ds has recurrent abdominal pain...

[ChunkyKitKat]

My ds, age 7, started complaining of tummy pain yesterday, but said it went away. However, this evening, he couldn't go to sleep for a while because of the pain, he pointed to a spot around his tummy button to show me where it hurt.

I don't think it is enough of an emergency to see the GP until Monday and there is no sickness or diarrhoea.

He said it has been hurting on and off a little bit for a week.

Can anyone tell me what the early symptoms of appendicitis are, or any ideas?

Thanks

Appendicitis certainly starts in the naval area and migrates down and to the right near to the pelvic bone.

If he gets fever, nausea, and the pain gets worse and migrates get him down to A&E without delay.

Do also go to GP on Monday whatever happens. Appendix pain can grumble on for a while then suddenly flare into acute appendicitis.

It could be inflamed lymph nodes. Has he had an infection/virus recently?

Or it could be that he doesn't want to go to sleep? My DC always used to point to the middle area of their tummys when they were pretending to have tummy ache because they were scared of stressed.

I'm not saying that he's faking it - mine often got very real feeling pains when they were unhappy. Maybe you could ask him, particularly if it's recurring at night?

It could also be trapped wind? Mine also used to get this a lot (goodness, we sound healthy!). We used to ease it by asking them to touch their chins with their knees, therefore forcing it out (lovely). . .

If it's still there after you've tried this then definitely take him to the GP.

Hi, thanks for advice.

Sprouting - No infection/virus recently. He had a day off school on Thursday, though, tired with dark rings under his eyes, he just seemed out of sorts.

AbetaDad, thanks, I have no experience of appendicitis, only heard what the symptoms are - will definitely get him to doctor on Monday. If he complains tomorrow, I may even ring the emergency GP for advice.

I think he's asleep now, thankfully.

Bowels all regular? Could be constipation.

Yes, agree Pixie, I did ask him if it's better after a good "guff!"

I don't think he's unhappy atm, although does keep things to himself sometimes.

Busy time, isn't it? School plays, etc ...

Sawyer - definitely not constipation.

what about ibs? My DS is 7 and gets it. A definite cramping pain in the tummy area and he's regular.

It's coming up to the end of term as well - it could be just that he's got very tired and it's manifesting itself as tummy ache. Maybe have a duvet day tomorrow and see how it is?

Chunky - Hope your ds is feeling better now.
My dd has recurrent stomach pain, have repeatedly been to gp but they can't find anything wrong. First started when she had a urinary infection & then since that everytime she's ill, tired or sad she complains of a sore tummy. She also seems to be in genuine discomfort & points to a spot near her belly button. After a lie on the sofa watching tv she normally perks up. This time of year is so hard for lo's at school. My dd is in reception & an Aug birthday so finding all the xmas goings on exhausting. She's been complaining of tummy ache the last two mornings but sure it's over tiredness more than anything else.

ooohhhh.
my ds 7, has had tummy pains for about 18mths. He's had all sorts of medical tests, and there's nothing wrong.
they often happen at night (calpol) and sometimes are very painful.
Afraid I have no answers, but try not to worry.

Have you thought about abdominal migraine, OP?

Have all the LOs with complaints on here been wormed or at least tested for threadworms or other parasites? V. common in preschoolers and primary.
Tis a PITA if it is worms, because the whole family has to take the medication and you have to change and hot wash bedding daily, and also things like soft toys, and disinfect everything over a period of 2-3 weeks...
We are also investigating tummy pains in our 6yo, I really hope it's not worms again...

don't you see worms in wee in the toilet?

We had tests for wheat, but DS was ok. We have done worms - more itchy apparently than painful.
Doctor was reluctant to call pains abdominal migrains, as he was trying to find the source of pain rather than just lable the pain.
Now, DS has headaches sometimes, so I wonder if it is all migrain related. Worth checking out symptoms for Ab migrain though and see what you think.
AT least our GP took it seriously, which was nice.

ds has something similar, he has an overproduction of stomach acid and a thin stomach lining - He finds that rinitidin - the common heartburn tablet does the trick.

Get checked for abdominal migraine as someone else said, it is really common my sister's DD had it, she has grown out of it now though