Sat in A&E with daughter

[StopTheQtipWhenTheresResistance]

Sat in A&E with my daughter for the second time this weekend. She has had paramedics out 3 times due to a nasty infection she has. She got put on antibiotics on Friday but they didn't seem to have much effect.

Earlier today she started shaking and her eyes were rolling up into her head. Her temperature was still high after 4 days. We are now in A&E and she's hooked up to an IV for fluids, paracetamol and is on IV antibiotics.

Unfortunately there is about a 15 hour wait for a bed on the ward, they are so busy. The doctor mentioned going home later if she feels better but she's not drinking independently so I don't see the point in her being sent home, only to be brought back in for dehydration.

I suppose I'm just wanting a chat as I will be up all night here with my daughter.

Oh poor you and her. How old is she? Good they have put her on iv antibiotics-should work quickly.

Are they checking for sepsis?

@Haggisfish3 she's 19 but she has a learning disability, possible autism (awaiting assessment) and severe anxiety and depression. She's been non verbal since she has been unwell.

@henrysugar12 what kind of tests would they do? She's had bloods done and they did blood cultures. Her white cells are slightly raised.

They dipped her urine which was high in keystones and protein but she hasn't eaten anything since Wednesday and has not been drinking much at all. They have sent it off to the lab.

Keytones I meant

She's been moved up onto the ward now. She's started drinking independently so those antibiotics must be kicking in

Hopefully she keeps on improving. It's always even more of a worry when they can't articulate how rubbish they're feeling, verbally.

Hopefully the fluids etc will start to kick in soon. I had to take my 20yr old to A&E pre-Christmas as she was very unwell, could hardly walk or talk. Turned out to be pneumonia.

Goodness, I hope she is ok now.

We stayed overnight in hospital and she got a bed on the ward. She had antibiotics, fluids and paracetamol via IV. They ran loads of blood tests, Covid test, urine test and they were all clear.

She's getting brown discharge which I assume is coming from her vagina now since her urine was clear so I'm guessing an infection in her reproductive system. I really hope these antibiotics will target that as well if it is that. She's on Co-amoxiclav for 7 days.

She has a temperature again this morning but nothing too drastic - 37.7.

I'm still really worried about her and still have no idea what the infection is about.

Hi op, considering the brown discharge I hope they have done a vaginal swab ? I understand though if your daughter has LD this may be upsetting for her

Hi, no they didn't do any swabs, they didn't even suggest it. It says to follow up with GP with swans in a couple of weeks but that's a whole other issue getting her to attend the GP with her issues and they are not very helpful at coming to the home to examine her despite her disabilities.

I have got rather assertive with the GP though as they have a duty to make reasonable adjustments but they just don't seem to want to.

Swabs not swans 🤦‍♀️

@StopTheQtipWhenTheresResistance Have you suggested they do some swabs ? Seems strange they wouldn't do them though doesn't it, you'd think that'd be first thing after having brown discharge and a high temp etc

I didn't suggest it at the time but now I know it's not to do with her urine, I'm going to push for the GP to do swabs if the antibiotics don't clear it up. I know it would be a little traumatic for her though so will see what happens.

She's still not eating but hopefully I can get her to drink more today. She's just so exhausted and has gone back to sleep.

Could there be a tampon there that hasn't been removed ? Are you still in hospital ?

If you are still in hospital I would insist they do the swabs. She might need a different antibiotic for a start. My DD had to take two different ones for example (and no unfortunately she is still struggling but thats not due to bad medical care, but thanks for asking xx).

Explain that DD won't go to GP due to her disabilities and therefore will be back in hospital. Surely it's in their "interests" to treat her properly now. It sounds a nightmare though. Good luck

@StopTheQtipWhenTheresResistance @Jennalong has a really good point - a tampon that hasn't been removed could be causing an infection. This could be very important to check out!

We are at home now. She doesn't use tampons, I have to change her when she's got her period and we only use pads.

Is she wiping correctly after having bowels opened?
Could infection have been introduced that way?

@StopTheQtipWhenTheresResistance My sister has learning difficulties and also needs her pads changing, wiping etc all personal care we have to do for her so I understand how hard it would be for her to have swabs done. But I do think it's worth a try. Have you noticed any unpleasant smells along with the discharge ? I'm sure you can get self swabs from the pharmacy too, maybe you could do it yourself if she'd let you ?

I think it is very likely been introduced this way. She has bowel incontinence at times which can be messy and due to her mental health issues and LD, she won't have a bath or shower so we are solely relying on strip washes. It is very possible she has got an infection from this.

Hi, yes the discharge has a strong, sour kind of smell. I don't know how else to describe it. The smell seems to be getting less though with the antibiotics.

Sorry to hear your daughter is unwell.

Sorry TMI but is it possible to get a sample of the discharge whilst you're wiping/washing her then transfer it to the swab. Obviously might not be the same where you are but my GP let's you collect the swab from reception, take home and then drop it off again.

This is a good idea and definitely worth trying, thank you.

How long before antibiotics should start making someone feel better if they are the right ones? She took a dose via IV on Monday night, had 1 IV dose yesterday as well as an oral dose. And she has had 2 doses so far today and due her 3rd at 9:00pm. Is it too soon to see any improvement yet? I'm just so worried.

Only managed to get 500ml of fluid down her so far which includes Fortisips. I've ordered some rehydration sachets which should come tomorrow.

I'm now really confused.

The paramedic said to alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen and gave me the following schedule:

09:00 - paracetamol and ibuprofen
13:00 - paracetamol
15:00 - ibuprofen
17:00 - paracetamol
21:00 - paracetamol and ibuprofen

I now read online that I shouldn't give both paracetamol and ibuprofen unless recommended by a doctor.

Now I don't know what to do.

I would do as the paramedic has suggested for a day or so
Will she have jelly or sick ice lolly to get some fluid in?
Hope she feels better soon