Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Suspected Leukaemia

128 replies

Larrythelamb84 · 21/05/2018 18:43

I found some lumps in my daughters neck this weekend. Wasn’t too worried (thought it was her glands), but took her to GP just in case. What he said floored me. It COULD be leukaemia. But it also could be a virus causing her lymph nodes to be inflamed. He found far more lumps than I did, but he won’t order the blood test for another 4 weeks to see if the lumps go down on their own...which would happen if it was a virus. But I’m not sure I can wait that long. She is 6 and otherwise fit and healthy. Is there any way of speeding up the bloods? Any private places I could take her to? Willing to travel anywhere in the UK if it means not waiting (and worrying for) 4 weeks!

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 21/05/2018 19:27

I don't know whether you can/would find a doctor willing to do blood tests for leukemia on your dd unless there is a significant possibility that she has the condition. Certainly they will obly do them if it is in her best interests, not just to calm you down.

Generally speaking when doctors suspect leukemia they act very quickly - so I guess this doctor doesn't really suspect it.

How about asking for a second opinion and going from there?

Ethelswith · 21/05/2018 19:35

I think it's really crap of your GP to raise the possibility of a serious condition before they have reached the point where they think it is right to test for it.

Waiting to see if something which has an innocuous and common cause spontaneously resolves, and asking you to return in a couple of weeks to check it (and only then telling you what else they might be thinking of if it hasn't ) would be fine.

Leukaemia is pretty rare. If GP really thought it was a possibility (say if your DD had any of the other typical presenting symptoms) then s/he should order a full blood count as the first step.

ScattyCharly · 21/05/2018 19:41

Google private GP in your area.

If you’re near Cardiff:

www.theindependentgeneralpractice.co.uk/private-gp-clinics/cardiff-gate/

Tell them over the phone what you want. It’s absolutely disgusting for a doctor to suggest leukaemia and then tell you to wait 4 weeks.

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 21/05/2018 19:45

He went through the likely scenario of a virus, but then said “I don’t want to scare you but...”. She’s been to the doctors serval times over the last year with nose bleeds, growing pains, red spots (she has those currently) and now I’ve put them all together I’m obviously worried - but I did all that AFTER I had left the consultation room. Now I’m thinking I should have asked more questions, or perhaps pushed for the bloods straight away.

OP posts:
BlueEyedBengal · 21/05/2018 19:53

Second opinion or take her to a&e don't wait 4 weeks.

TheresSomebodyAtTheDoor · 21/05/2018 19:57

That's insane...when this happened to me, I had the blood test there and then, and 3 hours later a phonecall with the results.
I'd go straight to a&e if I were you. And then make a formal complaint.

QuilliamCakespeare · 21/05/2018 20:00

Completely disagree with people telling you to go to A&E. This is neither accident nor emergency. Both my kids have had a plethora of swollen lymph nodes (my eldest pretty much as soon as he was born) at one time or another which disappeared on their own. Follow the advice of the GP.

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 21/05/2018 20:06

I work for the NHS so won’t be dashing to A&E as it’s not the best place for her. They don’t do paediatrics bloods at my surger, they’re taken at the hospital but you need a referral. I’m going to make another appointment tomorrow to ask some more questions. Hopefully I’m worrying over nothing, the lump under her chin was quite significant on Saturday but is now almost a pea. I didn’t pick out all the lumps the doctor identified, he found some under her arms and groin. It’s just hard not to worry when such a thing is mentioned.

OP posts:
BlueEyedBengal · 21/05/2018 20:07

4 week wait is totally unreasonable time to wait for a blood test. one of mine had swollen glands and they did the test that day I would never take extra risks when time may be essential better safe than nether.

AngkorWaat · 21/05/2018 20:08

I wouldn’t go to A&E, but I wouldn’t wait 4 weeks either if you think there may be other symptoms that are worrying you.

I went to the GP for the same reason with my eldest, we were sent for a blood test just to be on the safe side but he rung through and made the appointment while we were there. No point mentioning something so serious if you’re just going to wait and see!

With hindsight we probably shouldn’t have tested (she was fine, there were no other symptoms) but then she was my first and the GP was newly qualified.

bobstersmum · 21/05/2018 20:09

Had this in October with ds and had the blood test the same day but only because I stamped my feet.

LilQueenie · 21/05/2018 20:16

get a second opinion and mention the other symptoms asap. the stress won't help you or your daughter. the doctor really should not have handled it the way he did. I sympathise with you as have been there with dd though no other symtpoms. doc basically asked me to wait a couple weeks and if no change go back.

hannah1992 · 21/05/2018 20:18

Is she quite skinny? My dd2 is a skinny little thing and I can feel hers. I’m not worried because they’ve always been there and they don’t get bigger or bother her. I also have them in my neck and have since I was a child. I have a large one on the side of my neck and when I get I’ll it swells like a golf ball. Harmless though. I very much doubt it would be anything serious and that doctor shouldn’t have told you that.

To second other posters saying about same day tests. A lady in the village I live in little boy who 7 was diagnosed few months ago. She had taken him to the doctors that morning was sent straight to hospital and had a phone call that night Togo straight back in.

If they really suspected it they would t play the wait and see approach.

penguinsnpandas · 21/05/2018 20:22

I would go back and try and get tests on NHS. If not I would have thought private hospitals would be able to but don't know if you can skip consultant stage - I always saw a consultant then got blood tests with a form from consultant when going privately.

BettyPitts · 21/05/2018 20:25

I'd be taking her back for a second d opinion.

I hope she's ok x

HappyHedgehog247 · 21/05/2018 20:26

I'd go back and say you did more Reading when you got home and put symptoms together and as a result want the blood test now. If they won't do it, yes you can get bloods privately. The reason you normally need a referral is if you are claiming on insurance, access is easier if self-funding.

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 21/05/2018 21:17

Yes she’s very skinny, she’s 6 and weighs 2st 7lb. Very pale too so that wouldn’t be unusual. Thanks everyone for your replies, I’m going to go back tomorrow (if I can get in) and discuss all of her other symptoms which might point towards leukaemia. In the meantime I can only hope that he’s right with his original thought of a virus.

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 21/05/2018 21:30

Ok if she's had other symptoms I think you're right to go back straight away. Apologies - from your first post I understood that she was completely fine except for the glands. She probably is completely fine but your worry is more understandable now.

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 21/05/2018 21:48

Hi barbarianmum. I went due to the lumps, it was only afterwards that I thought about what else has been going on with her. I feel like I’ve brushed things off. Nose bleeds I’ve put down to her being like me, as I had them as a child. Her legs and arms often hurt, but she dances and does gymnastics 5 days a week. The spots I’ve taken the doctors word that they’re viral. The tiredness due to all her activities. All of those are symptoms and I’ve completly overlooked them and thought of this possibility. I’m going to queue up in the morning again to try book an appointment.

OP posts:
TheresSomebodyAtTheDoor · 21/05/2018 23:02

What do the spots look like?

I hope you get seen tomorrow OP, to put your mind at rest hopefully.

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 22/05/2018 20:23

The spots have been diagnosed as folicilitis, but they come and go pretty regular. I went back to the GP the morning (different one) and they wouldn’t budge on ordering the blood test.

OP posts:
Twunk · 22/05/2018 20:31

DS2 was pretty damn unwell when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, and although there are cases with few (or light) symptoms, generally it’s pretty worrying before anyone has even mentioned the C or L word.

ajandjjmum · 22/05/2018 20:31

Wow - I'm amazed. To mention something like that, and leave you hanging is very poor care.

Have you explored the possibility of a private test?

Twunk · 22/05/2018 20:32

I know it’s scary though. What they’re basically saying is that they don’t think it is - but you’ll be back if she continues to have a problem...

Original poster
Larrythelamb84 · 22/05/2018 21:11

I’ve tried bupa and Nuffield and neither will conduct the test. I’d be willing to travel anywhere to put my mind at ease but most private companies which do bloods on children, only do so for allergies and general illnesses. I’ve not found any willing to do the marker test. She’s not unwell, and has in fact been to dancing this evening. She just complains of aching...but this really could be down to the physical element. Obviously trying to stay positive, and whilst I can understand the GPS point of view of waiting to see if the lumps go on their own, it’s still very frustrating.

OP posts: