Persistent limp, night pain and now rash

[pumpkinspice1]

Hi I posted a previous thread explaining my child has a persistent limp which I'm told is irritable hip recurring. He is now having leg pain at night and also a few different rashes this past month. I'm thinking these rashes are viral but was not sure? The one on his stomach he had for a week which then went and now he has this rash over just the tops of his legs and a few on his face. Any ideas?

How old is he and when did the limp start? My 3 boys all had irritable hip which apparently has a viral cause. Is he still limping?

@candle18

How old is he and when did the limp start? My 3 boys all had irritable hip which apparently has a viral cause. Is he still limping?

It started back in March. He woke one morning and couldn't weight bare took him to A&E who diagnosed irritable hip. He hasn't walked properly since. I've taken him to the GP who referred him to physio back in may but still no follow up. He has noticeable weakness in his left side and it's just getting worse. Was diagnosed again 4 weeks ago with irritable hip by the GP. He will be 2 in November x

That's a very long time for him to have symptoms. So he has been limping for 6 months or did he improve and then it came back again?
I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral to either general paediatrics or ortho.
How is he in himself? Has he been unwell for that time?

@stressbucket1

That's a very long time for him to have symptoms. So he has been limping for 6 months or did he improve and then it came back again? I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral to either general paediatrics or ortho. How is he in himself? Has he been unwell for that time?

The limp has been on and off since March. He has been unwell for the past 3 months. Recurrent infections and high fevers . He has lost weight going from the 75th centile to the 50th I've taken him to the doctors over 8 times in the last 8 weeks. If I try to mention the other symptoms I get dismissed. I asked for a blood test as I think he could be anaemic but my referral to paediatrics is still 8 weeks away x

I would be asking for a paediatric referral or rheumatology possibly. Could you maybe afford a private consultation in the first instance?

He needs some blood tests ASAP. Hope he's ok OP

@SergeiL

I would be asking for a paediatric referral or rheumatology possibly. Could you maybe afford a private consultation in the first instance?

I called my health visitor to enquire about any recommendations for going private she said she couldn't recommend any incase they aren't any good. I would happily pay private to be honest. I saw the Gp again today who said the rash was eczema? And that's what's causing him the leg pain even though he has had leg pain on and off for months and the rash has only been the last week or so xx

@itbemay1

He needs some blood tests ASAP. Hope he's ok OP

I requested weeks ago if my child could please have a blood test twice I was dismissed. The third time they agreed to refer me it's now an eight week wait for the appointment xx

You see the rash and the pain is making me think about psoriatic arthritis (I think it is called). Which is why I am thinking rheumatology. For the private referral, you would see an NHS consultant much quicker. And you get to choose them. Even blood tests may not give you the answer. You need a proper work up. Where are you based?

I would look for a good paediatrician in your area and pay for an initial consult. I don’t think orthopaedics or physio would be any help at this stage as there is clearly something medical as opposed to physical going on.

Do you have a paediatric A&E nearby? If so I would take him there first thing Monday morning. Pain and limping for 6 months and losing weight really isn't right. Any paediatric doctor would take that seriously. You could try ringing the secretary of the Dr you have been referred to and see if they could speed up the appt. I wouldn't leave it 8 weeks though

@SergeiL

You see the rash and the pain is making me think about psoriatic arthritis (I think it is called). Which is why I am thinking rheumatology. For the private referral, you would see an NHS consultant much quicker. And you get to choose them. Even blood tests may not give you the answer. You need a proper work up. Where are you based?

I'm based in Birmingham do you have any suggestions please? I've looked online and it's all confusing xx

@SergeiL

I would look for a good paediatrician in your area and pay for an initial consult. I don’t think orthopaedics or physio would be any help at this stage as there is clearly something medical as opposed to physical going on.

I'm going to look this evening and book to see someone privately xx

@stressbucket1

Do you have a paediatric A&E nearby? If so I would take him there first thing Monday morning. Pain and limping for 6 months and losing weight really isn't right. Any paediatric doctor would take that seriously. You could try ringing the secretary of the Dr you have been referred to and see if they could speed up the appt. I wouldn't leave it 8 weeks though

I'm going to call first thing Monday and beg for help even if it means paying privately to see a consultant I will xx

You shouldn't have to pay privately. I would try Birmingham children's A&E first.

Ask them to check for auto immune system things, like Kawasaki disease. I'm not suggesting it is that, but auto immune things are often missed because each symptom seems separate but actually they're all linked.

I think Dr Karen Davies works in that area, she excellent for rheumatology and general paeds.

I agree re autoimmune investigations.

I also agree that they shouldn’t have to pay to be seen - but it is very difficult to get referred if the GP is not taking it seriously.

@stressbucket1

You shouldn't have to pay privately. I would try Birmingham children's A&E first.

I would try A&E but when I went there previously they told me it was irritable hip again and to see how he gets on and that was four weeks ago now xx

@Runforthehillocks

Ask them to check for auto immune system things, like Kawasaki disease. I'm not suggesting it is that, but auto immune things are often missed because each symptom seems separate but actually they're all linked.

I will definitely task about these. I've just emailed a private paediatrician in Wolverhampton so will await a response xx

@Runforthehillocks

Ask them to check for auto immune system things, like Kawasaki disease. I'm not suggesting it is that, but auto immune things are often missed because each symptom seems separate but actually they're all linked.

This is what I mentioned to our GP. No one is seeing the bigger picture they will only assess him for separate issues but not look at all of the problems as a whole. It's very stressful xx

@cathyandclare

I think Dr Karen Davies works in that area, she excellent for rheumatology and general paeds.

I will look her up! Thank you so much xx

@SergeiL

I agree re autoimmune investigations.

I also agree that they shouldn’t have to pay to be seen - but it is very difficult to get referred if the GP is not taking it seriously.

We haven't seen the same GP the last 8 times always a different doctor which is very frustrating as they don't know my child. They refuse to look at all the issues as a whole and as soon as I mention other issue he has at the moment they say "well we are here to discuss this one issue today" I swear I could cry when I leave the surgery xx

Dr Davies at Wolverhampton as mentioned above looks perfect. Good luck. My daughter has JIA. We drew a blank on the NHS and privately before getting lucky with a brilliant consultant seeing her scans and immediately taking action.

@SergeiL

Dr Davies at Wolverhampton as mentioned above looks perfect. Good luck. My daughter has JIA. We drew a blank on the NHS and privately before getting lucky with a brilliant consultant seeing her scans and immediately taking action.

Thank you so much! Fingers crossed we are lucky and they can help xx