to go to A&e with my dd3 *pictures*

[littlemaemae]

My DD who is 3 has been having stomach/bowel problems for the last year. Diagnose as constipation. She can not pass a stool for weeks despite fantastic diet and laxatives and weeks is in severe pain most days. She is very petite and skinny but her stomach has swollen to look 9 months pregnant. Getting no where with doctors/hospital etc.
Aibu to think this is not how a heathy child's stomach should look.

[Dosydoly]

I'd go to a&e.

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

I'll be honest. She doesn't look that dissimilar to my 3yr old. My 1yr old also has a big old gut sticking out, it's quite normal for little ones.

But the rest about the pain and not passing stools etc. is not normal. If she has severe stomach pain then yes, I think it's perfectly reasonable to go to A&E.

[GreatFuckability]

If she's not pooing regularly that's how her stomach will look. I don't really see what a&e can do.

[bostonkremekrazy]

phone for an urgent GP appointment today - go and see your GP. Ask for a referral to gastroenterology.

This is an ongoing problem - not an accident or an emergency - they will not help and most likely refer back to your primary care ie your GP.

[VagueIdeas]

A&E can do an x ray to determine the extent of the impaction and give enemas, if needed.

If she in pain? How long since last bowel movement?

Have you ever been advised to do the Movicol disimpaction regime to clear out her bowel?

[bigbluebus]

I don't know anything about bowel problems but unless she is in acute pain (which I'm guessing she's not as she's posing for photos) then it is not really a case for A&E - especially as the GP surgeries will be open.
Sounds as though you need to go back to your GP/different GP and have a further discussion. They clearly need to try something different to what has been done so far and possibly refer to a Paediatrician if they have exhausted the oprions they can use. SHe may also need an x-ray to see if the bowel is impacted.You also need to clarify with them when the condition becomes a medical emergency which would require an A&E visit - and I mean that in the nicest way,not a criticism, as parents are not Doctors and therefore not experts in when something is life threatening.

[musicinspring1]

It's not really an accident or emergency. (Assuming she's otherwise well disclaimer!) You'd be better off with a GP appointment and asking for a specialist referrural

[Happydappy99]

I would go back to the GP and ask for a review. My DD had chronic constipation when she was that age and had to have very large amounts of movicol to get it all cleared out and then was on a maintenance dose for about a year afterwards.

[Sothisishowitfeels]

I would go to the gp about the problems but tbh her stomach looks pretty much the same as my 4 year olds. Does it feel soft or hard?

[VagueIdeas]

Also, her tummy does look quite distended to me, so I don't think you're overreacting.

But it's true that A&E may not treat unless she's in pain.

[halfdoneharris]

Get the Dr to check her for coeliac disease. If she is skinny everywhere else but with a hard round tummy , pain/tummy aches plus constipation, CD could be the cause. Does she get tired, fatigued, have joint pain, vomit much?

[MajesticWhine]

No, this is not what a&e is for.

[NeedACleverNN]

Tummy looks like my 3 year olds. Not overly swollen.

But her constipation definitely needs sorting. Gp not a and e

[snickers251]

I would try urgent gp appt rather than a&e and suggest movicol, my dd tummy looks the same and she's regular

Ds once went 14 days without a poo tho his was fear (from a one off hard stool) not regular constipation

He was given laxatives and suppositories and nothing worked until we saw a different gp who gave him movicol which we pretty much had instant success with. He was on it for a year but it kept him regular and he was much happier and now fear free

[littlemaemae]

Hi,
She sees a consultant and had regular check ups with gp but they only say increase movicol which makes her Leak watery stool but no actual poo I.e the blockage.
Her pain is intermittent. She's very happy for a few hours and says it doesn't hurt then is screaming in pain unable to move for a few hours. Sits on the toilet for up to an hour at a time but nothing comes out.
I am concerned there is a growth or twisted bowl etc. But so far scans have been refused due to her being of potty training age and constipation being common.
I understand this but it controls out lives and has been going on for so long. She never has the rabbit dropping or dry poo typical to constipation.
Some days we are a prisoner to the house because she is in no state to go out, go through countless knickers each day due to the leakage and it gets me so down I cry daily.
Thank you for your advice xx

[ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay]

When did she last poo? I would get urgent GP appt and ask for referral

[sparkly72]

Not a&e - but talk through a bit more what is being done regarding her constipation? Are you seeing a Paed specialist at your hospital? If not then You need a referral via gp. Have you had any tests to rule out coeliac, thyroid problems, anything else? What meds is she on?

[VagueIdeas]

I'll disagree with everyone saying her tummy looks normal. Yes, it's normal for a three year old to have a protruding tummy, but the appearance of the lower tummy, where you can see a V shape which is her tummy bulging past her hip bones... that doesn't look normal.

[littlemaemae]

And I also should add I have done 2 suppositories over the last 4 days and neither have resulted in a bowel
Movement. Not had a chance to read all replies yet as got a lot going on this afternoon but I really do appreciate it and will sit down and read through them all as soon as I can X

[sparkly72]

Just to add - I have a child with chronic constipation and it is really important to get really good medical support - you need the best local hospital with an experienced team. Try looking up encopresis groups on Facebook - I have found them invaluable. Also look at the ERIC website

[VagueIdeas]

She sees a consultant and had regular check ups with gp but they only say increase movicol which makes her Leak watery stool but no actual poo I.e the blockage.

The thing about Movicol, especially the disimpaction regime, is that you have to give so much Movicol it softens the hard blockage until it comes out. It takes time as is grim. You will get watery stool but that's actually what you're aiming for. You need to persevere I'm afraid.

[FreeSpirit89]

I'm having a similar battle with my GP and Hospital with DS bowels. He's on laxatives, thr X-ray they finally did on him after two years of saying it's behavioural, shows his bowel is twice the size it should be.

I'd take her to A and E. Explain you've been to the GP but your still concerned. Ask them about an enema. Ds had one recently, it's a god send. He's going now and his appetite has improved.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

I don't see what A&E can do tbh. Especially if you've got a specialist already.

I would however call your GP and ask for an referral back to specialist if you're not happy with how things are going. It does sound horrible, but it's not an emergency.

[achildsjoy]

It sounds like she could have a blockage and needs medical treatment such as an enema, a family member had this with her baby dd and ended up paying privately and the problem was sorted very quickly after that, I would just take her as its definitely not normal or fair for her to be in pain.

[Elle80]

My DD (age 4) also has a very swollen stomach especially after eating. She poos 2, sometimes 3, times a day so the reason isn't constipation. She has skinny arms and legs and no hips. I once read little girls often have large stomachs because there are so many organs (reproductive etc.) to fit in a little body. I'm not sure how true this is as I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like a reasonable explanation.

If you are in anyway worried I would always advocate speaking to a doctor. Also check with the doctor about ways to help with her constipation.