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Seriously worried about toddler

65 replies

Widget123 · 03/03/2019 03:43

My daughter is 2.5 years old. I posted on here a month ago saying she had an unexplained temperature... eventually after 2 GP visits a GP said her eardrum was red and prescribed amoxicillin, her ear cleared up and her temperature lowered slightly but remained around 37.5 within 3 days it’s went back up to 39+ and stayed there, at this point she started looking pale and was occasionally complaining of stomach pains. Needless to say I took her back to the GP who checked her urine (dipstick only) said that was clear, checked her over (ears, throat, tummy) evrything checked out except they recorded a high temp again, GP said next stage was to do a blood test so gave me a form. I went off and her temp went down again so I thought she was on the mend, a few days later it all starts up again, she woke up in the night crying her eyes out with a very high temp she looked so pale and by this point had lost a substantial amount of weight (mainly I assume due to the fact that she had barely eaten since all thisbstarted) so I drove her 45 minutes to the nearest hospital first thing to get her blood test, the GP didn’t tell me but apparently I needed to prebook this as it’s not straightforward with toddlers and their next appaoibtment was on 11th March. I pleaded with them at the children’s ward but they said no so in desperation I took her over to their a&e department. I asked for a blood test there and the paediatrician on call Just told reception no without even seeing her and put us on the GP out of ours list. He checked her over and said she sounded like she may have mild croup from the way she was breathing but otherwise was fine. I suggested anaemia, he said she would look even paler than this if she was anaemia, he suggested coeliacs but said it doesn’t quite fit and would need a blood test. He said although I’m saying she’s lost a lot of weight (which she seriously has, clothes I was about to take to the charity shop are now hanging off of her) she’s still within the range of her age. Since then she’s developed a slight night time cough over the past week, she just has bouts of coughing, several times now she’s coughed so hard she’s thrown up. In the day she’s all over the place one minute she’s got energy then she’s asking to go to bed. She still has a very high temperature especially at night. My other daughters had croup and this doesn’t have any of the telltale signs. Yesterday she woke up and had bloodshot eyes, I mean actually bloodshot with flecks of blood in them like some of the vessels had burst. The white of the eye was very red, again I called triage and visited the GP. I got a female GP this time who said she looked pale and suggested that her blood vessels in her eyes could possibly have burst from coughing but it was clearly concerning her, she wasn’t happy with her colouring or the fact that once again her temp was coming up at 38.8 in the office. She called the on call paediatrician and said my daughters colouring was off, her eyes were blood shot and she’d been to them several times in a one month period and each time she had a high fever, she said she wanted to see her blood test results so she could get an idea of what was going on. All the paediatrician could offer was to try and pull the blood test forward from the 11th March. So, it’s now 3:30am Saturday night and I’m in the spare bed with her now, as usual she’s woke up crying, saying her stomach hurts, coughing, high fever, blood red eyes and her weight... she’s barely eaten a thing today! (The GP said not to worry about the weight she will get it back on but how can I when she’s lost so much, they didn’t see her a month ago!). The last thing the GP said was if I haven’t heard from the hospital by next Wednesday to chase them... Wednesday?? So I’ve now got to carry on like this with her like this for another 4 days and even once the test is done we will have to wait for the results. I’ve never had to have a child’s blood test done before, I appreciate it’s harder than an adults and can see why no one wants to do it but to wait 3 weeks when she’s this unwell?? Surely GPs are only issuing these if they are absolutely necessary, god knows what can happen to a child in that time if it’s urgent. Her temp is 39.7 right now, she’s cuddled into me and she is SO poorly, from what I’ve read a temp this high could only be associated with her cough if it was a chest infection and everyone’s telling me her chest sounds fine, but she’s had all this before the cough anyway so it doesn’t add up. She’s spent most of today sleeping on the sofa. I’m getting so worried about her now and I feel like I’ve hit a brick wall, she’s not showing any signs of improving and doesn’t have much more weight to lose... if anyone’s reading this and has any ideas please help me.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DryIce · 03/03/2019 03:49

That sounds so stressful! have you thought about getting a private blood test?

oatmilk4breakfast · 03/03/2019 03:55

Didn’t want to read and run, I have no medical experience though. Poor her and poor you. So horrible up see her going through this. Are her lymph nodes swollen in her neck? Any rash?

helterskelter3 · 03/03/2019 03:59

Does the temperature respond to Calpol? If it’s that high and she’s had Calpol, I would be at A&E.
My son was ill for months with a cough that would make him sick, I was beside myself and every time it would be ‘chest is clear’ it took an inhaler eventually to shift it, but he didn’t have the temperature thing.
Probably not much help but I didn’t want to leave you with that on your own.
She might have pulled a tummy muscle from all the coughing?

oatmilk4breakfast · 03/03/2019 04:01

Just looked up private blood tests - Nuffield Health say it’s specialist skill to do test on children so not everywhere does it but to call and ask.

Broken11Girl · 03/03/2019 04:03

That's appalling OP, you have been treated so dismissively. No way should a blood test entail a wait of 2 weeks. I'd contact PALS (Google PALS & your area). Flowers
She shouldn't have to go private, and most people can't afford to Hmm

Widget123 · 03/03/2019 04:23

Wow, I wasn’t expecting reposonses till the morning thank you. I know I am so shocked about the blood test, our local hospital won’t do them on under 5’s hence why I’ve had to travel and the big one said they only do a max of 5 a day. I didn’t think of going private but I think I may have to, I’ll call them on Monday and get an idea of costs etc, I hate seeing her like this. I would be at a&e but I already tried that and they were hopeless, I think because all she’s presenting with on evaluation is a fever so they send her on her way and now won’t do anything without the blood test, how can a little girl be left like this for this long though? This could be so dangerous.

Sometimes the temp responds to calpol and sometimes not, I’m mindful of giving her calprofen because she says she has tummy ache and isn’t eating much, it’s been a month now and I don’t want to keep putting it on her little tummy so am just really on calpol now which is helping a bit, she perks up briefly at least.

I though about asthma but as you say it wouldn’t explain the temp and all of this was going on before the cough started so I’m not sure but I don’t think the coughs playing a huge part in this and is possibly coincidence or part of what’s going on, not the cause if that makes sense?

Contacting PALs is a really good idea.

OP posts:
Ozziewozzie · 03/03/2019 04:31

4 months ago, my ds3 had pneumonia (viral)
I didn't know at the time but he was severely anaemic. Hense a normal cold virus turned to phemonia.
Anyway, the pneumonia cleared up. However my ds had day after day of high temps. We too went back and forth to PAU at hospital. The gp at our surgery kept sending us up there as they were do concerned. He literally ate nothing for 8 weeks. Lost 4kg. Try and monitor dd weight as they will want to know this.
The hospital blood tests done usually get results back within the hour.
My ds had temps of 41 for days on end. I was so worried. Eventually he just started recovering. Now the mission impossible is to get iron into him! Easier said than done.
Does your daughter drink a lot of cows milk?

Ozziewozzie · 03/03/2019 04:35

Also, we went to a & e and insisted a paediatrician saw ds and took bloods that day as our apt was booked ages away. We didn't ask. I literally said, my son will be seeing a paediatrician today and will be having a blood test. We got one.

Widget123 · 03/03/2019 04:53

Thank you Ozzie this sounds SO similar to my DD. Yes she does drink A LOT of cows milk. I put her back on baby formula a few days ago to get the vitamins etc in her, I’ve tried weaning her off to get her more into food but then she just wouldn’t eat or drink so I ended up giving in as I’m so worried about her weight. How are you getting the iron in him? Is anything working particularly well? I’m aware my DD is saying her tummies hurting, this could be because she not eating much or something could be stuck in it I just don’t know but I’m worried that giving her iron supplements of some kind could constipate her I just don’t know what to do. Was your some very pale? We’re there any other symptoms I could look for?

I’m going to take her to a&e and put my foot down,I’ve had enough of this. You’re right. Fuck it

OP posts:
notangelinajolie · 03/03/2019 05:01

Tonsilitus? Ask them to check her tonsils. Symptoms sound very similar to my DC at the same age. Tummy ache, temperature, pale skin, weight loss and sickness. We were back and forward to the GP for months and not once did anyone look at her throat. Tonsils went septic in the end and we ended up being blue lighted into hospital. Good luck OP, hope today brings some some answers.

adagio · 03/03/2019 05:09

Oh you poor thing this sounds terrible. Hope you get it sorted, it might just be a really nasty virus - but without the test to rule out anything truly sinister you can’t be sure. I would also warn her about the blood test - in a nice way, but no one like surprises so if you’ve already explained that you need her better and that at some point the doctors ‘might’ need to do s blood test and what it is it might make it a wee bit easier.

Iron can’t be absorbed very well if you have it at the same time (1h before or 2h after) as high calcium (dairy) or tea/coffee (not relevant for a child!). You also ideally need vit c at the same time to increase absorption. If you have loads of milk throughout the day then it will make it very hard to absorb any iron you do manage to eat, so that might not be helping? Doesn’t explain the high temp though, so I doubt it’s the root cause.
Good luck Flowers

SinkGirl · 03/03/2019 05:18

I have 2.5 year old twins - 3 weeks ago one of them came down with a virus that sounds very like this (all except the blood shot eyes), including coughing and vomiting. He’s coming out the other side now, but his twin has been very ill this week, GP has given antibiotics due to inflammation in his ear and throat which seem to be helping.

I know you went to a&e to ask for a blood test but have you just taken her in and asked for her to be assessed?

Ozziewozzie · 03/03/2019 05:32

We didn't realise but cows milk (calcium) prevents the absorption of iron.
Prior to getting ill, my ds ate well, very well but also drank alot of cows milk. I had raised this with hv but they never said to do anything differently.
It was only with his pneumonia, they test the blood and we discovered he was really low on iron.
I so wish someone had told us that too much cows milk prevents iron absorption. You did the right thing putting dd back into formula. My ds won't take it. Anaemia can be really bad. Really low iron can cause a lot more than just tiredness. It causes loss of appetite, weakened immune system. Vit c helps absorption of iron. When giving kids cows milk, avoid giving it with food. Let the food be digested first.
I'd be interested to know how you get on at A&e. Thinking of you.
Our saga is still going. Still consultants etc. Appts. It's a really long road for us. Xx

Ozziewozzie · 03/03/2019 05:36

Sorry, but to add, we found out that a temp can cause a red internal ear. Not necessarily the other way round.
Also kids with high temps can spear very unwell. My ds would one minute look as though he was in deaths door, then next be bumbling around as though he was suddenly much better. 15 mins later. Ack to bring really ill again. This is apparently very common in children. Don't be fooled by your dd suddenly picking up. Our ds did this each time we got to the paediatric assessment unit. It looked as though I'd been really dramatic! But low and behold, he plummeted in front of them so I didn't look like a complete loon

Ozziewozzie · 03/03/2019 05:49

Hi Widget
Anemia doesn't cause high temp, but it can make dd more susseptable to illness and fighting it off.
My ds was slightly pale before pneumonia. But had energy etc, really happy. He had though began licking the freezer. Again I mentioned to hv, but she just chuckled and said ' oh how unusual'
It's called 'pica' same as pregnant women craving things. Anaemia can cause cravings for clay, ice and dirt ( luckily we don't have s garden!)
Since the pneominia, he gets very tired and grey if we go out in the cold. Before he'd walk everywhere, now needs to be carried a lot or have his buggy board. His stools were always pale in colour, or yellow.
I wouldn't give your dd iron unless anaemia is confirmed by dr. Too much iron can be fatal.
The supplements we were given, we were told to keep locked away at all times.
We've now withdrawn milk completely. Only one lot at night. He had an allergic reaction to iron liquid though!

MBM18 · 03/03/2019 06:10

Have you tried calling 111 and seeing what they advise? I bet they would suggest you go straight to A&E.
I still would go to A&E anyway and be very persistent, don't leave until you've got the answers you want but maybe give 111 a call first? At least they'll be a record of you calling them.

Sleephead1 · 03/03/2019 06:28

Hi sounds awful I work in a surgery we have to ring to arrange blood tests for children were we are they do 1 clinic a week and that's for all the area so there is always a wait it may be similar in your area. Do you know of the hospital you went to has a children's emergency dept rather than just standard emergency dept? if you look into which hospital does I would travel to that hospital accident and emergency then hopefully they will send you into the paediatric part. Other option is go through out of hours they maybe able to refer you into the paediatric dept. I think at this point you are going to have to be very assertive about it do you know what she weighed previously? or have a photo before weight loss of take it in if possible to show them. It sounds awful for you both. My little boy was seen with tummy issues no temps but we ended up seeing consultant and having bloods he had low iron stores he has a supplement now but it's has to be worked out by the consultant for weight/ dosage ECT.

MaverickSnoopy · 03/03/2019 06:33

When have they brought the blood test forward to?

Take photos of everything. About 6 weeks ago my baby had what appeared (in hindsight) to be an allergic reaction - I took a couple of photos to show DH later as he was at work. She was screaming with it and it was rather scary so I called the doctors who asked us to come in. By the time we got there she was happy and there wasn't a mark on her face, we were about to be fobbed off when I remembered the photos. Then I was taken seriously.

So take photos of everything so doctors can see her worst and also compare to before she'd lost the weight. Keep a track of her weight in her red book and take that to every appointment. I'm not sure if your health visitor might be able to help here, in a sort of advocating for you type way.

Motherofcreek · 03/03/2019 06:39

Have you tried another hospital?

I know my friend has to travel to the next hospital and basically refuse to leave and kick up fuss. They eventually did tests and found out her baby was actually very poorly. She’d been failed by her HV, GP and local hospital who all thought her mother was just a neurotic new mother.

3luckystars · 03/03/2019 06:46

The blood test might not show up anything. Dont be holding on to that for the answer . She might have a chest infection, they can easily miss the sounds, several doctors checked my daughters chest and were shkcked when her x ray came back with pneumonia. They even brought a junior doctor in to show her how hard it is to miss these crep sounds.

There could be a lot of things going on, it could be anything.
Do not wait until Wednesday if your child is going downhill. Go back to a and e, no need to shout or raise your voice. Say 'i am not happy' over and over and refuse to leave if your instincts are telling you that sometging is very wrong.

Good luck x

stillworkingitout · 03/03/2019 06:59

If you look up the paediatric traffic light system used by NICE that might give you a good idea of how she fits with their diagnostic criteria for admission. I’d want to go to a hospital with a decent children’s centre and ideally separate children’s a&e. When mine have been really unwell the aim is to get to the PAU which is either through a&e or by GP. We’ve been a few times over the years but once with sepsis in a 3yo, and also once with near sepsis with a 3 week old baby. I’d recommend keeping a diary and taking photos/videos if at all possible

BloodyWorried · 03/03/2019 07:48

As per PP go to any A&E where there is a paed dept. Refuse to move, the judgement of a parent saying I know something is really wrong, take a full written history with you so you don’t forget anything and they don’t need to remember all of the detailing. Talk through what you’ve tried, explain you can’t continue like this and ask for bloods.

If breathing is different at home: video it. Video all concerns you have.

We did exactly this a year ago, though I went to A&E every day for a week before they took me seriously. I played videos of before he was sick, and the noises he was making. A documented history and a list of bullet pointed concerns. That day they ordered X-rays, and MRI and had him blue lighted to a children’s hospital and prepped for surgery. Not a regular case, but gut instinct of a parent is very important. You know something is wrong - don’t be fobbed off.

Nogodsnomasters · 03/03/2019 09:28

I also suspect pneumonia (sp), I've heard of it being missed by listening to chest a lot and actually needing a chest xray to be detected, could be viral or bacterial. I've also had similar issues with getting a blood test for my 4 year old but for different issues, we waited for 3 months for a pead appointment who was the only one who was gonna do it apparently and then decided it wasn't necessary... I'd go back to the A&E with her today and tell them you're not leaving without either a blood test or a chest xray as you don't believe for one second that it's croup.

SleepWarrior · 03/03/2019 13:22

Did you go to a&e? Hope everything is OK.

Bicyclethief · 03/03/2019 15:22

Hope you went to a&e. All the best OP