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12yo DS constant diarrhoea - do I take him to A&E today?

52 replies

MrsCrumpets · 23/04/2025 14:57

Sorry it’s a long one, just don’t know what to do anymore.

My DS (12) has had diarrhoea on and off for months now. Some days it’s just once or twice, other days he’s back and forth to the loo all day. GP keeps saying it’s probably anxiety but he doesn’t seem anxious at all – he’s fine in himself most the time, goes to school, eats alright, seems his normal self. School have been great with it. He’s had all the basic tests – bloods, stool sample etc – all came back normal.

GP also told us to try changing his diet which we did, tried cutting out dairy and all sorts but it didn’t help at all. He’s just fed up now and I’m starting to worry more.

This morning is the first time he’s said his stomach actually hurts when he woke up. He’s already been to the toilet a few times and said the pain got worse after the last time. Now he’s lying on the sofa with a hot water bottle, says he’s tired. I gave him paracetamol. No vomiting, just diarrhoea, sore stomach and tired.

We’ve taken him to A&E before on a bad day and they just gave him fluids and sent us home. I don’t wanna waste their time or sit there for hours again if they’re not gonna do anything, but I also don’t wanna ignore it if it could be something more serious.

Would you go? Or wait and see how he is later? Not sure what to do anymore tbh.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Growsomeballswoman · 20/06/2025 07:03

My GP does same same referrals to paediatrics for things like this. I had to take DS last yr, we completely avoided a&e.

Zonder · 20/06/2025 07:06

tripleginandtonic · 19/06/2025 07:28

A and E can't help, unfortunately it sounds as though he's suffering with IBS and as there's very little they seem to be able to do with it , it's a case of learning to live with it.

Not what A&E said when OP went two months ago!

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