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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?
anyolddinosaur · 12/01/2024 22:57

Some of this sounds like coeliac disease - itching, pale stools, weight loss, even fevers can be a symptom.

Unicornsunited123 · 12/01/2024 22:57

ISSTIUTNG · 12/01/2024 22:22

This right here is why you don't ask for medical advice on a public forum

I was wondering how many posts untill someone recommended to 'cut out a food group diet' and follow some random Dr. On social media! Im surprised it took 200 posts! Really hope u get answers at A and E

MadeOfAllWork · 12/01/2024 23:01

All our medical services are at breaking point. As a GP said above, if there aren’t any more appointments, then there aren’t any.
Glad you are at A&E now.

anyolddinosaur · 12/01/2024 23:01

Sometimes cutting out a food group solves the problem. Hopefully one of the blood tests will look into this.

Unicornsunited123 · 12/01/2024 23:08

anyolddinosaur · 12/01/2024 23:01

Sometimes cutting out a food group solves the problem. Hopefully one of the blood tests will look into this.

I roll my eyes at following someone on social media more than cutting out a food group. I would go down a professional investigating any problems me or my child has over some random account on social media!

TemporaryName123 · 12/01/2024 23:09

3kg weight loss, persistent pyrexia, low/no appetite, sore joints/legs and fatigue. Please, take him to a&e. Wishing you luck xx

TemporaryName123 · 12/01/2024 23:12

Sorry just saw you are at a&e, good luck xx

Unicornsunited123 · 12/01/2024 23:13

anyolddinosaur · 12/01/2024 23:01

Sometimes cutting out a food group solves the problem. Hopefully one of the blood tests will look into this.

I also would never suggest someone cut a food group if they are heavily restricted in their eating anyway, like with this child who is experiencing major loss of appetite

Bumymummy · 12/01/2024 23:24

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harveyluna789 · 12/01/2024 23:29

I have friends who rightly or wrongly bypass the GP system now as usually a 3 week wait for an appointment. They have been to A and E a few times with one of their 3 children - always get seen quite quickly and come away with antibiotics if an infection present. With one of their children she managed to get a telephone app for tonsilitis and doctor refused to give antibiotics over the phone even though his tonsils were covered in pus - was told to wait 48 hrs that night his throat swelled and high fever of over 40 degrees they rushed him to hospital and had to have antibiotics intravenously ,Could have been avoided if dr had prescribed antibiotics earlier.

saraclara · 12/01/2024 23:31

I came back to this thread hoping that you were at the hospital. Keeping fingers crossed that they're on top of it now.

Notsuredontknow · 12/01/2024 23:33

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, it sounds truly awful. Just wanted to add my support and say I would have done what you’ve done, taken him to A&E and I am willing them to listen to you and do all they can for him.

NotARealWookiie · 12/01/2024 23:51

I’m so glad you are going to a&e and it has a paeds unit. I don’t know why the GP hasn’t arranged a paediatric assessment anyway. Very odd.

ISSTIUTNG · 12/01/2024 23:58

NotARealWookiie · 12/01/2024 23:51

I’m so glad you are going to a&e and it has a paeds unit. I don’t know why the GP hasn’t arranged a paediatric assessment anyway. Very odd.

FFS Because paeds are also crazy busy and really wouldn't appreciate a GP demanding that they see someone who the GP hasn't even assessed. It sucks that this child couldn't be seen by the GP but I'm sure they would have seen them if they had the capacity. If someone can't see their GP and feel that they need urgent assessment then they should go to a walk in centre or A and E. It isn't ideal but it isn't rocket science either

Starlightstargazer · 13/01/2024 00:06

Any news OP? Hope you are being seen and your LO is ok

user1492757084 · 13/01/2024 01:54

Yes, emergency at a good children's hospital if one is nearby. If he were my child I would insist on a referral to an experienced and respected Paediatrician for a complete review of his health and a thorough check up..

highdaysandholudays · 13/01/2024 03:52

I've worked in GP surgeries for nearly 8 years and been a receptionist and reception cover at my new surgery. I would always be putting a child that young on the triage call,list and invariably the GP would message on the clinical system once they'd seen that child on the list to ask us to ring the parent to bring them straight down. Sounds like there are massive problems at your GP surgery. Hope everything is ok and you get seen quickly at A and E.

Boomboom22 · 13/01/2024 04:14

ISSTIUTNG · 12/01/2024 23:58

FFS Because paeds are also crazy busy and really wouldn't appreciate a GP demanding that they see someone who the GP hasn't even assessed. It sucks that this child couldn't be seen by the GP but I'm sure they would have seen them if they had the capacity. If someone can't see their GP and feel that they need urgent assessment then they should go to a walk in centre or A and E. It isn't ideal but it isn't rocket science either

Because when the gp has a month of calls about it the normal action is to refer.
When my 3 Yr old vomited every few days and had big poos they referred after 1 appt and 1 phone call, paeds within 2 weeks then blood test was the highest possible cutoff for coeliac disease. All within about a month. Weight loss in children is a reason to refer immediately. Others have said the same. This is how not just coeliac but cancer gets missed, some Dr's don't appear to follow the actual procedures in place!

NotARealWookiie · 13/01/2024 04:21

ISSTIUTNG · 12/01/2024 23:58

FFS Because paeds are also crazy busy and really wouldn't appreciate a GP demanding that they see someone who the GP hasn't even assessed. It sucks that this child couldn't be seen by the GP but I'm sure they would have seen them if they had the capacity. If someone can't see their GP and feel that they need urgent assessment then they should go to a walk in centre or A and E. It isn't ideal but it isn't rocket science either

Yes of course paeds are crazy busy. Most of the NHS is crazy busy but the GP can assess and refer to for a paediatric assessment if needed, this may have avoided the need for an a&e presentation.

I didn’t say they should make a referral without seeing the patient. Not sure why you’ve made that assumption.

flea101 · 13/01/2024 06:01

Hello op any update?hope little one is ok.

TempersFuggit · 13/01/2024 07:40

I've been thinking of you both all night OP, hope everything is getting sorted for you xx

Rainbow821 · 13/01/2024 07:46

A 2 week appointment is none urgent, this sounds absolutely urgent. I would definitely ring 111, with those symptoms I’m sure they will want to see him. I would then email a complaint to your doctors surgery for their handling of the situation.

ISSTIUTNG · 13/01/2024 07:50

Boomboom22 · 13/01/2024 04:14

Because when the gp has a month of calls about it the normal action is to refer.
When my 3 Yr old vomited every few days and had big poos they referred after 1 appt and 1 phone call, paeds within 2 weeks then blood test was the highest possible cutoff for coeliac disease. All within about a month. Weight loss in children is a reason to refer immediately. Others have said the same. This is how not just coeliac but cancer gets missed, some Dr's don't appear to follow the actual procedures in place!

Yes but it still requiress time, skill and resources for the GP to do this! It's mind blowing that people regard A and E and specialist services as a precious, finite resource but don't even seem to want to acknowledge that a GP is a human being with a limit to what they can safely do in a day. This is exactly why not enough people want to do the job. It's exhausting, it's terrifying and it's degrading

trombolese · 13/01/2024 07:56

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of your responses and thoughts, it really means a lot. Didn’t want anyone to think I’ve abandoned the thread but I have quite a poorly little boy. I will update when I have the full picture and processed it a bit but it’s been a really long day and night. Xx

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 13/01/2024 07:58

Oh dear. Take care.

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