9 year old son is having pain in side...?

Question

Around 4 pm tonight my son was complaining from his side hurting. I brushed it off since he was sleeping and I thought that maybe he slept wrong. Then an hour later I asked him if it hurt when he would breathe...he said yes. It is 10:15 and I went in his room about 10 minutes ago and asked him if he was still in pain and he sat up and said yes and it hurts worse. My mom and dad say it is Bercitis (not sure if this is how you spell it), but I am worried it isn't....does anyone have any suggestions on what this might be? I plan on taking him to the ER, but since he doesn't have a fever...I figured it can't be that serious. Please serious answers only! Thanks.

Pain is in right side starts from arm pit and his in his rib cage while he is breathing only...

It is high up in the rib cage area and he was complaining that his shoulder blade was hurting a few days ago along with his right arm.

It didn't get really bad until just 20 minutes ago and while I am on the computer I am on the phone waiting for the Pediatrician to call me back. I have been calling my parents and asking what I should do...a lot of who I talk to say it isn't as serious and it is not his apendix!

I am asking him more than he is coming to me about it. I woke him up at 10 to see how he was and he said it was getting worse...but he waited for me to come to him!

I talked to RN and she is now wanting me to talk to the Doctor so I am not waiting on the Dr. to call me back.

I am NOW waiting on doctor to call me back!!

Taking son to ER...will update when we get back.....

I asked my parents because my mom is a RN (retired)...we went to the ER last night and got back at 5am. It was his GALL BLADDER! He is trying to pass a stone. Thanks to all who were very helpful!

Answer 1

Is the pain on the left or right? Low in the abdomen or high near the ribs? Please update with this info.
I really thing you should take him to the ER. It could be appendicitis or gall stones. The gallbladder is up high on the right under the ribs and can cause pain all the way through to the back and up into the armpit. It could also be some sort of injury. It's possible that he could have bruised or fractured a rib playing outside or jumping on the bed , ETC. I hope your little one feels better soon, go to webmd.com and you can self diagnose. There is a place for you to click on the part of the body where the pain is and then you can narrow down possible reasons. Good luck and call the pediatricians office number. You should get their answering service and be connected to the doc on call. They will tell you if you should take him tonight.

Answer 2

First of all, appendicitis can give pain anywhere from the navel to the lower right side of the abdomen. If an appendix ruptures, this can cause serious infection and even death. I will tell you that appendicitis pain is excrutiating, and your son wouldn't wait for you to ask him to tell you he was in terrible pain.

Constipation can also cause abdominal cramping, as can a stomach virus, urinary tract infection, and even gas. Not to mention a million other issues ;-)

I guess I would ask the following - Is your son complaining - or are you continuing to ask him which raises it up to his mind? It doesn't sound like he is getting out of bed and saying Mom it's so bad I'm terribly sick. If he is coming to you crying and complaining, then you should call the doctor. If he has a fever, definitely call the doctor. But if he is laying there sleeping and you're waking him up, or if you are disturbing him as he is watching t.v. or trying to sleep, then it is more you than him. Let him rest and check with him in the morning to see how he is. If he is still complaining, take him to the doctor.

Also, I suggest you call your doctor first. He should have you do the following: Ask your son specifically where the pain is. Does he have a fever? If you push in that spot does it hurt more? When was his last bowel movement? Is he urinating regularly? Did he play any sports today where he might have gotten an injury? Did he fall down, get hit, any of that stuff.

If you feel your son is bad, by all means take him to the E.R. But I would try to qualify whether or not you are driving this pain to be worse than it is - and call the doctor. I hope and pray your son is fine - God bless!

UPDATE BASED ON YOUR UPDATE: If his pain is in the upper chest, you should call the doctor. He could have pneumonia, a broken rib, or any one of a number of issues. Call the doctor, explain the symptoms, and see if he wants you to take him to the E.R. Pediatricians and doctors have answering services 24/7, so don't wait. Good luck and God bless!

Answer 3

That isn't bursitis, as this effects the inflamation of the bursa sac involving a joint such as the shoulder or hip. If it were his appendix, the pain would be radiating around the belly button towards the right side. If you pushed in he would feel no pain, and let out, he would feel pain, and there is generally an elevation of temperature.

It could be this: Costochondritis is an inflammation of a rib or the cartilage connecting a rib. This is a common cause of chest pain. Inflammation or injury involving the chest muscles is another common cause of chest pain. He could have pulled or strained a muscle while at school playing or in gym.

Whatever the diagnosis is, I really hope he is okay, and my best to you as I know you are worried. You could try a little heat like a hot water bottle to see if he gets any relief until you get him to the ER.

Answer 4

ah sounds like a great deal of drama. Especially waking a sleeping child to ask about pain. Also calling your parents...I don't think is all that wise.Bursitis is a joint problem, a swelling of the Bursa that protects the joints-- and has nothing to do with the belly of a child.

He just might has Gas.

Here is how to check for appendix ....lay him down. if you are on his right side place your thumb on his bellybutton and your pinkie finger on the top of his hip bone--that will form a V shape between the thumb and pointer finger. . The appendix Pain is usually at that point at the end of the V.

Push in his belly at that point. If it hurts worse when you push in, it most likely is not the appendix. If he hurts most when you release your push on his belly, that could mean appendicitis.
Usually there is a temperature around 101 degrees. There is usually some nausea and lack of appetite. The child will feel better with his knees bent up with laying on his back.
Walking will be very painful and it will be hard for him to stand up straight. If you are seeing these symptoms then he needs to be checked out.

Other wise, please let a child sleep. If he has bad pain he will wake up and tell you.

Please be calm. You might be over reacting to something very minor. It is good you called the doctor.

Answer 5

I would follow your instincts and take him to the ER especially since it has worsened. I don't know what part of the side you are referring, but my daughter had side flank pain that was a kidney infection. I also have a friend whose son complained of side pain and it ended up being cancer that they caught and treated and he is healthy now two years later. It could be his appendix. You don't know what it is, but you do know it is unusual for him to have this pain and it has worsened. If it has prevented him from doing what he would normally do since it began, I would definitely take him to the ER.

Also, not sure if this is what your mom and dad were saying, but bursitis is joint pain usually in the shoulder or hip.

Answer 6

To avoid side cramps. Don't eat very much and avoid salty foods for an example burger and fries that will slow you down. Eat a banana they have potassium and they help prevent cramps. He's either not having enough potassium, he's eating to much before, drinking to much water before or it could be the breathing. If this doesn't work then see a doctor. Hope this worked for you.

Answer 7

I'm sorry to hear that about your son. It's a scary thing knowing that there's something wrong with your child, but you don't know what. I found a really helpful web site called WebMD (www.webmd.com). Located on the site is a "Symptom Checker" right on the main page, there's no way you can miss it. Just click on it, and put in your sons symptoms and it'll come up with a solution. Hope he feels better soon.

Answer 8

Never refer to non-medical people for matters like this one. Follow your first mine and take your baby to the E.R. My prayers will be with you. There are numerous conditions that your child can have. Our babies don't always run fever. My child had the same symptoms and when taken to the E.R. he had a collapsed lung from a fall he took while playing outside that day. So, please in the future don't wonder just react.

Answer 9

Hope your son feels better.Only a doctor can tell you what is wrong with him.I have had bursitis so I know for sure that would not be the problem.Get him checked out.Best to be on the safe side.

Answer 10

If the pain is on the right side it could be appendicitis. This can be serious if untreated. It can rupture and poison the blood stream. If it continues I would hve him checked out.