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Original poster

waiting on ambulance for 17 month old. Handhold please.

316 replies

whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 21:29

baby woke screaming and red hot, wouldn't settle or take a drink. Doesn't like the light being on. Called 111 and they went through the symptoms and have requested an ambulance attend but it could take another hour from now
Currently keeping him cool with the electric fan. I'm shitting myself so scared.

OP posts:
ShitOnIt00 · 28/05/2021 22:48

@whiskersonkittenss

Still no ambulance and he's just woken up happy. if I call them back will they stop the paramedics attending? should I let them check him over? He's the complete opposite to how he was when I called.
If you aren’t concerned then call back abs ask for advice :) Glad to hear he is feeling better.
Toddlerteaplease · 28/05/2021 22:49

A rash is a very late sign of sepsis. Never assume it's not series, just because there is no rash. Always go on other symptoms. Headache, photophobia, mottled skin, etc.

Ifimight · 28/05/2021 22:49

Still let them check him over when they arrive. He's probably feeling better after a little bit of sleep.

iduno · 28/05/2021 22:49

I hope everything is ok with ur little one 🤞🏻

When my little girl was just about 2. She went all floppy, wouldn't respond, kept drifting off. Eyes rolling in the back oh her head. It was so scary. 111 sent an ambulance. They took almost an hour to come and I was getting really worried. By the time they arrived she had perked up. She perked up even more when they came in and went and got her doctors set out to show them, and was all chatty, I was mortified!

They said it happens a lot and kids go up and down so fast. She was checked over everything was "normal". They still wanted to take her in and get her checked over by a doctor. Everything was fine, doctor said it's likely viral infection that caused it.

That was her second time in an ambulance! She got sent to hospital in one from out of hours doctors about 6 months before that. Honestly kids will have us forever worried!

drinkingcherrywine · 28/05/2021 22:50

@whiskersonkittenss

Still no ambulance and he's just woken up happy. if I call them back will they stop the paramedics attending? should I let them check him over? He's the complete opposite to how he was when I called.
No harm in getting him checked over - better safe than sorry. Please ignore the shit stirring on the thread, this mumsnet - home for handholding and support.
Original poster
whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 22:50

yes nappies wet as normal. Not too little or too much. he won't take a drink no, so I will just wait for them to come as it's not right. He usually uses his water/juice as a comfort even when not thirsty. (He has been checked for diabetes and he doesn't have it)

OP posts:
Feellikeimsinking · 28/05/2021 22:51

Given his sensitivity to light is still get them to come to check ds over. It will give you peace of mind

Percypigg · 28/05/2021 22:54

I imagine that if you have him checked out you'll relax more, you'll know he's OK. Massive hugs to you all

l2b2 · 28/05/2021 22:55

While you're waiting OP, it's very important to try to get some calpol into your son, like the earlier poster-a paeds nurse-advises.
Use the syringe into a cheek method, with the other parent holding. Much like how you would have to get medicine into a cat/dog. Not easy but absolutely imperative.

Advic3Pl3as3 · 28/05/2021 22:56

Paramedic here. I am always happy to attend for children. There is not a blanket policy for all under 2s to go in but there is a very low risk threshold for leaving at home with no onward referral.

I would be stripping a child with a temp if they were presenting as unwell/distressed. If they were normal self I probably wouldn’t strip off completely but I would be wanting to examine so some clothes would come off anyway.

I don’t think 111 should be telling you to wait for an ambulance because it will be quicker. There is absolutely no way of telling this. You could have multiple ambulances start towards you and then be diverted to higher priority calls. This happens often. If you attend ED you will be triaged and seen right away if it’s deemed as required.

pabloescobarselasticband · 28/05/2021 22:58

Op i work in this field. Please try not to worry the 111 service is just being cautious and if the ambulance is going to take over an hour that means its not a high priority and they are not particularly concerned. You will probably find that they will take you in because most trusts have a policy that under 2's must be seen by a doctor. You sound like you are doing a great job and your little one is cooler and calmer. The hospital will triage the same as any other patient and you will be seen in order of need/priority.

Advic3Pl3as3 · 28/05/2021 22:59

If he’s not currently distressed or obviously unwell I wouldn’t be giving calpol, unless his temp is very, very high. The immune system works better at a higher temperature so if you artificially reduce it unnecessarily you can impede the immune system from doing its job as effectively.

TaVeryMuchLove · 28/05/2021 23:01

So glad your DS has perked up. Always still worth checking with the paramedics though. You have totally done the right thing in trusting your instincts OP. X

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 28/05/2021 23:03

@Advic3Pl3as3 that is old advice - recent evidence shows otherwise.

BreedingOinkers · 28/05/2021 23:13

@Advic3Pl3as3

If he’s not currently distressed or obviously unwell I wouldn’t be giving calpol, unless his temp is very, very high. The immune system works better at a higher temperature so if you artificially reduce it unnecessarily you can impede the immune system from doing its job as effectively.
this isn’t true
GettingItOutThere · 28/05/2021 23:14

glad he has perked up OP, they are such a worry. Please get him checked over, most trusts including ours insist on under 2's being seen.

Learningtofeminist · 28/05/2021 23:17

Just wanted to add OP, I’ve had ambulances out a couple of times for my diabetic husband when I haven’t been able to get him back up from a hypo. Each time, it felt like the minute I’d made the call his blood sugar finally started coming back up again 🤦‍♀️And each time the paramedics were delighted to find him reasonably well and reassured me I’d done the right thing and they’d MUCH rather be called out when it turns out not to be needed, than not be called out when it turns out they were needed.

Really looks from this thread like you’re doing all the right things and please don’t worry about taking up NHS resources, this is what they’re there for Flowers

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 28/05/2021 23:22

@BreedingOinkers - it certainly is.

Desperatelytrying123 · 28/05/2021 23:23

Hope all is okay x

Advic3Pl3as3 · 28/05/2021 23:23

Please can the people telling me my clinical practice is incorrect point me in the direction of the evidence that indicates this so I can improve my professional development.

I have just done a quick search of databases with nothing obvious coming up.....

tobee · 28/05/2021 23:24

All the best to you op and your baby Thanks

drinkingcherrywine · 28/05/2021 23:25

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skodadoda · 28/05/2021 23:29

Tonsillitis?

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/05/2021 23:31

DS2 had chronic tonsillitis and would spike high temps and vomit. He wouldn’t want to drink or take medicine because it hurt to swallow.

Advic3Pl3as3 · 28/05/2021 23:33

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