my perfect littlr girl is in hospital with meningitis

[StopEatingThatMud]

And I'm really really scared.

Is anyone up to hold my hand and tell me it'll be ok?

No sleep tonight. She's started twitching in her right arm and leg. I think that may be what's waking her up.

The doctors been next to useless and told me to monitor it. Que me getting a bit hysterical and sobbing at him that I've been awake for 5 nights and really don't trust my own judgement. He basically told me if I'm tired then don't worry about it, if she's having seizures they'll get worse on their own anyway. Talk about people skills!

She has antibiotics in 15 minutes anyway so no doubt that will wake her up too.

Hi, mud.

Just a virtual hand hold here.

Saying a little prayer for B

Xxxx

OMG to the doctor's response - I hope that you get a bit better support than that from now on!

I hope that she gets a quieter night soon and that you get some rest - is there anyone who can give you some relief in the day so you can get your head down?

Maybe tge asking you to monitor it was more to make you feel like something was being done than really needed anyway iyswim? Some docs really don't have empathy, but we do

You do need to keep grabbing sleep when you can.

Silly question, maybe, but doctors don't always explore outside normal.....have they tried ibuprofen instead of calpol. Ds got lots of ear infections with 105 fevers when he was a baby and it took a few A&E visits (and at least one suspected meningitis scare) before they figured out that calpol did't work at all on him and he needed ibuprofen at unusually high doses to bring down a fever.
Hope things go better soon!

Hope today brings good news for B.

Oh Mud, Doctors can be so monstrously thoughtless and casual about stuff which to us mere mortals is life altering stuff. Having said that there are also some real crackers about so fingers crossed you get one of the good 'uns tomorrow. Hope your dd has had a reasonable night.

sofia Bs platlets are low so can't have ibuprofen ^^

Poor B do the blood cultures show she's on the correct antibiotics?

Hoping for a settled day for you all

am continuing to lurk with nothing to add. Hope today is better

Sorry that you've had a bad night mud. Hope that today is more positive. Sending positive vibes and get well wishes for little B. Hope you're able to get some rest.

Adding another prayer and a hope for a better day today x

I hope and pray the worst is over and today things will only start to improve!

So sorry to hear what a distressing time you're having. Thinking of you so much. I hope and pray your wee girl has a better day today xx

Hope today is better and that you get some rest.

Mud just coming in to say I and everyone here are praying for baby B and sending all the positive thoughts there are...love to you and I hope today is better. The nights are always worse aren't they? xxx

Mud, it's only a thought. If you are worried about the level of expertise, or if they 'can't find what's wrong', you could ask for a transfer to GOSH? (Gt Ormond St.) Our local hospital couldn't find what was wrong with DS, despite lumbar punctures, CTs, MRIs, EEgs, the lot. I can't fault their care, but at somewhere like GOSH, the expertise is on a different level completely. And probably the technology. GOSH found out what was wrong, at the last possible minute, and fixed it.
You will hopefully have a much better day today, so ignore me. But it's just a thought, if you feel there are no answers being found. Sending you many hugs and mugs of coffee. xx

When the doctors come round for ward round are you getting the chance to talk to them and express your concerns?

Hope you have a better day today

So sorry to hear you are still having a very rough time :-( Hope that little B starts to turn a corner today and that the antibiotics start to work their magic. Thinking of you.

Hope today brings better news and things will start to improve x

Sorry to hear that you had abad day and night Mud

Sending positive thoughts for B to have a much better day today and for you to be able to get some rest.

and (((hugs))) from me x

Hope you both have a better day. Good for you for pointing out that you are functioning on no sleep. I think doctors sometimes forget to think about the whole context for the parent when they pop in on their rounds.

Hope today you can get some answers and positive news. What is it with consultants? When dc was in for exploded appendix I felt quite intimidated by mine, who was always in rush and surrounded by students. Nothing was explained in plain English and with no time me to understand and respond.
There was a lovely junior consultant though that I managed to grab on her own.
I explained that I felt too rushed and nervous to get over to head bloke my worries, she was lovely, and came back to me later with all my questions answered. If this not option, write down list of your concers so you don't get flustered.
Know what I felt like after nights spent trying to sleep on chair by bed and feeling deserted and ignorant about what was going on.
I really, really hope you get your answers and positive news soon, and am wishing I was there to give you a big hug. The other mums in the parent room were a great source of comfort too.

As other people have mentioned, Doctors can be very thoughtless. You are not responsible for your dd's ob's, and you should say as much. Do not be afraid to say no or complain (constructively), you are your dd's advocate. It can be hard feeling like the pushy parent, we English aren't very good at it, but no one else is going to do it, see it as your job.

Have you been transferred to Adenbrookes yet?

Sometimes it is good o be assertive with the Doctors. If you aren't happy with the care, say so. If you think that more could be done with her treatment, say so and talk through a treatment plan on ward round. Doctors are very busy, but don't be afraid to take up their time and dont allow them to rush your conversation.

Take care, stay strong, you will both get through this x