Sudden lump and blood in phlegm 5 week old daughter

[emmaspyr0]

At my wits ends with the hospital, has anyone ever experienced anything similar to this?
On Saturday my 5 week old daughter was reaaaaally unsettled (totally out of character she hardly ever cries) and very congested - went for hours screaming which caused her to gurgle and often choke on phlegm, this went on for about 8 hours and at one point there was a tiny amount of blood in her phlegm but it didn’t really concern me as it was so tiny and she seemed back to herself by evening. Sunday daytime started to happen again and she coughed up phlegm mixed with a lot of bright red blood - took her straight to A&E to which doc said it was probably a nosebleed that went down the wrong hole. Felt slightly fobbed odd but trusted the doctors instinct. Monday perfectly fine back to her normal self happy and awake all day, Monday night all hell broke loose non stop screaming from about 2am-5am choking on what seems to be phlegm stuck in her throat and gurgling/rattling as she cried. Started to cough up a fair amount of blood again around 5:30 and upon turning lights on I noticed a massive (what seemed like fluid filled) lump had formed on the side of her head. Took her straight to A&E who had no answers, noted how strange the lump was and admitted us onto ward. Morning Doc absolutely useless decided I must have cracked nipples which caused the blood in her spit up (I don’t - later confirmed by a nurse, I also express and would have noticed blood in my milk but doc didn’t want to hear it) changed over to evening Doctor who has been brill so far but still no answers, lump has no gone down significantly but still no explanation as to what it was - was squishy to touch- bloods came back and they ^^think she has some sort of infection but don’t know where or what is causing it so put her on broad spectrum antibiotics, decided to do chest X-Ray and initially said head X-ray too but then decided it’s too risky at this stage as the radiation could affect her small babies brain. Mentioned CT scan but again didn’t want to risk the radiation, also mentioned lumbar puncture but then changed mind again. She’s been very lethargic all day to the point I got really worried but she has woken up slightly since (before antibiotics) Has absolutely anyone experienced anything like this?? Even just coughing up blood? Docs can’t seem to come up with an explanation or reason for either problem and I have such a bad feeling if she starts looking well they will just send us home without any diagnosis, any help or advice is appreciated!!
(also no poo in around 2 days then did green poo earlier)

Hello Emma
Congratulations on your new baby. This sounds massively stressful for you. I think that this is one of those ones where it is really important NOT to take medical advice or diagnoses from a bunch of randoms on the internet. We haven't met your baby and our anecdotes could be waaaay off the mark. The doctors will do all the right investigations- which we cannot!- and you are in absolutely the right place. Try to look after yourself as much as humanly possible- I know from experience that this is not easy in hospital. I am thinking eating properly etc which can fall by the wayside when we are worried about our DC. I hope you get some answers soon.

It’s so so hard in the early days because there’s so much going on to begin with let alone everything you are on top of that.

Take their advice but don’t be afraid to push for a second opinion. Trust your instinct too and don’t leave without answers.

Not the same but I had to jump up and down for 16 weeks before they found out what was going on with my LO. Looking back I wish I’d been firmer but I was too exhausted. Luckily she’s ok!

Fingers crossed you get sorted soon x

Oh goodness, how scary that must all have been for you. You poor thing. Definitely trust your instincts and keep pushing if you're not satisfied.

If you are not happy with what they are doing just keep fighting. Have your questions at the ward round and ask again if there are any more diagnostic tests that could be happening - revisit the x Ray etc.

Make it clear you think she is not right, mothers instinct goes a long way & they should listen.

Ask them what infection they think she has? And if you are still not happy you can ask for PALS to be a link for you.

Hope you get some answers today, sometimes new day brings a new ward round and a Doctor with fresh eyes.

Do you have a photo of the lump, when my DS was in recently I showed each doctor the photo or videos I had of him breathing hard etc - which helped the doctors.

Good luck

Suggest you push for a CT scan. My ds2 had two in his first 6 weeks of life (craniosynostosis). They don't do them for nothing but this really isn't nothing, is it?