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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to not agree with GP's diagnosis? MN wisdom needed here.

69 replies

abbierhodes · 12/12/2011 13:05

Sorry, this is quite possibly going to be long.

My DS2 (4) has had stomach pains since last monday. He had a tiny bit of diahorrea that day but nothing else. I put this down to nerves about his school nativity play. On the wednesday (after the play) he came out of school and got a very tiny bit sick. By dinnertime he was writhing in pain and groaning. I was worried as it didn't seem like a bug so took him to ooh doctor. They said possible water infection but as DS couldn't seem to produce a wee sample the doc said to take him home and see our GP in the morning.

Later that night he started being sick. He was sick about 4 times, all the time writhing in pain with his tummy. DH took him to the GP in the morning who diagnosed gastroenteritis.

The problem is that EVERYTHING I have read, including the leaflet the doctor gave us says that the main symptom of gastro is lots of D+V. DS has only vomitted once since that first night. Other than that his only symptom has been the pain.
The pain is not constant. Last night it was so bad at one point I was ready to take him to A+E. Now he's happily playing a computer game with his brother. He's been up and down like this all weekend...the pain is worst at night, but seems to ease in the day.

We now have the added complication that my other two children (and DH) have come down with a pretty bad stomach bug over night. I feel like my GP is just going to say 'see? I told you it was a bug!' If I go back and mention this. But DS2 has completely different symptoms.

I'm really at a loss for what to do next. I don't want to make a fuss over nothing, but I'm his mum and I know he's not right. If ii took him to A+E now though they'd think I was mad, as he's perfectly fine. But I know at any given moment he'll go back to writhing in pain.

Does anyone have any experience/ ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
abbierhodes · 12/12/2011 13:05

Wow sorry that is long. Thanks for reading if you got to the end!

OP posts:
nethunsreject · 12/12/2011 13:08

No idea, but I do think that a parent's instincts are correct.

How is his temperature?

sitandnatter · 12/12/2011 13:09

The minute the pain starts again get him to A&E, do you have a walk in centre, can you call NHS Direct for advice? It has been a week now I think you are justified in seeking a second opinion elsewhere or just see a diffrent doctor from the same practice.

TroublesomeEx · 12/12/2011 13:11

What do you think it might be?

If your instincts are telling you that something's not right then get a second opinion. Is there another GP at the same practice you could see? You don't need to even explain why, you can just book at appointment with another doctor.

This is your baby and you need to be sure. Even if your GP is brilliant, he/she is only human and is capable of making a mistake.

If they haven't made a mistake, then you've lost nothing and you will feel reassured.

SpringHeeledJack · 12/12/2011 13:11

do you know if the GP ruled out appendicitis?

ceebie · 12/12/2011 13:11

I don't know; it's possible symptoms could manifest themselves differently but I would definitely seek a second opinion. Is there more than one GP in your practice - could you make an appointment with a different one?

sitandnatter · 12/12/2011 13:11

You definately need to seek out a professional second opinion. NHS Direct 0845 4647 they can advise you further.

chinam · 12/12/2011 13:12

I had these sympthoms with appendicitis. I would definitely go with your instincts and take him to a different doctor or to A&E.

valiumredhead · 12/12/2011 13:13

Well, appendicitus pain iirc doesn't come and go - it gets steadily worse. Lots of illnesses are worse at night and ease in the day. As your other kids have a bug as well I would just think that he has a milder version of a bug without the sickness but with cramps instead.

I am very much of the school of 'wait and see what happens.'

Flimflammery · 12/12/2011 13:13

I'm not an expert obviously but I think you're right, if he's in severe pain a week after the D & V, then something else might be wrong. I would get him checked again.

valiumredhead · 12/12/2011 13:14

But it's not severe pain if he is playing on computers Flim

bejeezus · 12/12/2011 13:14

i would imagine GP is correct. If it was anything more serious like appendicitis he'd be reeeeally poorly by now if he's had it since Monday?

and you all have it- so likely is a bug. Stomach cramps can be very painful

CocktailQueen · 12/12/2011 13:15

Valium - appendicitis pain CAn come and go. My sister had pain on and off for a year, with a few A&E call outs, before she was finally diagnosed.

OP - you're right, doesn't sound like gastro to me. I'd see another GP and ask if appendicitis has been ruled out.

sitandnatter · 12/12/2011 13:15

I was told my son had a bug and the GP ignored blood in an eight week olds stool. Went back for a second opinion and he needed surgery for an intersuception (sp). Not trying to frighten you but encourage you to trust your instincts, the worst that can happen is that your instincts are wrong.

MotherPanda · 12/12/2011 13:15

Any chance it could be trapped wind? That could explain for the awful pain one moment and then all better afterwards? I had awful trapped wind in pregnancy and thought I might be going into early labour Blush

tyler80 · 12/12/2011 13:16

My brother had something similar this, coming and going but leaving him doubled up when he was in pain.

It turned out to be abdominal migraines

MissBetsyTrotwood · 12/12/2011 13:16

DS1 had something similar to this over the summer. Mysterious, agonising cramps that came and went. It was chronic constipation, diagnosed in hospital after 10 days of pain, occasional vomiting and a stomach X ray.

He eats his fruit and veg and has always performed regularly so I was vv shocked. But, he'd had tonsillitis after tonsillitis in the winter and the consultant felt that this had slowed his gut so considerably that there had been a build up over months. Diahorrea can also be a symptom of constipation btw.

I think from what I remember 10-14 days was the cut off point for further investigations in the hospital, so as to rule out a virus.

Good luck. I hope you all feel better soon.

Chundle · 12/12/2011 13:16

Hmm pain is always worse at night I would get a urine sample done and get it to your gp has he got a temp? Next time he's writhing in pain take him to hosp. It could be appendicitis as it could be a grumbling appendices that goes on and off for few weeks before peaking really badly

festi · 12/12/2011 13:17

I would say UTI. have you been able to get a sample, put a tub in the toilet and get him to pee in this if he wont do a sample any other way.

Dawndonnathatchristmasiscoming · 12/12/2011 13:19

Might be worth checking this out before you go:
appendicitis-symptoms.com/acute-appendicitis

valiumredhead · 12/12/2011 13:20

cocktail Ok, I take that back, but I would still wait and see. I would be more concerned if the other kids didn't have a bug tbh.

Original poster
abbierhodes · 12/12/2011 13:21

We spoke to NHS direct last night, got a call from a doctor who said if he got worse we should take him to A+E. After that he fell asleep and slept until morning, so we didn't. He seems fine now. (But he's had patches of 'fine' all weekend)

I was wondering about appendicitis, but wouldn't he be in constant pain? He has been examined by 2 doctors, so I'd hope they'd have picked it up.

OP posts:
maddening · 12/12/2011 13:22

Sounds like my ibs, so many things can have similar symptoms, keep going to dr and ask for referral to paediatrician

lesley33 · 12/12/2011 13:22

GPs understandably diagnose the most common explanation for symptoms. But they expect you to go back ime if your symptoms change or don't clear up within the expected time frame. So yes take him back to the GPs.

maddening · 12/12/2011 13:23

PS try extra fibre?

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