Should I be concerned - 4.9 year old having stomach cramps, lost weight and itchy groin?

[Goldenbear]

My DS woke up with a fever(39 degrees)and stomach cramps. Later on this morning he projectile vomited, he then fell to sleep and woke up to vomit again. He still had the same temperature and was sweaty despite having slept with no cover on him. An hour later he wanted to eat as he was hungry, he wanted cereal and had 2 bowls, despite still appearing really unwell with a temperature of 39. Over the course of the day his temperature fell to 3.7 due to administering ibuprofen and the stomach cramps went away. However, the stomach pain returned tonight but he still was really hungry, he wanted dinner but didn't eat it.

I am concerned because he has had stomach pain on and off since last November. In November he was bent over double in pain and had a temperature. We were told 2 different things, 1 that it was a blockage and that it was constipation, this was despite him going to the loo at the same time everyday and his bowel movements not seeming to be any different. Another GP said he had gastrotenteritis. He got better but then in January time the school called me as he had stomach pain and a temperature again. It was gone as soon as I collected him so I didn't see a GP about it. About 4 weeks ago we were in a shop after school and he held on to his tummy and said he was in pain again. The following day I took him to the doctors as he has a scar from surgery he had as a baby to remove an undescended testicle. I felt a pea size lump and was concerned that this was the source of the pain. The Doctor felt it but said that it was scar tissue, so nothing to worry about. She seems to think the stomach pain is anxiety related and has asked me to keep a diary of the complaints.

My concern is that the fever today and the projectile vomiting cannot purely be anxiety related. They of course could be a separate illness that happens to include stomach pain. However, I am confused as he has lost weight since about the start of the stomach complaints. Only about 3 pounds but be is noticeably skinny, he has dark rings around his eyes, he is tired often, very irritable which got very bad last year. He is always hungry and he needs to urinate as soon as we get out of school and for quite along time. However, he is not always in the loo. He is also frequently itching the bottom of his genetials.

I'm not sure if everything can be explained as a result of an anxiety relating to starting school last September. I.e maybe he has lost weight because he is doing more.

I am really confused if anyone can offer any answers or have had any similar experiences I'd really like to hear about them.

Dose him for thread worm, then reassess/

wot she said, it does sound wormy.

Worms are a strong possibility with the abdominal pain and itching but the projectile vomiting and temp reminded me of something a few years ago. A young boy had similar high temp, pain and vomiting - it turned out to be twisted testicle.

If doc hasn't already checked this, I would go back and ask them to check for this ASAP, especially as he has has problem in that area before. Doc should have checked for this already and I am hoping maybe you didn't realise it. If it is twisted testicle, it needs urgent treatment. Really don't mean to worry you unnecessarily but it is something that most people are unaware of and often gets missed until it is too late.

Hope your DS is better soon.

I would guess the confusion is because there is more than one thing going on.

Do worm him, because it won't hurt and could help (but certainly does not explain most of his symptoms).

I agree that there is no way high temp and vomiting sound like anxiety!

I would ask for more investigations, and definitely mention the twisted testicle thing - poor wee chap, whatever it is sounds horrid. Good luck, hope you get more clarity soon.

Thanks for the replies.

My DD, 11 months had a rash all over her body the day after my DS was ill. The GP said that she had a viral rash and that he most likely had the same but without the rash. When he saw the Doctor he was fine. DS explained about the itching but he said it was on his buttocks and legs not near anus do she ruled out worms and told me to carry on with the diary again. I felt like I was making the whole thing up because he literally had the vomiting and temperature for half of Sunday!

I asked about the twisted testicle but she said the pain would be in his testicle aswell.

He has lost weight again down to 2 stone 5lbs, he is 106 cm. i think this is odd as yes he projectile vomited twice in 6 hours on Sunday but he continued to have an appetite and ate food Sunday and back to normal habits after that. He certainly hasn't been doing much exercise. I suppose I worry about the weight because although not tiny he has always been a solid little boy. He was born on the 75 percentile and pretty much stayed there until about 3.5. When he started school he was average but since winter time (stomach pains started), he has really dropped.

Have you tested his water for diabetes as that would explain the itching and weight loss and hunger and short temper.

No we haven't. It crossed my mind isanity but he isn't always thirsty, I mean he's not always bothering me for a drink. Probably asks every hour at home. He says he's thirsty at school but I asked the teacher and she said it seemed about average. When he has a drink at home he usually has it all at once.

Also, I'm not sure if he urinates enough to be concerned. He is always desperate after school. When we walked home last week he needed to go again 1/2 hr later but maybe he doesn't go that much at school and stores it up.

The Doctor didn't mention diabetes - now I feel I should've mentioned it.

I'd just pop into a local chemist with a sample, they'll dip a test for you and advise you whether you should be concerned. If they are concerned they will phone the GP as a matter of urgency anyway.

Good Luck

Oh thanks Insanity I didn't know you do that. That's really helpful.

That should read, 'could do that', not 'you do that'.