Could this be appendicitis?

[iloveblue]

DS2(4) has been complaining of tummy ache on and off since about 6pm.
It seems to come and go and he says his tummy hurts when I touch it.
Have sat him on the toilet a few times - but he won't/can't go.
It seemed to be better when he went to bed at 7pm (with a hot water bottle) but he's just woken up now crying - saying it hurts again.

I've given him some Calpol - I'm not sure if thats the right thing to do, but I remember DS1 screaming with pain from a tummy ache a few years ago, when I rang NHS direct the nurse said try Calpol and it worked.
He's also just eaten a biscuit - which I took as a good sign.

But my immediate thought is could it be appendicitis? - I am particularly paranoid/anxious about everything at the moment as I suffered a late miscarriage 5 weeks ago, and am not reacting the way I normally would.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Does he feel sick? If you press when it hurts on his tummy does it stop hurting?

It sounds like he may just have an upset tummy coming on and be crampy. Four is very young to have appendicitis btw.

Would suggest watchful waiting. If he becomes feverish or the pain gets worse, seek help.

It doesn't hurt when you poke the appedix area but when you pull you fingers away - hope that helps.

Ok thanks - will keep an eye on him.

No temp - he's gone straight back to sleep, so will just keep checking him.

I had it at 5... btw

is it one sided pain? try pressing down on the abdomen and asking if it hurts more when pressing down or when releasing pressure. if the latter, it could be appendicitis.

if it gets worse/becomes a constant pain/he starts vomiting or develops a temp, call the out of hours.

lots of fluids in case it's constipation. neat OJ and apple juice to move the bowels.

Thanks everyone.
He slept well last night and hasn't mentioned his tummy today - but does have a snotty nose and a bit of a temp.

Can I assume as the pain has gone away that
it isn't appendicitis, or can it come and go?

He has also been tooting a lot today so maybe it was wind.

I'm fine thanks Pixie - started my steroid inhaler on Tuesday and I'm feeling so much better. Thanks for asking

hi i would just like to say my ds had a burst appendix at four so it does happen. The doctors at the time said kids can't describe the pain as well as adults so you can't expect them to say it hurts on one side only . So any servere tummy ache, vomiting and fever should be checked out , we thought our son just had a vomiting bug

Thanks shesadancer - he hasn't had any vomiting. Tummy seems okay now - he does have a stinking cold though. Am keeping a close eye on him.

My DD has been like this today.
Complaining of severe tummy pain on and off al day. Calpol helped a bit but not completely. She has a slight runny nose but no high temp, and has been lethargic :(.

I've been wondering about appendicitis but now think perhaps it is just a bug.

viruses can cause something called mesenteric adentis which can cause alot of tummy pain. his might have been brought on by the cold virus that they have picked up.

HTH

My DS suddenly started screaming with tummy pain (at 2 and a half). It came on very suddenly and I thought appendicitis. It turned out to be tonsillitis . Dr said that there are glands in the tummy that often get swollen when a child has a nasty infection.

Hope your DS is ok now.

thats right purple...thats what they call adenitis. its really common in children and quite painful too

I did wonder if we were talking about the same thing Aly.

DS really gave me a scare because it came on so suddenly. I didn't even think to look at his throat as he was too young to explain anything other than really moan in pain about his tummy .

Thats interesting aly and purple as he is also complaining of a sore throat. He also has bad breath and still has a fever on and off. Got a GP appointment at 12 so will hopefully get it sorted.

Hope your DD is better satinshoes

How is he iloveblue?

DD is fine today. Has a cough and runny nose so I'm inclined to think it was indeed viral.

GP said it is probably tonsilitis - glands up, tonsils inflamed, the bad breath etc. He's got antibiotics. She said exactly what purple and aly said about the glands in the tummy causing pain.

aw bless. hope he will take the ABs. If not I always hide it in banana milkshake for DD.