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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?
Somuchgoo · 12/01/2024 13:51

I'm that mum whose concerns over her toddler (headaches) were repeatedly ignored by the GP. I devastated whether to go to A&E but didn't want to be 'that mum', I tried 111, they just got the GP to phone me again. That GP finally took me seriously, sent her straight up the hospital where it was soon found to be very serious and she had emergency life-saving surgery.

Realistically, the chances are 99% that is nothing very serious, but you do have to push because no one knows if they are in that unlucky 1%. One of the reasons I pushed was because I know a child with a very serious illness whose parents were endlessly fobbed off, and it took a lot of pushing before the necessary tests were run and they discovered that he was very ill.

Getting an appointment via 111 and then finally listening worked for us, but next steps would have been A&E. Do whatever you need to, for them to investigate this.

Good luck.

C152 · 12/01/2024 13:52

You're right, this isn't normal, not by any stretch of the imagination. I would take him to A&E. (And I echo others, change GP surgery and, if you can afford it, pay to see a private paediatrician.)

Raqu15 · 12/01/2024 13:52

2024givemeabreak · 12/01/2024 12:24

I disagree with the no a&e
i would take him to a&e
Mutiple unexplained fevers
sore legs / tiredness
can all be signs of something quite serious which needs evaluation very quickly.

Agree with this. A&E

trombolese · 12/01/2024 13:53

Deffo going to a&e, we have a peads unit and a really good children’s assessment unit so I hope they can help. Thanks all so much for your help.

@Prawncow no, no mouth ulcers. He’s had issues with food for a long time now since weaning age and then because of his seriously obstructing tonsils x2. He’s not eaten a single crumb of anything now for nearly 36 hours, just water and some milk + multivits.

@orion678 thank you for the solidarity ❤️ both this DS and my youngest suffer with resp issues too and have had HDU stays in the past and it’s bloody terrifying. Seriously scary when a GP doesn’t take you seriously and they need emergency medical help, thank god for a half decent ED department eh xx

OP posts:
stayathomer · 12/01/2024 13:53

Talk with your feet and move gps. And tell them you’re moving and why. Definitely go to hospital x

frecklejuice · 12/01/2024 14:00

Your poor DS, I hope he is seen quickly at A&E.

Huge complaint to your GP surgery once you have sorted your DS.

LunchBoxPolice · 12/01/2024 14:03

Hope you get some answers soon Op x

Imisscoffee2021 · 12/01/2024 14:04

I took my son to A&E as a baby when he had silent reflux and spend the day in paediatrics where he was diagnosed. Don't worry about should I or feeling like you're not using the right medical pathway. Definitely go in and explain and be seen. GPs are no help at times and as gateways to higher medical intervention are pretty useless if they won't see your boy for weeks.

Fruitandclottedcream · 12/01/2024 14:07

I hope your little one makes a speedy recovery and you get some answers ❤️

Prawncow · 12/01/2024 14:10

Good luck and I hope you get some answers.

Strictlymad · 12/01/2024 14:13

Firstly that’s not good enough from the gp, we have a v similar story with our 1 year old, under gosh waiting for the tonsillectomy, but constantly Poorly, unexplained fevers, loosing weight, apnea etc. we have a note on the gp file that if I call we have to be seen in under an hour in person and they often call ahead to paeds at the hospital to expect us and we ho straight in. The evilina have an a and e don’t they? I’d be tempted to just go there directly and see if they can investigate. But sending hugs, we are on our 5th batch of antibiotics in 5 weeks, postponed surges due to illness, it’s hard being a medical mummy.

Strictlymad · 12/01/2024 14:15

Somuchgoo · 12/01/2024 13:51

I'm that mum whose concerns over her toddler (headaches) were repeatedly ignored by the GP. I devastated whether to go to A&E but didn't want to be 'that mum', I tried 111, they just got the GP to phone me again. That GP finally took me seriously, sent her straight up the hospital where it was soon found to be very serious and she had emergency life-saving surgery.

Realistically, the chances are 99% that is nothing very serious, but you do have to push because no one knows if they are in that unlucky 1%. One of the reasons I pushed was because I know a child with a very serious illness whose parents were endlessly fobbed off, and it took a lot of pushing before the necessary tests were run and they discovered that he was very ill.

Getting an appointment via 111 and then finally listening worked for us, but next steps would have been A&E. Do whatever you need to, for them to investigate this.

Good luck.

Same - we had ‘tummy bug’ symptoms but something didn’t sit right so I ignored the gp and took my son to a and e, he went very downhill and it was bacterial meningitis and we are very lucky he’s alive

spackleplumb · 12/01/2024 14:20

I have no further advice than what everyone's said already but I wanted to wish you the best with a+e for you and your boy. It sounds potentially liver/gallbladder related to me too so definitely worth having him seen today. Hope it all goes ok. You sound like a very caring mum.

WagWoofWalkMeeoow · 12/01/2024 14:26

@trombolese

we have a peads unit and a really good children’s assessment unit

id have taken him there weeks ago. GP sounds bloody useless!!

I would get an HbA1c (diabetes , blood test) done. Several symptoms I have when my bloods aren't right. Much better test than urine dip, they'll be doing bloods anyway

i had my tonsils out as a child, I well remember the miserableness of tonsillitis. So sorry for the little sausage they grow back & SO quickly.

I hope you get some answers soon & ones that have easy solutions.

I have plenty of back up should you need a top up of assertiveness.

Let us know how you get on this afternoon xx

orion678 · 12/01/2024 14:27

@trombolese wishing you and your boy all the best, and a speedy triage in a&e. It really is the best place for him right now and I hope you get some answers. There's nothing more stressful than poorly little ones when you feel like you can't get the help you need!!

Inyourwildestdreams · 12/01/2024 14:33

Glad you’re going to A&E @trombolese. I hope you get some answers soon.

As others have said - if possible I’d be changing GP and putting in a formal complaint.

OhmygoshREALLY · 12/01/2024 14:34

Glad you’re going to A&E OP, good luck and I hope you finally get some answers. I know you’re going anyway but I was going to say take him - I’m really not one to panic & cry hospital over every little thing but in this case it’s definitely merited. I did the same a few years back, had a GP appt that was nearly 2 weeks away for my then 3yo, her symptoms (not the same as your little one’s so please don’t think I’m saying this to panic you!) were too serious to wait that long so I took her to paeds A&E and she was diagnosed with leukaemia a few hours later and in PICU by the next day. Sometimes instinct counts for a lot and yours are definitely telling you something here. Fingers crossed he’s all sorted and doing better very soon 💐

Doteycat · 12/01/2024 14:42

I'm actually gobsmacked that they wld make ye wait 2 weeks.
I know my gp wld squeeze us in if my small was that sick. Its an utter disgrace the wait for gp time ye have.
I'm not in UK. Is it always this bad?

spackleplumb · 12/01/2024 14:45

Doteycat · 12/01/2024 14:42

I'm actually gobsmacked that they wld make ye wait 2 weeks.
I know my gp wld squeeze us in if my small was that sick. Its an utter disgrace the wait for gp time ye have.
I'm not in UK. Is it always this bad?

It varies tbh. My GP (Scotland) has been great and no issues getting appts but others (also Scotland) have had no end of bother. I suspect it's the same in the other 3 countries of the UK and that they'll also have varied experiences depending on which GP practice you're with.

Vinrouge4 · 12/01/2024 14:46

Doteycat · 12/01/2024 12:34

The itching would be the last straw for me. Id take him to a and e. He needs checking.
You don't itch for no reason.
How's his wee and poo? Colour wise?

This. Please take him today.

Vinrouge4 · 12/01/2024 14:49

Keep us posted and good luck.

OhRightyThen · 12/01/2024 14:49

Oh your poor boy. I have no advice but wanted to add you have done the right thing and you are a brilliant mum. Big hugs to you both, I really wish you well

enchantedsquirrelwood · 12/01/2024 14:49

Doteycat · 12/01/2024 14:42

I'm actually gobsmacked that they wld make ye wait 2 weeks.
I know my gp wld squeeze us in if my small was that sick. Its an utter disgrace the wait for gp time ye have.
I'm not in UK. Is it always this bad?

Not for small kids, no. Usually they are really good and will squeeze them in, even the crap surgeries. The OP's surgery must be particularly crap.

Gcsunnyside23 · 12/01/2024 14:51

trombolese · 12/01/2024 13:53

Deffo going to a&e, we have a peads unit and a really good children’s assessment unit so I hope they can help. Thanks all so much for your help.

@Prawncow no, no mouth ulcers. He’s had issues with food for a long time now since weaning age and then because of his seriously obstructing tonsils x2. He’s not eaten a single crumb of anything now for nearly 36 hours, just water and some milk + multivits.

@orion678 thank you for the solidarity ❤️ both this DS and my youngest suffer with resp issues too and have had HDU stays in the past and it’s bloody terrifying. Seriously scary when a GP doesn’t take you seriously and they need emergency medical help, thank god for a half decent ED department eh xx

Really glad you're going. I gave a family member who is a paediatrician and says they would a million times over see a child come in who is actually ok with something minor than a parent be worried they are time wasting and it be serious as you can't always tell with kids. And 9/10 it's usually something not serious. Let us know how you get on

bvaqtvm · 12/01/2024 14:53

Doteycat · 12/01/2024 14:42

I'm actually gobsmacked that they wld make ye wait 2 weeks.
I know my gp wld squeeze us in if my small was that sick. Its an utter disgrace the wait for gp time ye have.
I'm not in UK. Is it always this bad?

No some are great. Mine for example, I was unwell Monday, I sent a message using their online system asking for a telephone call appointment with a Dr. By 8:30 am they had called me and said I was on the list for a phone call (also offered me a face to face appointment instead if I wanted.) By 10 am the doctor had called me. Then on Wednesday I had to go into the surgery (different reason appointment booked for a while) and whilst I sat waiting they had 4 people come in and ask for appointments and they offered them all one for that day. One person was annoyed they had to wait for the afternoon for their appointment and I was just sat there thinking you don't know how lucky you are with this GP as most other places you hear about you don't seem to get seen for weeks.

Hope the hospital can help OP.