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Original poster

So who is right?

49 replies

lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:21

Ds1 has on and off for hte past 6 weeks been suffering from bad tummy pains, generally centrally placed but also off down to the lower right

Initially i took him to the gp who said it was v likely to be a grumbling appendix, and we just had to watch and wait, and he has lost about 5 days of school over the last 6 weeks from it.

Last night it started again, and he came in to my room in the early hours of this morning to tell me, but i sent him to school because i thought he was just angling for a day off as ds2 is off with a throat infection

The school called at 10 ish this morning saying he had been sick, when i picked him up he looked pale and said his stomach was hurting, it got worse and he was sick again so i called my gp, who couldn't see him for quite afew hours, and suggested we go tot he walk in centre at the hospital, which we did

ds was sick on the way there too, when we got there teh walk in centre doesnt see people under 14, so we had to go to a&e, where he was sick again

the doc came and said that she has taken lots of appendices out, and she didnt believe in a grumbling appendix

she said to take him home and keep an eye on him, but had no real reason why it would be the same recurring pain in the same spot each time, or why he was being sick

i agree that he might not be bad enough to operate on, but now i dont know what to think, could it be his appendix or is it just some underlying tummy bug that wont clear up?

OP posts:
Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:24

I would insist on having his appendix taken out.

My Mum's brother died when he was 10 years old from peritonitis, brought on by a burst appendix.

I had grumbling appendix quite frequently as a child but then one day it was very painful and I was sick all over the ambulance driver, they rushed me in and took them out straightaway.

I don't want to scare you but hospitals make me so angry nowadays with their 'brush offs' of serious illnesses and this really is an urgent matter.

Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:26

I really cannot understand why they don't take them out even as precautionary [anger]

I would take him back in Lou33.

Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:26
Angry
bundle · 12/06/2007 13:27

lou it doesn't sound right to me. i'd get another opinion, pref a gastroenterologist. and quick

NormaStiltonFletcher · 12/06/2007 13:27

I was diagnosed with grumbling appendix when I was about 16. I did get appendicitis and had it removed - when I was 31.

Thing is - either it is his appendix and in that case he needs to have it taken out (how is his temp by the way?), or it is something else, in which case they need to find out what it is since it has been going on for a while. I would go to GP as soon as.

Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:27

My mum's brother also was vomiting continuously and hallucinating and the doctor believed he just had a bug!!!

NormaStiltonFletcher · 12/06/2007 13:28

Did she examine him and prod around his tummy?

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:28

see i was tendng to go with what my gp said, eho is a really good doc, lots of experience, and if he thought ds1 was playing me about he would say so

but then this sho came in, who was so young i looked past her when they said the doc was here to see ds lol, and went on about having done loads of appendectomies so she knows that it is appendicitis or it isnt, and there is no such thing as a grumbling appendix

she did say to go back if he got worse, but he was able to jump on the spot, which she said he wouldnt be able to if it was in need of removal

she reluctantly concurred it might be the early stages of appedicitis but said no action should be taken

OP posts:
burstingbug · 12/06/2007 13:29

I hope you manage to get this sorted out soon, poor boy, 6 weeks is a long time.
Can you insist that some tests are done at least?

Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:29

It serves no purpose anyway, but can be very dangerous if it bursts. Why don't they just take them out

Sorry but this one is close to my heart.

NormaStiltonFletcher · 12/06/2007 13:30

"but he was able to jump on the spot, which she said he wouldnt be able to if it was in need of removal
"

OMG - that is a diagnostic technique!

Doesn't it depend how well he takes pain?

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:31

his temp is ok, and she was prodding him about, he told her it hurt in that area, but she was able to distract him and poke about without too much wincing, (tho i could see it was bothering him by the colour change in his face)

he was also sick on the way home in the car, so 5 times in 3 hours now

OP posts:
Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:31

It is unbelievably painful when touched, when they touched my stomach in the right side I went through the roof and promptly chucked up everywhere.

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:31

yes norma i would have thought so too

OP posts:
coppertop · 12/06/2007 13:33

I had a grumbling appendix at 16. Two years later I had almost identical pains and was dx'ed with appendicitis. IIRC the doctor said that he wouldn't be able to say for certain whether it was appendicitis until the surgery was actually performed. It turned out to be the real thing.

I would seriously consider asking for a 2nd opinion. Poor ds1.

Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:33

If it was me I would take him back but I think I am seriously paranoid given my uncle died and as you say you have spoken to professionals who have reassured you.

Just keep a very close eye on him, which of course you will be doing anyway.

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:33

i am pretty sure it isnt full blown appendicitis yet, but he is v tender there, i can see him tensing and the colour draining from him when it is touched

my boys are v good when they are sick, they go extremely quiet and dont make a fuss

they usually tell me afterwards when they have vomited

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:34

i have ds2 off sick as well with a throat infection

OP posts:
Crazydazy · 12/06/2007 13:36

Poor kid my boy is like that too, my dd on the other hand is like me and makes a real fuss when she feels sick.

You really have your hands full then

BettySpaghetti · 12/06/2007 13:38

I would put money on him having his appendix removed within the year.

I had a grumbling appendix when I was about 10. They kept me in hospital overnight but discharged me the next day. Within a year I was rushed in (appendix was not just grumbling that time believe me!) and they whipped it out.

Both times I was vomitting loads and in pain. Like Crazydazy said, you nearly hit the roof when your side is touched. Also can't stand up straight for the pain.

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:38

ds1 has fallen asleep and ds2 has woken up

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:39

he is curled up as he says it feels better like that

he hasnt been sick with it until today, which is why i took it more seriously, plus the pain before has been intermittent, but this time it seems all day

OP posts:
Iklboo · 12/06/2007 13:40

I had grumbling appendix from about 14 and finally had them out at 29 after they finally went nuclear.
Awful, but one test is to put a finger up your bottom and press to the right. If you scream the place down, it's time to have them out (cos it fooking well hurts a lot). Also COMPLETE lack of appetite - even the thought of foos makes you ill

Original poster
lou33 · 12/06/2007 13:41

he hasnt eaten anything today

he had a yoghurt drink this morning and that has been it

OP posts:
bundle · 12/06/2007 13:41

did they not do an ultrasound? a friend who has a private gp had this recently, to rule it out. lol @jumping on spot!