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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to A&e with my dd3 *pictures*

975 replies

littlemaemae · 29/03/2016 13:57

My DD who is 3 has been having stomach/bowel problems for the last year. Diagnose as constipation. She can not pass a stool for weeks despite fantastic diet and laxatives and weeks is in severe pain most days. She is very petite and skinny but her stomach has swollen to look 9 months pregnant. Getting no where with doctors/hospital etc.
Aibu to think this is not how a heathy child's stomach should look.

OP posts:
lougle · 31/03/2016 00:08

To temper the concern slightly, it's probably worth pointing out that most constipation in children is idiopathic and that the reason a pain can get so constipated is that the bowel is essentially a rather clever stretchy tube. To perforate through constipation would be very rare and the more likely thing, I think, would be for the faeces to backflow into the stomach, causing vomiting.

Right now, the priority is using the treatment that has been given as well as possible, plus seeking further investigation. I still don't think A&E would be unreasonable if there is the slightest change in her condition, but I also don't think the OP is being unreasonable to give this course of action a try while watching her DD carefully.

extralemonylemoncake · 31/03/2016 01:04

Your GP is not worried about her well being, they are only worried about keeping costs down.

This. It's shocking to see how one of the richest in countries in the world has a healthcare system that is now routinely failing its patients. Leaving a little girl in agony for a whole year with no proper investigation into the underlying causes is shocking and not normal. I'm in a different European country and the guidelines here say children should for example be tested for Morbus Hirschsprung after just three months of unsuccessful initial treatment. Can't believe they haven't even done that in over a year in this case. Sad

OP, the system is failing your little girl. I know you're feeling frustrated and exhausted but you and your DP need to keep pushing. Yes, it might very well be "just" idiopathic constipation, but you need answers for everyone's peace of mind. Your anxiety is through the roof already and proper testing needs to happen not only to help your poor DD but also for your own mental health.

MissBeaHaving · 31/03/2016 01:22

Most constipation in children may well be idiopathic,I'm sure that's why the GP in this case is puffing out his chest and refusing to refer but sometimes with a young child who's already been receiving the standard treatment & still is suffering (as another medical professional agreed 24 hours ago) someone has to say hang on a mo this isn't right & as her mother the Op deserves her concerns to be taken seriously.

StillYummy · 31/03/2016 06:48

How is dd today? I hope she had a comfortable night

Imnotaslimjim · 31/03/2016 07:13

I hope you have all managed to get a little sleep

TheOddity · 31/03/2016 07:25

How's it going? So worried about your little girl and the state of the NHS

Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 07:43

Morning everyone, just woke up and straight back on getting the movicol down her!
She seems really happy this morning bless her and she had a good sleep.
I can't recal where she was on the cent lie chart at birth but she was very healthy and was 14lbs by 3 months average height baby. So would say she was not on the small side.
When we saw consultant he kept saying to me 'she turns 2 soon...' But she was going to turn 3 but he had 2 in his head. Then when I got letter from him he had her down as 11kg 92cm and 22 months old. So it was plotted incorrectly and warning sign missed.
She was 34 months at the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 07:45

And I should add when we were in hospital with pneumonia the doctor asked me why she was so underweight and was very concerned and this is when it dawned on me that she is very small and hadn't been growing for some time. As she is my youngest I just thought of her as a baby and it didn't cross my mind iyswim

OP posts:
Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 07:55

When she saw the consultant she has just come out of hospital and she has had diareah with her illness so she was pretty cleared out and although there was still impaction, she wasn't distended. So I think that could well be why it's not been taken seriously. Bloods were done for thyroid and ceoliacs. Came back normal.
Calling gp when they open of book appt with a female gp who I trust

OP posts:
HPandBaconSandwiches · 31/03/2016 07:56

So at 3 months old she was on the 75th centile. At 34 months she was between 2nd and 9th. Where is she now OP? That's a heck of a drop and extremely poor that no one has picked up on it.

Glad she has had a good night and I do think you're right to continue with the disimpaction regime, but really think about that private appointment. Where's the harm of getting an expert opinion?

Badders123 · 31/03/2016 07:59

the more you tell us the worse this gets......SadAngry

PalcumTowder · 31/03/2016 08:00

You need to take that money and go private. You dd needs you to help her as she's not been getting it from the NHS. You know this now. She's underweight, chronically constipated and in pain. Is she often poorly with other illnesses too? You've mentioned pneumonia and noro just in this thread. Somethings not right here.

thatcoldfeeling · 31/03/2016 08:06

Good god. You really have had a succession of the worst medics in the country. They are not all this stupid and arrogant. What a bunch of embarrassments to medicine and the NHS. Her care has been compromised as a result of these idiots.
I hope you get an apt with the trusted GP this morning.

Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 08:07

I have been thinking this is all normal. Because it's been everyday for so long and something you live along side.
She was a really healthy, happy, secure baby.
Recently I've realised that she isn't the healthy child I think she is.
Dd6 has always been very sickly so that was my comparison, she has had grommets put in and cured overnight though.
We are going to get a plan together re private care today. Dp will ring round the hospitals.

OP posts:
GreenMarkerPen · 31/03/2016 08:09

coeliac can only be reliably diagnosed with a biopsy. the blood test is notoriously unreliable.

conkerpods · 31/03/2016 08:11

I'm amazed that not having a poo for for 3 weeks (or even 6) is not a concern for a child.
Thinking of you OP and hope you get some good medical support for a change Flowers

HPandBaconSandwiches · 31/03/2016 08:12

Ideally you need a recommendation for a private consultant. Remember they are just NHS consultants doing some extra work on the side. You need a paediatric gastroenterologist with an interest in constipation. Have a Google, chat to BUPA and if you feel you can, put whereabouts you are in the country here, you may get a recommendation from one of the experienced mums who've posted.

Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 08:17

I have been thinking this is all normal. Because it's been everyday for so long and something you live along side.
She was a really healthy, happy, secure baby.
Recently I've realised that she isn't the healthy child I think she is.
Dd6 has always been very sickly so that was my comparison, she has had grommets put in and cured overnight though.
We are going to get a plan together re private care today. Dp will ring round the hospitals.

Have female gp at 9.30

OP posts:
Headofthehive55 · 31/03/2016 08:20

She is bigger than my DD was at that age, and now my DD is nearly as big as I am! Just to give you hope, you know, that things can work out...

7Days · 31/03/2016 08:22

Good luck mae.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 31/03/2016 08:27

Lord, caught up with the last 22 pages and it's so awful for you and your dd. I hope you are both doing ok this morning and the female GP is useful.

Good luck Flowers

MiscellaneousAssortment · 31/03/2016 08:28

Mention the weight / height thing too...

HPandBaconSandwiches · 31/03/2016 08:29

Just be clear what you want from this appointment. I'd want a referral to a specialist, not the generalist you've seen. I'd look for the one I wanted and ask for choose and book to see them, even if it meant going an hour on the train.

3luckystars · 31/03/2016 08:31

Of course things will work out, once she gets seen by a decent doctor.
Appalling thread. If your GP doesn't take you seriously today, you need to go to the hospital. Nothing else matters.

Speak up even if your voice is shaking.

Original poster
littlemaemae · 31/03/2016 08:32

Yes I am going to get her checked over again, I want her examined daily until the blockage is passed and I will not leave without the refferal.

OP posts:
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