Please tell me this isn't anything really scary and serious.

[TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor]

DS(3) was vomiting in the night a few days ago, has been extremely tired ever since, I assumed a bug and just did the usual for a virus (calpol, plenty of fluids etc) Hehas been really miserable for the lastfew days though and since yesterday any little touch to his head has made him cry. Now I've noticed his neck is swollen and he has a huge lump on the left hand side of it.
I have managed to make an appointment at the doctors to see a nurse this afternoon, but I'm panicing.

has he had the MMR?

If you are really worried, does your GP do consultations over the phone? Or NHS direct maybe?

Poor boy, try not to worry you've done everything right and you're going to get professional advice soon. You could always phone NHS direct for reassurance if you really want to.

Rememebr there are glands at the back of neck and they can get swollen with viruses I think.

I'm not sure squonka, his nan used to take him for all his injections. But I think he has.

Could be tonsilitus, I always vomit prior to getting it.

Don't want to worry you but if it was me, i'd be on the phone to NHS Direct now 08454647 or follow the self help guide

Phone NHS direct now and they'll call you back. It'll make you feel better

0845 4647

DD had a very big lump on the side of her neck recently and it turned out to be tonsillitis. With antibiotics it went down in a couple of days. Tonsillitis can make you feel really really rough.

Do you have to see the nurse? Can you not get to see the doctor?

You've done everything right so far. I thought it may have been mumps, but if he's had the mmr (and it sounds like he has) then it won't be that. It's probably just a swollen gland, like Slur says, but if you are worried, ring the doctors and INSIST that someone sees him as soon as possible, or even take him to A & E if you are that worried.

They will never mind seeing a poorly child, even if he just has a cold.

Hope everything's ok.

Doesn't matter if you see a nurse IME whenever the nurse has been unsure they've gone to find a doctor to check. Especially for LOs

Does sound like tonsillitis if you ask me- I still get tonsillitis and I feel like I have the flu for about 4 days before my throat starts swelling up- my glands come up both in front of my throat and at the back of my neck.

Poor little love- if I were you I would phone the doctor straight back and tell him that your child needs to see a doctor or a nurse immediately as he is really poorly!

Let us know how you get on...

The doctors don't have any appointments, but they said if I take him to see the nurse she can go and grab a doctor for him, so it's a cheats way of getting him in to see the doc really.

I also thought he had cradle cap the othre day as he had a dry patch on his head, and I've been putting oil on it like you woudl normal cradle cap but have just noticed that's quite red and raised as well. I'm hoping that's just coincedence.

I've got an appointment at the hospital in an hour anyway, so I might pop him in to A&E whilst I'm there.

Why not pop to a&e before your appointment? Then you could leave now.

and what about phoning nhs?

Panic away -it's what you're there for!!

If you are in ANY doubt trust your instincts & ring your GP NOW . If they can't won't then go to A&E.

I'm sure he's fine but they would much rather see several panicking needlessley mothers rather than miss one with a seriously sick child. (which I'm sure your DS isn't but he's not well.)

you back yet?

What did doc say?

There wasn't even a doctor at the bloody surgery, the nurses saw him and think it's more his head that is the issue, and the doc needs to prescribe something but they couldn't get him in to see him today, the doctor was going to be coming back to the surgery later but they didnt think he'd see him.
I'm going to leave it til out of hours and call the out of hours service I think, they are based just round the corner and will see him straight away and hopefully prescribe something.

get them to come out to him. You've taken him enough places for today.

Insist that they come to see him.

Oh poor mite. I hope you get some resolution onthis tonight x

That is terrible service- they should have seen to him asap. Yeah get the oncall doctor to come out to him tonight if its thamesdoc they are fantastic.

Have you checked for a rash? sunlight problems etc? just in case?!

Squonk they don't do house calls any more you have to go to an out of hours service or call an ambulance! Shocked me rigid the first time NHS direct told me that!!

Waiting for the out of hours doc to call me back, now we've noticed a few spots on his bak and forehead, he just seems to be getting mroe and more!
I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's chicken pox or something and he has scratched at the one on his head and infected it? (it did look very much like cradle cap the other day though)

Oh poor thing, let us know, it must be a worry x

He has an appointment with a DOCTOR at 7:45.

Good! At last. Some kids do have complications with chickenpox, so be aware of that. I hope it isn't anything as sinister as that though.