4 YO screaming with abdominal pains

[katem98]

Hello,

Not really sure why I'm posting here but probably just looking for some guidance.

Thursday night my DS4 woke up around midnight crying with pains "in his belly button" kept waking at around 45 min intervals until he started screaming with it at 5am. Off to A&E we went. We were the only ones there so were in and out within half an hour with 'probable stomach bug'.

He's been the same since, all through yesterday so phoned GP who called me and said plenty of rest and pain killers.

He's been taking paracetamol suppositories every 4h and kind of taking ibuprofen in between but really struggles taking oral tablets.

He's screaming/ crying out in pain. Would you take him back to A&E? Watch and wait?

Thanks in advance

Has he vomited at all? If he’s not then at this stage stomach bug seems unlikely. And generally bugs don’t cause acute pain in my exp, but I’m sure that could be the case for some. Anyway I’d get him checked out again, trust your gut.

@Beginningless Thank you. Since the ordeal started 12am Friday morning he's been sick only twice. No diarrhoea etc.

Yeah I’d definitely go back, that’s not normal at all and they can’t pass it off as something temporary like wind, stitch or normal constipation.

I think as he has been in such pain, it doesn't actually sound like a tummy bug to me
I would take him back to be checked for appendicitis
It doesn't always mean surgery, they often treat with antibiotics

Has the pain moved at all? With appendix the pain moves from the middle to the side.

DS had similar at this age. Appendicitis was suspected, but it was mesenteric adenitus- common and very painful.

I think in your shoes I would take him back in. Doesn’t sound like investigation was very thorough.

If it’s enough to wake them up it’s not them being dramatic either!

Poor thing, I’d deffo take him back up with him being in so much pain, mainly id want them to rule out things like appendicitis x

He needs to be seen. Mine had mesenteric adenitis but to begin with they thought it was appendicitis.

Take your kid back to a&e!! Don't leave to they scan, bloods, monitor vitals and give proper treatment. YOU KNOW YOUR OWN CHILD!
My now 5 year old had severe pain back in Feb. Actually saying the pain was killing her. Anyways 4 trips to a&e, same symptoms. 1st trip told just tummybug, 2nd trip faking, 3rd trip chronic constipation without a scan and give a enema. 4th trip I cracked up and demanded a scan, my daughter had then emergency surgery for rapunzel syndrome. Even tho I'd told them each visit and she was under a consultant for eating hair.

Trust your gut. I hope feels better soon xx

We’ve just had this with our daughter, a week later she’s come out in chicken pox. Chicken pox can often start with stomach ache so it’s something to consider.

Yes I'd go back. That may have been the most likely diagnosis at the time but you wouldn't expect this duration so it's worth getting checked over again.

Does he have an upset tum? Or Has he got constipation? You're describing my ds as a toddler when he was bunged up. Giving him a steady supply of raisins or other dried fruit usually sorted it.

Are the suppositories staying in they can pop out when kids cry/scream and a 4 year old should be taking ibuprofen liquid not tablets?

take them back, ask for a surgical review or referral up to paeds for observation so the nurses can get on top of pain and fluids etc and assess from there. The pain he is having without any other real symptoms needs checking out. Be persistent and clearly say you want assessment from a paediatric dr.

in meantime persist with fluids and painkillers and hope you are seen soon, it could be mesenteric adonitis but equally it could be anything or it could be nothing but I think he needs seen again to rule things out.

Thanks all. He's prescribed suppositories from the GP I don't just choose to give these over oral, trust me I'd rather have the ease of oral . No upset stomach, not constipated as he's been opening bowels fine. Interesting regarding the chicken pox, he's yet to have that...

Is he weeing ok? Does it sting? We took my DD(4) to hospital just a few weeks ago with similar symptoms (really crying and clutching lower abdomen in pain). She had a UTI and antibiotics have sorted it. I know it's less common in boys though.

But yes, I would probably go back to hospital, or at the very least call 111 - maybe they can book an out of hours appointment which might be simpler than going and waiting at A&E.

We are on our way to A&E.

@WeWereInParis Thanks. Deffo not a UTI. My daughter has continuous UTIs because of kidney issues so already dipped his wee just in case!

We've just had the same with DC1, I don't want to send you down a rabbit hole of fear but insist on an ultrasound.

Good call . I hope they give you answers and your DS will be ok

I hope you get some help at A and E. I would have definitely have gone.

You're doing the right thing. I hope he's better soon.

What colour was his sick?

Thank you all. They're not ruling out appendicitis at the moment.

Oh gosh @MollyRover, dare I ask?

@RandomMess It was phlegm like.

I was thinking appendicitis too, friend was throwing up bright green puke from the gangrene in hers 🤮