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Original poster

Awful sickness and tummy ache...my poor DD

146 replies

bobkate · 02/01/2022 00:40

So my poor DD, 14, woke late this morning and had bad tummy cramps. I originally thought it could be down to her period but she said it was above her belly button and different to any period pain she's had previously.
Got progressively worse and then she started being sick at about 5pm. Has been sick probably every half hour since, and the pain isn't letting up.
Called 111 at 6.30pm and after a triage they sent us for an out of hours gp appt at 9.45pm. She had a mild temperature before we left but noticeably cold hands I thought.
Told the gp everything, including that we'd had a takeaway curry last night but that both daughters shared a portion between them and my younger DD 2 is absolutely fine. She had a feel of her tummy which she said wasn't guarded. Tried a finger oxygen monitor but said her finger was too cold so couldn't get a reading.
So her diagnosis was that it was possibly food poisoning.
So my questions are...
If you share the same portion is it possible that one person can get food poisoning but the other doesn't?
If it is food poisoning how long will the cramps and vomiting last? She is really struggling now, she is drinking a fair bit as we've said that's the best way to clear out her tummy ( no idea if that's true but don't want her to get dehydrated ). She is literally vomiting lots of greeny, yellowy liquid.... bile I presume ( sorry if tmi ).
I have never had food poisoning so no idea how long this will go on for, or how long she can cope with so much vomit...it's been 7 hours so far Sad
Is there anything else I should be looking out for. No rashes of any kind and her temp is 37.4 at the mo.

OP posts:
Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 11:56

Thanks all. No urine infection, they've put a canula in and taken bloods. First doc has seen and said the surgeon will be down to see us. Think it's query appendicitis. Poor dd, trying to tell her to not worry until we know, but she's worrying. She had rebound pain when he examined her tummy which I think is a symptom. Will update later. Thanks all x

OP posts:
Mischance · 03/01/2022 12:03

Glad she is in the right place and getting some fluids.

QS888 · 03/01/2022 12:24

Sending best wishes to you both. Definitely tell your daughter she must be absolutely honest with her answers and not 'try to be brave'. They might scan her (ultra sound) - if they do, then do ask the radiographer once she is scanned what they have seen and whether they got a clear picture of the appendix. Also ask what the blood results were - white blood cell count - this is the best indication of infection.

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EarringsandLipstick · 03/01/2022 12:32

Glad she's getting seen OP, hopefully it'll all be a lot clearer soon.

EarringsandLipstick · 03/01/2022 12:34

@Polmuggle

Can I just say - you absolutely can have a temp with food poisoning! I had a bad bout (tested and confirmed as bacterial by gp) 2 months ago which lasted 10 days! Temp up and down throughout.
Actually you're correct Pol that can be a symptom in some kinds of food poisoning, apologies
Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 12:40

@QS888

Sending best wishes to you both. Definitely tell your daughter she must be absolutely honest with her answers and not 'try to be brave'. They might scan her (ultra sound) - if they do, then do ask the radiographer once she is scanned what they have seen and whether they got a clear picture of the appendix. Also ask what the blood results were - white blood cell count - this is the best indication of infection.
Thanks...yes she was great an answering their questions and didn't appear to be hiding/masking anything. They've asked her not to eat or drink anything. Hopefully results won't be long.
OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 03/01/2022 12:45

Appendicitis is relatively easy so long as it doesn't burst. Mine wasn't obvious on the scan and the bloods got better but they still hoiked it out based on symptoms - it was inflamed when they went in. Op has a pretty easy recovery although I'd not recommend being climbed by 18 month olds.

theneverendinglaundry · 03/01/2022 13:16

@bobkate

Thanks all. No urine infection, they've put a canula in and taken bloods. First doc has seen and said the surgeon will be down to see us. Think it's query appendicitis. Poor dd, trying to tell her to not worry until we know, but she's worrying. She had rebound pain when he examined her tummy which I think is a symptom. Will update later. Thanks all x
My DD had appendicitis a few months ago. Her bloods came back with infection markers so as soon as she got a negative PCR test they moved her onto a ward and operated that night.

She couldn't have keyhole surgery so recovery took around 2 weeks. Keyhole recovery is a lot quicker.

Innocenta · 03/01/2022 13:32

Oh, poor thing! I hope you know one way or the other whether it is her appendix, soon. Thanks

Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 13:58

Thanks. Yep, so inflammation markers are up. Had covid tests then going to a ward. Hoping to remove today providing they can get a slot. Hopefully keyhole.
Just having a diagnostic scan so they can plan.
Glad I came now. Thanks for all your kind thoughts x

OP posts:
theneverendinglaundry · 03/01/2022 14:03

Glad things are progressing. It is a very straightforward op and if they do keyhole she will be back to her usual self in no time. Even if they can't, recovery only a couple of weeks.

Once you're on a ward you will most likely have access to a parent lounge where you can make yourself a cuppa and freshen up xx

RandomMess · 03/01/2022 14:04

Very late to the thread but symptoms like this in a female over 9 they should also check out for ovarian cysts the can start long periods do.

I hope they find out decisively whether it's appendicitis or not very soon, poor DD Thanks

CottonSock · 03/01/2022 14:04

I had appendicitis in the summer and they diagnosed via a scan.
I wasn't as poorly as your dd.
I didn't believe them, but the operation histology proved it was.
I am 99% certain I'd had it maybe 3 times before and it resolved itself.
Surgeon confirmed it was possible.

CottonSock · 03/01/2022 14:06

Oh and my white cells were up, so as soon as they saw that they seemed to know I was poorly.

QS888 · 03/01/2022 15:13

Hi Bobkate - sending very best wishes to you. My daughter had planned keyhole, but ended up as open. Some practical advice (that I wish I'd been given) - her bowels might be messy for a couple of days - a sanitary towel / panty liner on each time will massively help with any accidents (or disposable knickers). Lots of spare knickers and baggy trousers / pyjamas is also worthwhile. Flannels to be able to wash her if she is not able for a shower in hospital for the first few days. I also had a large flask and tea / coffee for myself - becuase of covid they weren't letting parents help themselves, so you are entirely dependent on them offering you a drink (ie depends on how busy the staff are) along with cereal bars. We were able to stay in hosp the whole time - so have your own washbag / PJs / sleeping bag / pillow. xx

edwinbear · 03/01/2022 15:20

I'm so pleased she's getting seen and hopefully will have a definitive diagnosis soon. Fingers crossed it's keyhole, I had mine removed March 2020, and the recovery was straightforward. I went home the following day, I think they wanted me out of hospital ASAP as we were right at the start of the pandemic. I was very tired for a couple of days and a bit sore, but so relieved they'd stopped the pain! Hope it all goes smoothly.

theneverendinglaundry · 03/01/2022 15:32

Oh yes I second lots of clean underwear - the antibiotics can have that effect.

Itstheprinciple · 03/01/2022 15:34

My 14 yo DD had a hideous bug last week, sounds very similar with the dreadful cramps plus vomiting and diarrhoea. It was just 24 hours of feeling hideous and then she improved. She got by with ice lollies and a rehydration drink (not diorolyite as the chemist has run out but something very similar)

Itstheprinciple · 03/01/2022 15:38

Sorry, I see I am late to the thread and things have moved on. Hope your DD is okay and she is soon on the mend.

Holothane · 03/01/2022 15:56

Hugs hope she’ll be better soon as others have they might have to open her up (old fashioned way) all the best 💐💐💐💐💐

Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 16:41

Thanks all. Small update. We're on the ward and just had a visit from the gynae team. Apparently when they did the scan they noticed the area around her right ovary, or her right ovary, was a bit bulky. Their words. No idea what that means.
Surgical team sent gynae team here to check her in case that the cause of the pain. Gynae chatted to her and don't think so but want to follow up in 3/4 weeks anyway.
Surgical registrar then came round and said, iv antibiotics, have something to eat and they'll reassess in the morning. I am totally under prepared Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 16:44

Thanks for the practical tips by the way. Much appreciated x

OP posts:
QS888 · 03/01/2022 16:57

With my daughter, her first appendix flare up was 6m earlier. They gave her antibiotics and as it had settled down, she was then sent home. We think that she had a further flare up (not hospitalised) before the most recent events. Suggested questions for when you next see the surgical people (1) did they see the appendix on the scan (2) how bulky was the ovary and could this be because of an inflamed appendix (3) what was the blood result.
IV antibiotics - be prepared for a difficult nights sleep - the IV antibiotic is normally every 8h, so you will both be woken for the set up of the antibiotic and a bleeping alarm when it has finished. Press the nurse call as soon as the alarm on the IV goes off to get it sorted as soon as possible. They might also have her on a drip which is also a regular alarm through the day and night.

Really feel for you now that (I hope) we are through the other side of this xx

Original poster
bobkate · 03/01/2022 17:10

@QS888

With my daughter, her first appendix flare up was 6m earlier. They gave her antibiotics and as it had settled down, she was then sent home. We think that she had a further flare up (not hospitalised) before the most recent events. Suggested questions for when you next see the surgical people (1) did they see the appendix on the scan (2) how bulky was the ovary and could this be because of an inflamed appendix (3) what was the blood result. IV antibiotics - be prepared for a difficult nights sleep - the IV antibiotic is normally every 8h, so you will both be woken for the set up of the antibiotic and a bleeping alarm when it has finished. Press the nurse call as soon as the alarm on the IV goes off to get it sorted as soon as possible. They might also have her on a drip which is also a regular alarm through the day and night. Really feel for you now that (I hope) we are through the other side of this xx
Thank you...this is so helpful. I do wish they would just whip it out tbh. I am sure she's had a grumbling one before. We'll see how it goes in the morning.
OP posts:
Dilbertian · 03/01/2022 18:41

A tip if the cannula is uncomfortable. When my dd was receiving IV antibiotics, the cannula was first sited in her elbow. It didn't bother her for the first dose, but by the next dose (2am!) it was hurting a lot and the alarm kept going off on the pump device because it was getting blocked. They re-sited it in her wrist, which sounds weird, but it was comfortable and did not bother her at all. She was even able to attend school with it in place. Since then, whenever she has had to have a cannula, she requests straight off to have it inserted in her wrist.

Hope this gets resolved soon for your dd.