Neurotic mother or concerned for good reason.

[LavenderBlue95]

Not really AIBU but desperate for opinions after a truly awful week.

Ds (5) is now on day 7 of fevers reaching 41. Calpol and ibuprofen bring it down a bit but lowest we’ve had it is 38.3 after multiple doses. Lethargic and sleepy when it spikes which is multiple times a day. Hasn’t eaten more than a few bites of ice lolly and a yoghurt in a week. Having to push fluids. He vomits when it gets high.

I’ve been to the paediatric unit 3 times and this has shown:
Low blood pressure
heart rate in the 140’s at temp spikes
resps of 40-45 at temp spikes
HB in urine but no infection
negative flu swab
infection markers of 25 so only a bit raised.
grey on colour and fast breathing at temp spikes
complaining of being too tired to walk.

No other symptoms but keep being told viral and to go home. At how many days does this warrant further investigation and admission?

Asked the doctor last night to document that wasn’t comfortable with him being discharged and without bloods or IV fluids. He was very abrupt, closed the curtain and didn’t come back. Had to beg the next one to take bloods.

My son never gets ill. He has siblings and none of us have had any fevers or viral symptoms.

opinions would be very much appreciated as I’m starting to think I’m just a neurotic mother.

Always trust your gut instinct. Have you tried calling 111 and asking for their advise? I would start there, if not.

I don't say that to scare you, only to keep persisting until you get some satisfactory answers or he starts to pick up.

It may well be a virus but that doesn't stop you being worried! Trust your gut OP, many medics say if mum is worried then they are worried - you know your own child better than anyone!

I wouldn't be worried about the not eating much but try with ice-cream, smoothies and yoghurt/mousse and keep pushing fluids, dioralyte if you can. Any signs of worsening, call 111. Sometimes you have to be persistent and it's not nice when medics make you feel like you're time wasting, they should be reassuring you!

Do you have something in g in mind that you are worried it might be? Can you tell them this and ask what evidence there is that it isn’t that?

Been through 111 twice. They originally sent us to an out of hours doctor who were both worried and referred us to our local children’s hospital.

I have no idea what it could be. He has zero viral symptoms and when his temperature spikes he is as poorly today as he was 7 days ago. He never gets ill but this is horrific.

You're not being neurotic.

OK, ask to speak to the nurse in charge, say to them very clearly that you do not want your child discharged, that you believe the illness isn't resolving, and that you're concerned there's an underlying issue that has yet to be diagnosed. Say that you want him admitted for observation because the way his symptoms are clustering suggests it isn't safe for you to take him home.

If they keep giving you the 'viral' line, state that you want their insistence to discharge recorded.

Contact PALS.

Make sure you eat something and that you don't dehydrate.

My son was in this position a little while ago and I didn’t leave pediatric A&E until they found out what was wrong with him. You need to be difficult to get them to take you seriously.

Has you DS had chest xrays? Both my husband and DS have had chest infections that were only diagnosed following chest xrays and then confirmed via samples being taken.
If you are worried seek more advice, children are tricky goblins when ill and it can be so difficult to figure out what is wrong.

Take care OP and try and look after yourself too.

You can do Martha’s law and insist on a senior review.

By which I mean CAN and SHOULD xx