A&e or calpol??

[destinywidow]

Ok I've posted in Child health but posting here for traffic.

My 9 year old Ds has a stabbing pain in his hips, we saw two gp's yesterday, first had no clue, second thinks pulled muscle and to give him calpol.

He's woken up in agony, he's had calpol and still in pain, we avoid nurofen due to asthma but may give that a go once the chemist opens and I can get some.

He is a drama llama, low pain threshold but he's my baby and I hate hearing him crying in pain.

Would I be unreasonable to take him to a&e? We don't have a minor injuries unit where we live. Or should I continue with the calpol/nurofen and hope it works??

[NoahVale]

is he constipated?
i would give calpol
the gp didnt organise X ray?

[destinywidow]

No not constipated, no diarrhoea either. Urines clear. We have an appointment Friday to review and she may refer to physio.

[coff33andChoc]

if he is in that much pain I would go to a&e. As you said, GP didn't really know and they don't have diagnostic tools (x-ray and so) at the surgery.

[NoahVale]

aw if he is crying then go to A & E

[Curious0yster]

I really wouldn't go to A&E. I'd continue with regular calpol and rest and possibly contact the GP again, but it probably needs a bit of time to recover.

[Stormwhale]

Was there an injury that prompted this? That would influence my opinion.

[ThatGingerOne]

If you think it gets to a point where he needs A&E you should go HOWEVER be aware you will be in for a long wait and it may be for nothing. All of the nurses I know would rather some adults sit in A&E for hours and hours with screaming kids (Usually babies though) and learn not to go unless its an absolute emergency - apparently that's the best way to learn. If he really is a drama llama it might teach him to not over=react if he has to sit in a&E for four hours.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

I don't know a single A&E nurse that would say that. It's usually the opposite.

How much pain do you think he's really in? Normally being a drama llama doesn't mean that he isn't in a lot of pain this time.

[destinywidow]

He's not had any accidents or injuries. He plays football (not since Saturday) so that's what made the gp think pulled muscle.

We've done the waiting around at a&e before with him for nothing, that's why I'm reluctant to go. BUT what if it is something? I don't want to waste the nurses and doctors time but I don't want to ignore my screaming child either.

[ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay]

You say hips, but is it just one side? If it's right side could it be appendix?

[Freezingwinter]

Ring 111 and see what they think? They might get you an appt at the out of hours or urgent care centre. Hope he is ok

[ThatGingerOne]

I don't know about the appendix, when I got rushed in for my appendix we KNEW we needed A&E. I thought I was dying - guess I wouldn't do well with a birth ItsLikeRain

[acquiescence]

Is it an accident, is it an emergency? If so go to a&e. If you haven't actually tried additional you shouldn't really consider a&e as a first option! 111 is a good option before a&e.

[MrsBellefleur]

Is he limping? Has he had a virus recently?

My 3yo dd was recently diagnosed with irritable hip following a virus. She woke up one morning complaining her leg hurt, she couldn't straighten it and limping.

Took her to minor injuries who sent us to A&E as they couldn't X-ray as there was no history of injury. I felt like we were wasting time but they were lovely, thoroughly checked her over told us what they thought it was and to give calpol for two days then to ring her back after two days so they could reassess to see if X-ray was needed but if she got worse we were to bring her back straight away.

Just an idea if you google it to see if his symptoms match.

[destinywidow]

He had his appendix removed when he was 6 months old.

The pains in the back and sides of his hips, mainly the left one. I thought urine infection as the pain eased after he we'd but sample was clear.

He's on the sofa at the moment, he can't move, the slightest turn or bump from his brother and he cries out. He had calpol an hour ago so hoping it kicks in soon

[destinywidow]

111 say to see gp, I've seen two and they have no idea. One "thinks" it's a pulled muscle. He is limping but he can straighten his leg, gp checked that, also asked about any colds lately and he hasn't had one.

[NoahVale]

go to gp on 111's advice, they might organise an X ray this time?

[PotteringAlong]

It's not an accident or an emergency. You've seen a GP who has given you a diagnosis. The calpol will have worn off overnight. You need to wait for the dose you've given him to kick in and assess whether he is still being (in your own words) a drama llama and, if not, take him back to the GP

[Meadows76]

Our A&E have a policy where they don't see you if you have already seen your GP, if you have had the 'injury' for more than a few days (3or4 I can't remember) and something else I can't remember. It's worth notin the first though, I would call back the GP rather than just turn up at A&E

[NoahVale]

has he tried hot bath?

[OorWullie1936]

My DD had this and it was reactive arthritis following a virus. Hope you get to the bottom of it its horrible seeing them in pain

[destinywidow]

Will try a hot bath when I get back from school run.

It came on suddenly. He was sat in class and he said he felt a sharp pain in his back. His TA said he just started screaming, he went to first aid and they called me.

I'll see how he goes on painkillers today, and a hot bath. Any other suggestions??

[Maursh]

Sounds like it might be Sciatica....

[NoahVale]

ring gp for x ray and blood tests?