Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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?
Imnervous24 · 16/01/2024 21:49

Unfortunately, I'm not surprised by your post.
I'm upset results haven't been acted on.

It's repeated negligence on the part of a number of medical professionals and unforgivable - and was totally avoidable if one of those idiot medics had reviewed his blood tests after repeated GP visits. 🤬

Maybe speak to a medical-legal solicitor.
You may be entitled to compensation for delays in his care, loss of earnings for you/other carers, his physical distress, his emotional distress.

I hope he and you are doing OK.🙏

Joolsin · 16/01/2024 22:39

Thank you for your consideration in updating us, op. Thank goodness your concerns were finally taken seriously and that your little boy is now being treated appropriately. Fingers and toes crossed for a speedy improvement for him x

Thecatmaster · 16/01/2024 22:44

Thanks for the update. I've been checking back regularly to see how your little boy is. Well done for persisting! Had you not done so, he could have continued being unwell for so much longer. How's he doing now OP? Are you both out of hospital and now home now?

My husband was fobbed off once by a Drs surgery and nearly died (severe septic shock and they didn't even take his blood pressure). He ended up in a coma or life support with organ failure). There was a whole litinany of mistakes made and we certainly had a case for medical negligence. However, that would have been a stressful route and obviously the NHS always saved his life too (albeit he's not fully recovered). I waited for about 3 months until I had got over the initial shock and anger and then met with the practice manager at the surgery and we went through my complaints, looked at missed opportunities and they agreed to restrain staff and also put a safety net in place. That was all that I wanted. So maybe that is something that you could do if you ever feel up to it.

Sometimes it's really useful to know how reasonable or unreasonable their actions were. For example, if the blood test indicated a possible problem (i.e. inflammation markers etc), then the question is whether the surgeons needed to redo all the bloods prior to surgery/flag up or treat the issue etc. it's worth exploring who was responsible for what, what missed opportunities there were and where the gains were. Sometimes you just need answers and getting them can really help.

I didn't want staff getting sacked. They have a tough enough job as it is. I just didn't want it to happen to someone else if I could help it.

Bagpuss2022 · 16/01/2024 23:52

I can only imagine my son is now left with life changing complications due to the incompetence of our GP he was already medically fragile as he’s type 1 diabetic.
now is not the time for complaints but it’s good to keep notes and in the future if you feel up to it definitely complain

Inkypot · 17/01/2024 00:10

@trombolese thank you for taking the time to return and update everyone on here. I hope your boy is receiving the best care now and I am so sorry to read what he has had to go through (and you) Very glad he has such a determined and alert mum to have pushed so hard for so long. Wishing you and your boy the very best from hereon in.

Charliewasfired · 17/01/2024 03:17

@trombolese well done for advocating for your son and I am relieved to hear you have a diagnosis. I hope his prognosis is good 🩷

Mummyoflittledragon · 17/01/2024 03:24

Thank you so much for taking the time to update us on your lovely boy. I, like many others, have regularly come back to the thread to check to see how he is doing. I do hope his health will improve soon.

Rowgtfc72 · 17/01/2024 04:25

Thank you for updating. Hoping you now have a plan of action and you get the care your son needs.
I would look into taking this further. We had a similar issue with my dad and it helped me feel I'd done something useful.
But first look after you and your son.
Sending my best wishes.

Nanaof1 · 17/01/2024 07:44

@trombolese
Thank you so much for the update on your little boy! I am sad and mad for you and your DS that a year went by as your GP ignored concerning blood test results.
Right now, you need to just concentrate on helping your DS get to feeling better and keeping his spirits up.
Also, please know that somewhere, someone is reading your thread and follow-ups and getting strong enough to be a more vocal advocate for their child, as you were for yours.
When things are more settled and your DS feeling stronger, make a complaint to anyone you need to, so the GP and their staff becomes a bit more on the ball. Okay, a lot more on the ball.

Many of us here will be thinking of and rooting for you and your DS as you navigate whatever is ahead. Give him a bunch of hugs and let him know he (and you) have fans on MN.

nosleepforme · 17/01/2024 13:03

I’m so sad for your lo. He deserves better!

LetMeOut2021 · 17/01/2024 13:21

I’m so sorry you and your son have been let down and your son has endured more suffering as a consequence.

i presume from your update that you now have a treatment plan and that things are looking much brighter for your son?

EeesandWhizz · 18/01/2024 01:33

Thank you for updating at a difficult time, well done for getting him the diagnosis, you're a great mum, wishing you all the best, xx.

3luckystars · 18/01/2024 06:49

Sorry for repeating myself but:
Write everything down
Every conversation, every test and every date. If you haven’t been doing it then start today.
Wishing you and your son all the best x

Anisette · 18/01/2024 09:17

I'm glad you've got some answers now. I hope you're going to pursue a complaint when you have time? They really need to look into how so many doctors managed to miss those blood results.

GlomOfNit · 18/01/2024 11:17

Good to hear from you, OP. You must be beyond worried but thank you for updating us. I've been thinking about your little boy all this week and hoping you'd have some good news. It sounds tough, but I'm so glad you've finally been listened to. When the dust settles, you or your family must take this up with your GP practice and PALs.

All the very best wishes for your son's recovery and to you and your family. Flowers

emmaempenadas · 18/01/2024 21:53

I've been thinking about you and your son op.

I'm glad you've got a diagnosis and sorry to hear you were not listened to and those bloods form a year ago indicated.

I hope when you find some time, you complain about this.

I wish your boy a speedy recovery.

Needanewnamebeingwatched · 19/01/2024 08:55

Thank you for coming back and updating, I've been thinking of you and your little boy.

I hope now the diagnosis has been made that they will be able to put your lad right.

Love to you both ❤️

MassiveOvaryaction · 24/01/2024 16:13

Hi @trombolese, thinking of you and your little one. Hoping he's doing better now Flowers

Bertiesmum3 · 26/01/2024 21:59

How is your little boy now ? Xx

Nanaof1 · 27/01/2024 02:30

@trombolese Thinking of you and your son and I hope he is doing better.

Babybeanbee · 15/03/2024 13:15

@trombolese Still thinking of you and your little boy ❤️ hope all is going well

Tatumm · 15/03/2024 21:22

Adding my good wishes. 💕

Sosocold · 27/03/2024 06:25

@trombolese just wanted to say that I've been thinking about you and your little boy and am sending well wishes and a hand hold for you xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page