TMI *16 yr old sick*

[twin2]

So my 16 year old is sick. He came home from school sick after having diarrhea. He barely made it home and had diarrhea again. My dad dropped him off at the house - I did not come home from work. I guess I was hoping it was nothing serious. My son said he took 4 Immodium tablets between noon and 3:00. The poor boy cannot stay out of the bathroom, says its like water. He was complaining of a sour stomach, and finally vomited about an hour ago. I have been home since 4:30 and my son has not been out of the bathroom for more than about three fifteen minute breaks.

I am starting to get a little concerned. He looks okay, but has started to have chills and is holding his gut saying it hurts so badly. He's not crying or anything, just says it hurts. He does not have a fever. I don't know what to do with him. I'd like to wait to see what happens overnight. He does not want to go to the local emergency room if I take him. He is a stroke victim (1 yr ago) and says if we go to the ER he wants to go to the children's hospital he was in after his stroke. He does not even want to go to the doctor's office tomorrow, but to the children's hospital.

He just said his legs and feet hurt. Not sure if that is from all the time on the toilet, or maybe aches from being sick. He is talking to me and is not lethargic or anything. I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing and I don't want to ignore him if he needs medical attention. This is the part of parenting I resent. Just don't know what to do.

 

[msamyb]

I would call your pediatrician for advice in the morning if he doesn't get better. In the mean time try to have him drink lots of clear liquids and follow the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Poor guy, I hope he feels better soon.

 

[peggy27]

there is a horrible flu bug going around but he could dehydrate himself if he has the vomiting and rehea.
As a parent I always worried about appendicitis. I had mine out and it was stomach ache like I had never had before. Do you have an urgent care you could go to?

 

[twin2]

Peggy

The thought of it being his appendix has crossed my mind, but he doesn't have a fever. He doesn't indicate that the pain is in his right side, just kind of all over his gut. I think he is cramping from the diarrhea. Do you remember if you had a fever with your appendicitis?

 

[me41]

I understand that he does not want to go to the ER but it sounds like he might need to go. You sound worried. He is 16, you have dealt with plenty of fevers, colds and flus by now, but this one is worrying you. I say go with your gut and take him in. At the very least call your doctor now (that is what their answering service is for).

Let us know how things go.

 

[twin2]

msamyb

He hasn't eaten anything today, except for school breakfast. He drank some clear soda before he vomited this evening, but it wasn't much and he lost it.

 

[r9miles]

Er

It sounds to me like he is dehydrated!

 

[beachygrl]

Go to the children's hospital.

He's probably dehydrated, and if he can't keep anything down you won't be able to manage that at home. The hospital can give him an IV or meds that will help with keeping liquids down. Even if the local ER is closer, take him where he'd be the most comfortable.

 

[de'anna]

Sorry

So sorry your DS is going through this, it is miserable.

I'd call the advice nurse or take him to urgent care.

(((Hugs)))
De'Anna

 

[ConnieWI]

Another Thought

Could this be food poisoning?

 

[twin2]

Connie

I'm not sure. My son's diet is usually very bland and his foods are usually pretty processed. He's a germ-a-phobe, so personal hygiene should not be an issue. I cannot think of anything here he ate that might have made him sick, and I have texted the people he stayed with this weekend to see how they are doing. I have not heard from them yet.

 

[BioAdoptMom3]

I would give him till morning unless it gets worse. Get him to take as much as you can in the way of liquids - Gatorade, popsicles, jello, whatever he can tolerate!

Nancy

 

[kahluablast]

Both of my kids had a bug of some sort right before Christmas. It hit hard and quick. Vomiting and diarrhea for at least 2 days (one lasted longer than the other) and about 5 days before they were ready to eat or drink much. I pushed fluids with both of them (ice chips the first 24 hours).

I would keep a close eye on him. Of course, always listen to your gut, but it sounds like a bug to me.

 

[twin2]

I'm thinking we will try to wait till morning and make a decision. I'll try to monitor him through the night and if he gets any worse, go to the hospital.

 

[Marriedin79]

Prayers

For your son and you. For him: that he feels better soon. For you: that you can figure out what to do. That's the toughest part as a parent, isn't it?

 

[mable007]

There is a horrible stomach virus going around here. My BIL just spent 2 full days in the bathroom and now feels perfectly fine.

 

[IA11]

I hope he feels better soon!

Maybe he can sleep a little of it off tonight! He can't have much left in him at this point!

 

[saraebeth]

I had a 106 fever with appendix, he'd probably have a fever

 

[teachnkids]

Never had a fever with my appendix. Pain was sometimes on right and sometimes seemed all over.

My DS had food poisoning at that age. He was not out of the bathroom for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. If its gone on for several hours he may be dehydrated and that can be dangerous.

 

[twin2]

I appreciate you all

I love PT. No matter what the issue, there's always someone willing to chime in, pray, whatever. Thank you.

My son laid down about twenty minutes ago. 99.1 fever, so at least that's low. He drank a little water before laying down and is fine. I'm going to stay up a little while and check on him in a bit.

 

[breezey]

Prayers...keep us posted

 

[Momof2G1B]

My DS was dehydrated when he was one with the same symptoms. We were told then to give about a tablespoon of water every half hour. They said that your stomach can't handle much at one time when you are sick like that. We still go pretty much by that advice even now. We just give a little more water at one time. I would definitely call the doctor in the morning just to see what they say.

 

[Illini Teacher]

Echoing above

Our ped also said 1tbsp per hour should keep him partially hydrated if he can keep it in. Now this was for my little ones, so 1/2 hour might be a better guideline!


Illini

 

[LuvMyRatties]

Poor guy. Hope he feels better soon.

 

[EarthMonkey]

It sounds like I may have the same thing as your son. Bad stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches. I also got a headache. It took one day of vomiting and cramps, two days of diarrhea, and three for the headaches and nausea. I would advise sipping water regularly and slowly starting to eat.

I was able to eat after a day a tiny amount. Today after three days I was able to actually eat without feeling nausea. The biggest worry is dehydration if it is the same thing.