Tonsillitis every 4 weeks

wobblymum1 · 2023-07-31T10:01:50+00:00

I just need a handhold really as feel at wit’s end ☹️ my DD7 has tonsillitis that over last 3 Months has ramped up to monthly, prior to that every 2 - 3 months. Each time she gets it she’s poorly, is off school a week, I have to force in the antibiotics and means I have to not go into work for that week (I’m a single mum and no family nearby ☹️) saw dr again today for latest episode who is referring to ENT but said “it’s a long wait”. i just feel utterly despondent at rest of year spent with her poorly every 3 weeks. My son is autistic with challenging behaviours so I already felt pretty stressed, I don’t know what I’m looking for here other than a safe place to write it down as I’m struggling badly today. thank you xx

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:03

Ps not that I could
afford it at all, but private isn’t an option as we are in Scotland and they don’t do private ENT here (maybe a good thing really as I can barely
cover bills as it is let alone a private operation)

OP posts:

3luckystars · 31/07/2023 11:05

I’ll tell you what I think the problem is, it’s the same dose and it hasn’t cleared up!

Thats why it keeps recurring.

You need a proper dose of different antibiotics that will get rid of it.

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:07

3luckystars · 31/07/2023 11:05

I’ll tell you what I think the problem is, it’s the same dose and it hasn’t cleared up!

Thats why it keeps recurring.

You need a proper dose of different antibiotics that will get rid of it.

I did ask this and she sort of shrugged and said she doesn’t think so - and I didn’t have any energy to argue ☹️☹️

OP posts:

3luckystars · 31/07/2023 11:10

Ok, I understand but if this one doesn’t work then write it down. Go back with it written down and ask for a different antibiotic.

QuiltedHippo · 31/07/2023 11:11

I just put ENT paediatric into BUPAs find a consultant search and there's definitely options in Edinburgh, didn't try for other areas but worth a look.

I know its not affordable but would an initial consult be? Normally a couple of hundred which is a lot if you're struggling. You could at least find out what you're dealing with and it can make the NHS side work faster.
There are schemes like simply health where you pay £10+ a month and can cover your children then you get cashback on things like dental, glasses, physio, and consultant fees are included normally enough for a visit a year.
Its not like private health care and no preexisting condition checks. They pay back very quickly so if you were able to out it on a credit card youd be able to pay back the next week.

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:16

QuiltedHippo · 31/07/2023 11:11

I just put ENT paediatric into BUPAs find a consultant search and there's definitely options in Edinburgh, didn't try for other areas but worth a look.

I know its not affordable but would an initial consult be? Normally a couple of hundred which is a lot if you're struggling. You could at least find out what you're dealing with and it can make the NHS side work faster.
There are schemes like simply health where you pay £10+ a month and can cover your children then you get cashback on things like dental, glasses, physio, and consultant fees are included normally enough for a visit a year.
Its not like private health care and no preexisting condition checks. They pay back very quickly so if you were able to out it on a credit card youd be able to pay back the next week.

Oh that’s really helpful thank you. I could put a consult on my 0% interest card and as you say at least get an idea of what we are looking at. (Off to Google bupa)

OP posts:

NetballHoop · 31/07/2023 11:16

I was like your DD. The only thing that helped was having the tonsils removed. I don't know what the waiting time was like as this was about 50 years ago but it made a huge difference. Can you push for her to be seen sooner?

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:16

3luckystars · 31/07/2023 11:10

Ok, I understand but if this one doesn’t work then write it down. Go back with it written down and ask for a different antibiotic.

I’ll do this exactly, thank you!

OP posts:

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:17

NetballHoop · 31/07/2023 11:16

I was like your DD. The only thing that helped was having the tonsils removed. I don't know what the waiting time was like as this was about 50 years ago but it made a huge difference. Can you push for her to be seen sooner?

GP was fairly dismissive and just said it’s a long wait due to waiting list and covid backlog ☹️Were you really as bad as my DD? I feel so alone with it.

OP posts:

DNLove · 31/07/2023 11:20

Having had a child that feels like she's been sick for about a year constantly I know your pain. It will pass and you will survive it, albeit with a few more wrinkles and grey hairs!
Has the GP swabbed your DD throat and actually checked the bacteria?
Is there another GP you could see?
Has GP even put you on list or is she saying no point cause wait is too long? Wait will be even longer if you're not on list.
Is there an option to go to emergency department next time and get seen by paediatrician? When they hear the history they may get him on list at least.

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:23

DNLove · 31/07/2023 11:20

Having had a child that feels like she's been sick for about a year constantly I know your pain. It will pass and you will survive it, albeit with a few more wrinkles and grey hairs!
Has the GP swabbed your DD throat and actually checked the bacteria?
Is there another GP you could see?
Has GP even put you on list or is she saying no point cause wait is too long? Wait will be even longer if you're not on list.
Is there an option to go to emergency department next time and get seen by paediatrician? When they hear the history they may get him on list at least.

Thank you for understanding- definitely got more wrinkles for sure🤦‍♀️I’m sorry you had to go through it too. I feel like I’m constantly on edge waiting for the next “mummy my throat hurts” at 2am.,
this is the first time the Gp has agreed to refer to ENT and she just said “it’s a long wait”, i was too tired / feeling weepy to push further which I’m annoyed at myself about.

OP posts:

HowcanIhelp123 · 31/07/2023 11:27

I had this but as an adult. They gave me the same antibiotic, same dose every time and it didn't work. It was back in a month. After infection number 5 put my foot down and demanded a different treatment. I was given the usual penicillin/erythromycin (depending on which one they gave her) plus metronidazole.

Now metronidazole is pretty hard core and can be quite nasty to take. My throat would reject it unless I took it with pepsi (no idea why that worked!). But it did solve the problem and it didn't come back again in the 6 months before my tonsils were removed. Had they treated me with it earlier I wouldn't have needed them removed but they were so damaged from the swelling and abscesses they just didn't go back down properly and caused issues even though infection was gone.

DNLove · 31/07/2023 11:30

When you get confirmation or any form of communication about being registered on the waiting list contact them and tell them you are available at short notice to take late cancellation spots. Try and find out who's waiting list your child has been put on and find out what day they hold their clinics. Then ring 2 days before that to check if they've had any cancellations. If they have they'll just give to you rather than going done list ringing 100 people who all say its too short notice and they can't make it.
I've done this on a number of occasions for consultant appointments and always gotten seen quicker. Recovery for tonsils isn't bad, they often just shave the now which is even easier. My son breezed through recovery.

HowcanIhelp123 · 31/07/2023 11:36

Also, GP told me it was a long list and they were reluctant to add more people so they were being VERY picky about whose tonsils they would take out. I went armed with a list of how it was affecting my life. E.g. this many rounds of antibiotics, this many doctors appointments, this many calls to GP surgery, this many days off work, missed x,y,z occasion as too unwell, put me off doing/booking event/holiday/activity because I was too anxious of it coming back and not being able to go or get treatment abroad (especially with most travel insurance not covering preexisting medical conditions - no way was I in hell going to USA for example!).

Initially they tried to put me off saying it was a hard surgery for an adult, I gave them the list and I got put straight on as an urgent.

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:41

DNLove · 31/07/2023 11:30

When you get confirmation or any form of communication about being registered on the waiting list contact them and tell them you are available at short notice to take late cancellation spots. Try and find out who's waiting list your child has been put on and find out what day they hold their clinics. Then ring 2 days before that to check if they've had any cancellations. If they have they'll just give to you rather than going done list ringing 100 people who all say its too short notice and they can't make it.
I've done this on a number of occasions for consultant appointments and always gotten seen quicker. Recovery for tonsils isn't bad, they often just shave the now which is even easier. My son breezed through recovery.

So helpful, thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:42

HowcanIhelp123 · 31/07/2023 11:36

Also, GP told me it was a long list and they were reluctant to add more people so they were being VERY picky about whose tonsils they would take out. I went armed with a list of how it was affecting my life. E.g. this many rounds of antibiotics, this many doctors appointments, this many calls to GP surgery, this many days off work, missed x,y,z occasion as too unwell, put me off doing/booking event/holiday/activity because I was too anxious of it coming back and not being able to go or get treatment abroad (especially with most travel insurance not covering preexisting medical conditions - no way was I in hell going to USA for example!).

Initially they tried to put me off saying it was a hard surgery for an adult, I gave them the list and I got put straight on as an urgent.

Thai is exactly how I feel, like I can’t book anything and it’s becoming near
impossible for me work wise ☹️Let alone how much I hate seeing how poorly
she is so often ☹️

OP posts:

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 11:43

HowcanIhelp123 · 31/07/2023 11:27

I had this but as an adult. They gave me the same antibiotic, same dose every time and it didn't work. It was back in a month. After infection number 5 put my foot down and demanded a different treatment. I was given the usual penicillin/erythromycin (depending on which one they gave her) plus metronidazole.

Now metronidazole is pretty hard core and can be quite nasty to take. My throat would reject it unless I took it with pepsi (no idea why that worked!). But it did solve the problem and it didn't come back again in the 6 months before my tonsils were removed. Had they treated me with it earlier I wouldn't have needed them removed but they were so damaged from the swelling and abscesses they just didn't go back down properly and caused issues even though infection was gone.

Thank you so much I’ll ask them this

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 31/07/2023 13:33

Unfortunately children with sleep apnoea will get priority over children with recurrent tonsillitis.

Toddlerteaplease · 31/07/2023 13:36

As will children who have been hospitalised with tonsillitis.

Original poster

wobblymum1 · 31/07/2023 13:56

I totally understand there are children who will be more urgent and I wouldn’t want to take their place.
I just don’t know how to make it through the next 12-24months (estimated wait list) with her getting it every 3 weeks, so shes missing school for 1 out of every 4 weeks and I have to take a week off work. It’s just not sustainable but I don’t see any other way. My work have been understanding but can’t carry on letting me work from home for a whole week every month as it’s not fair on other colleagues which again I understand.
I do also worry about 10 days of penicillin every month as it gives her thrush and it feels like so much. Maybe I’m overreacting as exhausted by this latest bout.

OP posts:

ChateauMargaux · 31/07/2023 14:10

Homeopathy..

Gargle: apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, honey and lemon juice at the first sign Stop gluten, dairy, sugar.. eat probiotic foods.

Don't wish to de rail.. I can tell you more if you are interested..