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GP won’t see 4yo for 2 weeks [Title edit by MNHQ - Please read beyond the OP before responding]

573 replies

trombolese · 12/01/2024 12:03

Hi, just need to get an opinion on what people would do in my situation.

Some background on my 4yo - severe silent reflux from birth which meant awful awful sleep and feeding. This went undiagnosed for 7 months which then led mega tonsil problems, golf ball size which then caused severe obstructive sleep apnea. Tonsils out at 2.5. Grew back 5 months later to full size, if not bigger (didn’t think possible, consultant at Evelina said she’d never seen it happen that quickly) - constantly infected, had them out again at 3.5. Never weaned properly due to feeding issues, always bad with food. Quality of life crap due to tonsil problems. Since having them out it has only very mildly improved to be honest. He has also suffered with constipation the past year due to poor diet.

Since beginning of October he has had a fever at least once a week, sometimes explained, sometimes completely unexplained. The longest he has had fever for is 8 days with no other symptoms. GP not interested and said these things happen (we have 2 other kids…it doesn’t happen). So many lots of antibiotics, a couple of long lasting chest infections and since November an ear ache that hasn’t gone and he is still suffering with today. Yesterday he spiked another fever of 39, no other symptoms but sent home from nursery. He barely eats a thing, some days he will only eat 2 squares of toast. The rest of the day he drinks like a fish, just water other than 1 x cup of milk before bed and sometimes 1 x in the morning. He’s lost about 3kg so far. He’s so so unbelievably pale, puffy eyes and big bags under his eyes too. He’s recently taken to crying a lot. A lot, a lot. Over things very trivial to the average person but these crying episodes can last up to an hour. He’s extremely irritable and sad. He seemingly can’t walk longer than about 15 minutes without complaining his legs are hurting loads (to the point where he will just crawl along the floor instead if we let him!) and more recently he is waking in the night complaining of itching. His tiredness and lethargy some days is another level.

Seeing as this is his 10th fever in as many weeks (I am keeping a diary now) I contacted the GP with a massive list of his symptoms as I am now actually really concerned. They can’t see him for 2 weeks and have told me to “contact the HV” for advice in the meantime. What advice can they possibly give?! I am really concerned he is lacking something important in his diet or god forbid, something even worse.

AIBU to call 111? Do I take him to a&e?! This just seems crazy now. He has missed so much nursery and it just breaks my heart that his QOL is so shit.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 13/01/2024 10:53

I'm so sorry he's poorly OP, but so so glad you went to A&E rather than waiting around for the GP and they've listened to you.

The way your GPs surgery have treated you and DS is appalling.

Balloonhearts · 13/01/2024 11:00

Wetweatherandmud · 13/01/2024 10:31

Perhaps it would be a good idea to read the whole thread before you comment.

I wrote that yesterday 🤣 didn't hit post then and accidentally did it this morning. Sorry OP. My phone is still in Xmas mode it doesn't know what day it is!

FranklyDontGiveADamn · 13/01/2024 11:22

OP - sending so much love and best wishes - I had a similar fight with my son four years ago and I’m so glad you are now hopefully being taken very seriously.
my son is now fully well and recovered but it was a tough road.
Once we were in the system, the care and commitment from the doctors and nurses was amazing - a world away from our experience before diagnosis.
please know there is a world of support for you and your family .. and many many people wishing your son well x
i will follow to hopefully see your updates

vintedSeller123 · 13/01/2024 11:25

hope everything’s ok

Coyoacan · 13/01/2024 11:26

@trombolese

Thinking of you

0MammaBear0 · 13/01/2024 11:26

Bring your child to A&E, this is not normal OP... And register at another clinic while you're at it. To think that GPs want to get paid more.... Since covid GPs are useless I swear

RethinkingLife · 13/01/2024 11:27

OP, I was relieved that you persisted in getting someone to look at your DS.

Good wishes to you both.

Fraaahnces · 13/01/2024 11:28

Thank goodness you listened to your instincts and took your wee boy to A&E. Imagine if you’d waited!!! (Actually, let’s not do that!) I hope that this is something treatable and your beautiful boy is feeling better soon.

Smittenkitchen · 13/01/2024 11:29

Best wishes to you OP. Well done for standing up for your son in the face of a system that seems to promote negligence.

Caerulea · 13/01/2024 11:39

Good luck, OP, I hope your little one is on the road to getting the help he needs & that you know you did the right thing.

Ihatebathmats · 13/01/2024 11:41

Oh no, sorry OP.

Daniagainagainagain · 13/01/2024 11:49

Thinking of you and your boy, OP ❤️

BlackFriYay · 13/01/2024 11:50

Thinking of you and your little boy OP. I'm disgusted and in disbelief with your GP surgery.

I have never had a problem getting an urgent appointment for my DC when needed, I can't imagine how stressful all of this has been for you. It's just not acceptable. Good call going straight to A&E and I hope he is being well looked after.

Covidwoes · 13/01/2024 11:52

Gosh OP I'm so glad you got seen at A&E, but how ridiculous you and your poor boy were fobbed off like this. I'd put in an official complaint when you have the energy to do so. Thinking of you.

Minfilia · 13/01/2024 11:53

I hope he’s ok OP. Well done for getting him seen.

IHateLegDay · 13/01/2024 11:59

Just read the thread. So sorry he's so poorly but glad you took him to A&E.
When he's all better, I'd put a huge formal complaint in to your GP. It's absolutely disgusting that they've completely neglected such a poorly little boy.

Hospitalshmospital · 13/01/2024 11:59

Your GP has been appalling in this instance. Fingers crossed now you have got him seen he will get the treatment he needs. Good for you for persevering, take care of yourself 💐

AlisonWonderbra · 13/01/2024 12:01

You definitely did the right thing in going to A&E

Wrinklecrinkle · 13/01/2024 12:14

Clearly this child needed more urgent care than a GP can offer. GP practices are not for urgent or emergency care. If they did get seen its likely they would have been referred to same day assessment anyway. Its ok to take to A&E if your concerns are that serious.
OP I'm sorry your little one is poorly and hopefully he will be better soon.

Balloonhearts · 13/01/2024 12:24

Your poor little boy, just caught up with the thread. Thank god you listened to your instinct and refused to be fobbed off.

momonpurpose · 13/01/2024 12:26

Keeping you in my prayers best wishes for your little boy

ChaosAndCrumbs · 13/01/2024 12:28

Wrinklecrinkle · 13/01/2024 12:14

Clearly this child needed more urgent care than a GP can offer. GP practices are not for urgent or emergency care. If they did get seen its likely they would have been referred to same day assessment anyway. Its ok to take to A&E if your concerns are that serious.
OP I'm sorry your little one is poorly and hopefully he will be better soon.

He did need urgent care, but the reality is in many situations like this where issues have been going on across a long period of time, GP is first point of call. My son had long term serious health issues and GP was still our first point of call majority of the time. They would organise bloods and so on before it got to the point of severe need for hospital or to indicate if hospital was needed. If they had seen OP’s ds earlier, hospital may well still have been needed urgently, but equally for many children with recurring infections etc. it’s the delay of getting them seen and treated that causes the severe symptoms. Obviously, we don’t know in this case if the delay made any difference to needing hospitalisation, but broadly it can cause hospitalisation purely because an infection has time to become very serious in that time span. Equally, it’s just an exhausting battle for parents when GPs refuse to see (or in some cases treat*) a child who’s unwell.

*obviously sometimes they can’t treat and have to refer to specialist or tell parents to attend A&E, however, sometimes there are situations where they refuse to treat despite it being very possible to

Namechangey23 · 13/01/2024 12:29

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PandaChopChop · 13/01/2024 12:31

Thinking of you OP

mynameiscalypso · 13/01/2024 12:32

@Namechangey23 Read the full thread. OP is in hospital with a very poorly child.

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