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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When paracetamol and ibuprofen won't cut it

54 replies

Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 08:11

Not about periods!

DS10 has a torsion of appendix testis (essentially a little twisted bit on one of his balls). He's seen a urologist who advised there's no treatment, just regular pain relief until it clears up. Which is fine, but there are some points during the day when the pain relief just doesn't touch it and he's crying in agony. The urologist said it could go on for 'a few weeks'.

AIBU to feel ridiculously helpless when he's in pain? As adults we would either put up with it, or take something stronger like codeine or visit a pharmacist/dr for really bad pain. But for a 10 year old, there's nothing else available. So they just have to put up with it.

I know there are worse problems to have, believe me I know. But as a mother, your first instinct is to protect and help your child and when you can't do that, it leaves you feeling helpless. I do everything I can to comfort him, cuddles, the softest pyjamas, his favourite foods and no requirements to do anything strenuous. But beyond that, it's just a case of hugging him while he sobs. It's shit, and as adults we wouldn't put up with it.

OP posts:
Di11y · 14/02/2019 10:25

is it worth trying a warm bath?

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 12:18

Anything is worth a shot Di11y!

OP posts:
IAmWonderWoman · 14/02/2019 12:41

Did you manage to get anything else OP?

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 12:48

Still waiting for the GP to call!
DS school have suggested he goes in a bit late in the mornings, once his pain is controlled. Which is fine, but they called at 10.30 today because he wasn't coping so he only lasted an hour. I'd rather just keep him off entirely, but obviously their main concern is attendance 🙄

OP posts:
GreenEggsHamandChips · 14/02/2019 13:54

Yy if is hot definitely not a hot pack!! Small ice packs you can tuck in the trousers might be worth a try. More than one so theres always a spare one on the freezer ready

If you gave amazon prime sonicaid is free and i like it. DD prefers other sleep music on there

Is there bruising? Arnica cream helps tremendously with bruising

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 15:00

Well I've waited all day for the GP to call back, only to be told that there's nothing else they can give him and he's no idea why the pharmacist told me there were slow release painkillers for children because that's not true Hmm
I have to alternate the pain relief, which is fine but goes totally against what the urologist advised (you know, the specialist...) and if he's no better by tomorrow afternoon to call again and they'll see him and possibly prescribe antibiotics, which is stupid and pointless because he doesn't have an infection. He had bloods and a urine test in A&E on Tuesday, which were all clear.

The phone call has made me irrationally ragey!

OP posts:
Vixxxy · 14/02/2019 15:10

They can give stronger stuff, and it sounds like in this case they really should.

I am on tapentadol for chronic pain, and my pain clinic said that in certain situations children can take it. This medication is basically morphine. Lowest you can get is 50mg which is the equivalent of 20mg morphine (am on 500mg a day). So yeah, proper pain relief is available for children in severe pain. Doctors seem to not like giving it, probably because of addiction chances, BUT if in a large amount of pain, its needed.

Vixxxy · 14/02/2019 15:11

Also not too long ago DSS broke his collarbone and DR gave him 60mg codeine to take 4x a day if needed. He is 12.

Vixxxy · 14/02/2019 15:12

he's no idea why the pharmacist told me there were slow release painkillers for children because that's not true

The tapentadol I mentioned is slow release. Seems you have to really push to get it though, and it IS strong medication. However obviously if the child is in a lot of pain and there is a way to help them , you would want to try it.

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 15:20

DS is quite small for his age (10)

I just think if it were an adult, with a better ability to cope with pain, they wouldn't be saying just leave it another day.

I'll carry on, and alternate doses, and give it til tomorrow lunch time, but I know full well if I call after that they'll say they can't see him until Monday.

OP posts:
Vixxxy · 14/02/2019 15:23

Can you not try getting the lo dose codeine over the counter from the pharmacist. Its only like 8mg in a tablet I think but it could help a lot. I don't know what to suggest really but I do know medication for pain for children does exist. I think I would keep contacting them tbh, as long as he was in agony. as I said, DSS 12 got codeine, quite a high dose too when we pushed for it, after being told there was nothing except ibruphen and paracetamol. The codeine helped a lot, mind he only seemed to take it on a night so he could sleep properly.

CouldBeAnyoneReally · 14/02/2019 15:24

I would assume that a pharmacist knows more about the drugs available than the gp? It’s their speciality after all. And gps always seem to have to look up drugs when prescribing if it’s anything out of the ordinary. Sympathies for you op and your ds of course Flowers

Huggybear16 · 14/02/2019 15:34

I would assume that a pharmacist knows more about the drugs available than the gp?

Yeah, they absolutely do know more about the available drugs. And the doctor can prescribe stronger meds - it's a question of whether they think it is necessary, if they are prescribing off-label, prescribing guidance or even personal preference.

Get on to them again, explain how unbearable it is and that his current treatments are not working/not sufficient. There are other options, but they need the justification to use them.

IAmWonderWoman · 14/02/2019 16:44

Can you not try getting the lo dose codeine over the counter from the pharmacist.

Because the OP’s child is 10 and it’s not given to under 12’s anymore.

bananabobo · 14/02/2019 16:59

If you search youtube for Solfeggio 174 Hz there are lots of tracks in that tone which is said to have pain relieving effects, I personally find them helpful, I find one I like and listen with headphones, anything is worth a try, poor thing!

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 17:04

I feel like an anti inflammatory would be more effective but I don't know if diclofenac is suitable for children.
I've got to go out in a bit so maybe I'll ask the pharmacist exactly what the slow release is called and then just insist on them prescribing it tomorrow. He can only have one more dose of ibuprofen today and I'm a bit stressy at the thought of another night (and morning) of tears. He sleeps OK eventually, but it takes him ages and as soon as he wakes up he's howling.

I'm also stressing out at the thought of calling work and telling them I won't be in tomorrow, I only started a few weeks ago and I've already had 2 days off with him. I think if his pain was controlled he'd cope OK in school. They've been letting him take it easy (no PE etc). He's missed nearly a full week with it already though.

OP posts:
Anotherdayanotherdollar · 14/02/2019 17:15

What weight is he?
Ds1 has had v high temps this week and when I worked out the dose per kg it was a much higher dose than was stated on the side of the box. He's only 4 but weight wise was working out the dose of a 8-10 yr old. And he's not particularly heavy

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 17:17

Last time we checked he was just under 26 kilos. I'll have a look online and see if I can work out if he's taking the right dose.

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 14/02/2019 17:29

There are meds available but ime Drs are reluctant to prescribe them, not sure why. My son had oramorph and tramadol when he was a baby.

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 18:31

I completely understand why Dr's are reluctant to prescribe strong painkillers. But he could hear DS howling while I was on the phone and all he said was 'oh dear, he is upset isn't he?'
No shit sherlock, his left bollock is the size of a plum, wouldn't you be hysterical?!

OP posts:
Butteredghost · 14/02/2019 19:49

I understand why they don't just hand them out but being strict with rules like "x painkiller not allowed under 12" makes so sense - you don't wake up with completly different physiology on your 12th birthday.

Original poster
Myusernameismud · 14/02/2019 21:41

I know what you mean. The NHS website says children can have ibuprofen and paracetemol tablets from 6 years old, but if you walk into a pharmacy and buy some it says 12 and over. Two 5ml spoonfuls of ibuprofen is the same dosage as 1 tablet. But a pharmacist wouldn't sell you the tablets if you said they were for a child.

OP posts:
HeyCarrieAnneWhatsYourGame · 14/02/2019 21:46

Oh your poor DS. I don’t know if it’s still allowed because this was getting in for 30 years ago, but I started getting terrible migraines when I was 9 and I was told to handle it with paracetamol and ibuprofen too. It became clear that I couldn’t, and I was prescribed stronger drugs... including codeine. There must be something else he can take.

Stressedout10 · 14/02/2019 22:08

Please don't give him over the counter codeine it may only have 8mg of codeine but it has 500mg of paracetamol per tablet that will overdose him on it

greenelephantscarf · 14/02/2019 22:34

back to gp or urologist
to let him suffer like that is cruel.

most pain relief options for dc are off-label (= not licensed for use in children), so some dr are reluctant to prescribe. but many have a good and well known safety profile.
dc got diclofenac for a bad inflammation at age 8 and 30kg.
naproxen might also be an option.