Possible appendicitis in small child?

[Anonymous]

She threw up at school today. Has generally appeared unsick, but has complained about stomach pains on and off for two days. She was slightly constipated yesterday and maybe this morning so I didn't think much of it. But I'm starting to think a doctors visit first thing tomorrow morning. Not sure what to say if I call them tonight. She seems to have a fever (from thermometer) but is generally not acting like a child with fever.

Crazy for waiting through the night? Generally not a bad approach?

TIA

[Anonymous]

What makes you think it could be appendicitis?

[Anonymous]

I don't know. It probably isn't. The fact that she fell asleep makes me feel more confident she's ok. I guess b/c she's not acting like she has a stomach flu. And I'm pretty sure I know much of what she's eaten the past few days so nothing unusual there...

[Anonymous]

I wondered this recently. Here's what the doc told me (memory is poor, so I hope someone in the know will correct me): Look for a low-grade fever, and pain during physical activity. If she complains more while running, for example-- it might be because the inflamed appendix is being jostled. Try a rebound test: press on her belly, then let up quickly. See if that hurts. Pain will often be on the LEFT side (even though the appendix is usually on the right). When I did this to my four-year-old, she giggled and pointed right at her belly button when I asked her if/where it hurt. DO worry if a severe bout of pain, high fever and nausea is followed by sudden relief. A burst appendix will often feel better for a bit-- before you die of sepsis.

(Now that I read that, it's not reassuring at all. Could be anything, or nothing. )

My kid just had a bug, which makes sense, because her dad had a horrible one that same week. He had severe pain, general malaise, and diarrhea; she just had pain. She was very perky between belly cramps. It cleared up in 2-3 days.

[Anonymous]

When my dh had appendicitis he had a fever and belly pain with a bit of diarrhea. Over the next 2 days it only got worse and he finally started throwing up. We went to the ER with what we thought was a virus, and it turned out to be appendicitis. He never had pain on one side or the other, it was all over. But when the doc pushed on his right lower abdomen it felt better for a minute...and when she let go, it was the worst yet.

There are so many viruses going around right now and your dd has a much higher chance of having one of those than she does of having appendicitis. If she felt well enough to sleep soundly, she's probably okay. If it starts getting worse or doesn't get better in the next few days, I'd visit the doc.

[Anonymous]

My kids have had stomach viruses where they felt like lying on the couch all day and some where they are literally playing as normal with intermittent bouts of vomiting... even while the same virus caused me to lay on the couch all day. Completely normal for a virus. Also, constipation can cause stomach pains and sometimes even vomiting (particularly after a big meal). Symptoms for kids are often different than for adults.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the comments!

After being up a few times last night, feeling better in the morning, and then not, we went to the pediatrician. Constipation was the diagnosis. Clear indication of not appendicitis was her ability to jump and stand up straight at any point over the last few days.

[Anonymous]

not wanting to eat, especially his favorite food, is another sign it could be appendicitis

they call it the h
"hamburger" test