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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:
CauliflowerBalti · 29/03/2016 18:22

Good. Go to A&E. And good luck.

cakeycakeface · 29/03/2016 18:22

Good luck. I think you're doing the right thing.

AnyFucker · 29/03/2016 18:22

I don't think you have any choice, love

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/03/2016 18:23

Good call.

hope you have some better luck

Goingtobeawesome · 29/03/2016 18:25

Don't forget money, your phone, charger, drinks and snacks plus anything she needs to cuddle.

Hope it isn't a long wait.

2016ismyyear · 29/03/2016 18:29

I'd not leave until she's had a clear out either!

MrSlant · 29/03/2016 18:32

Go to A&E, tell them how long it's been, how much pain she is in and that you are SCARED. They should reach out to help a mum in that situation. Good luck, hope you find a solution soon.

VagueIdeas · 29/03/2016 18:32

Fuck Lactulose. That's totally inappropriate for faecal impaction - anything beyond the mild, occasional constipation and it just isn't effective.

Bloody GPs Hmm

christinarossetti · 29/03/2016 18:33

Haven't read the whole thread, but just to say a friend of mine was in a similar situation re: constipation, being fobbed off etc for absolutely ages with her daughter. Even her losing 20% of her body weight in a month didn't propel services into action.

One evening, she went to A%E in desperation and that started the process of being diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Original poster
littlemaemae · 29/03/2016 18:37

It's infuriating isn't it! As if something that can be bought OTC is the solution.
I am small with zero confidence and anxiety issues and every knock back crushes me and makes me feel like I'm making it up or being pathetic. It takes a lot for me to push things with them.
Thank you for the support vague, xx

OP posts:
IwillrunIwillfly · 29/03/2016 18:38

If that's the only help ooh gp can offer (what on earth do the think a dose of lactulose is going to do at this stage!) then I think a and e is reasonable. Hope you get seen quickly op.

VagueIdeas · 29/03/2016 18:39

You're welcome mae. I really feel for you. I've had issues with my DD's constipation over the years, but nothing like what you're going through.

Insist that she gets treated tonight. Or admitted to the paed ward for treatment tomorrow (enema, scan, x ray, whatever). Good luck Flowers

Salene · 29/03/2016 18:40

Forget the GP's just go to A&E , they will never think a child in pain like that is wasting their time

And don't sit saying your sorry and hope not wasting their time, be very much my daughter needs help and now

That way they should take you serious and not palm you off with just a triage nurse checking her over then sending her home. Insist on seeing a doctor

SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 29/03/2016 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HazyMazy · 29/03/2016 18:47

You could lie and say that consultant mentioned Hirschsprungs as a possibility when you get to A/E (as you will prob be seen by young junior doc).
That might catch their attention.

GreenMarkerPen · 29/03/2016 18:47

good luck.
I sometimes dispair with the nhs. it's so wrong that you have to wait 4 months for an appointment for an acute problem

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/03/2016 18:50

And don't sit saying your sorry and hope not wasting their time, be very much my daughter needs help and now

very much agree with this.

you are right. you are so right and you know it. they don't know what's wrong so they are making you feel like a time waster to compensate for their inadequacy as a dr.

we have instincts fir a reason. and they are rarely wrong.

go fight fir your dd with the l pledge taht we all think you are absolutely doing the right thing and we can't all be wrong.

hold your head high. you are doing the right thing

Sallystyle · 29/03/2016 18:53

These threads worry me. A child with a stomach like that (at the bottom) needs to be seen that day.

I would have taken her straight to A&E. They would not think you were a time waster.

I am glad you are taking her to A&E. This is what it is for and I've just finished a shift there so I know what a strain time wasters are, but OP you won't be one.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 29/03/2016 18:53

I am small with zero confidence and anxiety issues and every knock back crushes me and makes me feel like I'm making it up or being pathetic. It takes a lot for me to push things with them.

This must be difficult for you OP but in spite of it you are doing the right thing for your girl. Don't be discouraged at all & The support you are getting on this thread is amazing. I hope your DD gets some relief and you get some answers.

Silverfoxofwarwick1953 · 29/03/2016 18:54

Haven't read the full thread. It is definitely not right. Her stomach is abnormally swollen and you need to get insist on a second opinion, then move to another surgery for another. If money allows get a private consultant to look at her. Have you had blood and organ tests, ie liver?

AgentZigzag · 29/03/2016 19:07

The poor little mite Flowers

Sending you deluxe MN to give to the Drs in A&E, I hope they listen and help her, 21 days is awful.

Sallystyle · 29/03/2016 19:08

If OP had listened to all those posters telling her not go that could have been potentially dangerous. Her daughter might not need A&E but only trained people who can examine should be telling her that, not people looking at a photo.

There are some situations where it is clearly not A&E worthy, but a swollen stomach and no BM for that long can be serious and OP should not have been discouraged for getting her urgent care when it does have the potential to be an emergency. It's dangerous advice.

MissBeaHaving · 29/03/2016 19:11

You are doing the right thing op,how is Dp at speaking up? Will he be with you for support?
I really hope things go well.

JeVoudrais · 29/03/2016 19:11

I don't know what's right or wrong for a littley's belly, but 21 days is such a long time. You say she's 11kgs, the poor love probably isn't even that when whatever waste inside her is gone Sad

Take her to A&E. No one where I work would think it wrong when it seems she's quite likely to be in pain all night. It's a wonder she hasn't started refusing to eat.

HPandBaconSandwiches · 29/03/2016 19:12

Her tummy is grossly distended, poor girl. After 21 days an enema is very much warranted.
Have a read of the NICE guidelines while you wait.
In a&e be assertive but not too emotional. Make the facts clear - gone through usual process including GP and referral but no investigations and no improvement. Movicol failed and pain plus distension worsening. Now 21 days without passing faeces. Use the Bristol stool chart to help you explain what her poos are like. Do not be embarrassed about seeking help.
She sounds like she's failing to thrive too - 11kg at 3 years old is very little unless your family tend to the petit side. Has she drifted down the centiles? Have a look at her red book and check.

Sorry it's come to this for you.

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