Ds15 - surely just a stomach bug?

[snemrose]

Ds15 not well today. Had breakfast as normal then lunchtime - ish said he didn’t feel well and had stomach cramps/stabbing pains. Few hours later he threw up. Still bringing up bile every hour or so and stomach still hurts. Pain hasn’t moved (one of symptoms of appendicitis) I know there are a lot of bugs around but having just read some threads on here about gallstones and pancreatitis I’m starting to second guess myself. At what point should I get worried? (more than I am) I’m convinced it is a stomach bug but because he is so rarely ill it’s hard to gauge with him how bad he feels if that makes sense?

Is he still drinking? Temp normal (or brought down by medication)?

If he’s still drinking, urinating and isn’t developing any worrying symptoms like excessive drowsiness or confusion, you’re most likely right and it’s a stomach bug.

Fluids as tolerated, plenty of rest and back to normal in a few days. Certainly wouldn’t be phoning 111 or anything at this stage.

Just to add - gallstones and pancreatitis usually cause excruciating stomach cramps. As in, intolerable, agonising ones. Not unusual for sufferers to require serious pain medication to manage an acute attack. Just to reassure you that it’s probably neither of those.

is/has anyone else been ill with a stomach bug?

No temperature. Has been sipping on water all day. Not urinated since about lunchtime. Just fallen asleep. Very ‘with it’. Thanks for replying

No - but I guess someone has to be the first! I don’t know where he would have caught it from as not seen anyone for about 3 days!

Sounds like a gastro bug and I’d treat as such unless there is still no improvement after 48 hrs.

Aw thank you. That is reassuring.

That’s my first thought too. Thank you

All good signs! 7 hours or so without urinating isn’t a big issue - just keep an eye.

Also when he feels better and is no doubt ravenous for food, do it gradually. Toast, plain rice with some salt. Boring, bland foods to give the stomach some time to get back to normal.

Knowing teenage boys, there’s every chance he’ll be back to 60% of himself tomorrow and 100% better by Wednesday or so.

Well that was kind of my point, I know someone has to be first and if he’s been at school then fine but less likely if he’s been at home on his own. Just keep an eye on him as you are but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it being appendicitis.

Gallstones is worse than labour. I think you’d know if it was that.

Pancreatitis can be very serious if left untreated, pain tends to be upper left/middle and can radiate to the back. Gallstones tend to be upper right/middle and will ease off with very strong pain meds. You havent said where his pain is? If it is lower tummy, mid to right side then Id be inclined to get him checked out

A good way to test if it's appendicitis. Your son should lay flat on his back, legs out straight. He should then try and lift his legs. If he can't then that is an indicator. It's what a doctor got my son to try.

I was worried about appendicitis but he says the pain is around his tummy in the middle and hasn’t moved.

Where is the pain? Appendicitis would usually be lower right abdomen (sometimes starting off central).
Unlikely he’d have pancreatitis or gallstones at his age.
If you suspect appendicitis best to call 111 tonight

My experience of DH with appendicitis. He felt
off and started vomiting, pain around his belly button. Felt constipated. Took him
to an out of hours GP who told him to take laxatives. This was the Saturday I think.

By Monday he had a high temp, but said he felt
freezing, looked very unwell so made him an appointment with our GP. The nurse practitioner touch his tummy and the pain had moved from belly button to bottom right. Sent to A&E and it was appendicitis which had started to rupture and caused an infection.

If he’s not better in 24hrs I would speak to your GP Tuesday morning for assessment