Ear infection in baby

Nicki

It's only about 6 hours since we were sent away from a and e, the same doctors will still be on shift. This is the busiest childrens a and e in London, kids are flown in by air ambulance from all the neighbouring boroughs. He was brought in by ambulance called by his GP at 4.30 pm on Friday afternoon, triaged as urgent and put on one of the 3 high dependency beds and still wasn't seen by the doctor until 10pm though they did put the nasal gastric tube in earlier than that and give him fluids. I really don't think a long wait in a and e without being able to even administer the painkillers he's on is the best thing for him. He has already been admitted for 24 hours on Friday/Saturday and discharged on the basis they said there is nothing they can do now in hospital that we can't do at home. And yes he was screaming in pain whilst an in patient and they were very able to tolerate that, and didn't modify the pain relief for him.

He isn't eating well, and though he is no longer vomiting he has bad diarrhoea and is filling his nappy 2-3 times an hour with watery poo. Again, they know that and we have been advised to give him 1 oz of diarolyte after every poo, but that following his fluids by tube as an inpatient, he is no longer clinically dehydrated when seen this morning. I'll try the warm cloth idea and see if that helps. He's only 20 months old, so I don't think he will go for the warm cup of tea, but thanks for the suggestion!

I do hope that the antibiotics start to work soon. To be fair to the hospital, they haven't sent him away without treatment and they aren't being unsympathetic to his plight, it is just that the treatment is taking time to work and he feels rubbish while we are waiting for that.

stejobeth

The poor little thing . I would take him back too. I had a perforated ear drum a few years ago and have never been in so much pain in all my life! I had to go back to the doctors loads of times because the antibiotics weren't working. In the end I was on 3 different types for over a month plus pain killers. I also couldn't stand to be touched. As a mum I know how horrible it must be for you because all you want to do is pick him up and cuddle him

Nicki

For all those who say I should take him back, do you have any ideas then as to how to persuade a doctor (and it will be the same one) who says he is on the maximum dose of pain relief, who has given antibiotics and rehydrated him, and told us we just have to wait for him to get better, to do something differently. Bearing in kind, we are both professionals, used to being assertive, and didn't just meekly take him away 6 hours ago!

It just seems at the moment that everyone is advising me to to do what has been done already, and I can see no benefit to taking him back, just putting him in an even more uncomfortable setting for many hours on end. The doctors have seen him at his worst, there is no mileage in depriving him of pain relief to make a point to them. However if someone knows of a treatment they can offer which they are deliberately withholding, then I'll take him back and ask for it specifically.

I am not a neglectful parent who can't be bothered to get medical help for a sick child. I have spent the greater part of the weekend at hospital with him as an in and out patient, and have applied all the pressure and asked all the questions I know how to ask.

narabanekeater

would he perhaps such an ice pop or lolly just for hydration?
Nicki I truley feel for you. Ive had a poorly DS when nobosy would listen untill it was a 999 job with wires all over him and needles. If you go back to A&E they have to see him. If there funny with you simply tell them you wont be moving till someone helps your son. Take a full change of clothes for both of you and food. Please do pop back and update us wont you.

ailuro2

I was told not to add warmth to infection as it helps them multiply... I've had ear infections before and moving my jaw around and gentle rubbing where it hurts eases it off a bit, so maybe a massage for him with baby oil would help, and trying to give him plenty of tasty foods to tempt him - sweet and juicy things to keep the fluids up. Put a very damp towel over a drying screen and point a fan at it to get some moisture into the air - if it was winter you could have put it on a radiator for the same effect.

All I can suggest is taking a bit of time out for each of you, maybe one of you goes and gets some shopping while the other stays home, then the other parent could take him for a run in the car while the other one grabs a quick nap - I know it's wasteful of petrol, but sometimes a good sleep can help everyone - hence trying to get little one to sleep using the car - I know our DD used to fall asleep after 5 minutes in the car.
The parents having a nap is so you can be there for him in the middle of the night to give him his medicine.

Hope the antibiotics kick in soon. We have NHS24 up here we can phone for advice - is there an equivalent in England?

Glad

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on this forum as it’s not what this site is about. While discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable we ask you specifically not to discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please see this rule on the Health Board).If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Nicki
I know you stated in the OP you weren't asking for medical advice (although you have in post #14) but you have been given it by others which is against MSE rules,
some of the advice in this thread is potentially dangerous to such a young child, so please just follow the professional advice you have been given and trust your own instincts as to wether he needs to be seen again

Nicki

Just wanted to thank everyone who posted on my thread yesterday before it was closed, as it was a very stressful day and I'm not sure I did get a chance to say I appreciated the support.

Baby stayed very distressed until about 9pm last night and we spoke to NHS direct and to the on call emergency doctor who both confirmed he was on the maximum pain relief he could have, though they were shocked by the racket he was making in the background. He did then go off to sleep however and slept through until 8.30 this morning. He seems a lot better this morning so I think the antibiotics are finally working. He has had a bottle of milk and some warm weetabix and he is actually sitting up on the sofa watching some tv at the moment, not just lying in a limp heap, and there have been very few tears, though nappies are still bad and his bum is still very sore.

Such a horrible time, but thanks again for all the tips and suggestions.

Nicki

100yoga

Nappies will be bad until antibiotics have finished. This is a classic side effect of oral antibiotics and as a result I am not surprised that his bottom is sore. Metanium is great for this if you have not tried it. Glad that things are getting better.