12-yeasr-old son w/sed rate of 48

[tnatatude]

My son has had stomach aches for about a month.  He had the flu two months ago.  His pediatrician did an ultrasound (normal) and bloodwork (sedrate of 48).  Everything else was normal. Had x-rays of the chest and lower abdomen.  Normal.  He has a loss of appetite and has lost 6 pounds over several months. He has been referred to a pediatric GI specialist but can't get in until Jan. 20.  Any suggestions or ideas what this might be?

[avtmom]

Waiting can be frustrating...still you can use the time to gather as much detailed information as possible.  Use the Crohn;s and Colitis tracker available here on MedHelp.  If you take that kind of detail into your appointment it will help you overcome the "normal" test results as you continue to ask "now what?" and "what else (could it be, can we do)?"  My best wishes to you and your son.

[mafer09]

I know how you feel because i'm in the same situation, my son has had diarrhea very often and sometimes stomach aches.  and bloodwork (sedrate of 25).  Everything else was normal.
He has been referred to a pediatric
GI specialist but can't get in until july 12.  Any suggestions or ideas what this might be?

[avtmom]

I really feel for you.  I've been dealing with my son's symptoms for about four years now (he will be ten in a couple of weeks).  PAY ATTENTION TO THE SED RATE!  My son's was at 48 during a flare-up...so I think of an elevated sed rate as a red flag.  You will need more tests, many more tests before you know what is really going on.  Our process took quite a long while to reach a diagnosis.  It seemed like each time a test was run (blood, stool, scopes, biopsies), the answer came back "no" for what they were checking and "inconclusive" for Crohn's.  The final piece of our puzzle was a special blood test processed through the Promethius (sp?) lab in San Diego, CA.  Stay strong.  You have a long road ahead.  For now, treat the symptoms the best you can to give him some relief.

[hava]

Let your son do this breathing exercises everyday.He will regain his energy slowly and the stomach will start to settle down.The timing and concentration is very important and do not stop doing the pranayam (breathing techniques) before the next appointment with the specialist.Drink warm water.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

This can be done daily, by anyone, to stay healthy.Both of you can do it together.

[tnatatude]

I forgot to mention that he also passes a lot of gas - the smell is horrible. He says his stomach feels better for a short period of time after he has flatulence.  Before he got the flu, he had tons of energy, played soccer, basketball, and Taekwondo in addition to school.  Now he falls asleep doing his homework.