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Original poster

Runners stomach? Or NHS111?

34 replies

MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:39

Not sure if I should ring NHS 111- my daughter (9) ran about 1 mile on Saturday and have complained of pain around the belly button from Sat night- she says today is better than yesterday however still complaining. I’ve tried hot compress, applied balm, well hydration and gave her paracetamol.
no fever, bowel functions fine. When I googled it came up ‘runners stomach’ and the symptoms match. Anyone had/know if this? Not sure if I should ring nhs 111 or not.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:46

Build up of lactic acid also came as an option….

OP posts:
Juiceboxxy · 01/05/2023 08:49

She's pulled a muscle

Fatkittythinkitty · 01/05/2023 08:49

Oh I've never heard of runners stomach in that context. I run and I've only ever heard of it in the sense of getting the urge to poo on a run!

I'd ring 111 personally. Always best to get advice with kids I think.

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Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 01/05/2023 08:49

Eh? She has some manageable pain and says it’s improving. That does not sound like something that needs input from 111? Maybe she just pulled a muscle? Either of the things you mention as possibilities sound like they just clear up on their own.

WeAreTheHeroes · 01/05/2023 08:49

Ring 111 OP. Better to be safe than sorry.

GracieGracieGracie · 01/05/2023 08:50

Wtf is runner's stomach?!

Yes - call 111, her symptoms are a sign of appendicitis.

NannyR · 01/05/2023 08:51

If she seems otherwise well I would continue with the paracetamol and call the GP tomorrow if you are still concerned. You'll be waiting ages for a 111 call back and not sure they would give you an emergency appointment for a tummy ache that's getting better.

Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:52

This is what came up as ‘runners stomach’

What is runner's stomach? Runner's stomach refers to the gastrointestinal (GI) distress that occurs during a run or bouts of exercise—resulting in cramping, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain. Runner's trots and runner's belly are other common names for these symptoms.

OP posts:
Fatkittythinkitty · 01/05/2023 08:53

That says during exercise though so it would surely have stopped not long after she stopped running?

CottonSock · 01/05/2023 08:54

With no other symptoms I'd wait and see.

VisionsOfSplendour · 01/05/2023 08:56

Not something I've heard of either and a mile isn't going to be far enough to cause any kind of problem is it?

111 is going to be overwhelmed today, if it was my chld I'd have a quiet day and just keep an eye on them

Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:56

@GracieGracieGracie i pressed around the sides gently and she says it only pains by the belly button- if it’s appendicitis wouldn’t it have moved to side pain by now?

OP posts:
Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:57

She is otherwise fine- and as someone mentioned I’ll be in the phone for hours

OP posts:
Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 08:58

I’m monitoring temperature and water intake, bowel movement etc. will monitor and keep and eye out for new / change in symptoms

OP posts:
PatchworkElmer · 01/05/2023 08:59

Runner’s stomach is basically a stomach upset, it doesn’t sound like that to me. If she doesn’t have a temperature and it’s not getting worse I’d assume pulled muscle (I’m not a Dr!) however I do think instinct counts here and if you’re worried then give them a call.

yikesanotherbooboo · 01/05/2023 09:00

If it is appendicitis it will get worse and she would be off colour and increasingly so. Have a quiet day and ask for help if she is getting worse.

OutDamnedSpot · 01/05/2023 09:02

I think the run is a red herring. A mile isn’t going to have any kind of impact on a fit/healthy nine year old, and runners stomach is more about the urge to poo, not pain.

I’d treat it however i’d normally treat a tummy ache (calpol? Watch and wait?) and call 111 if it got worse later in the day.

3luckystars · 01/05/2023 09:04

It could be her appendix.

running 1 mile is not going to cause ongoing pain, as the previous person said, that is a red herring.

Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 09:10

I’ll keep an eye out- if any symptoms change I’ll call 111 or in the worst case take her to urgent care centre

OP posts:
ShowUs · 01/05/2023 09:11

If it’s better than yesterday then it sounds like it could be a pulled muscle or it may even be period cramps.

Give it a few more hours and keep an eye on her temperature and any other symptoms.

notprincehamlet · 01/05/2023 09:32

hot compress
If there's a chance of it being appendicitis then best to avoid applying heat

Sugarfish · 01/05/2023 10:15

I’m a runner and I’ve had runners stomach before but it’s something you get whilst running and doesn’t sound like what your daughter has. It sounds grim but you genuinely feel like you’re gonna shit yourself if you don’t find a bathroom quick! It’s more of a bowel thing than muscular.

Build up of lactic acid after exercise isn't really a thing. If I had to guess I’d say it’s DOMS which is harmless but can be painful. If a muscle hasn’t been used in a certain way before it will develop tiny tears during exercise. I’ve definitely had this in stomach muscles after running. It should only last a couple of days but the pain can sometimes be quite intense.

Original poster
MissChief001 · 01/05/2023 11:34

@Sugarfish thank you- that’s really helpful. The pain according to her is lesser than yesterday. I haven’t given her paracetamol so that it forms mask the pain- also stopped the hot compress. She seems fine, appetite etc normal. Keeping an eye out

OP posts:
lljkk · 01/05/2023 11:46

Runners stomach is diarrhea or good as.

Tummy aches & being 9yo are pretty common combination (for other reasons).

mynameiscalypso · 01/05/2023 11:48

I'd guess DOMS too. I went for a run on Saturday having not been for years and years and only ran about 3k at a gentle pace but my stomach muscles really felt it yesterday (despite the fact that I do a lot of strength/core work!)