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Post by houstonsandy on Dec 11, 2020 16:18:24 GMT
One of my girls told me yesterday that she has had a mild "stomachache" for the past three days. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being normal and 10 being bent over in pain) she rates it a 4.
No other symptoms. No diarrhea/constipation/nausea/fever/headache. Eating normally.
She is on her period, and the tummy ache started a day or two prior.
I'm thinking cramps....but she says she normally does not have much of an issue with cramps.
After she spoke with her mom, the mom wants her to see a doctor.
Not so easy right now since she does not have a "regular doctor" here in the states.
We utilize the urgent care places for their minor issues which are infrequent. Their school issued medical insurance is very basic and minimal.
So yesterday I took her to the usual urgent care place, but they were all booked up for the rest of the day. (I do have an appointment for later today.)
We tried another one down the street. When we said if was for a mild stomach ache, they suggested we go instead to a hospital ER or one of the free standing ERs since they do not have the ability to do xrays or ultrasounds.
To me that sounded a bit extreme...
I feel like ERs are only for true emergencies, especially now.
Am I under-reacting?
edited to add that she is doing on-line school, does not go anywhere, and even at home stays mostly in her room so very little exposure to covid.
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Post by liya on Dec 11, 2020 16:24:18 GMT
I think typically for "stomachaches" they like to rule out appendicitis, gyn issues or kidney stones. Many times urgent care centers are not equipped to do that.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 10, 2024 20:01:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 16:30:00 GMT
Not to spook you, but one of my friends in jr high had a stomach ache for a few days and then emergency surgery after his appendix ruptured. I would def take her in.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390 
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Post by peaname on Dec 11, 2020 16:44:29 GMT
I would call her doctor and have them assess her over the phone if you’re concerned.
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Post by bbkeef on Dec 11, 2020 16:51:39 GMT
I'd call and ask the clinic. My bet is cramps, but better safe than sorry!
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Dec 11, 2020 16:59:41 GMT
3 days? Yeah, I'd be getting her looked at. It is possible to be constipated while still passing poo, she might be getting impacted.
DH was 40 before he realised that passing 'pebbles' wasn't normal, lol.
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Post by gar on Dec 11, 2020 19:02:00 GMT
Is it her 'stomach' or her abdomen...maybe she can't differentiate at that age. I guess it doesn't pay to ignore it though.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Dec 11, 2020 19:08:27 GMT
When I experience cramps, they are nowhere near my stomach.
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Post by houstonsandy on Dec 11, 2020 19:58:24 GMT
She "says" stomach, but physically circles around the whole abdominal area from belly button and below.
There is a little bit of a language issue sometimes....
Like...the other day one of them asked me for a "handkerchief"...which confused me...and it turned out she really meant dish towel.
And...they needed the "string that the kitten likes to play with"....aka pipe cleaners.
I'm definitely taking her to see someone today...just wasn't sure if this would actually classify as a true "emergency" at this point since she did not even mention it for a couple of days.
All the medical places are so strict now about who is allowed to go in with the patient.
I will have to wait outside in the car while they examine her...so I hope there are no miscommunications!
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Dec 11, 2020 20:30:14 GMT
I didn’t see her age but I’m guessing 14-18? I think many kids that age use “stomach” to refer to the entire lower abdomen region, especially with a language difference. I would take her to the emergency clinic because the urgent care suggested it and her mom requested she be seen. Better safe than sorry.
I would worry about appendicitis. One thing my dd’s pediatrician mentioned was a quick test they use is they have kids jump off the exam table and if that jumping motion causes further pain they explore appendicitis more thoroughly. Obviously please don’t use this to diagnose her, but maybe have her jump just to see if it is painful.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 11, 2020 20:32:17 GMT
I would take her to the ER. Mid-Nov, my son started complaining of a stomachache after lunch. Mom of the Year that I am, I told him to drink a coke and go sit on the toilet.  A couple of hours later, he told me to take him to the hospital, he was in agony. I texted my dr friend and she said to take him to the ER, not urgent care, bc they aren't equipped for scans and stuff. So I took him. he was writhing in pain next to me in the waiting room. Kept trying to go to the bathroom/said he felt he was going to puke. We were just called back when he went to the bathroom and threw up. Came out and said his pain was completely gone. I was annoyed. Since they called us back, they checked him out, took blood, poked and prodded him all over (no pain), etc. The bloodwork came back with elevated white cells. So we had to have an MRI, and that came back showing an appendicitis!  I am SO glad he threw up at the hospital, bc I am sure I would have not taken him in if he had been at home!  Anyways, they said his appendix was being cushioned by his intestines, which is why when they pushed on his stomach he didn't have any pain. They also said if it had ruptured, the way it was located, it would have been a MESS to clean out. So better to be safe than sorry? |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 11, 2020 20:34:21 GMT
I didn’t see her age but I’m guessing 14-18? I think many kids that age use “stomach” to refer to the entire lower abdomen region, especially with a language difference. I would take her to the emergency clinic because the urgent care suggested it and her mom requested she be seen. Better safe than sorry. I would worry about appendicitis. One thing my dd’s pediatrician mentioned was a quick test they use is they have kids jump off the exam table and if that jumping motion causes further pain they explore appendicitis more thoroughly. Obviously please don’t use this to diagnose her, but maybe have her jump just to see if it is painful. This is true - while we were at the ER, they had my son jump (which he could do after he threw up, so the nurses were shocked when it turned out to be an appendicitis). Before he threw up though, he could barely walk. |
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,887
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Dec 11, 2020 20:34:29 GMT
Call the doctor. They will probably have you bring her in to be examined. It could be her appendix. It could be an ovarian cyst. Or it could be nothing. My ovarian cyst caused extreme stomach pain when it burst and my stomach filled with blood from the cyst. I thought it was my appendix at first and dh rushed me to the emergency room. It turned out it was a burst cyst and I was septic. I spent 5 days in the hospital.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,935
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Post by samantha25 on Dec 11, 2020 20:37:08 GMT
DS,age 5, had terrible stomach pains, no other symptoms. He could walk and jump.. Appendicitis. Poke firmly on abdomen where appendix is and see if she flinches.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,758
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Dec 12, 2020 9:02:50 GMT
One of the quick and dirty "tests" for appendicitis is to press on McBurney's point, mid-way between the navel and the hip bone on their right. Have her lie down, and press on that area slowly and then release the pressure quickly. If she yells, it's appendicitis. It doesn't work with everyone, so if she doesn't yell, doesn't mean it isn't. But if she does, it almost certainly is. Poor lassie.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Dec 12, 2020 13:13:58 GMT
This is one of your foreign student boarders, correct? If her mother wants her to go to the doctor, she goes to the doctor, period. If the urgent care is recommending the ER because they can't do the necessary tests, then go to the ER.
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Post by bearmom on Dec 12, 2020 14:16:37 GMT
I would take her in, but my endometriosis made me nauseous for a few before and during my period. I had a hysterectomy and one ovary removed and still get occasional stomach pain/nausea around what I can assume is my cycle.
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Post by welshjenni on Dec 12, 2020 19:29:29 GMT
If you’re not going to be able to accompany her when she goes in to see a doctor, could you write out details of her symptoms for her to hand over , to reduce any mis-communication?
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Post by librarylady on Dec 12, 2020 19:43:49 GMT
If you’re not going to be able to accompany her when she goes in to see a doctor, could you write out details of her symptoms for her to hand over , to reduce any mis-communication? Exactly what I was going to suggest.
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Post by houstonsandy on Dec 13, 2020 2:39:39 GMT
This is one of your foreign student boarders, correct? If her mother wants her to go to the doctor, she goes to the doctor, period. If the urgent care is recommending the ER because they can't do the necessary tests, then go to the ER. I did get to go in with her since she is a minor....and it was as suspected...just cramps. She got a prescription for some Naproxyn and immediately got better the last day of her period. We are now prepared for next month.
It was never a question of whether or not to take her to be seen, but I did want her to tell her mother first about the possibility of going to the ER if necessary and getting handed a very large bill. I'm sure healthcare here vs there is very different and wanted to make sure they understood that ER's can be very costly vs a clinic.
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