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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?
Advicerequest · 12/01/2024 19:35

I agree. Call back and insist. Say you are happy with an initial telephone consultation. Tell them it is unacceptable to keep a four year okd waiting this long. I've done this. It worked

OhwhyOY · 12/01/2024 19:36

Hope the hospital can get your poor boy diagnosed and on the mend. Don't leave without bloods done at a minimum to check his liver. In slower time I would also speak to the health visitor to see if you can get any longer term support in place e.g. a dietician, it doesn't seem right you've just been left to fend for yourselves. Good luck.

Emotionalsupportviper · 12/01/2024 19:36

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 all who say take him to A&E - earache alone is horribly painful even without the other symptoms.

Be prepared for. long wait, though. They do try to get children through quickly, but obviously every individual is taken in order depending upon urgency.

Mostlyoblivious · 12/01/2024 19:38

Can you go back to the consultant at the Evelina and ask for an urgent review/urgent referral to a paediatrician?

PinkPlantCase · 12/01/2024 19:39

Hope you get some answers OP

853ax · 12/01/2024 19:47

Good luck, poor boy hope hospital are helpful insist on staying until they get to bottom of it.
I cannot believe GP surgery won't make someone available to see a sick child.

itsgettingweird · 12/01/2024 19:47

Hope you get some answers later today or a plan of action to get to the bottom of this.

The state of our healthcare where the care of health bit doesn't exist is terrifying.

ChaosAndCrumbs · 12/01/2024 20:11

Do go to OOH or A&E if cannot get an OOH appointment and do contact the health visitor. HV can monitor weight etc and push for a child to be seen. Do not let a GP put you off, if you feel something is wrong a huge majority of the time the mum will be right. Even if A&E send you home and say to see GP, you should be able to go to Out of Hours as a ‘gp level’ service. They can also refer to A&E if needed. HV needs to be involved if possible because they can say if your child is failing to thrive (not growing properly due to low weight gain and other issues), which is seen as clinically significant and will result in action.

Speaking from experience, it was really important to keep pushing and ignore GPs who tried to turn me away. I once had a doctor refuse to read a specialist letter and tell me they refused to treat my son. I then had to take him to A&E, who were appalled, took it very seriously and treated him straight away (they also read the letter). A spiking temperature often suggests infection, so it’s key to treat quickly. Really hope it gets sorted xxx

Stressedafff · 12/01/2024 20:13

Aw OP I hope he is okay.

Araminta1003 · 12/01/2024 20:13

He needs a full blood count and examination.

Can you change GP? Call up all the other practices locally, describe how your DS has been failed, see who offers to help.

TheBerry · 12/01/2024 20:17

So sorry OP, how stressful for you.

I really hope he gets seen and sorted out soon.

Please do update us if you can.

Doggymummar · 12/01/2024 20:20

What dreadful service you have had. I hope he is soon on the bend

VeryHungrySeaCucumber · 12/01/2024 20:21

They make it very clear in the phone wait message at our (far from perfect) GP's that Receptionists are not medically trained and do NOT triage, nor give medical opinions. Quite why Receptionists are triaging and have any control over fobbing you off OP, at your GP's, is something to raise later, whether or not you move GPs, as it is completely unacceptable and unprofessional.

How they could tell it was viral via an online form is anyones guess. How they can tell much from a form filled in by a non-specialist (patient, parent) who may not know which symptoms are relevant or need emphasis, is beyond me anyway. Shambolic.

Gagaandgag · 12/01/2024 20:21

Sending love x

VeryHungrySeaCucumber · 12/01/2024 20:22

Hope it's going okay now OP. Flowers

Itsbeginingtolookalotlikexmas · 12/01/2024 20:26

I don’t understand how they don’t have a single minute to see you. They always have emergency appointments. He hasn’t eaten for 36 hours so I think A&E is definitely appropriate.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 12/01/2024 20:28

hope A&E can help

StuckintheUSA · 12/01/2024 20:28

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

My BIL's sister's daughter had similar symptoms when she was a child, and it turned out to be coeliac disease. Apparently, excess thirst can be one of the symptoms.

Tatumm · 12/01/2024 20:35

Glad he’s being seen. Sending support.

11NigelTufnel · 12/01/2024 20:35

Red flags all over here. Our doctors have spare appointments elsewhere in case of urgent cases, so it's terrible that yiu are being told there is nothing. The thirst is an obvious indicator for diabetes and itching can be liver issues. I hope you get answers soon. Disgusting that they will leave a child like this.

Beach11 · 12/01/2024 20:36

Hope he’s getting treatment

Jeannie88 · 12/01/2024 20:36

Really? I've always found anything to do with a young child and especially temperature has warranted an appointment that day. Keep ringing and say the same thing. Where do you live? Not that it should make any difference of course but some areas have more pressure than others. X

Glitterbiscuits · 12/01/2024 20:36

@trombolese Any update? I have been wondering how things were.

rach2713 · 12/01/2024 20:38

I hope your son is ok and you get the answers you need.

cadburyegg · 12/01/2024 20:41

Sending hugs OP

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