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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Stomach pain
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Stomach pain
by suetlin, Mar 05, 2004 12:00AM
My 19 yr old son has had severe stomach pain in the belly button area for the last whole year. I had taken him to the emergency room at least 3 times. The 1st time he was there, they had to give him a low dosage of morphine to stop the pain. The first 2 times in the emergency room, his blood tests showed that his white blood count was elevated so they told me that he had some kind of infection. They suspected he had appendicitis, but after a colonoscopy, they ruled that out. They also made him drink some stuff & x-rayed him but found nothing. They ruled out gallstone. Every 2 or 3 months he would have that pain to the point that his face and lips are all pale. He would be very weak, hunch over & could barely walk. Extra strength Tylenol did not help. The history of his pain showed that if he didn't take anything, he would have that pain for about 8 hours constantly & then slowly went away. For the next couple of days he would feel that there's a scar waiting to be healed & still felt weak & hunch over a little. The pain will go away after 3 days. The last time when he had the pain again, after I saw that emergency room was a long waiting game, I gave him an Ibuprophen. His pain was subsided for about 5 hours & I had to give him another one. The pain would come & go for 2 days with the IBuprophen. It went away eventually. On 1/13/04, he had the pain again for the 4th or 5th time (I can't remember exactly any more). I took him to our family doctor again. He said all the blood tests he gave him came back normal. So, he decided to check his blood for wheat allergy (when he ruled out that my son had irritable bowel movement). He called us a couple of days later & said the blood test showed 2 different high levels of wheat anti-bodies & told him to stay away from wheat products. My son doesn't eat a lot of pasta, bread or pizza so I thought it was easy. But then after I found that most food we eat has wheat contents including soy & oyster sauces (we are Chinese & my son loves rice), naturally, we change his diet by looking for wheat free soy & oyster sauces. When I thought I finally could handle it, his pain came back last Sunday, 2/29/04 (less than 2 months this time). I took him back to our family doctor, he gave him more blood & stool tests but he couldn't tell me what the possibility would be. He decided to send my son to an allergist & a gastro-intestinal doctors. In the meantime, our family doctor just called last night & said that my son's blood test (taken on the 3/1/04) showed that his enzyme level was elevated. Now I am not sure if wheat allergy is his problem any more! Stress? He is attending U.C. Berkeley, his grade is not the top but he has maintained a 3.5 grade point average or higher. He is a happy kid, singing all the time whenever he comes home. Like most teenagers, he is passionate about all sports (including watching & playing), acting, singing, etc. I don't know where I go from here, please help! A worried parent.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 06, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 06, 2004 12:00AM
The GI evaluation would be the most reasonable next step. There are a variety of causes for stomach pain - including GERD, inflammation of the upper digestive tract, ulcers, or H Pylori (a bacteria associated with inflammation and ulcers).
I would have this evaluated with an upper endoscopy and tests for H Pylori (which can be done via a blood test or during the endoscopy). Other tests to consider would be an abdominal CT scan and ultrasound - which can evaluate the pancreas and liver/gallbladder respectively.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I would have this evaluated with an upper endoscopy and tests for H Pylori (which can be done via a blood test or during the endoscopy). Other tests to consider would be an abdominal CT scan and ultrasound - which can evaluate the pancreas and liver/gallbladder respectively.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
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