hard abdomen and pain

[LoonieToony]

DD(10) can't sleep. She has a pain in her tummy - large circumference around belly button. Her tummy is hard and swollen too. It hurts her to wee - not in a stingy way, but inside.

I'm thinking urine infection - she's not constipated. I don't know what's best. Help!

Does she have a temperature? Tbh, I wouldn't automatically think urine infection with a hard swollen abdomen, I'd be more concerned of another infection such as appendicitis, which does tend to start centrally in children, before moving downwards and to the right. Is she nauseous? Is her tummy tender to touch? How much pain is she in?

The other thought is could she possibly be hormonal and experiencing the onset of monthly cycles?

I've thought of onset of periods - she has certainly started to change body shape and develop boobs.

The pain is around her belly button but there's no nausea.

Temp is normal too. 36.6 Celsius

If her belly is hard and tender then she needs to be checked out urgently, as lougle said it could be appendicitis. Is she lying very still? With an inflamed appendix it'll hurt to move.

Temp is normal too. 36.6 Celsius

She's really pale

I've given her calpol - should I have? Will it mask appendicitis pain? What will happen if she goes to sleep and it's appendicitis?

My first thought was appendix too. Does it hurt a lot to jump/hop?

I actually spilled some sticky calpol onto her night so I had to move her to help her change. She seemed OK moving though. I noticed her holding her breath and exhaling unnaturally though.

I think you need to ring 111 for proper advice.

You're understandably very worried, give 111 a call, as I think you'll struggle to relax until you've at least spoken to someone.

I think that at 10 years old she is old enough to tell you if it's just a bit of belly ache or if it really hurts. If it really hurts, her tummy is hard, she's pale and you're worried, I would get her examined in person by a medical professional. Call 111 and ask for an urgent care appointment with an out of hours doctor. They'll either direct you to an urgent care facility or an A&E department.

Calling my OOH now.

Thanks everyone.

Let us know how you get on.

Waiting for GP to call back now but.....DD has fallen asleep! Calpol could be kicking in I know. Should I be worried?! Surely if it was appendicitis, she wouldn't sleep through it?!

I'd have called 111 too. Hopefully gp can give you some reassurance/ideas of what it could be.

He called - lovely man, very reassuring. Told me the site of the pain could very well be Appendicitis but since she's dropped off to sleep, it's probably unlikely. If she wakes in pain then I'm not to hesitate to take her to A&E or call him again this evening or early hours. She seems restful but I'm camped out on her bedroom floor just in case.

I should be planning for work but I can't concentrate!

Hope you both had a good night and the tummy feels lots better this morning?

It wasn't better this morning so we were admitted to Paeds this morning. Long day and we're ying tonight because they want to scan her. Concerned less now about appendicitis and now lookijlookijng at why her glands are popping up.

I think a hard swollen tummy is something you should take her to A&E for. She might have a blockage.

Sorry OP. X posted. Hope all is well.

I'm glad you're being looked after. I hope you get some sleep tonight

No worries, Arden. We're here, DD sleeping but not restful. I cannot sleep at all despite all the little kiddies and their parents sleeping ever so soundly and quietly.

Bloody glad DH isn't the one staying since he snores like a train.

DD having scan in morning to totally rule out appendicitis. Bloods showed no inflammation but her glands are popping up on stalks and she's weeing an incredible volume. She was nil by mouth all day but wee 'd loads.

Ah no, poor lamb. Fingers crossed you get some results today