oh my god my child is swelling!

[Boco]

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?

it's worrying that her mouth hurts Boco. I really would consider going and camping out at the paediatric unit - tell them you are worried. As someone else said, you may find that during the day the staff are different and have a better idea of what is going on. If nothing else, they should be able to give you stronger medication.

I would go and refuse to leave tbh but then I am a pita where hospitals are concerned

go with your gut feeling and do not leave until you are happy

enid's made a good poiint, it's friday. if you don't go now you'll miss the experts. sorry for you that you're all going through this.

(it's thursday but yes I mentioned that too, she needs to go today )

Aitch, it's Thursday.

LOLOLOL! Brilliant! i've scored a Whole Extra Day of my life! but get to the hosp, boco, a lot of those consultants take long golfing weekends in the summer.

I'm really confused.

The doctor last night said it's not anaphalaxis - it's this erythema multiforme - and no risk of throat closing etc. I'm really listening to everyone with experience of this, and taking you all very seriously, but it's hard to go and say, actually , someone on the internet says something else.

I looked up the multiforme thing, and it's so not that! Theyre' target spots and this isn't.

Just wibbled down the phone to my stepdad the paramedic, who is stumped. She's finally fallen asleep. Gp is calling me between now and 12, and its a different doctor so will see if she can come up with anything.

Going to the hospital is tricky with no car - i have friends who are around but no one without hoards of their own toddlers. Last night they were left on their own for hours while dd screamed - i'm losing any hope that they can offer her anything.

boco this is really shit,

she is very young and in terrible discomfort
you are very worried
they are not reassuring you
you are not happy with the diagnosis

forget what doctor said last night, he didn't say it to you anyway. call ambulance, go to hospital, what's the worse that can happen, they label you neurotic mum, so what. where is dd1?

it must be awful for you, boco. i have no relevant experience but you have my sympathy. although tbh i've got to say if my child was in uncontrolled pain i don't think i could take the word of a GP. I'd be worried about the target spots thing. nightmare situation for you.

dd1 is at school until half 3.

So far i've taken the word of a gp - and he was wrong twice. We saw a junior dr and a consultant 2 nights ago, and last night spoke to a gp, saw a doctor in a&e and a paediatritian. It's hard to know who's word to take, it seems like they're saying this is just how it's going to be for her for a while, and you're right, that's not acceptable as its not controlling the discomfort - but i'm now feeling incapable and pathetic. I've not slept for 2 nights and feel like i can't even speak to them. (i will, i can do it, i'm just having a slight wailing tantrum while she's asleep - pull self together)

{bit of a squeeze, something approaching a hug even} yuck, it sounds quite rubbish in your house at the moment.

has your gp called?

boco?

Hello, yes - gp called and was great, i think i love her. V. embarrassingly cried down the phone at her - all made worse by dd wailing 'i neeeeed youuuuu' at the top of her lungs throughout the conversation. She says that it doesn't sound at all like the paediatricians diagnosis, and that piriton is not adequate for a reaction like this. She says she thinks the anaphalaxis is over and the itching is a good sign as its leaving the body, but needs to be controlled. She's prescribed a strong antihistamine and is sending it down to the chemist now.

[gibber, sniffle, twitch]

oh good, that sounds a bit better.

good soemone has listened to you. are you def happy with this? it might be better to get gp to come round, telephone diagnosis is not ideal.

also what plans do you have for some sleep? can someone else have dd1 this afternoon?

I feel alright about it right now, she had all dds notes in front of her, and she could hear the noise dd was making. Off to get the new medicine and hope it works.

Sleep? That would be amazing. I can't wait.

Hi Boco,

Thanks for sharing this terrifying ordeal with us, as a new mum myself you always wonder how to react in emergency situations, I feel that you've made a huge contribution towards my education in how to deal with a potentially life threatening situation.

I hope you get the much needed sleep you deserve and that you dd will be alright.

Oh thanks - and i hope funkydude never goes through anything like this!

oh gawd .. poor you

stuff that helps ease itching (of CP anyway) is a luke-warm bath run through a sock filled with oats (honestly it makes the water look cloudy but provides much release)

or a luke-warm bath with half a tub of bicarb in it

I am hoping the stronger drugs help .. but this is a topical aid

poor all of you

unfortunately with NHS those who shout loudest often get the best help so NEVER be frightened of keeping on going back .. sounds like a misdiagnosis last night to me

Thanks Twig

Tried the oatmeal bath last night - was doing that for the chicken pox last week. Problem is she's scratched her skin so raw that she just stood in the bath screaming and couldn't sit down - she's scratched lots of skin off, its horrible

awwwwww

I c'n give you more internet hugs if you want .. although I'll have to steel myself for them

Thanks, i'll look away, and we need never speak of it again ok?

{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}