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Children's health

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Original poster

Just been to hospital with DD.

160 replies

FourFortyFour · 21/03/2011 12:25

Following on from this thread

She has had a chest x-ray but the doctor just said to rule things out. What are they looking for? He said her chest was clear when he listened to her.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Am36butfeel66 · 27/03/2011 14:53

Ok, but now that she has stopped, that won't help with her pains, as constipation in itself can cause pain, nausea, bloating and headaches...I know...I have had IBS since I was 13 and am either constipated or have diarrhoea so understand how it feels. Has your dd been able to say when she last went to loo?
Please don't be so hard on yourself. Being a mother is the hardest job in the world, and as our DC aren't born with a manual we have to 'wing it' a lot. Sometimes we get it right, but we also get it wrong too:)

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 14:57

I didn't ignore the osteopath comment, I just forgot it. She has to do ballet as a way of sorting out problems in her legs. She was seen by an osteopath once but I would have to see someone else as I am not willing to see him again. (Not related to dd).

She has had a satsuma and said she has had a big drink of water.

OP posts:

thumbwitch · 27/03/2011 15:03

Actually, if she has pain, it might have stopped her from pooing anyway - you use an awful lot of muscles that you don't realise to do poo, and if pushing hurts (if you have a low level of constipation anyway) then you're less inclined to do it.

Do try a different osteo then, 444 - if she has something "out" in her back, it can affect the nerves that supply the gut as well, so her back pain could be causing her constipation as much as the constipation she now has could be contributing to her back pain.

It might not be the full answer but it might ease her suffering.

thumbwitch · 27/03/2011 15:03

Another question - did anyone at any point mention scoliosis? not to scare you, but that could have been another reason for the back x-ray.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 15:05

She has just come to me and said she has just done a poo and it was normal.

The chest x-ray was to rule things out the doctor said. It was clear.

OP posts:

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 15:06

I do feel a bit silly for all this worry if it turns out to be constipation. I just felt constant pain in a child wasn't right.

OP posts:

thumbwitch · 27/03/2011 15:09

but you have already said that the pain happened before the constipation. And tbh, as a habitually constipated child (IBS forever until I stopped eating certain things) I can't ever remember being in pain for that long because of it.
The worst was about 4 days (man that was bad! I was on everything, liquid paraffin, liquorice, orange juice - it was very effective eventually - explosively so!) when I normally go every 1-2 days. Even with IBS I used to go every 1-2 days. But it was always hard work and usually took well over 5 mins to produce - the guideline for constipation is over 30secs, I think!

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 16:19

I know but I am doubting myself as it feels like everyone thinks I should wait. I just asked how she was and she said the same as always.

OP posts:

moosemama · 27/03/2011 16:21

If the pain was definitely there before she stopped pooing, then it doesn't sound like it was that causing the pain. As thumbwitch said, if it hurt to poo because of the side/backpain that could have caused her to withold, so it could be a red herring. Also, if she was seriously constipated or impacted it would have taken a lot more than a big drink of water and a satsuma to shift it.

You're not useless at parenting, you are just worried about her, its perfectly understandable, you are absolutely right, constant pain in a child isn't right and shouldn't be ignored.

I would second trying an osteopath if it does turn out not to be intestine or appendix related. One of my ds's, my Mum and myself have all really been helped by a really good osteopath. You can go on the General Osteopathic Council's website here and search for a registered osteopath in your area.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 16:24

My difficulty is that a doctor at the hospital who were saw for a follow up visit for her constant headache really implied I was a worrier and DD could be picking up on that and causing the headaches. I wasn't worrying about her until she told me she had constant headaches which Calpol and anti-biotics didn't shift. I feel that once I mention I am worried or are a worrier I am dismissed. I hope I am wrong. I just want her pain free. Also it seems to go against me when I mention how many times she has been seen by a doctor.

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thumbwitch · 27/03/2011 16:24

well, you don't have to wait to take her to an osteopath. Make an appointment for her tomorrow. It's not going to do her any harm, it might do her some good and it will be a lot quicker than waiting for the docs to tell you that they still don't know what is causing it but just keep giving her the meds.

And trust yourself still - you are doing the best for your DD, you don't like seeing her in pain, who can blame you for trying to do something about it.

heliumballoons · 27/03/2011 16:25

30 secs I usually need to rty at least 4 times for a few minutes and then usually am going for at least 15 minutes. and that is daily at least.

It could still be constipation 444 even if she has been. She could be backed up iyswim? Trying assist the clear out may help. How long was it she didn't go for and was it a normal lapse in time. For example if she normally goes everyday or every 2 days and hasn't been for 4 days she will have 2-4 days worth of waste to excrete. Doing a normal poo will not clear out everything. (hope that makes sense?)

444 please don't give up - you are her mum and if you know theres something not right you are the one who will have to fight for her.

And I know your DH is saying leave it but I'm sure his next dose of man-flu will remind him how awful it is to feel out of sorts.

thumbwitch · 27/03/2011 16:32

Well i know I read it somewhere, but i can't find it now!
NHS website has updated to define constipation as one of 3 things, going less than 3 times a week, needing to strain for more than 1 in 4 times of going, and passing hard or pellet-like stools on more than 1/4 of occasions.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 16:33

She is now saying her pooing has been okay and she couldn't remember whether she had been or not yesterday which is why she said she had trouble. I know she sometimes thinks there is poo there waiting to come fully out when there isn't but that predates the pain.

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heliumballoons · 27/03/2011 16:40

but if she has often said she thinks theres more poo and it hasn't come out then she could have built up that poo and become impacted - hence the pain now. Thats exactly what happens. It may not be the case but your DD's pain and symptoms are very similar to all of us that have IBS/ or dc's with it.

Also just another thought. If she has leg trouble she could have misaligned herself, ie tilted the pelvis whcih would cause the same pain and also would cause constipation and headaches.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 17:01

The leg trouble is from when she was a newborn.

So do I need to get more fruit and water in to her?

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/03/2011 17:12

How long have you been giving nurofen? It can cause stomach pain and constipation.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/03/2011 17:13

Sorry - trying to catch up with the thread. What's the issue with her leg?

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 17:19

Nurofen was started on Friday so after the pain started.

Her leg issues are not related and I would rather no say as it will out me, sorry.

OP posts:

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/03/2011 17:23

OK - no problem. My dd has/had a leg length discrepancy and had many and varied pains related to that. Back/hip/side/knee etc at different times during her growth and depending on her current level of activity.

Personally i wouldn't continue to give nurofen to a child with stomach pain but I do understand that sometime it's the lesser of two evils.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 17:26

I will say one leg is longer than the other.

OP posts:

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 17:26

It isn't stomach pain as such but side pain.

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/03/2011 17:32

Yes. dd's was due to a clot and resultant poor blood flow that put the viablity of the leg at risk. She wore a shoe raise until she had surgery to sort it out. I'm not trying to elicit info from you here that you don't want to give 444 but if she's not evened up by a shoe insert or a raise on the shoe itself then she is more than likely going to have back pain issues as she grows and is possibly at risk of scoliosis depending on the degree of difference. The pain can be referred and often turns up places you wouldn't think were related.

Original poster

FourFortyFour · 27/03/2011 17:34

My poor dd has had problems her whole life. I can't bare the thought of more. What do I do?

OP posts:

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/03/2011 17:37

Is she seeing a ortho for her leg? Or podiatrist/orthotist? if she has a significant difference then it needs addressing.

dd's clot was when she was 4 months old so it has been a lifelong issue.

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