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Children's health

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Intermittent pain in DS

2 replies

lydonsmum · 22/02/2012 19:44

My DS is 8, just before Christmas he had back pain which caused a curve in his spine. We saw GP and referred to a paediatrician, who said wait and see.
After a month of no sports/being off school for holidays etc, he was a lot better just having occasional pain, but more in his hip/side.

Went back again to paediatrician who is drawing a blank and has referred us for blood tests and to an orthapaedics (still waiting for this appt). However today I was in school and DS was sitting in class in agony, complaining of stomach and pain in side. Could barely walk with it.
I got him home and within 10 mins it had gone completely.

Spoke to NHS direct as GP was closed ... still waiting for a call back 5 hrs later.
DS is fine, bowels fine and he is eating/drinking normally.

I am planning to take him to GP tomorrow, but would welcome any advice?
Thanks

OP posts:
charliechildnurse · 22/02/2012 21:34

The pain CAUSED a curve in his spine, or the pain IS caused by a curve in his spine?

It sounds a little bit like it could be a muscle issue, prehaps with an underlying cause. When muscles want to protect an injured area, they go into spasm, which causes intense pain. Muscles from the spine can cause agony in the side and stomach, as well as lower back, bum and legs, depending where the area is. If, for example, he has a curved spine, a vertebrae could be aggrivating a muscle, which then spasms and leaves your DS unable to move, and in lots of pain. This will usually subside, as quickly as it came.

It could also be a pinched nerve, again caused by a similar process. Vertabrae nipping a nerve slightly, and causing spasm.

Is he on any medication? Prehaps give him some inbuprofen if he tollerates it and isn't asthmatic. You can give this regularly to bring down any inflamation, but make sure he eats with it, and don't give it for more that 48 hours regularly without making sure with your GP.

You could also try something like deep heat spray, or ibuprofen gel. Not sure what the reccomendations are for children, so check with the pharmacist before you buy it, but you may well find that even if it isn't going to be a magic cure, it will act as a bit of a placebo if you tell your son it will really help.

Have you had an xray or any kind of scans? If not, ask your GP to refer him for an xray.

Is he on any medication at all? For anything?

lydonsmum · 23/02/2012 11:29

Thanks for that, the pain seems to have caused the curve, as it has now straightened out again.
He is having blood tests next week, which will maybe shed some light.
He is not on any medication for anything, so I gave him some 6+calpol yesterday with a hot water bottle.

Trying to play it down for him, but he is worried.

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