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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 12:13:57
Everyone at my house has been sick, literally, since November. We have had ear infection, upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, the flu, vomitting, etc.. You get the point.
The other day it literally hailed here- I then told my husband, " if locust come next, I'm running for the hills." LOL
Anyway, I had to take both my boys' back to the dr. yesterday; my oldest son (who will be 10 in a few days) is autistic so when he's sick, it's more of a challenge since his speech is somewhat limited. He simply says, " I'm sick" and leaves it at that. It's up to me to figure out what hurts and where, etc.
He has had an upper respiratory infection and just finished a round of Amoxicillin 5 days ago. Sure enough, two days ago, the nasty cough and eye g*ok came back. FUN! So he is now on around of a stronger antibiotic (which I have to then compensate big time with acidophilus to keep it from entering his gutt!).
Oh wait, I'm here to ask about my 5 year old.. sorry, I digress easily.
Anyway, my 5 year old is my main concern right now. He is a real happy go lucky kind of kid. Always looking for adventure and enjoys life to the fullest.
When in Disneyland, one night, as soon as we entered the park, he says to me, " Mommy, I think I've got to throw up." So I rush him over to a grassy area, he heaved a few times but nothing came out. Then he says, " I have to go potty NOW." (meaning poop!).So we literally RAN to the bathroom and almost didn't make it. He sat and had a pretty massive amount of BM for a 5 year old (sorry if this is too graphic but I am trying to give you a picture).
I felt his head and he felt warm. SO we went back to the hotel. He wanted to lay down and go right to sleep (which is NOT like this kid at all!). I mean, he wanted to leave Disneyland!So.. this has happened again- off and on since. He says he is going to throw up but never actually does, but has a lot of poopies/pain and fever off and on between like 99.6 and 100.2 Nothing too bad.
THEN, yesterday he came to me and said, " mom it hurts really bad right here." and pointed to his appendix. He said, " when I breathe in and out it hurts bad."
He then wanted to just lye on the couch all day and not eat (and had a fever). So since this has been going on since last week (off and on), I took him in.
** I should note that I did this same thing when I was 7 years old- chronic tummy aches with fevers off and on for a year before a surgeon went in to do "exploratory surgery" and found my appendix were inflamed and ready to burst. **
The pediatrician yesterday, was nice, but didn't seem that concerned about it. He said, " well if it's his appendix, it won't get better so we'll know for sure in the next week or so."I was kind of hoping for some kind of blood work to check his white count or something.
My worry is that IF IT is his appendix, how long before they can rupture??
Maybe I'm a paranoid mom but I love this little guy and don't like watching him like this.
Is there such thing as chronic appendicitiis?
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 7, 2005, at 13:49:33
In reply to My 5 year old and appendicitis (spelling?), posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 12:13:57
> Is there such thing as chronic appendicitiis?
Yes, there is such a thing. Lots of other possibilities, though.
Have you done a microscopic stool examination? Giardia, or Cryptosporidium should be ruled out (lab test of stool sample). Gluten sensitivity (blood test). Lactose intolerance (elimination diet, also works for gluten).
I'm sorry, but the following requires a visual inspection in the toilet bowl, immediately after he moves his bowels.
Is there mucus in his stool? Is there a sheen (like oil on water) coming off the stool? Do the stools look anything like swiss cheese (large gas bubbles trapped)? Foul odor?
Lots of things to consider. Pain can cause a slight increase in body temp.
I'm sorry your doctor is dismissive, at this point. There are many water-borne parasites to rule out. Steatorrhea. Etc. Appendicitis is only one cause of belly pain.
Lar
Posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 17:17:15
In reply to Re: My 5 year old and appendicitis (spelling?) » Spriggy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 7, 2005, at 13:49:33
Thanks Larry,
Next time we have BM, I will be poop patrol! I shall inspect and get back to you.
*today he has been fever and pain free*Maybe it was just a tummy bug.. but it does come and go. So only time will tell (and the look of the poop apparently as well!). ha!
Posted by justyourlaugh on April 7, 2005, at 22:56:03
In reply to Re: My 5 year old and appendicitis (spelling?), posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 17:17:15
i just can not understand why a blood culture was not done?
This is the end of the thread.
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