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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?
Daniagainagainagain · 12/01/2024 14:55

Another vote for A&E

GotMooMilk · 12/01/2024 14:56

Hope DS is ok please keep us updated when you get a moment. Also please write a strong complaint to the practice manager- I work in a GP practice and our threshold to see a child is incredibly low. You’d much rather see a well child than miss a sick one.

LetMeOut2021 · 12/01/2024 15:01

He sounds so poorly and like he’s had a really tough time. I hope you get somewhere at A&E

LetMeOut2021 · 12/01/2024 15:02

GotMooMilk · 12/01/2024 14:56

Hope DS is ok please keep us updated when you get a moment. Also please write a strong complaint to the practice manager- I work in a GP practice and our threshold to see a child is incredibly low. You’d much rather see a well child than miss a sick one.

Mine always see my children if it ask. I’ve never been turned away.

Goatymum · 12/01/2024 15:14

Hope you’re at a&e now with your little boy.

trombolese · 12/01/2024 15:14

Will keep you all updated as I can, we have just got here due to unreal queues for our general triage. He is asleep.

In fairness to our GP, they are usually absolutely amazing! I have never not been able to see someone same day if it was needed, especially for my kids (I have 3 under 6). I don’t know why the hell they have left us in the lurch with some very concerning symptoms, I don’t know if it’s because it’s been going on since November or what, maybe they just think what’s another couple of weeks? It seems bonkers to me. A&e is the last place I want to be with all these virus’ flying about.

OP posts:
Doteycat · 12/01/2024 15:19

I hope you get looked after there and all is OK.

CactusMactus · 12/01/2024 15:19

Dalriadanland · 12/01/2024 12:49

You could see an online GP privately who could then inform your own NHS GP of their findings - if they think it's an emergency and and we want blood tests the GP might be willing to treat as an emergency.

This. You can get an online private appointment for £30. (I don't agree with going private but needs must... unfortunately).

LizzieSiddal · 12/01/2024 15:20

Type 1 diabetes has a lot of the symptoms your son has. A friends recently had her 5 year old diagnosed with it and he had loss of appetite, drinking all the time, absolutely no energy and lots of “illnesses”.

Please ask the Drs to test for this.

borborygmus1 · 12/01/2024 15:20

I'm medical by background and this should be seen as an urgent and diabetes mellitus/diabetes inspidus excluded + bloods performed to rule out things like leukaemia. Weight loss/lethargy is a concern. May need CK measured in case of inflammation of muscles causing issues walking and definitely ferritin/FBC measured given his pallor. Is there any TB risk? This is not something which should wait 2 weeks. Should ideally be a paeds rapid access referral for bloods etc.

wasanneofcleves · 12/01/2024 15:24

I'm so glad you've got him to a&e. Don't leave until you're seen and make sure you tell them every single detail of his symptoms (which are really shocking to read). Your GP aid a disgrace, don't try and defend them.

alltootired · 12/01/2024 15:27

@Dalriadanland much better to take the child to A and E which OP has done.

puncheur · 12/01/2024 15:32

You need to do whatever you can to get him seen by a paediatrician immediately. If that means A&E then so be it. Your GP is being grossly negligent.

Ivyiris · 12/01/2024 15:36

Call 111 and make a complaint to your gp

2024BigWhoop · 12/01/2024 15:41

I’m so glad you’ve taken him to A&E. I’m a paediatric nurse and I, like many others on here, think A&E is absolutely justified.

I hope your little boy is okay but at least you’re in the right place now x

CarrotsAndCheese · 12/01/2024 15:46

I'm so sorry your GP surgery has been so dismissive and crap. Glad you're at A&E now. The fevers have been going on for quite a long time, although young kids do get lots of bugs this time of year. However, I would be very concerned by the extreme lethargy, itching, pale poos and extreme thirst. Poor kid. And poor you, having to battle this system to get some help. Hope you get seen soon and get some answers x

BotDranning · 12/01/2024 15:49

Good luck. I really hope you get to the bottom of things and seen very soon. It is so awful how thd health service is performing at yhe moment. You must be run ragged.

Klcak · 12/01/2024 15:52

Good luck with A&E op
the difficulty to see a doctor is shocking

Jb2182 · 12/01/2024 16:01

Haven't RTFT but has he had any blood tests done? The losing weight, eating less and drinking a lot were the first symptoms of diabetes for my cousin's little boy. I really hope someone gives you some answers soon xxx

Moier · 12/01/2024 16:07

A&E.. definitely.
If you ring 111..they will ask his symptoms.. look on their charts and say take him to A&E.
Use your Mother's instinct.
Good luck.🌺

Anna8089 · 12/01/2024 16:07

Sounds similar to my daughter whos an adult now and still regularly in hospital. She was eventually diagnosed with adhd and fibromyalgia . Always ill , with muscle , bone and nerve pain and the reflux is bad too which massively affects diet and nutrition too. Spleen problems too which controls your immune system hence why always ill. Always on antibiotics and will be for life. I took her to the doctors regularly for 14 years till they listened. Might be worthwhile looking those up to see if it could be similar. I was always fobbed off with , she's just a sickly child. Which is ridiculous and just prolonged everything she was going through. I really hope you find some answers.

adriftinadenofvipers · 12/01/2024 16:10

A&E definitely. Your GP surgery is a disgrace!

Anna8089 · 12/01/2024 16:11

Oh I would also say you want referred to a paediatric doctor who can start investigating why they're so ill and start testing .

Wheresthebeach · 12/01/2024 16:13

Glad you're at A&E OP. Hope the wait isn't too long and they get to the bottom of it all.

Stillwaitingfor · 12/01/2024 16:13

I'd want to rule out lymphoma. Ask for a full blood panel. Chances are it's not something so serious, but trust your instinct that you need to get to the bottom of this. Best of luck to you and your little boy