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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?
Weenurse · 14/01/2024 09:57

Thinking of you and your family 💐

Pssspsss · 14/01/2024 10:33

Hope I put little boy is okay. Sending best wishes x

Robotik · 14/01/2024 10:37

I do hope he’s ok

AnneValentine · 14/01/2024 11:35

Lougle · 14/01/2024 09:28

This is why parents need face to face appointments with someone who can take a good history and work through all the elements.

What I see (former adult nurse) is an increasingly worried parent who has followed all advice given to them, with each ailment being treated in isolation and nobody stepping back and seeing the bigger picture of a child who is deteriorating and is not thriving.

@trombolese is now in a place where that is being done.

I totally agree. But for someone to use their so called expertise to give credibility to awful advice on the internet. Not ok at all.

Mummyofthewildones · 14/01/2024 11:59

Well done for persisting and following your gut, OP. Wishing you and your little boy all the best.

MatildaTheCat · 14/01/2024 12:23

Thinking of you and hoping your little boy is doing ok x

MolkosTeenageAngst · 14/01/2024 13:02

Thinking of you and your sonFlowers

enchantedsquirrelwood · 14/01/2024 13:58

KiPa · 13/01/2024 19:22

Just like to say GP receptionist's don't 'FOB' people off. They work according to the GP's instructions.

No they don't. Often the GPs don't even know what the receptionists are doing because it's all down to the practice manager.

In a well run practice that clearly doesn't happen, but many aren't.

As for GPs not having the same diagnostic equipment and expertise as paediatricians - no obviously they don't. So they either say come in and I'll decide whether to refer, or I don't know what to do, go to A&E for a faster response.

Not he'll get better in time, go away and talk to a health visitor.

I hope and your ds are doing ok, OP.

Fangisnotacoward · 14/01/2024 15:09

Hope everything is ok OP

Knitgoodwoman · 14/01/2024 17:05

I hope everything is ok Op, thinking of you and your little boy, well done for persisting and getting him seen.

Nineteendays · 14/01/2024 18:21

I hope your little boy is ok op

Salamander91 · 14/01/2024 19:31

I hope your wee boy is doing ok ❤️

FunkyMonkey34 · 14/01/2024 22:33

I hope your little one is ok x

Rowgtfc72 · 15/01/2024 03:54

Well done for sticking with it and getting your boy seen.
Hope you've had a peaceful night.

KenIsAnAccessory · 15/01/2024 08:42

Thinking of you and your little boy OP.

Lbet · 15/01/2024 09:02

Think we all need to stop thinking we know it all because we don't. There is no right or wrong way in how we go about getting our poorly children seen when they are ill and we want to be taken seriously. We do what we have to no matter what Dr Google says.

OP you are an amazing mum to have kept on and oyshed to get your boy seen so well done.

Sending big hugs to you both.

Raqu15 · 15/01/2024 09:31

I'm happy you trusted your instincts OP. As mums we always know when something isn't right. We might not be able to explain it but we just know. Wishing your little boy speedy recovery ❤

SPLDN · 15/01/2024 13:08

Hi. It's happened to my daughter and myself where there's something mysterious or unexplained and it requires more investigation.

One thing that can make a difference is not being at the mercy of the local GP. If you really need to see someone then get a private GP appointment. I don't know where you are located but in my patch it's One Stop Doctors or One Hatfield.

From there you may be referred to a consultant or undergo tests there at the private GP. Yes there is a cost, but if it is serious then don't let state services delay things. Hope it gets resolved.

Goldenpashmina · 15/01/2024 13:13

Sorry you are going through this OP, best wishes

frecklejuice · 15/01/2024 15:18

SPLDN · 15/01/2024 13:08

Hi. It's happened to my daughter and myself where there's something mysterious or unexplained and it requires more investigation.

One thing that can make a difference is not being at the mercy of the local GP. If you really need to see someone then get a private GP appointment. I don't know where you are located but in my patch it's One Stop Doctors or One Hatfield.

From there you may be referred to a consultant or undergo tests there at the private GP. Yes there is a cost, but if it is serious then don't let state services delay things. Hope it gets resolved.

Jesus fucking Christ read the whole post, the op had been to A&E and her little boy is very unwell. Even MNHQ have commented asking people to read the whole thing before commenting yet here you are 🙄

backachequeen · 15/01/2024 16:16

Bit rude @frecklejuice bit ott for a seemingly mild comment don't you think. I'm not sure why people are getting so moody on this thread and well meaning comments.

I know the op has it sorted now but this thread might be useful for other people in similar position.

Prettywomen91 · 15/01/2024 19:06

With over 500 posts, don't know how I possibly could tbh. I was just offering some advice

Pygtrail · 15/01/2024 19:08

@Prettywomen91 if you had clicked on OP and read the OP posts only you would have seen she updated everyone to say she had taken her son to A and E.

On the OP post you click on ‘see all’ in the right hand corner and just OP’s posts come up.

LizzieSiddal · 16/01/2024 10:25

I hope your little boy is doing ok @trombolese. We’re all thinking of you Flowers

babymidgetgem · 16/01/2024 14:19

Thinking of you OP. I hope the doctors are helping your little one feel better.

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