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AIBU?

8 year old stomach pain

28 replies

KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 10:40

Posting for traffic tbh, 8 yo DS has had intermittent stomach pain since yesterday. He seems to be ok for an hour or 2, but then when the pain comes back he's doubled over and sobbing. We have a gp appt at 11:30 but just thought I'd post here while we're waiting to see if anyone has experienced similar. I'm thinking maybe severe constipation? They tested his urine yesterday but it was clear so no kidney/urine infection. He's got a slight temp but nothing I'd consider concerning so I don't think it's his appendix.
He went in to school fine this morn but by 9:45 school called and I could hear him in the background basically screaming. By about 10 when we got home he was fine again! His teacher knows him well, and she knows when he's having her on, as do I. And he definitely isn't now.

Lend me your wisdom mumsnetters.

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abigwideworld · 06/07/2017 10:43

This isn't a MN job OP. Even if you only get responses from people claiming to be doctors, they could be anyone. Go and see your actual doctor!

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 10:44

We are going to see our actual doctor, as soon as we could get an appt. I was just asking if anyone else has experienced similar with their child, while we wait for the doctor to see him.

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MiniCooperLover · 06/07/2017 10:46

I've had appendicitis before OP and didn't have a temperature until I got to the stage of it bursting so I wouldn't count on that. Hope the Dr apt makes sense of it.

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MiniCooperLover · 06/07/2017 10:47

PS don't let him eat or drink if there's any chance of him needing to go to hospitals

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 10:47

So do I. In between episodes he's totally fine, his usual noisy self, if a little paler than usual.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 10:48

Thanks mini, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that as DH is is currently working in Scotland and has the car!

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user1496484020 · 06/07/2017 10:48

Hopefully it's something minor.

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ratspeaker · 06/07/2017 10:52

The doctor should be able to tell you if its appendicitis or something like mesenteric adenitis.
This is when the glands in the stomach area become inflamed and can cause pain. My eldest DC got this everytime they had sore throat.
It goes away on its own as the infection , usually viral, goes away. Rest, fluids and painkillers.

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humblesims · 06/07/2017 10:59

Could be appendicitis but equally could be constipation. My first question with tummy aches was always "Do you need a poo?" I think usually it was that. Sometimes sickness and once appendicitis.

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iamUberA · 06/07/2017 10:59

Could be appendix or constipation
Dd kept having stomach pain for 3 days wasn't constipated. Dr put her on watch and wait but after 3 days she was back to normal.
Hope he's feeling better soon

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elpinguino · 06/07/2017 11:02

Hope your boy is ok. You're definitely doing the right thing in getting him checked out. Please do encourage him to keep drinking though (eating is less important). Even if this is appendicitis, the chance of him needing immediate operation is very slim, it usually takes hours to days of assessment to be sure of the diagnosis and dehydration would just make him more poorly. Even if the hospital docs were sure it was the appendix, it takes more than 2 hours to get to theatre, so please don't restrict fluid intake. Just stick to water/clear squash rather than milk or fruit juice with bits or fizzy stuff. If he's got a good appetite though, that's generally a good sign so please don't worry about keeping him fasted just yet!

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MiniCooperLover · 06/07/2017 11:23

elpinguino, I would never normally say to fast a child but on this occasion I would respectfully say I think you're wrong. I had appendicitis, I had a day of intermittent pain, followed by vomiting and my mum gave me some orange juice before the Dr apt. The Dr told her to get me straight to hospital (rural Ireland, you drove yourself rather than wait for an ambulance). We arrived at the hospital one hour after my juice, they were very frustrated as they then had to wait and while waiting my appendix burst and I developed peritonitis. If I hadn't drunk i'd have been taken straight in. The Dr apt is at 11.30, an 8 year old won't struggle to fast or wait for a drink for a little while or become dehydrated in that short a time.

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justkeepflying · 06/07/2017 11:33

The doctor should be able to tell if he has appendicitis. When I had it apart from intermittent pain in my tummy I was okay, but when the doctor pressed on it I nearly broke his hand.
Good luck op hopefully it's nothing sinister

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elpinguino · 06/07/2017 12:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PandaPacer · 06/07/2017 12:30

Hi OP, it is so stressful. Here is what you need to ask for from your GP and don't leave until you have it - take it from my bitter experience!

  • a blood test
  • a stool / urine test for bacterial infection
  • an immediate referral for an ultrasound

    Please make sure the GP also has a good press around the stomach (including listening with a stethoscope) and a feel of the lymph nodes.

    Don't take no for an answer! Good luck and keep us updated
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elpinguino · 06/07/2017 12:44

Thanks MNHQ for taking down previous (identifying) post. I'm going to bow out as an Internet forum is not an appropriate place to discuss the ins and outs of appendicitis management (which I truly hope is not needed here anyway), and just invites lots of unqualified and occasionally dangerous opinions. OP, you absolutely did the right thing going to your GP who can make a proper plan, and I hope that's well underway now. I will pm with a bit of specific advice. Very best wishes to your son.

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Majora · 06/07/2017 12:49

Ask him if it feels like a stitch. That's exactly what mine felt like - I was 8, I think? and it was an awful dull ache that went on all night but I'd been walking around all afternoon at a school fair thing, so they thought it was a stitch. Got worse and worse to the point where I was vomiting non stop and in awful pain, hospital, doctor poked my tummy a few times and I screamed. I don't know how quick I was in surgery but I remember them telling me and me crying because I was terrified but I didn't really have much pain after. It hurt, but it was nothing compared to the appendicitis.

But the thing is I also get awful stomach aches that I consider a lot worse with my IBS and it honestly is worse than labour.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 14:32

Well the GP thinks it's definitely constipation, but his advice was to get him to eat more fruit and veg. DS eats more than any child I've ever met (and is still skinny as a rake!) including tons of fruit and veg. He drinks plenty of water, and very little else (the occasional lemonade if we're out for dinner) so I'm stumped as to why he might be constipated. Don't get me wrong, he does still have treats like crisps every few days but his diet is generally very good. And also puzzled as to why only 2 days of not going for a poo has left him doubled up in pain. He's only had one episode since this morning, and didn't seem to be so severe, but he turns white as a sheet and clammy.
He's eaten a sandwich, some cherries and 2 little peaches now, he had no appetite this morning but he seems to be fine now!
Totally bizarre....

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alifemoreorlessordinary · 06/07/2017 16:41

when was the last time he had a poo? My DS2 had constipation, actually GP found he was impacted, when he was around the same age (woke in night with terrible tummy pain). He then started having some "overflow" diarrhoea (sorry if t.m.i.), as the loose poo ran around the main bit of constipation. He was a really good eater too, fruit and veg, but not so good with fluids especially when at school. G.P. prescribed some ?lactulose, which did the job, and then I just checked he really was drinking enough fluid (especially so maybe in this heat?). and eventually i all settled back into a "normal" routine.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 16:51

Tuesday evening he went for a poo. He said he didn't go at school yesterday. I'm quite surprised the doctor didn't give him any lactulose even after I'd reassured him DS diet was fine. I know you can buy it OTC though so if he still hasn't been by Saturday I'll get some in the chemist.
He normally goes about 3 times a day so it's hugely unusual for him.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 16:52

My other thought was Hirschsprungs, I know it's usually diagnosed at birth but his father had it and wasn't diagnosed until he was at school, much younger though at 5.

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MissSmiley · 06/07/2017 17:21

Coeliac sometimes presents as constipation rather than diarrhoea, made me think when you said he was very skinny. Might be worth checking.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 17:37

He was tested for that as a baby, from the age of about 7 months he had constant diarrhoea and was losing weight rapidly, before that he was quite a chunky babe. Tests all came back negative. Paediatrician thought it was a temporary wheat intolerance so we cut it out for a year and he went back to his former chunky self, then gradually reintroduced it.
He's finally been for a poo and it was (tmi alert) pretty soft, pale yellow and had fairly obvious bits of food in Confused didn't hurt him either...
This kid is an enigma.

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KentMum2008 · 06/07/2017 17:38

I should point out, I'm not unduly concerned and not at all the health anxiety type, it's just a bit puzzling! And also not nice seeing a usually lovely little boy go all pale and clammy and howl in pain for 10 minutes at a time.

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PhDPepper · 06/07/2017 17:56

Pale (or yellow) stools are not normal and I would take a photo and get another appointment.

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