8 year old bowel spasms

[Runforthehills754]

Hi all. A month or so ago my 8 year old DD developed pain in her side. It came on really quickly and she ended up screaming in pain, couldn't walk, couldn't stand, couldn't sit, vomiting etc. She was taken to A&E with suspected appendicitis but they said it was a bowel spasm and we were sent home.

She's now had two more of these (not taken to A&E but treated at home with painkillers as advised) and I'm trying to get her seen by a GP for a proper diagnosis. IBS runs in the family and my DDad and DBrother have collitis. The problem is I can't get an appointment. The econsult page won't load and when it does appointments are gone by 8.10. You can't through on the phone either until they are all gone and you are told to try again at 8.

Has anyone got any tips on how to get apt please? The episodes themselves are so awful I'm so worried she's had 3 already. Its all very well for them to say give her painkillers but she's in agony for an hour while they kick in.

Personally, in that situation, I wouldn’t phone but go in and speak to them in person. They’re likely to tell you about their appointments at the end of practice hours. That’s what they do round here. My nephew has this, too, and buscopan prescribed. With the family history she needs tests, though, doesn’t she, and quite urgently from the sounds of it. Poor girl.

My DD has this! She has coeliac disease and we were sent to A&E last year as she literally couldn't stand up / walk as the pain was so debilitating. The doctor we saw had no clue what it was (thought it could've been a bowel obstruction) but when it happened again more recently, and it only lasted a few minutes but still had her in tears, I took her to the GP who said it was likely a bowel spasm. It helps if she goes to the toilet - not even for a poo but just to sit in that position.

Has your DD had a blood test to rule out coeliac / any other bowel related illness?

Also, it's always worth seeing a kinesiologist. I saw one recommended by friends and I was worried it be voo-doo like! They were great and actually diagnosed by daughter before the doctors did. She takes zinc drops which are great at promoting gut health. Maybe worth giving your daughter zinc too as my DD was so poorly with her stomach before she started on them.

Good luck

Thanks HairyFeline. I went down and they said I could take her to a walk in. I said I don't think that's appropriate to her situation and so they offered me a telephone appointment for her for 4 weeks away. Not the best but at least I've got something.

Radfor so sorry to hear about your daughter. It's really horrific to see them in so much pain isn't it. Mine hasn't had any tests yet as she had no symptoms until about 6 weeks ago.

When it happens she doesn't do a poo or pass wind. It just stops and then she's fine again. Thank you for your tips. I'll look into a kinesiologist too.

Four weeks away?!?! No that's not acceptable for an 8yr old ffs. This could be anything. I'd be complaining to the practice manager. Appalling. I have an 8yr old girl with a similar issue btw but not been screaming in pain. Our GP's always set aside appointments for children. I've never not managed to get her in next day or same day.

I think I'll do that. I was getting quite upset but they didn't seem concerned. Asked me what A&E said then reiterated there were no appointments for today and that if I wanted to be seen sooner I should go the walk in.

It's only when I said I don't think that's appropriate and it doesn't need to be today that they said there are telephone appointments and the next one is 4 weeks.

Update.

So according to them what they have done is fine. She has been triaged and that showed she is ok to wait but they did give me a new apt which is now two and half weeks away. Still a phone apt. They don't even want to see her to feel her stomach. Is this standard?? I feel I should move GPs.

My DD is 12 about a month or two ago she deliver sudden abdominal pain crying unable to move we also thought it was her appendix so took her to hospital. They ruled out appendix and did said she was constipated. Gave her an enema type tablet and lots of laxatives to move her bowels. She now has the odd flare up and we have been given just in case tablets like she had at hospital and daily’s Movicol.

it’s horrible to see them in so much pain. I know you mentioned she doesn’t need to have a poo when the pain is there but can this be linked to constipation? Or maybe a gastric ulcer?

sounds like your GP has been terrible. Maybe call again and ask for a different GP. You can always go back to A&E and be seen again! Xx

So sorry to hear about your daughter 😢 Mine defianfelt isn't constipated as she has normal poos often.

I haven't even managed to speak to a GP. Just reception and had an email today about my complaint yesterday. So frustrating.

Maybe IBS? That can cause terrible pain and cramps? How frustrating with the GP and seeing your daughter in pain x