I have just endured 5 days of hell and I am going to explain why in the hope it might urge other parents to use their gut feeling rather than rely on doctors advice.
On Thursday morning my 3 yr old son became unwell with a high temperature, I assumed it was just a bug going round and gave him Calpol and let him sleep.
When his temp hit 39 I took him to my GP who checked him over and told me he seemed ok but had swollen glands, he adviced me to keep him cool and gave me Brufen to bring his temp down.
By Thursday night he had developed a blotchy looking rash and his temp wasnt going down so I rang the emergency out of hours surgery, explained that he had seen a doctor already and that he was still very poorly with a rash now.I asked the doctor if he would come to my home to see him as I was getting worried.
The doctor told me I would have to bring my son to him if I wanted him to be seen and despite the fact I argued that I had a 5 month old son asleep and no way to get there as I was on my own (the surgery is 5 miles away)I was then forced to haul friends and family out of bed to look after my other children and then drag my son out into the cold to see the doctor.
Once there the doctor briefly checked him over and told me it was probably chickenpox. I said I was worried it was Meningitis and was told that it certainly WAS NOT Meningitis. The rash he had was multiplying by the minute which I questioned, as chickenpox tends to have spots that appear over a couple of days but I was assuered it was just a viral rash and was told to go home and let him rest.
The next morning I expected to find him covered in blisters, I even got some calamine lotion for him but, the spots were the same, not dark but blotchy and his temp was still high. Deep down I knew something was wrong but you put your trust in the doctors dont you and I didnt think they could be wrong.
I really began to panic when he started vomiting and although he was sleeping alot I found myself constantly checking him. I desperatly wanted to call the doctor again but when 2 of them have told you he is ok you dont want to become hysterical and tell them they are wrong. Then I saw it....that one spot. The one you dread ever finding but KNOW EXACTLY what it is. It was dark red and as soon as I saw it I rang the medical emergency number. It took 45 minutes for a doctor to arrive but the minute he saw him he told me he was going to inject him with peniccilin and call an ambulance.
The next half an hour was the scariest of my life. The ambulance was there within minutes but my son was going downhill fast, he was so sleepy, he was grey and spent most of the ambulance journey vomiting or being kept awake by the paramedics, who I have to say were fantastic.
By the time he got to hospital his hands and feet were so cold they couldnt find a vein to put a drip in but thankfully once treatment started he began to make a recovery. Hewas very poorly for the first couple of days but thanks to the wonderful nurses and doctors at the hospital he was allowed home with me today. He still has to have IV antibiotics every day but it was the best feeling in the world bringing him home.
Sorry this story is so long but I appeal to all parents, if your child is sick and you dont think your doctor is right PLEASE PLEASE take them to A&E. The consultant couldnt believe that I was told it was chickenpox as the first rash he got was a sign of Meningitis, along with the cold feet and hands. She told me I should of just brought him to A&E on Thursday night but praised me for going with my insticts and constantly checking him because if I had let him "sleep it off" I would now be arranging my sons funeral.
I can forgive my GP for not realising because he had no real symptoms at start but the out of hours surgery was a disgrace and I am going to kick up such a fuss about it.
I am so grateful that my son is alive and making a recovery but it is only because I know him and I knew something wasnt right. If you feel the same when your child is very unwell then I urge you to do the same!