child and I'm sure they will do it for you!

lovewatchingrainfall · 13/10/2023 07:14

Omg @MyOtherCarIsAPorsche I remember reading your thread about your husband and your grandson with his seizures. I hope your granddaughter is okay and things are okay. It never seems rain but pour for you does it. Hope you manage to get a rest.

Woahbodyforrrrm · 13/10/2023 07:14

Ps, @Somuchgoo I hope the person in your life with a BT is doing okay. I'm so sorry you've had to go through the trauma of a diagnosis and all that comes with it 💐

londonrach · 13/10/2023 07:24

Please take her

elliesmummy19 · 13/10/2023 07:29

Gosh poor thing! Glad she’s gone to hospital. I hope they get answers quickly and she’s ok. Please do keep us updated!

LittleMonks11 · 13/10/2023 07:34

Really hope the scans get done today and everything is clear. 💙

OssomMummy1 · 13/10/2023 07:34

I can't stop laughing at you lot. Does any of you have a ANY IDEA about meningitis or encephalitis? DID YOU KOW that a Normal CT or MRI does not exclude either of them? I hope there are RGNs, CNS on mumsnet who can back-me up or tell me if I am wrong. You are reassuring your ego by demanding for a scan from an A&E doctor already under strain. I have seen so many patients with normal scan and meningitis. Instead, let the doctor see first and assess the child properly. If not satisfied, ask for a second opinion immediately. If still not satisfied, then they may do lumbar puncture, where they will take out the fluid around the spinal cord in the back and test it for bacteria and virus. Mind you, no medical procedure is risk free and scans are not panacea of life.

Okaaaay · 13/10/2023 07:36

OP you have so much going on. I won’t roll out the ‘try to take some time for you’ given this is unlikely to happen in the next day or so, but do say kind things to yourself. Objectively, you have a lot of worrying things happening to your family and you must feel frantic with it all. Your blessings don’t minimise that at this moment. Wishing your DGD better. My DC is 7 and I broke my heart a bit when you said she had been writing her awake time. I hope you can get a clear diagnosis and plan for her.

Lougle · 13/10/2023 07:45

OssomMummy1 · 13/10/2023 07:34

I can't stop laughing at you lot. Does any of you have a ANY IDEA about meningitis or encephalitis? DID YOU KOW that a Normal CT or MRI does not exclude either of them? I hope there are RGNs, CNS on mumsnet who can back-me up or tell me if I am wrong. You are reassuring your ego by demanding for a scan from an A&E doctor already under strain. I have seen so many patients with normal scan and meningitis. Instead, let the doctor see first and assess the child properly. If not satisfied, ask for a second opinion immediately. If still not satisfied, then they may do lumbar puncture, where they will take out the fluid around the spinal cord in the back and test it for bacteria and virus. Mind you, no medical procedure is risk free and scans are not panacea of life.

Bolding and underlining your text doesn't make you seem knowledgeable, or increase the intensity of your words.

Why would you be laughing at people who are trying to help the OP?

Chiaseedling · 13/10/2023 07:49

I would also push for mri today. DS had one for less when he was about 10 due to some issues - in the end it was nothing but any symptoms like this need checking properly. GPs are notorious for fobbing off.

LittleMonks11 · 13/10/2023 08:01

OssomMummy1 · 13/10/2023 07:34

I can't stop laughing at you lot. Does any of you have a ANY IDEA about meningitis or encephalitis? DID YOU KOW that a Normal CT or MRI does not exclude either of them? I hope there are RGNs, CNS on mumsnet who can back-me up or tell me if I am wrong. You are reassuring your ego by demanding for a scan from an A&E doctor already under strain. I have seen so many patients with normal scan and meningitis. Instead, let the doctor see first and assess the child properly. If not satisfied, ask for a second opinion immediately. If still not satisfied, then they may do lumbar puncture, where they will take out the fluid around the spinal cord in the back and test it for bacteria and virus. Mind you, no medical procedure is risk free and scans are not panacea of life.

Wow

AbbeyGailsParty · 13/10/2023 08:04

GP said it was nothing sinister on Tuesday.

Sorry but that’s rubbish. GP does not have X-ray vision or an MRI scanner in the surgery.
Your daughter needs to insist on an MRI scan, rule out anything sinister then everyone can work on the causes.
Fwiw I was admitted to hospital with the worst headache of my life, incoherent with pain, had MRI as they thought I was having a brain haemorrhage. Turned out to be an allergy to pineapple.

I hope your granddaughter is ok.

RNmomof3 · 13/10/2023 08:08

Not an a&e issue. It’s on going not acute. Have you read the side effects of paracetamol? I was shocked, as was my colleague when she sure GP for her headaches. Try stopping paracetamol and see how you go while waiting for referral? Hope you have answers soon xx

thaegumathteth · 13/10/2023 08:08

RNmomof3 · 13/10/2023 08:08

Not an a&e issue. It’s on going not acute. Have you read the side effects of paracetamol? I was shocked, as was my colleague when she sure GP for her headaches. Try stopping paracetamol and see how you go while waiting for referral? Hope you have answers soon xx

Are you actually serious?

Daffodilsandtuplips · 13/10/2023 08:20

RNmomof3 · 13/10/2023 08:08

Not an a&e issue. It’s on going not acute. Have you read the side effects of paracetamol? I was shocked, as was my colleague when she sure GP for her headaches. Try stopping paracetamol and see how you go while waiting for referral? Hope you have answers soon xx

Unbelievable. On going issues can and often do get suddenly very serious.

minmooch · 13/10/2023 08:22

Gp's are on the whole fantastic but they are not specialists and don't have all equipment at their offices.

My son got an all clear from his gp on Thursday but was in hospital on the following Tuesday where he had a terrible diagnosis given. I'm not saying this to scare you but just because Tuesday's appointment was fine does not mean a few days later things are still the same.

Hopefully all is well but it's not worth ignoring symptoms of different pupil size, light sensitivity as well as pain.

Any changes your daughter must take her back in.

HeadAgainstWall0923 · 13/10/2023 08:22

OssomMummy1 · 13/10/2023 07:34

I can't stop laughing at you lot. Does any of you have a ANY IDEA about meningitis or encephalitis? DID YOU KOW that a Normal CT or MRI does not exclude either of them? I hope there are RGNs, CNS on mumsnet who can back-me up or tell me if I am wrong. You are reassuring your ego by demanding for a scan from an A&E doctor already under strain. I have seen so many patients with normal scan and meningitis. Instead, let the doctor see first and assess the child properly. If not satisfied, ask for a second opinion immediately. If still not satisfied, then they may do lumbar puncture, where they will take out the fluid around the spinal cord in the back and test it for bacteria and virus. Mind you, no medical procedure is risk free and scans are not panacea of life.

I’m a paediatric nurse and I just think you sound like an idiot.

Go and take your sneering disdain somewhere else.

CrimsonElevenDelightPetrichor · 13/10/2023 08:39

Woahbodyforrrrm · 13/10/2023 07:12

@Wishitsnows I'm glad things are moving along but please don't let them reassure you that it's nothing sinister. They simply cannot tell that without a scan.

So many people with brain tumours are diagnosed via A&E when they're in a life threatening situation and this is often due to them being misdiagnosed by various healthcare professionals who put their symptoms down to other things. In my case, my symptoms were put down to having 4 children under 5 and being very sleep deprived. I was having headaches, extreme tiredness and one of my pupils was bigger then the other. I ended up in a coma in ITU.

So little exposure is given to brain tumours that people are unaware of the signs. @Somuchgoo post is brilliant and well worth a read.

For the first time ever, I heard an advert on the radio yesterday talking about the signs and symptoms of brain tumours. We need more awareness.

Please please please push for that MRI and don't be afraid to tell them that you're concerned about the possibility of a BT and need it ruled out. She is a child and I'm sure they will do it for you!

Agreed.

Somuchgoo · 13/10/2023 08:40

HeadAgainstWall0923 · 13/10/2023 08:22

I’m a paediatric nurse and I just think you sound like an idiot.

Go and take your sneering disdain somewhere else.

Show quote history

Everything I've suggested had been in line with the NICE red flags for headaches in children. The signs they say you shouldn't ignore. Brainsmart (a charity that knows a lot not than you I suspect) says she needs a scan.

We were told that my toddlers headaches weren't anything to worry about. The GP literally said "I'm not worried, I'm not going to be doing anything about it at this stage". The following day we took her to hospital where she was scanned, and blue lighted for life-saving surgery the following morning.. Her brain tumour (a low grade one thankfully) was the size if an egg.

Its incredibly rare it happens, but someone had to be that person. I'd rather 100 kids were scanned unnecessarily (a MRI isn't radiation) than then miss something catastrophic. That's why even NICE suggest a precautionary approach when it comes to headaches in kids.

Oh and I do have 'some idea' about meningitis she developed that too 😬

Ps: she's mostly ok now.