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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

DD has swallowed a coin - advice please!

34 replies

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 18:29

DD1 (aged 6) swallowed a £2 coin (!!!!!) last Saturday. We took her to A&E where they did an x ray and found it had passed to her stomach. They said that it will pass out naturally within about a week but to bring her back if it doesn't.
It still hasn't ''passed out'' and I'm feeling quite worried. DD isn't very regular in that department and has only had three poos this week (which I've had the lovely job of looking through - she very kindly did them in DS2's potty for me!!)
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience in this area? Should we take her back to A&E or leave it a bit longer? What are they likely to do if we take her back? Any advice is much appreciated!

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youtalkingtome · 23/04/2011 18:31

They said bring her back if it hasn't passed in a week. It hasn't. So take her back!

Don't wait, just in case. (In case of what I don't know, but I would do what they said.)

TheOriginalFAB · 23/04/2011 18:33

Take her back.

They told you what to do so do it.

They can xray again to see if it has gone and been missed.

Good luck.

Go now.

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 18:37

Thanks youtalking. You may are probably right, but they said 'about a week', and one of the doctors said it might take around 10 days... looking at some of the threads on here it seems like it normally takes longer than a week for these things to 'pass'! I feel really worried that if we take her back they might suggest surgery (anyone know if they'd do that?) and obviously I wouldn't want that when there's still a chance it will come out naturally. Also I don't want her to have another xray yet if it's not really necessary....

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FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 18:40

Thanks also Theoriginal - looks like the vote is for taking her back... it definitely hasn't 'been missed' though! Will speak to DH now about taking her back (we have another three at home so he'll be taking her while I stay with them). Is there anyone out there with any experience similar to this?

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ednurse · 23/04/2011 18:41

I'd wait a couple more days. Especially since she doesn't go very often. Give it til Monday evening..

BikeRunSki · 23/04/2011 18:41

Has there been any change yet? Sorry, could not resist....

Hope DD passes the coin soon for you.

TheOriginalFAB · 23/04/2011 18:56

I understand the worry about another x-ray as my dd has had a lot of x-rays but you need to take her back. They might be happy for you to wait a few more days but you will have medical advice then, which is better imo.

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 18:59

Thanks everyone. Have talked to DH and he thinks (as ednurse says) we should give it another day or two... particularly as A&E is likely to be madly busy and full of swearing drunk people as it was last Saturday night (and would rather not expose DD to that if we can help it) She seems absolutely fine... will give her shredded wheat for breakfast and hope for the best tomorrow! Would like to hear from someone with experience/ knowledge in this area if there's anyone around.

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PlentyOfPrimroses · 23/04/2011 19:06

I'd give it 10 days. Meanwhile, lots of fruit, fluids and exercise might help speed its passage.

You have my sympathy. My sister went through a phase of swallowing things when we were kids and it's one of my most vivid early memories watching my mum going through buckets of poo with a stick and a very grim expression on her face, while me and my sister stood there going 'uuuurrrggghhh!' in loud voices.

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 19:09

Thanks PlentyOfPrimroses. Have just rung the A&E dept for advice and the paed nurse said to give it until Tuesday unless she has any stomach pains or anything... please everyone keep your fingers crossed

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Milliemuffin · 23/04/2011 19:14

My 3yo DS swallowed a pound coin about a month ago and that came out after 5 days but he was going maybe twice a day every day so I'd maybe leave it a couple more days then go maybe late Monday or Tuesday.

PonceyMcPonce · 23/04/2011 19:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

monstermissy · 23/04/2011 19:16

ds2 ate a pound coin a few years ago and it took nearly a full two weeks to re-appear! lovely two weeks of mushing through poop lol take her back if your worried but i would give it alittle longer.

Milliemuffin · 23/04/2011 19:17

I remember how worrying it is and I'm sure that worry is worse for you as a £2 coin is larger but everyone I spoke to said if it gets to the stomach without causing any problem then chances are it will come out ok aswell. Got my fingers and toes crossed xxx

MrsRyanReynolds · 23/04/2011 19:22

How on earth did she manage to swallow a £2 coin? I have trouble swallowing cod liver oil capsules!!

Hope it comes out soon x

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 19:29

Thanks everyone. Will ask around re the metal detector Poncey
Have no idea how she managed to swallow it MrsRyan, or for that matter WHY she swallowed it...!! she hasn't provided me with any kind of reasonable explanation and she's normally very sensible - just a moment of madness I suppose!
Thanks especially monstermissy - that's very reassuring!

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DanFmDorking · 23/04/2011 19:50

Any change?
(sorry)

FreddoBaggyMac · 23/04/2011 20:18

No change yet - will let you know!!

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foxinthewoods · 23/04/2011 20:32

Do you think she did actually swallow it? I can't imagine an adult being able to swallow something that size without there being a problem, let alone a child.

Oh and silly question, but if you did manage to borrow a metal detector, could you run it over her tummy area, rather than through the poo?

Hassled · 23/04/2011 20:37

DS2 swallowed a penny when he was about 18 months - it took a good week or so to emerge the other end. I think as long as she is pooing other stuff Ok and isn't in any sort of discomfort then yes, wait it out.

whomovedmychocolate · 23/04/2011 20:39

DS swallowed a pound coin when he was 18 months old - we only found out when it appeared in his poo! There was a slight increase in red faced straining but otherwise he was totally asymptomatic.

Have you tried soft fruit (berries etc) to encourage elimination. (If it were me I'd be eating greasy curries to get it out but I guess you can't do that with a small child).

FreddoBaggyMac · 26/04/2011 13:28

Still no money Am really hoping for something by the end of today or it's back to A&E. Yes Fox, she definitely swallowed it as it showed up in the x-ray she had - I know it's very hard to believe They used a metal detector on her at the hospital before doing the x-ray.

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whomovedmychocolate · 26/04/2011 18:18

Oh the poor thing. Is she uncomfortable or is she managing to eliminate (except for the pound obviously)?

FreddoBaggyMac · 26/04/2011 19:31

Thanks whomoved. She's showing no symptoms at all - 'eliminating' more than normal due to the fact we're making her eat loads of fruit and drink loads of water! I rang A&E again who said we still don't need to take her in as she seems fine, and they recommended that I talk to the GP which I'm planning on doing tomorrow.

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foxinthewoods · 27/04/2011 10:54

Sorry Freddo, only just come back to this - ooh my metal detector idea is actually what they did! Any luck yet? Kids are so unpredictable at times, you think you would be over the worst by 3 years but they never cease to amaze us.

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