Would you request an emergency appointment for today?

[LaraWearsZara]

I have a gp appointment booked for 4pm Weds for my 6yo but I'm questioning if it can wait.
3 months ago we noticed his hair was starting to turn white in places - some patches/some single strands. Dark haired so very obvious. Dr said did not look like poliosis and we are awaiting dermatology apt. This may or may not be relevant to the below.
3 wks ago he had to stop during swimming lesson as he said his heart was beating so fast he thought he may stop breathing.
This has since happened around 4 times.
He had to be pulled out of PE 2 wks ago as he said he got a sudden pain in his head and then his legs went tingly and numb
This has happened 3 times since (including in his sleep - it actually woke him up so not always relating to exercise like we thought)
On Friday he had to be taken from lesson and go for a walk as he got pains in his right eye that were so bad he couldn't concentrate. At this point I had phone apt with GP who made the apt for Weds this week.
Last night the same thing happened with his eye , he was trying to read us his book and couldn't as he said his eye was so sore. Immediately he started saying it was making his legs feel funny again.
He loves doing all of these things btw such as reading and swimming and PE, it's definitely not an excuse to get out of them.
This morning walking to school he was punching his thigh saying it was hurting him but he said I know I'll be okay when I'm sitting down at school.
DH very much of the opinion of growing pains, maybe had a virus affecting him but I feel panicked and I don't know why.
Worth saying too he did have an eye test in September and everything looked fine, vision and health wise.
What do I do 😞

Growing pains are really awful but I don't know it would affect his eyes or heart rate. Equally the white hair issue. Why don't you call the surgery and ask to pass a message to the GP and see what they think of the urgency?

I think your child needs a blood test. Given its Monday, I'm not sure one day will make much of a difference (but I'm not a medic). I absolutely get how worrying this is and I would heavily push for a blood test when you see the GP.

Thanks both. I've got through explained to receptionist who basically said what do you think will happen today that can't wait till Wednesday?
So I've left it and will hold out for 48hrs time 😞
I will push for a blood test as I do believe he will benefit due to the amount of symptoms he has going on.
Thanks again

Hope it goes as well as it can. I'd wite it all down before hand and take it with you. Be assertive and cooperative. GPs do generally try to do their best.

It's worth looking up the extended hours gp service in your area, all areas are supposed to have them. It's different to the Out of Hours emergency gp.
In Suffolk it's called GP+ and is open 7pm-10pm and at weekends, you pre-book appointments through your usual gp or you can call 111 to book them on the night.

Yea I’d absolutely push for an emergency appt. It’s a child. Quite shocked at the receptionist saying that.

Op, hope you got to your dc's appointment and there is some progress.

Thank you 🙂 yes she has referred him to hospital (due to age) for blood test. She is thinking auto immune based on hair and heart palpations but that is just her initial thought, so I guess we will see.

That's good news and much better to get a child specialist to do the blood test. Little veins need more expertise. Good something is moving.

Hope he is OK and you don't need to wait too long to be seen x

Blood test 9th Jan... a whole month ☹️

Ring your GP they might be able to speed it up.