How do you know if it's the stomach bug or appendicitis?

[TaraPA]

It appears the symptoms are almost identical...so at what point does a parent take their kid to the ER? I'm 99.9% sure it's a bug - several other kids on the wrestling team have had it in the last 48 hours - but he's in such pain, and vomiting bile for 10 hours now, every 30 min. like clockwork. He can't even keep ice chips down. He's been curled up on the floor most of the day holding his stomach, crying that it hurts - but not the right side, the left. I get that a lot of bugs have these symptoms, he's vomited on & off with other stomach bugs for 15+ hours in the past - but the pain seems so bad this time. He did just fall asleep for the 1st time since he got up sick around 6am...so maybe this is a good sign.

I did call the family doc for her recommendation. The nurse assured me that the bug is most definitely going around (when isn't it?) and to keep him hyrdrated. She did not seem concerned at all that it was his appendics.

Anyone have experience with kids that had appendicitis?

 

[Green Tea]

I have always been told the classic appendicitis sign is that it hurts after you release a push in on the area, not while you are actually pushing.

If the nurse says this is classic for this current bug, I wouldn't think appendix. But if he continues to be so sick, I would take him in for rehydration.

 

[phorsenuf]

Having had 3 of my 4 having their appendix out I got pretty good at this. One of them actually had chronic appendicitis so the Dr showed me a few 'tests' to try at home so I wouldn't be in and out of the ER all the time.

Have him lay down and place one of your hands on each hip and jiggle him up and down just a couple inches off the floor.

Have him get on his tip-toes and reach for the sky (do that in your best Woody voice ) and have him jump.

Again laying on his back have him push his feet against your palms.

If any of these cause a lot of pain I would take him to the ER.

Many times pain can start on the left or in the middle and eventually radiate to the right side. Hope he feels better.

 

[Anjelica]

The biggest symptom - push down where the appendix is and when you release it should be some of the most agonizing pain he has ever felt - he would most likely be screaming if you do this and its appendicitis.

Good Luck!!!

 

[Jestocost]

Check for recoil tenderness, as noted by the PPs.

Appendicitis will classicly present as a generalized lower abdominal pain and then migrate to a localized pain in the lower right abdomen.

 

[JVL1018]

If in doubt, I make my kids stand on their toes and then slam down on their heels. If it hurts a LOT, you probably are getting your appendix out.
That's what the dr told my husband to do(over the phone to see if he should go to the ER or not). He got his out the next day..
Vicki

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks everyone - these are exactly the things I'm looking to try before heading out to urgent care, if I decide to. He has been asleep for 30 min. now - but as soon as he's up we're doing all these tests!

 

[Mermaid02]

My son had his appendix out 12/19/01..... I knew it was his appendix when he went to jump on my bed (he was 4) and he stopped and doubled over. He then crawled up on my bed. He denied pain, but when he fell asleep, dh and I did the "push" test and he pulled his legs up to his tummy and grimaced in his sleep. I was 3 or 4 days convincing the docs it was his appendix and by then it had ruptured.

 

[TaraPA]

He just woke up after sleeping almost 2 hours - yay! I did some of the tests & he said it was uncomfortable but no pain. Yay again! He looks like death warmed over, but is trying some ice chips & saltines. We'll see how that works.

I'm hoping for a quiet, uneventful night & just praying that DS13 or DH or myself don't get it! I'm keepig him home from school again tomorrow, and hoping for a much better day.

Thanks to all my fellow Dis-sers!

 

[mjkacmom]

He just woke up after sleeping almost 2 hours - yay! I did some of the tests & he said it was uncomfortable but no pain. Yay again! He looks like death warmed over, but is trying some ice chips & saltines. We'll see how that works.

I'm hoping for a quiet, uneventful night & just praying that DS13 or DH or myself don't get it! I'm keepig him home from school again tomorrow, and hoping for a much better day.

Thanks to all my fellow Dis-sers!

We've had stomach bugs here with really bad intenstinal cramping (I remember dd crying out "mommy, please help me" like a 6 year old in labor. I usually stay away from all solid food until at least 6 hours of no vomiting, and just a couple teaspoons of flat soda every 15 minutes instead of water.

 

[Myothername]

I would love to have a simple test for this. I have always worried about DS having appendicitis and me not knowing. Turns out I had a ruptured appendix years ago and never knew it. Surgeon discovered it when I had my gallbladder out. When I woke up from surgery he asked when I had a ruptured appendix. I said I didn't think I had. He said well some time in the previous 10-15 years I had but that my body did what it was designed to do. It scarred over the rupture. I do remember one night having the worse stomach ache I had ever had so that must have been it. I do have a high pain tolerance.

 

[charming23]

I had a very similar bug about a month ago with the severe abdominal cramping and wish I had known about the simple tests.

I hope your DS feels better soon. That bug was horrible and lasted for what felt like foreer. If he is still vomiting up bile every 30 minutes have him slowly sip some water, it seemed to help me and I started keeping things down.

 

[Feralpeg]

There is a very bad intestinal bug going around the Orlando area. About half the kids at the school where I work have had it. Their symptoms were very much like your son's OP. The good news is that it has only lasted between 24 to 72 hours. Hope your son feels better very soon!

 

[TaraPA]

He's perking up - finally! The ice chips have stayed down, and he's re-hydrating, I can tell from his color & demeanor. We'll try some toast in the morning if all is well during the night.

I'm so glad to have asked this question. As a mom, you know it's most likely the bug, but especially during the night, your mind can wander into making yourself think it's something worse. These few tests you guys provided me with are at least something to go by from now on. Thanks!!

 

[dis-happy]

Glad to hear he's doing better. Don't forget to give him something with electrolytes--either Gatorade or that stuff they make for kids (pedia-something).

 

[pilotwife_02]

Wow! This post is timely!

My friend's son just went to urgent care for excessive vomiting and blood in his vomit and they said they can't rule out appendicitis, so I'm going to forward these responses to her so she can watch/check.

They don't know if it's a stomach bug or appendicitis, they said she just has to watch him.

 

[Doc asst.]

I have been told to put your ear to their stomach and if you hear gurgling sounds it is NOT the Appendix, as an appendicitis would not have gas/gurgling sounds... everything would shut down.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It appears the symptoms are almost identical...so at what point does a parent take their kid to the ER? I'm 99.9% sure it's a bug - several other kids on the wrestling team have had it in the last 48 hours - but he's in such pain, and vomiting bile for 10 hours now, every 30 min. like clockwork. He can't even keep ice chips down. He's been curled up on the floor most of the day holding his stomach, crying that it hurts - but not the right side, the left. I get that a lot of bugs have these symptoms, he's vomited on & off with other stomach bugs for 15+ hours in the past - but the pain seems so bad this time. He did just fall asleep for the 1st time since he got up sick around 6am...so maybe this is a good sign.

I did call the family doc for her recommendation. The nurse assured me that the bug is most definitely going around (when isn't it?) and to keep him hyrdrated. She did not seem concerned at all that it was his appendics.

Anyone have experience with kids that had appendicitis?

You just described almost the exact scenario - and medical advice - of when my son had APPENDICITIS!

 

[lynxstch]

well since it's an almost 6 year old post, I sure hope the OP found out by now which it was!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

well since it's an almost 6 year old post, I sure hope the OP found out by now which it was!

I wonder how he made out!