Is this appendicitis?

[FruitTwistandShake]

Hello all, I am feeling pretty worried at the moment as I don't feel like medical professionals are listening to me so I thought I would get some perspective you MN.

My DD is nearly 4 (in Jan). She has been complaining for 2 days of tummy ache. Had a dramatically reduced appetite...couple of bites here and there. temperature of around 39 and complains her tummy it is painful when she lays on her back.

This morning she started to cry saying her tummy was really hurting. I gave her calpol and 30 minutes later she said she felt better but kept pointing to the right side of her belly button telling me it still hurt.

I called the GP - was told by the receptionist that if it was appendicitis, she wouldn't get any relief when given medication and it wouldn't go on for days. I am not sure how true this is. I pushed for an appointment but was told that if I was worried, I should take her to a walk-in clinic.

Called the clinic and they tell me they only have nurses working today and that if they triage her and she needs to see a doctor that I would have to take her to another facility.

My DD is so sad, she is watching Disney on the tab whilst laid in bed and I don't know what to do. I am an older mum with another daughter who is 8 and usually I am chilled, but something doesn't seem right.

What can I do?

Infact I probably wouldn't even bother with 111 at this point. You'll have to wait for a call back I assume? If she's still bad and getting worse. Go to a&e x

as pp has said I'd also forget 111 and take her to a&e. yes okay its a pain in the bum and takes ages, but for my own peace of mind i'd shut up and put up. Once there, i'd also demand they rule out appendicitis with concrete evidence, keep strong mama! x

A&E. Trust your instincts.

If I was really worried about my dc having appendicitis, I would go straight to A&E.

@FruitTwistandShake two of mine have had appendicitis and it behaved slightly differently each time.
DS- started with temp and a couple of vomits then abdo pain which came and went before becoming very severe. His appendix had ruptured when it was removed and he was quite poorly.
DD, started with temp and vomit and then abdominal pain which wasn’t so severe. Her urine tests showed some leucocytes but apparently it isn’t unusual and they weren’t sure it was her appendix until they did an ultrasound in hospital.
the thing they both had in common was rebound tenderness, so when you press deeply into the lower right side of tummy and quickly let go that really hurt. They also had a lot of discomfort when hopping on the right leg.

A and E now. Forget 111.

Thank you all. 111 have put her on a 1 hour turn around to speak to a GP - I have started sorting out stuff as I am pretty sure I will be in the car with her soon. I spoke with a friend whose husband is a consultant at adult A&E and he said a positive thing about waiting to see the Out of Hours GP is that I will have a set appointment for him to do her observations and he will refer her asap to peads A&E if she has any worrying signs. But I am fed up of being fobbed off now and I will be taking her in the next hour regardless.

@FruitTwistandShake how is she now lovely? How's the temp? Is she keeping fluids down? X

I wouldn't wait for the GP to call you back. Get her in the car and take her to A&E.

With that kind of temperature, shaking and vomiting, over a prolonged time, it could be something serious.

I would take her to A&e to be safe x

On my way to A&E - as soon as I told them she was a temperature but cold hands and feet they booked me in to A&E right away. I am just waiting for my DH to get the car round to the front. Will update if I can but thank you all for your helpful advice. It is more appreciated than you know.

@FruitTwistandShake it's about time you're took seriously. Good luck - sending lots of love and thoughts. Don't worry about us for now, we can wait. Make sure they exhaust every possible query you have such as appendicitis and don't leave until you're happy she has been properly looked at and diagnosed, whatever it may be. ❤

Hope all is ok OP

Could be a viral infection. Any infection will tend to give kids tummy ache as they have lymph glands in the abdomen as well as neck/throat.
Keep on with the regular paracetamol and ibuprofen (supermarket own brands just as effective as the expensive calpol/calprofen etc), cool with a cold flannel on forehead, light clothing.
Have you done a COVID test?
If concerned ring 111 for advice (more reliable than Mumsnet!).

@MarigoldPetals I'm not sure if you've read through the OPs replies to thread lovely. Her DD has now been taken straight in to a&e. She's very poorly x

I hope your daughter is ok . Always trust your instincts

Hope the A+E wait isn't too long .

Good that you’re on your way to A&E.

I remember when DS was little we ended up in A&E because he had been similarly poorly, he had a raging temperature and was rolling around with excruciating stomach pain.

Docs suspected appendicitis but pain turned out to be caused by ibuprofen on an empty stomach. Pharmacist had said paracetamol and ibuprofen to reduce his temperature but apparently ibuprofen should never be given if vomiting and keeping no food down.

I had no idea.

Hi OP, any update - hope you're all OK

Morning OP.
Hope your daughter is OK, and you are of course! X

Glad you went to A&E. Hope you have answers and she's recovering. After this you absolutely have to put in a formal complaint to the GP surgery.

Hi all, thanks for your kind messages. At midnight my DD was admitted after failed attempts at getting her temperature down. At one point it was 40.8 and they were running a sepsis survey on her. Blood tests at the time revealed an infection, but an ultrasound showed it was not her appendix. Heartrate was 190 and BP was high. at 5am she finally started to improve after IV anti-biotics and pain relief. Her temp is now normal, heartrate is down and she just ate some toast. The consultant came to see me just now and repeat blood tests have show some issues with kidney function and her right kidney is enlarged. She will probably be kept in again tonight to make sure that everything is under control. I am just waiting for my DH to tag me out so I can go and get some sleep. It has been a long night.

@FruFruitTwistandShake I'm so glad your DD is feeling better and able to eat some toast, I bet she was starving! You must be exhausted but at least she has been treated and is now on the mend.

Definite complaint needed for that dreadful Dr's surgery and receptionist!

I hope you manage to get a good rest and DD is home soon x

You must be breathing a huge sigh of relief that she is in the right place and on the road to recovery.

Hope you manage to get some rest when you can x

Well done OP for being persistent! Absolutely bloody shocking state our NHS is in .
Thank goodness your DD is improving but I shudder to think what the outcome could have been for another child who’s parent is less assertive ,,believes that Dr knows best and feels helpless. 💐

@FruitTwistandShake ah I'm so sorry you've all had to be put through this.
I'm glad they've been thorough and she is now slowly on the mend, she's in the best place!
Well done for pushing and getting answers.. mummas know best!
It really is disgusting the treatment you've had from the Dr's surgery. Please once everything has calmed down, take this further and put in a complaint regarding the receptionist especially.
I hope you get your much needed rest soon and that your daughter continues to improve! Xxx