Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think DD has appendicitis or am I over reacting?

29 replies

Duedates · 23/03/2014 21:54

DD is just about 6. She often complains of mild stomach aches but she sometimes carries on eating when she's got a full tummy so we've put it down to that in the past. She hasn't mentioned anything recently though.

Then on Thursday she had a stomach ache that stopped her doing ballet class. On Friday night she had a severe stomach ache and was crying out in pain and unable to do anything for about an hour as it came and went. It was just above her belly button.

Nothing all week end then tonight again severe pains that have lasted about an hour, coming and going, and lower down around her belly button.

One minute she's doubled over when I asked her to walk, and the next minute she was ok and able to put nightdress on.

She's now sound asleep and said the pain was there but better when she was lying down and still.

I'm in 2 minds whether to take her into a&e. We called NHS direct and spoke to a doctor. When I was speaking to him she was doubled over in pain so he said to take her in. But literally a moment later she seems fine again.

Has anyone experienced appendicitis in their DC? Does this sound like it could be? The pain seems rather infrequent so I wonder if I am just panicking and it could only be constipation/gas.

OP posts:
MrChow · 23/03/2014 21:57

Sounds more like an irritable bowel type thing?

I had appendicitis at her age and from what I remember it was grumbling for a few days then bang. Huge pains and a fever.

Twighlightsparkle · 23/03/2014 21:58

I would wait and see if she wakes up,in the nit in any pain, I'd go to A and E.

If she's asleep,then she's unlikely I would have thought, to be in any danger.

You wouldn't be wasting anyone's time if you went to. Ad E

Supercosy · 23/03/2014 21:58

Please do take her in. What's the worst that could happen? They could check her out and say it's not appendicitis. If the Dr on NHS direct told you to take her in then please do so.

gimcrack · 23/03/2014 21:59

She needs to see a doctor. Go and sort it out, now. It's either serious - in which case you've done the right thing. Or it's not serious - in which case you've done the right thing to cross off the potentially serious condition.

deakymom · 23/03/2014 22:01

we thought that with my son got him checked out a fair few times they always say its better to be safe than sorry

(btw it turns out his glands in his groin swell up when he gets an infection causing him immense pain and is something he has to "live with")

Pipbin · 23/03/2014 22:02

I had similar as an adult. I called NHS direct who sent me to my GP, who in turn sent me to the hospital who admitted me.
It wasn't appendicitis but they said they would rather do that than get it wrong.

Original poster
Duedates · 23/03/2014 22:03

I had it at around 8. I can't remember much about the run up to it except I had stomach aches that were really painful when pressed upon. Then one night the pain was so severe i could only crawl across the landing to my parents room. But at this point mine had almost burst. They operated immediately. I don't want it to get to that point.

I'm hesitating about taking her because I'm heavily pregnant and have a younger child and on my own tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
Duedates · 23/03/2014 22:05

And she is sleeping so soundly now too. Just sitting here worrying.

OP posts:
lastnightIwenttoManderley · 23/03/2014 22:05

OP I agree it won't hurt to take her in.

Ive been carted off to AandE before with suspected appendicitis, turned out to be adult colic. Paramedics were concerned enough to take me in though, I'd passed out on a train so all a bit dramatic. Symptoms very similar to what your describing but best to check anyway.

Poor thing, hope she's on the mend soon.

YellowDinosaur · 23/03/2014 22:06

It doesn't sound like appendicitis. And I'm a surgeon and appendicitis is my bread and butter. That said, if she doesn't settle I'd get someone to check her over. As she's gone to sleep though I wouldn't wake her to go in.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 23/03/2014 22:06

I would get it checked out by a Dr. With Appendicitis it is better to be safe than sorry.
Not everyone with Appendicitis is doubled over in agony all the time, it can affect people differently.
It usually starts with pain near the belly button which radiates towards the right side. It can be accompanied by a high temperature, D&V, but not always.

Fluffalump · 23/03/2014 22:07

Could it be tummy migraines? One of my children gets them and sometimes he is doubled over, they come on very suddenly and go just as quicl.

Original poster
Duedates · 23/03/2014 22:08

I think I'll try and get an emergency appt at the GP tomorrow.

OP posts:
cafecito · 23/03/2014 22:11

usually not an overly high temp. often nausea without vomiting, usually periumbilical and then localises

doesn't sound like appendicitis, but could be appendicitis, could be an IBS type thing, could be gastroenteritis, could be mesenteric adenitis? dunno, we can't tell you so she needs to be examined and checked but if she is settled, I would not disturb her. I'd let her sleep and then if still there tomorrow I'd get her checked out.

linney · 23/03/2014 22:12

My ds has abdominal migraine- which I didn't think was a "thing" but apparently it is. His symptoms are identical to your dd's.

Dahlen · 23/03/2014 22:12

Sounds more like mesenteric adenitis which can mimic appendicitis but isn't normally serious. It's common in children. My DS had it and I too was convinced he had appendicitis.

IF she's sleeping soundly and doesn't have a fever, I'd let her sleep tonight but try to see your GP tomorrow.

Best of luck.

Original poster
Duedates · 23/03/2014 22:13

Yes I think let her sleep now too. She has no other symptoms except slight sore throat, and tummy hurts more when she coughs or moves or breathes in.

OP posts:
Mintymoomoo · 23/03/2014 22:13

Dound very much like irritable bowel to me, I suffered in my teens and pains sound very similar, at times I was doubled up in pain that would last a hour or so, I would def get her checked out!

I believe appendix pain is more constant and towards left side Only experiance of appendicitis I have had was when my sis was 12, doctors ignored my mums trips to the surgery saying they were growing pains until one day she collapsed and was rushed into hospital along with appendicitis she also has septicemia and was given hours to live, thankfully she pulled through but had a month long stay in hospital was was so ill they were unable to stitch her up so wound was left open and her tummy is a awful mess now!

aermingers · 23/03/2014 22:15

I'd get it checked out. But when I was her age I used to suffer from the most appalling wind which would literally have me doubled over in pain.

diege · 23/03/2014 22:15

My dd was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis. The pain was crippling but was intermittent, as it seems to be in your dd's case.
After a night where she was in severe pain (worse after eating) they scanned her and it turned out she had a twisted ovary (she was 7). I'm not saying of course that this is the case with your dd, but in the hospital we were referred on to they do see it fairly frequently in children. They had initially put it down to stomach migraine, and were surprised themselves to find the ovarian torsion, but she was successfully operated on the next day and the ovary saved. It has since twisted again (a year after) but touch wood all is good now. Just that it might be worth mentioning as your description of your dd's pattern of pain did ring a bell xx

Mmmbacon · 23/03/2014 22:17

When she wakes up get her to jump on one leg them the other, from what I remember this is damn near impossible with appendix, take her temperature aswell as appendix usually comes with temp/fever,

Keep an eye in her stools, are they nice and softish and together or hard and rabbit pebbles like, she could be dehydrated and struggling with her bowels if she is not drinking enough during school day,

gordyslovesheep · 23/03/2014 22:21

your appendix doesn't tend to be round your belly button - I'd get her checked out by your GP but it sounds more like a mild tummy bug

with my appendix I was sick and had the runs - then it all stopped and I had chronic pain that got worse and worse

it did grumble for about 4 weeks which was put down to 'everything moving around' in my 3rd pregnancy

olympicsrock · 23/03/2014 22:21

Also a general surgeon and I agree with yellow dinosaur it does not sound like appendicitis (possibly mesenteric adenitis). If she is asleep now and settled I would take her to see your gp tomorrow rather than wake her up now.

Sirzy · 23/03/2014 22:22

Get her checked if your concerned.

When did she last poo?

And could she be worried about something? My worry often displayed via stomach aches at a similar age.

Hope she is ok

Original poster
Duedates · 23/03/2014 22:29

Last poo before bed and it was fine. It could be worry, another baby due soon? Thank you for replies everyone.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread