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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if it's possible to poop out a swallowed lollypop stick?

57 replies

myfusion · 14/02/2019 17:07

Four year old swallowed a chupa chup lollypop on Sunday, stick and allShock

Ambulance blue lighted us to A&E as prior to swallowing it the damn thing was lodged in his throat choking him to the point I thought he wasn't going to survive.

Doctor at A&E assured us he was fine and it would work its way through his intestines and make an appearance sometime this week.

So far there's has been no sign of it, no tummyaches & he's no problems peeing or pooing but my minds baffled as to how a 5 inch plastic lollypop stick is going to work it's way through his tiny, curvy intestinesHmm

So, AIBU to ask has this happened to you or yours and did the stick reappear in time?

*Disclaimer - I know how dangerous lollpops can be & I didn't give it to him, he arrived home with it after a trip out and no sooner had he sat down than he was choking.

OP posts:
ChasedByBees · 15/02/2019 09:41

I’m glad you’re going back to A&E Shock

GreenDinosaur · 15/02/2019 10:37

Do you have a local minor injuries? They can usually do x rays and might be able to help.
(They x rayed my DH last week, I was baffled why he was home so quick as I thought he'd been to a&e!)

GreenDinosaur · 15/02/2019 10:38

Blush Sorry, bit behind on the thread, my phone didn't show me the last few posts.
Good luck at a&e OP!

hellsbellsmelons · 15/02/2019 10:48

This must be really worrying for you OP.
I really hope it all works out and that A&E are helpful.

Interceptor999 · 15/02/2019 16:43

Oh this post fills me with fear. Please do not give kids lolly's or any jelly like sweets as they choke on them. Hopefully the stick will disintegrate by the acids in his digestive system, thank god you got him to the hospital on time.

hazell42 · 15/02/2019 16:56

I'd keep a careful eye and go back I'd it doesn't appear soon. My brother (while drunk) swallowed a plastic cocktail.stirrer and it had to be cut out of him 5 years later when it had grown into the wall of his intestine. I would have thought that if it was gonna come out it would have been out by now

Original poster
myfusion · 15/02/2019 16:56

Well I spoke to GP again who said nothing they can do and to take him back to A&E if worried.
Spent 4 hours in A&E to be told unless he becomes seriously unwell due to obstruction or perforation they can't do anything & sent us home again.

So fed up.

OP posts:
CookPassBabtridge · 17/02/2019 08:55

Any action OP? Surely it must be out by now Sad

Original poster
myfusion · 18/02/2019 19:04

Sadly not, he still has loose bowel movements & he's just soiled himself, something he has never done before.

OP posts:
ReaganSomerset · 18/02/2019 19:16

i.stuff.co.nz/national/10169912/Lolly-stick-jammed-in-boys-gut

Similar story to yours, in the end surgery was required after eight months. I don't suppose you have private health insurance?

x2boys · 18/02/2019 19:17

Ah poor thing it must.have been bloody frightening but how on earth didn't manage to swallow it?

QuestionableMouse · 18/02/2019 19:24

I'd go back and stand your ground. He's getting symptoms so something isn't right. I wouldn't want to wait with a child.

glitterbiscuits · 18/02/2019 19:53

Can you push for an X-ray now? Enough time has elapsed.

Purpleartichoke · 18/02/2019 20:02

Yes, you can pass a lollipop stick. At least if my cat is any example. She has done it more than once. I find them in the litter box or occasionally see one peaking out and have to help it along. Sneaky thing loves lollipops more than anything else and will open drawers and cabinets to get them. With kids coming home from school with random lollipops in pockets and bags, there is only so much prevention I can do.

On a more serious note, I would definitely want medical care with the symptoms he is having. Surely it would have passed by now. I suppose he might have a virus and you just missed the stick exiting.

IShitGlitter · 18/02/2019 20:06

i would be going back demanding an xray who ever refuses tell them you want it in writing should you need to take it further.

BertieBotts · 18/02/2019 20:09

Ultrasound would show up a blockage, and plastic.

Original poster
myfusion · 19/02/2019 09:46

I've phoned the surgery & I'm now waiting on a call back from a GP, this will be my 3rd telephone consultation on top of the 2 A&E visits.

OP posts:
glitterbiscuits · 19/02/2019 18:01

Any development OP?

Original poster
myfusion · 20/02/2019 10:57

It took a lot of persuading but she finally agreed to request a scan Smile
Also, no more diarrhoea or spoiling accidentsSmile

OP posts:
SD1978 · 20/02/2019 11:11

Plastic stick won't show on X-ray. If he's still pooping, and had no abdominal pain, they won't X-ray. If he clinically presents as well, the (future) risk from the radiation, which because of his age he'll have no doubt many more if in his life, is assessed as not worth it. If he feels unwell, different ball game. But he feels fine, is acting normal, so probably would be wasting your time sitting in ED for hours.

Nickpan · 20/02/2019 11:13

fingers crossed that this is the next step towards resolution.
Took 4 days for my dog to crap out a chunky earring, size of a half brussel sprout, with nearly half inch of the pin that goes though the piercing. The exit of the stomach is a small hole, so the lollipop stick will have to line up longways before it can wiggle it's way out, and into intestines. Imagine a plank of laminate flooring laying across the top of a manhole cover, it would need upending in order to go down the manhole.

beanaseireann · 20/02/2019 11:22

Thinking of you OP and hoping all goes well for your ds.
Lollipops frighten the heart and soul out of me and I don't buy them for or give them to children in case the lolly comes off the stick and chokes them. I'd never even thought of the stick Shock being the problem.
Extraordinary how unconcerned the GP appeared, given that FrowningFlamingo, on this thread, who says she's a GP advised you to go to A&E.

Roomba · 20/02/2019 11:27

Damntheman - glad it's not just my son who is daft enough to eat a magnet. In DS's case it took a week to reappear. I was told that if he had any issues or pain at all to take him back to A&E.

NotMySquirrel · 20/02/2019 19:01

Extraordinary how unconcerned the GP appeared, given that FrowningFlamingo, on this thread, who says she's a GP advised you to go to A&E.

I wouldn't really say extraordinary- a schoolfriend of mine went to the GP for months and got brushed off, GP totally unconcerned. Saw another GP- leukaemia, diagnosed very quickly. Some GPs are rubbish.

ginyogarepeat · 20/02/2019 20:27

Same @NotMySquirrel . My FIL had a heart attack in front of his GP. MIL had called him to do a home visit as she was concerned about chest/arm pain. He advised my FIL that it was muscular and to keep taking paracetamol. FIL said he had been and it wasn't working but was told to continue as it needs to "build up in your system to work". MIL ended up calling ambulance a few hours later (thank goodness). He'd had a heart attack, luckily only a small one and survived, however it shows how utterly useless some can be.