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Original poster

DS still asleep, what to do?

949 replies

ClutchingPearls · 02/01/2013 13:18

DS is 15 months, been generally a bit grumpy for a week. Last night he was especially grumpy so calpol'ed him at put him to bed, he had a slight temperature. He hasnt woken since.

Waiting for an "urgent" call from GP nurse which will be this afternoon or possibly this evening.

Nothing specific, slight temp, was occasionally pulling at ears, decreased appetite. But he's completely un rousable, changed nappy with DD1 and 2 in the room jumping about and he just slept. He obviously is responsive because I've got a few oz of water into him and nurophen in him. But I cant wake him any more than that. So he's been asleep for 17 hours looks poorly but not collapsed. Occasional small cry but by the time I've got to his door he's asleep again.

So MNers should I call the GPs again, NHS direct or am I just wittling about nothing and let him sleep it off. DD2 has complex medical needs and I'm always on the ball with her getting her seen as appropriate. But a normal "abit unwell and sleeping child" has completely thrown me.

OP posts:
hellymelly · 10/01/2013 23:35

Oh clutching that is such a moving post. Your ds will take a while to be back to himself, but I imagine as his strength starts to return he will make bigger jumps back to normality. Right now you are both exhausted and stressed. Both of you have had such a scary and unpleasant time, you need to allow yourself the space to feel scared and strange, your world changed for a while and it must have all been such a shock. He is too small to grasp what has happened and must be very bewildered by the change and the things that he's had to go through. Each day is a long time to a baby, it must be hard for him to work out why he isn't at home now. It's very very recent but feels like an age to you because its all been so intense. He's been through such a lot, it isn't surprising that he's weak and not himself. Wishing him all the best for recovery now, and try yourself and rest whenever you can, the shock of it all must be exhausting in itself.

Birnamwood · 11/01/2013 00:10

Oh clutching, I just want to come and give you a massive hug (((())))

It's such good news that your ds is making progress, but, as pp have said, it'll take time.

(((()))) and Thanks x

JellicleCat · 11/01/2013 00:20

Clutching, so pleased your baby is awake. As everyone else has said it will take time, but it sounds as though he is making good progress. In the mean time have a big (()) and make sure you take some time for yourself, even if its just 5 minutes at the moment. Remember you need to recover from this trauma as well.

fledtoscotland · 11/01/2013 00:57

Clutching - I'm just back from a busy shift (nursing) and have got tears in my ears with relief mini clutching is awake and fighting his corner. Thanks

SageYourResoluteOracle · 11/01/2013 01:29

Clutching- have been lurking on this thread but wanted to offer another hand to hold.

Never worry about typing things to reassure us lot. It can be the best thing to 'voice' your feelings and fears on here when you feel you have to keep a lid on how you really feel for everyone's sake in RL.

When I was in hospital waiting to have DD with pregnancy complications they said all sorts of awful things could happen and the thing that really helped me to keep it together was another online forum as I could say what was really going through my mind without the worry that others would feel too upset.

Sending much love ahd strength to you and your little tiger x

MrsMushroom · 11/01/2013 02:14

clutching well done for being so strong....the doctor said you'd need all your reserves for this time and now we know why! It's really hit you because it's been so traumatic. DS is obviously a little rock and has done so well. It must be scary to see him so weak but it's SUCH early days and remember, in a year you will be looking back at this time....it's an awfully hard one....but DS will recover and you will remember how brave he and you are.xxxx

MarmMummy · 11/01/2013 07:10

Hang on in there!! Smile
When my DS has night terrors he pushes me away, I know what you mean, it's a horrible feeling when they act so out of character and you feel you can't console him.
But you will, and you can, you are his mummy and know him better than anyone.Smile
Sending you a virtual hug, indescribably tough situation.

HildaOgden · 11/01/2013 07:12

God love you Clutching,you've been through an awful trauma.Allow yourself time to accept that...life took an odd turn for you and DS and it was completely unexpected.The shock of that would be enough to throw any of us.

Ds is improving...slowly,but surely....and each day that passes will being him back nearer to being 'himself'.He is bound to be 'disjointed',even the drugs they used to sedate while the swelling went day would be still having an effect.When his system is clear,the fog will lift.

You are doing fantastically well....one day soon,you will be able to look back at this as a memory,it won't be your 'every day' reality.Hang in there,day by day,hour by hour...minute by minute if needs be.Post here whenever you need to rant,or sob,or express your true worries.I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we can all emphatise with how awful you must be feeling...there is no worse feeling than being worried for our children.,and Little Clutching has certainly worried you.But he's on the mend now....you're there to help him...so let us be here to help you.

Huge hugs (and I don't care how unMumsnetting that is!) xx

brianbennettfan · 11/01/2013 07:19

Clutching, I haven't posted here before, but you and your lo have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since you first posted. The two of you have had a horrible shock to the system, in the case of your lo physically as well as emotionally.

Please try to hang on to the thought that he is going in the right direction, even though progress seems to be slow. You will get there in the end. Thanks

thegreylady · 11/01/2013 08:38

Dear clutching what mixed emotions-relief that he is awake and sadness that the poor little boy is still so poorly. You must be absolutely wrung out and very scared yourself. Hang on to the fact that the doctors are pleased so far. Of course he is terrified-he fell asleep at home in his own bed and has woken in a very scary place surrounded by weird sights,strange people and no doubt in some discomfort, if not pain.
Hang in there a bit longer love and check in when you can. Someone is always here.

MrsMelons · 11/01/2013 08:45

I am so glad he is awake and doing as well as he could be.

I have been looking out for your updates several times a day - sending lots of get well soon wishes to your DS and thinking of you!

Nooneelseisallowedafergus · 11/01/2013 08:55

Thinking of you and your little boy. X x

RillaBlythe · 11/01/2013 09:41

Thinking of you Clutching. I really hope you & your lad are home soon.

ILikeWhisperingToo · 11/01/2013 09:50

Clutching glad there is progress, sorry the road to recovery is bumpier than expected. Hope the doctors are continuing to look after you, sending lots more well wishes your way xx

happydotcom · 11/01/2013 09:54

I've also been checking in several times a day. Stay strong clutching. Your little ds is heading in the right direction.
Lots of (((( hugs)))
Just take everything an hr at a time xxxx

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 11/01/2013 09:56

Sending you love & strength
x

Stumbleine · 11/01/2013 10:25

Thinking of you all, sending lots of positive thoughts to you Xxxx

tempnameswap · 11/01/2013 10:33

Oh Clutching it is awful when your dc doesn't seem himself/herself - it feels like nothing will ever be the same again. But little bodies and brains have the advantage that they heal incredibly quickly. This is a miserable phase for you all, but sooner than you realise he will start to feel and seem better.

From my experience, once the immediate crisis is over, we just want them back as they were. But that isn't going to happen straight away. Each day gets you a step closer to before he was ill.

And you won't feel better straight away either. It will be a while - in similar circs I think I developed a sort of post traumatic stress disorder. Not saying you will, but be kind to yourself. You have had a horrible experience and you are doing so well.

xx

fanjodisfunction · 11/01/2013 10:36

clutching I'm so glad mini-clutching is awake, and hugs to you that its a bit tough. Rant away on here, we've been here all the way and we are not going anywhere. Take it one hour at a time, he is improving, he's still your little boy.

pepperrabbit · 11/01/2013 10:40

Clutching, just seen your update. How frightening for you both, he has no idea where he is or what has happened and it is slow progress. You are doing so well Thanks and are emotionally and physically exhausted.
It will take time for everything to be back to "normal" and everyone around you may also be looking on the bright side outwardly but are just as shocked at what has happened.
You may not feel strong - but you are strong, and are doing so well.
Have his sisters been able to come in and see him?

RubyrooUK · 11/01/2013 13:04

Clutching, thank you for the update. I am glad your DS is improving and don't feel you have to be super cheery when actually you are scared or upset by what is happening. I'm sure we can all understand that.

Almost exactly a year ago, my DS, 17 months also, was rushed to hospital because he was incredibly sleepy and the doctor feared he had meningitis.

He turned out to have another severe infection which he was lucky they caught in time. He had to stay in hospital for quite some time and receive antibiotics and constant monitoring as he was so unwell.

Obviously it isn't the same situation. I am not you and my DS is not your son. But there are many similarities, including how anxious I felt about my DS not being himself.

My DS stopped speaking when in hospital. He also couldn't walk for a while. This was the effect of him being so weak and the lumbar puncture, along with a total loss of confidence in his ability to do anything. It was like seeing him returned to being a much younger child who wasn't him - something I found incredibly scary. I had to leave the room sometimes and breathe outside as I was so freaked out.

He was a very clingy child, who loved pressing his cheek to yours and constant hugs and I felt was "different" after his illness in hospital, more detached. He just seemed not like him.

Just to say that looking back, I now realise he - like all of us - was just completely hit for six by the whole situation. It was not a rejection of me or real change in his character, just him trying to cope. And it changed every day. Some days in hospital, he was distant, then suddenly he'd need me to be there around the clock. He was too young to rationalise what was occurring.

Sometimes I would think he was so different from how he used to be; sometimes he'd be like his old self

I am not sure that we all even started to get our heads together until we had been home a while, he began to walk and talk again and I stopped checking him obsessively in his sleep.

Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack your thread in any way. I was just trying to say that I think it is completely understandable why you feel this way and it is so so early in your DS getting better.

I don't think there is one way for anyone to react to what is such a stressful, awful situation. But I'll be thinking of you lots.

Bundlejoycosysweet · 11/01/2013 13:17

Thinking of you and sending lots of get well vibes your way.

Nosleeptillgodknowswhen · 11/01/2013 13:47

It's really tough dealing with anything like this, especially whenyou have been having to hold it all together while he was sedated. It's probably parly the shock catching up with you now he improving. Hang on in there - we are all thinking of you and hoppefully it will get better every day.

bamboostalks · 11/01/2013 14:09

Said a prayer for your little boy today. He'll be back soon. What a dreadful time you've had. It's another reality when you're in hospital with a sick child.

extracrunchy · 11/01/2013 14:21

Thinking of you and your little one xx