Infected Lymph Node

[catetay]

My two and a half year old has had an infected lymph node under her chin since 21st Jan. It started off as a general swelling under her jaw, now a raised red-purple lump with more swelling around it. We've been to the GP, who sent us to the ED,they did blood tests and US then sent us to the Paed Clinic, who sent us to the Paed Surgeon to have it drained. HE said he couldn't drain it cos it wasn't pussy(sp?) enough(?!) They tell me it can take a long time to go away, BUT it's been 4 months!!!! She's had three lots of antibiotics, which have made no difference to it at all. It looks so painful and unsightly, like she fallen and knocked her chin on something
Has anyone else's child had this and did it resolve on it's own? Hers is definitely getting worse. She has another appt at the Paed clinic tomorrow. Should i insist on them doing something? I worry that it's affecting her general health as it goes on and on.
Oh and the surgeon's advice when i asked how i was supposed to know if it was abccessed when the GP and Paed registrar thought it was but he didn't ? If she gets really sick, and pus starts coming out of it or it pops, just take her to the ED and they will drain it there! WTF!
Anyway, if anyone has any advice i'd be grateful

[Rivlas]

I would tell them you wanted something done as by now there should be some sort of improvement. Tell them what that guy said and say you never want to be refered to him again. We go to the specialist to get extra help, not to be fobbed off.

Also ask if there is anything you can do to draw out the infection

[Cassius2]

When I had really gross infected lymphnodes (liquified) they put me on a really aggressive AB. Similar to what they told you I was told to wait for them to clear. But being 4 months on I would insist further as there must be something still brewing in her neck. Fwiw I saw an ENT specialist.

I hope that it does get better soon, poor wee poppet

[catetay]

Thank you ladies, i'm just really worried that it seems not to be getting any better at all. The surgeon i saw is supposed to be very good, but he was not at all reassuring, seems like the more "specialised" they are the more closed off and difficult to approach
Anyway, i'll see how i go tomorrow

[catetay]

ok, i'm allowed to change my mind about the surgeon
He took one look and feel today and said "that's not looking good, i need to take that out"!
Not that i want my LO to have surgery, but i'm just soooo relieved they are finally doing something! Waiting for a day now and looking at a couple of days hospital stay, but as long as it's sorted before Bub makes her appearance i'll be ok!
Thanks again for your help

[Cassius2]

oh that must be a huge relief

good on you for insisting, it obviously was far too gone in the infection to be getting better...