Firstly this is long and I apologise if I'm babbling..
So on Wednesday we took my 14 month old DD to the GP as she has been teething (molars) and started running a temp, she's been majorly irritable and started refusing any food, only drinking her milk during the day. Was checked over by the GP who checked her mouth and said 'oh, she has an infection' ..shoved me a prescription for penicillin and that was that. Got her home, gave her a dose via syringe then put her to bed. She woke during the night numerous times, absolutely inconsolable so spent the night co-sleeping with me whilst DH slept in spare room. The next morning I could just tell she wasn't right, not playing with her toys as she normally would and wouldn't concentrate on cbeebies like she usually would. I then tried to give her some ready brek which she loves, she refused and started absolutely crying her heart out. I managed to look in her mouth and straight away noticed her gums and tongue were bright red, ulcerated and swollen. (I've attached pic) the gums have become so swollen at this point that it's essentially burying her front teeth, top and bottom.
So in sheer panic I called 111, explained all to them and was told I'd recieve a call from out of hours. In the end she was in such a state and started refusing her drink as the day went on, wouldn't let me go anywhere near her mouth without really breaking her heart so frantic and upset once again I called 111 who told us to take her to A&E and they would send a referral over to them. DH turns up with a very inconsolable child, explains he's been sent and they tell him there is no record if any referral. That immediately sets the tone for DH. They then cart him into the 'quarantine' part of the A&E department and inform him they will be coming to do a PCR test on my DD to rule out covid. (She didnt have a temp at this point but was hot as it was a warm evening and she was totally worked up) DH was in A&E 4 hours before even being seen to so he walked out and brought her home. I have upmost respect for the NHS and understandably we're in a very volatile time r.e covid but my DH said she was the youngest patient in that waiting room and was informed by the receptionist 'they aren't prioritising children tonight' okay... 😳
We managed to get her settled and in bed once she had got home and she slept through. It's now Sunday and she hasn't had any food in maybe 3 days now? Wont take icecream, ice lollies, water, just wont have anyone go near her mouth without screaming. I'm 22 weeks pregnant myself at the moment so my head is a shed! And by the way at this point, im still non the wiser as to what is wrong with her.
Yesterday a last ditch attempt I called 111 AGAIN and basically cried down the phone to them. I spoke to a paramedic, triage nurse AND GP who all were very sympathetic and had seen on her notes that she hadn't been given any sort of diagnosis yet and apologised.. yeah, thanks I guess?
Anyway, the GP asked me to send photos over of her mouth, he then said he reckoned hand, foot and mouth.. (she hasnt got any spots on her palms or soles of her feet) he just told me he wasnt concerned by her not eating but the fluid intake needs to be upped. My frustration at the moment is she will have a bit of her milk, then the pain kicks in and she is absolutely inconsolable and it's breaking my heart. I was very VERY close to calling an ambulance last night as she was completely in distress but then I was torn between is it truly an emergency and am I wasting paramedics time? I'm at a total loss. I was also prescribed Nystan oral suspension but then told I shouldn't have been prescribed that as it's mainly used for oral thrush and would have little to no effect on her ulcers. The penicillin she was initially prescribed also got chucked as I was informed by the GP it is probably viral and the penicillin in that case will be pointless.
Thankfully my mother is over this weekend helping me out, DD loves her nana and seems to be settling more with her than me (im guessing she can vibe my absolute stress atm) she still isn't eating and getting her to drink is difficult. Is there anything I can do to take the pain away? Ive tried Bonjela, Anbesol and teething powder so far. I'm honestly one stressed out mama 😩
Thank you so much if you have read this far! Xx