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Original poster

oh my god my child is swelling!

242 replies

Boco · 15/05/2007 18:51

dd2 woke covered in a rash today, which was confirmed as a reaction to penicillin this morning at the doctors.

Throughout the day it's been getting worse, her whole body is now covered in freaky pink and white swellings. It seemed to be getting better a couple of hours ago, then suddenly her face ballooned and her lips swelled up.

Just did a mad dash to the out of hours doctor and got steroids - he said her throat isn't swelling and chest is clear, and steroids should make it go down, but to go to hospital if anything changes.

She looks so bizarre - no way i'll be getting much sleep tonight!

Anyone elses dcs had this? Do the steroids work quickly? Can i stop following her around staring at her and shrieking with horror?

OP posts:
Hilllary · 16/05/2007 22:56

Boco I have to go to sleep now, I'm thinking of you all, She will be ok. I'l be on here in the morning to check on progress.

Take care honey

xx

Hilllary · 16/05/2007 22:57

P.s listen to KerryMum she knows her stuff.. xx

foxinsocks · 16/05/2007 22:58

no, the consultant might be checking what's wrong with her Kerry or ruling stuff out.

FWIW, ds was swabbed when they thought he had scarlet fever.

Original poster
Boco · 16/05/2007 22:58

kerrymum its tempting, but dp would never forgive me!

Night Hills and thanks x

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 16/05/2007 23:01

i don't think you're undermining dp by phoning, just supporting him.

KerryMum · 16/05/2007 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foxinsocks · 16/05/2007 23:02

I understand what you're saying - but I'm sure boco's dh is doing the best he can!

carol3 · 16/05/2007 23:03

boco so sorry your going through this my thoughts are with you, maybe just call every hour or so for an update. things move so slowly in hospital they are proberly sitting around waiting for one test or another.

misdee · 16/05/2007 23:04

sparklygothkat had several reactins (no throat swelling) whehn she had scarlettina. think she may have been swabbed.

they need to swab to rule out anything else. they cant assume anything.

hatwoman · 16/05/2007 23:07

oh boco so sorry you;ve had this happen. like other's have said she's in the best place and I'm sure she'll be ok.

mymatemax · 16/05/2007 23:28

Boco, sorry your dd is so poorly, hope they get it sorted.
Is she in Ipswich? Just wondered as I'm in Suffolk too (also 25 miles from hospital). Ipswich Paed team are fantastic, ds2 has spent months there, I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it soon.

Original poster
Boco · 16/05/2007 23:34

She's gone to the Norfolk and Norwich - we're halfway between the two hospitals. She was born in Ipswich hospital though

They were great in a&e last night, not very good at relinquishing control in a situation like this - i'm sure dp is doing fine and i'm being really mean saying otherwise. I drive him mad giving him lists of things he must say and questions he should ask.

I really hope he calls again soon - after getting 3 hours sleep last night i'm beginning to feel a little bit crazy.

OP posts:
KerryMum · 16/05/2007 23:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 16/05/2007 23:45

Aww Boco

Your poor DD. I completely understand how you must be feeling right now. Its tough when you have two or more children in the evenings and one has to go to hospital.

DD has some allergies and carries an epipen. I second everything kerrymum has said. I always feel with allergies - better safe than sorry. Its so hard to tell when and how quickly a reaction can escalate.

I hope she is feeling better soon.

Also, if you really feel the need to go up there yourself it really isnt so terrible to just grab your other DD and take her with you. It wont hurt for one night

mymatemax · 16/05/2007 23:46

Norfolk & Norwich is very good too, A friends ds had surgery there as they have specialist paed Aneastitists (oops sp) the care he received was fantastic, she really is in the best place.
I know its hard but even if you only manage to dose on the sofa try & get some sleep.
If you want to ring again, they really won't mind IME they are used to anxious parents calling.

teeteringonthebrink · 16/05/2007 23:48

I'm thinking of you Boco. It's terrifying to have an ill child and be waiting for news. My very best wishes to you all xxxxx

teeteringonthebrink · 16/05/2007 23:48

Sorry, it's Greensleeves xx

KerryMum · 17/05/2007 00:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twiglett · 17/05/2007 07:03

Boco .. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

(and I don't do that for just anyone you know)

poor you and poor DP and DD ..

MaryHinge · 17/05/2007 08:35

Hoping for good news this morning Boco. It must be horrid to not be able to be there with her. I'm sure your dh is doing just fine.

WaynettaSlob · 17/05/2007 08:58

Boco - hope things are better this morning.

Twiglett · 17/05/2007 09:25

Boco .. any news .. have to go out in 5 minutes so won't be able to see .. thinking of you

Original poster
Boco · 17/05/2007 09:57

Well they kept her in for hours, but not all night again - came home early hours. Apparently as she was still screaming the place down and shouting for me She was so distressed they couldn't do anything - i really don't understand - why couldn't they have given her something to make her more comfortable?

Dp came home with a piece of paper with Erythema Multiforme written on it. I've looked it up, and it's a skin allergic reaction that can be caused by penicillin - but it doesnt' sound much like what dd has. It's target lesions which start on extremities and rarely go onto body. Dds started on her body and are absolutely everywhere, and aren't target lesions, its giant urticaria and huge areas of swelling - did the doctor even look at her? When i tried to talk to dp about it he got really angry and said just stop - they're doctors, not you - and refused to talk to me. He's gone to work today

The doctor said he wasn't worried about it being in her throat or stopping her breathing, but said it could continue like this for 3 weeks!!

She came home last night and screamed all night - she slept for an hour at a time at the most, often waking up every half an hour tearing at her skin and screaming. Dp slept on the sofa and i had her in my bed but didn't sleep much.

I just feel so weepy today, there's nothing left for me to try - the hospital just sent us home with piriton. The steroids may have been aggravating and making the rash worse (thanks kerrymum, right about that). I can only give her the piriton every 4-6 hours and it's not enough - she's screaming that her mouth hurts, she's made herself bleed all over her legs and back and is throwing herself around. They saw her like this at the hospital, but said it was just a question of waiting. But waiting for weeks like this? I can't do this another day its horrible.

sorry i'm rambling, i just feel so drained, 2 nights without sleep and she wont' rest and i don't know what i can do for her

OP posts:
misdee · 17/05/2007 09:59

put her in a cool (not cold bath). poor love must be in agony, there must be something else you can do.

misdee · 17/05/2007 10:00

have they given you anything to put on the skin?

am thinking calomile like you use it chicken pox, someone on here may know.