Doctors have no idea - please help!

[MadeInCornwallx3]

Really hoping someone can help us

So my five year old son started complaining of stomach pain just over a week ago. He was mainly ok for the first few days, still went to the park and eat etc, but would cry at night sometimes because of the pain.

Took him to the GP. Sent away with sachets for constipation.

Then the next two days, pooing as normal but still in pain. Crying out with it. Back to GP - told he was fine and that they didn't know what was wrong.

Then when he was collected from school the next day refused to walk, vomited, in pain again so a call to 111 and a trip to clinic. Obs checked and sent home again.

Worse pain yesterday, more vomiting, trip to main hospital paediatric unit. Seen by a senior doc who said he was fine, ride it out.

Today he's still in agony and not really eating. Had one bite of toast this afternoon and then sick again.

One weird thing. He seems ok in the morning and it gets gradually worse through the day.

I'm at my wits end seeing him in so much pain - has anyone got any advice?

Appendix? Can you get him to A&E to see another doctor?

Was the constipation issue solved?

what is he eating - it could be diet related

Not appendix - they've checked that at every appointment.

He's eating what he's always eaten though the last couple of days it's been limited to cereal and dry biscuits.

Mesenteric adenitis?

Has he had a viral illness recently? What pain relief is he having?

I’d be reassured that so many doctors have seen him and aren’t particularly worried but that doesn’t help you.

@Jackshouse It doesn't seem to be that he had constipation in the first place, they just gave us sachets at the first appointment to check I think.

@Sidge That's it, we've been seen 4 times and sent away though they all say they just don't know. Which isn't great.

He's normally a very well child, doesn't get sick hardly at all. Started school this year so very possibly has been in contact with other bugs but I hadn't noticed that he had been ill before this.

No medical qualifications here but could it be Crohns disease? If so the cereal and biscuits may be making him worse.

Is he worried about anything? Has he done something he thinks he might get in trouble for?

I only ask as my ds at about 7/8 had similar - down to the getting worse the closer to bedtime. Was eventually diagnosed with stomach migraines caused by stress (he’d wee’d up a tree at school and thought he’d get caught and arrested as a ‘friend’ kept threatening to tell on him) and as soon as he came clean to me the pains subsided.

Obviously this is only anecdotal

It could be all sorts of things from a hernia to impacted faeces to bowel infection and inflammation resulting from undiagnosed/ asymptomatic celeac disease.

Things do get missed. Keep taking him back. My DD nearly died when she was ten from a kidney problem missed by 3 doctors over 5 appointments - the 4th doctor who saw her at the 6th appointment had her rushed immediately to a specialist paediatric hospital two hours away and she was admitted immediately and in for two weeks. She made a full recovery.

Keep taking him back til someone works out what's wrong. Don't worry about taking up time, this is what a health service is for and you have to advocate for your son.

It might help to write down all your observations about his behaviour and eating and times of day, and to actually look at his poo - if it's diarrhea or hard that's relevant, not just the fact that the frequency is normal.

Keep taking him back.
If you don't, the doctors will assume he is better.
Hopefully the picture will become clearer over the course of visits.
I was going to suggest mesenteric adenitis too, but the vomiting would worry me.

@Lokidokiartichoki That's interesting. He is really sensitive, and could be holding back in something that's bothering him though I do talk to him all the time about whether anything's worrying him.

Keep taking him back. Ask for an ultrasound of his abdomen.

Could he have swallowed something such as a small Lego block? I agree with keep returning until they give you an answer.

I don't think he's swallowed anything.

If it's not improved by Monday he's going back. Blood tests hopefully and maybe an ultrasound though the doc seemed pretty sure he had no swelling anywhere.

Gluten or dairy intolerance? Can you cut it all out for a few weeks.

Has his urine been tested?

How did they check his appendix? Unless they put a camera in to have a look it's possible they can miss it.

Has he had a fever?

@driftingcloud I wondered that but can it appear out of nowhere or would it have been more gradual?

@Somethingsosimple He's had dip tests each time on his wee

@Girliefriendlikescake They don't think it's his appendix because the pains not in the right place, not tender, no swelling or temp etc and it's been there for a week without progressing if that makes sense.

I just wish I knew what it is!

He seems ok again this morning but it always hits later in the day. 😭

Allergies can develop suddenly and would fit with the symptoms. If the only things he has had the last few days are wheat/gluten then maybe something to discuss with the Dr.

Also some bowel conditions aren’t that easy to identify and can not always be diagnosed until children are older (even adults). So things like Chrons, celiacs, etc

Wheat gluten intolerance is definitely something I'd want to rule out.. The symptoms are painful and miserable

I am going through this exact same thing with my 7 yr old!!!

Horrific stomach pain so bad I called an ambulance. Drs no idea. A and e dr said stronger pain killers. My gp said no. But another dr gave her buscopan. Which has been a life saver

We’ve got a private gastric app. Which isn’t till end of April!!! And that’s private. So can’t inagine what nhs would be like.

Dr have all but send us away. Ended up making an official complaint to my gp surgery.

My 7 yr old is also very healthy!!! She was premature with IUGR. Other than that. She’s sailed through. Then suddenly. This...

Another one saying Mesenteric Adenitis (sp?).

We were told with dd it was pulled muscle, constipation, pain because of the laxitives they gave her for her non constipation, psychological, indigestion and more. First ultrasound didn’t show anything, second showed MA. It was awful she was in a wheelchair as couldn’t take a step without screaming.

Please keep taking him back. A friend’s DS had similar and it ended up being serious - intussusception. But treatable. They had lots of trips to the GP before it was finally found. Just keep going back.