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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?
lovescats3 · 12/01/2024 18:02

And a complaint needs to be made to practice manager

Wotchaz · 12/01/2024 18:07

Woah OP, normally I’m a bit 🙄at GP- bashing threads but this is awful - I’m so glad you’re getting him seen.

KatieB55 · 12/01/2024 18:09

Agree A&E. A paediatrician is needed. Good luck

BirthdayRainbow · 12/01/2024 18:11

I really hope you get seen soon. Don't forget you have the right for a second opinion if you are told these things happen at the hospital.

vickylou78 · 12/01/2024 18:15

So disappointed that the GP couldn't see them! It's madness with all the symptoms you describe. Surely that's what same day appointments are for? Although at my surgery we have to call at precisely 8am to get one of them.

Bertiesmum3 · 12/01/2024 18:18

Any news @trombolese ?
lots of love xxx

Lougle · 12/01/2024 18:25

I hope you're at A&E being seen. I'm not surprised you're worried.

MissIndecisive2023 · 12/01/2024 18:26

Wishing you well OP. Hope you manage to get some answers.

Loley22 · 12/01/2024 18:27

Hope they get to the bottom of it OP. It sounds like the GP was over capacity which they need to do something about!

MMUmum · 12/01/2024 18:31

Before you get through to receptionist my Gp surgery now has a recorded message to say that in accordance with government guidelines only patients with symptoms that started in the last 24 hours will be seen the same day, anyone else will be given an appt within 2 weeks, It's rubbish now trying to get Gp appointments, I would suggest A&E, goid luck

jollybynamejollybynature · 12/01/2024 18:33

It's crazy to think they won't see a child with worrying symptoms.

I've managed to get my little on into the doctors same day when only ringing at dinner time.
I'm thankful I've never had an issue (although being robbed off over his cough for 4 months now but that's another story)

Mynewnameis · 12/01/2024 18:37

Shocking. My gp always sees the kids in person when needed.
Our out of hours service gave me an appointment within 15mins one day this week.
I hope a&e gives some action.

Sallysoup · 12/01/2024 18:38

Wow this brings back memories of dd at that age! Different symptoms, hers was recurrent chest infections , but very similar overall.

What happened with dd after she got to your boys stage then developed a nasty bout of pneumonia:

Dietitian and SALT referral, calorie milkshakes and snacks to help weight gain. Ended up via NG tube for a while.

Prophylactic antibiotics. This was key I think.

Lots of tests for things like cystic fibrosis, diabetes etc. Nothing ever found as the cause.

This was 12 years ago but I'll post more as I think about it. Your poor boy.

DahliaRose3 · 12/01/2024 18:40

Poor child, he sounds really poorly.
His symptoms already sound severe; I wouldn’t have waited this long to take him to A&E. I’m shocked that he has got to this point & you’re still listening to your GP - can’t walk for more than 15 minutes, sore legs, weight loss…

Trust your instincts; you’re not being overly cautious. If you think something is wrong, do what needs to be done; don’t wait for your GP. This goes for your own health too; too many people just get fobbed off. You know your baby best.

Good luck & I hope it goes well.

DragonFly98 · 12/01/2024 18:56

That's really bad, my local GP always sees unwell kids same day.

fetchacloth · 12/01/2024 18:59

Frederica145 · 12/01/2024 12:23

He needs to be seen as soon as possible. Call 111 or take him to A&E.

Agreed. Definitely this.

3luckystars · 12/01/2024 19:00

I hope he will be ok. Well done on going to the hospital.

Do not be fobbed off, ask for blood tests and if they say no, ask them to write on his chart that ‘parent has requested blood tests.’

Good luck.

Boomboom22 · 12/01/2024 19:05

It's weird your gp didn't just do a referral to paeds. Sounds like you should push to test for
Diabetes
Coeliac disease
Most unlikely but needs checking, leukaemia

shortandspicy · 12/01/2024 19:07

Glad you're in a and e. Hopefully it's nothing serious and you get some answers for your poor boy.

I would question celiac disease. Even if the blood test comes back negative don't assume it's not that or let them fob you off. The blood test is unreliable especially in children.
These symptoms are very similar to my dd. Eventually she was so poorly her skin was so dry and her hair was falling out. She was so thin and malnourished. All blood tests came back fine apart from liver and other immune ones that were slightly raised so had been dismissed by the gp. Because they were borderline or only slightly abnormal they would not refer or talk about it. But if you read them all together it built a different picture.
My dd would cry all the time and was similar to your ds.
We never got another blood test for it but I went private and a specialist was able to diagnose her.
It's been absolutely life changing for her.

Denimdenimdenim · 12/01/2024 19:14

You made the right choice, OP. Poor thing. Hope he's feeling better soon

Lostinbrum · 12/01/2024 19:15

Hope you get some answers OP

ISSTIUTNG · 12/01/2024 19:18

Boomboom22 · 12/01/2024 19:05

It's weird your gp didn't just do a referral to paeds. Sounds like you should push to test for
Diabetes
Coeliac disease
Most unlikely but needs checking, leukaemia

Can't just refer without examining the child and getting a detailed history.... I know primary care is a mess but it's both hilarious and depressing how much people seem to hold GPs personally responsible for this when it's 100% a system failure

Clearinguptheclutter · 12/01/2024 19:23

Hope you are getting some proper help OP

IWantAShitzu · 12/01/2024 19:31

Sending hugs, i hope he is ok xxx

Owl55 · 12/01/2024 19:34

I would be inclined to take him to a childrens a and e as they listen more and act quickly .