My 10 year old son

[Tammy]

Hi, my 10 year old son has been complaining of upper stomach pain since January 17th, 2000.  I have had him to our family Dr. numerous times.  Finally after him having this pain for so long I took him back to the Dr and said "enough is enough " The same day, Feb. 9th he had a stomach X-ray done.  It showed that he was very constipated.  The Dr. put him on a senna laxative for 2 weeks.  The pain has not let up.  Not only that but the pain he complains of is in his upper stomach not his lower stomach (not sure if that makes a difference) I am not sure if this is school related, but he doesn't complain too much on the weekends, just mostly on weekday mornings and at night.  He seems happy at school, I have spoke to his teacher and she has said that he seems fine at school.  On the days that I send him anyway (b/c he can't stay home all the time) he says the pain lets up a bit around 10:30 or so and comes back about 2, but this is not regular.  I guess what I am wondering is, what could this be? Any ideas what I should do, what to look for?  What kind of thing would come and go like this?   I hate to see him in so much pain. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.

[Karen J. Seppa]

RE: Ten yr olds w/various gastric problems.   I have a wealth of advise for everyone from a lifetime of experience. At age 12 (am now 47) it was discovered that I had a very low white count. A week of hospital tests culminating in a bone-marrow aspiration (extremly painful) revealed nothing except a debate between Drs. as to wether or not I had an enlarged spleen. (I do.) This was all in 1966 and they did not know then what they know now. I'll try to abbreviate: high school athletic physical reveals high blood pressure, school nurse is very concerned but my Dr. says I'm fine. At age 16 suffer an episode of terrible pain not knowing until it happens again (and again & again...) that it was a kidney stone. Next one at 23, then with increased frequency until by my 30's I'm in the hospital about twice a year with a stone in first one kidney & then the other. Finally by 1986 I am sent to a stone clinic at the University of Chicago where they do a meticulous 3 day collection of blood & urine for special analysis, also my stone collection is sent out for analysis. Turns out that the PH of my urine is low, and is causing the stone formation. I go on a SYTEMIC ALKYLIZER (Rx) and quit making stones. This by the way does not work for people w/calcium stones (the majority) and to this day people tell me there is no such thing! (The PH imbalance is very subtle and not something you can tell with "PH paper.") So now I learned that my kidneys are enlarged and eventually am sent for a CAT-SCAN. Previously I was told I had "sponge kidneys." Now it turns out they are Polysystic. Years later on a third follow-up CAT-SCAN of the kidneys my Dr. tells me remind her in 6 months that the report wants another follow-up. So when I do she she says she's not sure if it can't wait until 1 year. I go home and think about this in conjunction with accumulated past experiences with the medical community [ believe me, this IS a long story made SHORT ] so I cal the Drs. office and ask them to SEND ME A COPY OF THE REPORT. The reaction was amazing (listen carefully - this is the dawning of the HMO era here...) the next thing I know there is a message to call the Drs. office as soon as possible. ....Somebody thought they saw something abnormal with the liver... gastroenterologist... tests... a biopsy of the liver done with a scope because the liver is so misshaped... report doubted and slides sent out for a second opinion...well well... "You have a rare liver disease you were born with, CONGENITAL HEPATIC FIBROSIS." Meantime the gastro told my family that when he did the biopsy the disease had already progressed to cirhosis and looked very bad. To their question about a transplant he inferred I didn't have enough time, when pressed on "how much?" he suggested two years. (That was six years ago.)   Anyway by now I had learned the importance of self-education and discovered; 1.) a low white-count and enlarged spleen and high-blood pressure were all associated w/my liver disease, and so was polycystic kidneys. ( By now I had had extensive tests (unrevealing) for an ever-elevating BP and was on heavy duty meds for that.) Another symptom was and is the broken blood vessels on one side of my neck which have been there as long as I can remember and some days stand out much more than others.  2.) A gastroenterologist is NOT a LIVER-SPECIALIST. There IS such a specialist called a HEPTOLOGIST. 3.) Get copies of every single medical report, even from surgery, and you will be amazed how many things no one ever told you about YOU. Also, every time there are X-rays taken, make sure you get copies for yourself and keep them in the dark envelope in a dark place. Hospitals only keep them for six years now and 10 or 15 years from now your Dr. at the time will want to see them. TELL THE TECHNICHIAN BEFORE THEY TAKE THE PIX THAT YOU WANT COPIES, IT'S MUCH CHEAPER TO HAVE THEM MAKE AN EXTRA COPY AT THE TIME THAN TRY TO HAVE ONE MADE LATER. 4.) Go to a good bookstore and buy a copy of the latest MERCK MANUAL and a good medical dictionary. If you can't afford it you can find them at your local library.YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU READ! Don't use it to diagnose yourself or another, but to understand what your Dr. is doing and to help you ask informed questions. Most Drs. are so busy they hate this but experience has taught me it is necessary. Write your questions down before you go see the Dr., being nervous will make you forget the most important things. Also, start keeping a running medical history of DATES regarding illnesses, symptoms, tests, and especially a file for test results. If you end up like me, you will have a big folder of your own that every Specialist will want to see, put stickers all over it that say PROPERTY OF: and make them give it back to you as soon as possible preferably right after they make copies of everything in it which they can keep, except the X-rays which will be in an envelope again marked property of: with your name and address all over it. If getting certain blood tests frequently, make a graph with a timeline line so the Dr. can see progressive changes at a glance. They will appreciate your effort and recognition of how busy they are. Make a BRIEF medical history in the same way with the years along the margin going down and significant events to the right as briefly as possible. If the Dr. can see the facts quickly and easily she or he can offer you so much more help. The better the specialist you are seeing, the more they are in demand and you can help make the most of your short time with them by giving them the facts clearly and in short. Some of the best have really big ego's and will treat you like you just happen to be attached to whatever body part they are dealing with.  When it's really too much for you to take get another Dr. or just put up with it the best you can, you are usually at their mercy. An excellent surgeon can have a deplorable bedside manner and vice-versa, you are truly blessed if you get one who has the best of both. One more thing, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR REFERRALS, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING ON THEM IS CORRECT AND LEGIBLE, & DON'T MISPLACE YOUR COPY. KEEP IT FOR YEARS! I'm not kidding, I get letters telling me some thousands-dollar bill from two years ago was never paid. Your most important protection is your referral, and make sure everything they plan to do is on it, or make it wait until you get another one for whatever that is.  All these things I learned from personal experience. I hope to save someone else the trouble. By the way, the Heptologists did not agree with the gastroenterologist's prognosis, I went through years of tests evaluating me for the possible future need of a transplant (which I finally quit doing, I'd rather DIE than give that much control to "THE EXPERTS", {NO KIDDING} )and I have learned so much by studying I've even asked some questions and had the experts just stare at me ( like, "the only literature I can find on people with my disease(s) are children, is that because most people die before they get to my age?"  Oh, and we are learning so fast now that usually by the time a book gets published it is out-of-date. The computer helps tremedously with keeping up on the latest, and if you don't have your own almost every library has someone who has been especially trained to help you find what you are looking for, don't be afraid to ask, they get a great deal of job satisfaction in assisting someone with something serious. I wish you all, those of you who are sick and those of you who are so concerned about your loved ones that are sick, good health and great happiness, remember that we are all going to die someday and it's a natural part of life, the important thing is that we love one another while we can.  Sincerely, Karen J. Seppa

[Newnee]

My daughter is also 10 & she just has bowl movment problem everydat (sometime she go sometime she dont) & gas almost everyday an it stank how can I stop the gas in what can I give her for her to have bowl movment everyday... Thank you   Lisa Thats my email at the bottom.          

l.***@****    

[michellesmom]

A related discussion, 12 year old daughter complains of stomach pains was started.

[LINDA DRISCOLL]

MY DAUGHTER IS AGED 4 AND HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY "CONSTIPATION" FOR APPROX 2 YEARS. IN THE EARLIER DAYS  WE HAD TO RUSH HER TO CASUALTY SCREAMING IN AGONY FROM ABDOMINAL PAINS AND HAD THE DISCOMFORT OF SEVERAL ENEMAS AS HER FAECES HAD BECOME TO HARD TO PASS - WE WERE UNDER THE WEST MIDDX HOSPITAL BUT DECIDED TO HAVE SECOND OPINION FROM GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSP # SHE IS PRESENTLY ON LACTULOSE TO SOFTEN THE POO AND SENNA TO HELP HER PASS IT,, HOWEVER SEVERAL TESTS SHOW NO ABNORMALITIES. MY DAUGHTER HAS SUFFERED SO MUCH THAT SHE IS SO AFRAID OF ANY PAIN SHE HAS STARTED TO HOLD HER POO AGAIN AND EVEN HOLDS HER URINE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE - SHE WAS DUE TO START SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER BUT  SHE WILL ONLY WEAR PULL UPS. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING CHINESE MEDICINE,CRANIAL SURGEON,HERBAL REMEDIES,FAITHHEALING.POOH STAR CHARTS,ETC HOWEVER NO JOY     CAN ANYBODY ADVISE ANY ALTERNATIVES



REGARDS

LINDA

[B. McGee [email protected]]

We have a 7 year old son who had reflux as a baby.  Over the last year he repeatedly complains that his stomach hurts and has awoke at night because it hurts so bad.  We have had him to our family doctor twice.  He is currently taking one pepcid in the morning and one at night.  It helps but the problem is still there.  His pain is around his belly button and down towards the left at times.  We have started him on Juice Plus and are waiting to see if that helps at all.

[Kyle's Mom]

My 6 yr old has stomach problems - nausea, gas, constipation.  We are treating it with oat bran tablets I got from Vitaminshoppe.com, plus he takes an acidophilus & bifidus tablet with each meal.  He has an overgrowth of Candidia yeast and is allergic to Candidia.  He takes Nystatin when his stomach problems get worse and his hyperactivity increases.  I have ordered caprylic acid tablets to treat the Candidia long term.  We have to limit sugar and yeast breads because they cause the overgrowth and stomach problems.  

My son also has an intolerance to dairy products.  We also limit sugar, corn syrup, sodas, etc.  He takes calcium to offset the lack of dairy.  You may need to look into food intolerances to help.  Some good sites are foodallery.org and allergyconnecton.com.  Eliminate dairy for two weeks, then wheat for two weeks, then sugar for two weeks and see if you can figure out if foods are causing the problem or making it worse.  Try reading "Chronic Candidiasis - The Yeast Syndrome" by Michael Murray, N.D.  Another good book is "Special Diets for Special Kids" by Lisa Lewis, Ph.D.

[marilyn]

Tammy, For two years my son suffered severe abdominal pain usually accompanied with fever and listlessnes. His symptoms were identical to appendicitis and several times the doctors thought his appendix was rutpuring. Lo and behold, the pain would subside and we would take him home with the understanding to bring him back immediately if the pain returned. It usually did, but perhaps not for weeks or months later. If he went to visit his grandparents he always took a note authorizing them to take him for medical care should it be needed. Twice he ended up in the emergency room while on such visits. After another year and numerous doctor and hospital visits, his pediatrician said he was going to do "exploratory surgery" to find out what was going on in there. They found his appendix was fine but removed it anyway in order to eliminate appendicitis questions in the future. What they did find was the lymph glands in his stomach were inflamed and the size of golf balls. The term they gave was "Mesenteric Adenidas" and knew of no cause for the condition. Since his operation he has had zero episodes, and this happened when he was 9 years old, he's now going on 30. Poor guy to endure such pain for two years, but thank God it went away!

[Murielle Lemieux]

I was reading this site.  It is awesome and interesting. I would like to thank Karen J. Seppa for writing about the importance of keeping files. It is really important.  Karen, can you contact me and I would like to have more information.
Also, I would like to hear from Erika on her son's Nissen fundoplication.
I can be reached at derek.***@****
Thank You all and wish you all the best of luck in your journey in finding the answers to your concerns.
Murielle

[Tammy]

Hi everyone, wow what a response.  Thank you to everyone again for replying.  I am a true believer that parents have more knowledge sometimes then doctor's do.  We can all learn from each other.

An up date on my son.  Well he is doing great.  We got the constipation looked after, that was part of the problem. But what I do have to say is that MOST of his pain was due to the fact that he wanted to stay home with me and not go to school. Despite the need to baby him and keep him home I HAD to send him to school. That was very hard to do. Mostly b/c I wasn't sure that it was the problem.  I did have to rule it out however, for my own piece of mind. I was advised to send him no matter what, even if he was late getting there. Finally I had to tell him that he would be going to school everyday. That he would NOT be allowed to stay home due to a stomach ache. It worked!!! It was a hard struggle, for me as much as for him. And it didn't happen overnight. Please don't think I am saying that this is for everyone, but for us it was the problem. He has not complained about a stomach ache in almost 2 months. That is great for him and for me.  Everyday was a battle, things are much easier now.

Thank you to everyone for your support and your stories.

Once again I can be e-mailed at ***@**** if you ever want to talk further.

Hugz,
Tammy

[tracy]

My 10 yr. old son has been having severe stomach pain for about a year and a half now.  He's been to 3 gastroenternologists and has been diagnosed with Barrett's Esophogus with intestinal metaplasia by all three.  The pain is severe and he lives with it every day for a year and a half now.  I'm very frustrated because none of the strong med. help at all.  We have not found any pattern with what he eats or what he doesn't eat.  He has been tested for all food allergies and all came back neg. We have tried all kinds of diets anyway, but nothing makes the pain change.  I don't know what else to do. We have tried everything.  I hate the idea that I have no control to fix this for him.  He will have endocopies every so often to check on the Barrett's and metaplasia. He is too young to have this disease.  Usually people who have had severe GERD for a really long time get it in their 50's and 60's and the chances of it turning into cancer are not encourging espicialy for someone so youg with this disorder.  We just have to keep on top of it.  I don't know what else we can do at this point.  If it ever turns cancerous we will at least catch it early (God Willing!)

[jackie jones]

My child is going to be 3 years old she has been having stomach pains on and off for like a month now.  her stomach looks very swollen if she does not have a bowel movemenent in the morning or by nightime.  She is contstantly passing gas all day long and the stomach is very hard to the touch from the top to bottom.  The stomach does go down after but when she goes to the bathroom says that her stomach hurts very much.  I want to know if she could be dringking or eating something that is causing this --she does drink a lot of juices

[Patty M]

My grandson is 10 years old and has had problems with his bowels since birth - constipation - he was going a week without a bowel movement.  No one seemed concerned but me - I knew this couldn't be normal so I looked on the internet and his parents have been giving him mineral oil every night but he still does not have a bowel movement every day - as far as I can find out at least every 2 to 3 days which I am still concerned about.  How long can  a person stay on mineral oil.

He does not eat right so this does not help.  I have just received gummies from Juice Plus which is suppose to have all the fruits and vegetables a child needs and I hope this helps.

[kim]

My son went for his endoscopy last thursday and they called with the results last night.  they said he has irritation in the esophogas due to a localized allergy and a bacteria in the upper part of his small intestine.  They put him on 2 medications (which I pick up today) that he will take for 12 weeks.  She said that in 2/3's of the cases this will clear up the problem.  Let's hope.
Kim

[yvette worman]

MY SON IS 11 YEARS OLD AND HAS HAD PAIN IN THE UPPER INTESTINAL REGION FOR 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS.  WE HAVE TRIED PEPTO BISMOL, TAGAMET, AND PROPANTHELINE. NOTHING HAS HELPED. HE HAS MISSED 2 WEEKS OF SCHOOL.  HIS SYMPTOMS ARE MUCH WORSE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER HE DOES GET THE CRAMPING ABOUT 1-2- HOURS AFTER HE EATS (NOTHING BUT BLAND FOODS).  HE DOES NOT HAVE DIARRHEA OR VOMITING, JUST SEVERE CRAMPING. WE HAVE RULED OUT DYSENTERY AND GHIARDIA WITH STOOL CULTURES. HIS PH TESTING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OF HIS SALIVA IS 6.0 AND HIS URINE IS LESS THAN 5.0.
     WE ARE GIVING HIM FOOD ENZYMES BEFORE HE EATS, WHICH IS ONLY AT 5-6PM DUE TO THE CRAMPING. WE ARE SCHEDULED TO DO A LOWER AND AN UPPER G.I SERIES SOON, BUT I HATE TO GO THAT ROUTE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ANSWERS OR SUGGESTIONS?

[Gabriel Gelfand]

I'm having a strange disease for 1.5 months already. Started as sudden attacks of fever without high temperature and dull stomach ache during the
night. Became more frequent and then every night. No appetite. Also, weak feeling of stomach upset. All urine, excr. and blood tests resulted nothing abnormal, as well as U.S. and x-ray. Finally, gastroscopia revealed "reflux". Doctor prescribed "LOSEC". The strange fevers are gone (don't know if it's
due to the drug), but I'm having constant weak pain at the upper right
side of my stomach. I read GERD symptoms - it's not quite similar, I have
no heartburn at all !  Is GERD the source of my problems? What should I do next?    
Thanks.
Gabriel.

[wendell]

If anyone wishes to e-mail me, I can recommend a program of nutrients, digestive enzymes & herbal fiber which may help these youngsters.

Regards,

Wendell < ***@**** >

[Erika]

My son had a Nissen Fundoplication about a year and a half ago.  He had just turned ten at the time.  Two to three weeks ago all symptoms came back full speed ahead.  He went from being happy, healthy and active into a very sick, unenergetic, pale child.  An upper GI showed the fundo still in place.  The Gastroenterologist has ordered another endoscopy and ph study, but that is two weeks away.  I'm wondering if anyone has information on failed fundos.  It is likely he has esophagitis and is being treated for the pain and irritation to the esophagus.  He is also maxxed out on meds.  What is next?

[kim]

My eleven year old son is having stomache pain for about a year, mainly at night.  He would wake, complain of stomach pain , vomit, be confused, either cold and clammy of feverish, and would talk about crazy things.  Now he complains of sideaches during the day.  The school nurse called monday and said he was complaining of a stomach ache and his stomach was distended.  I took him to the Dr. but by the time I got there his stomach was back to normal and no sideache.  He has had a glucose tolerance test, an EEG, and is getting a stomach scope tomorrow.  His personality has changed also, he has become hyper, and is doing poorly in school.  He was a straight a student.  He has alot of friends and has had nothing traumatic happen at home.  He is a very finicky eater and only weighs 82 pounds.  I am very concerned, he also complains of a stomach ache in the morning and usually by 10-10:30 feels fine and I will take him to school.  A psychologist has been recommended for my son also but I want to rule out the medical aspects first.  He is very against a therapist and feels as though nobody believes him. I can tell the poor kid is in pain.  Any ideas?

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear tammy,
Constipation in youmg children can be very painful.  Although, I do not treat children, I would shy away from using senna compounds.  Ask your doctor about the possibility of trying another laxative regimen that is based omn increased fiber e.g. Fiber one for breakfast.  In cases of constipation it is necessary to look for possible causes e.g. thyroid disease, structrural abnormalities, Hirschprung's disease.  Your doctor can explain these possibiltieis and how to approach diagnosis.

[Susan]

My daughter had the same problem with constipation, and in fact would clean out and then clog up again.  She was admitted to the hospital for a clean out (totally disgusting) and then was constipated again. We tried every prescription and non prescription laxative available.  Turned out that 1) she is lactose intolerant, 2) she has a hard time digesting any sugars 3) she has lupus.  SHe is doing much better, and is able to eat dairy products now with the use of Lactaid pills.  SHe started to really turn around when the lupus was actively treated.  Incidentially, she also was worse during the school week, and I think stress at school made some of the problems worse.

[Tammy]

Hi Everyone, thank you so much for all of your help and information.  I can't tell you how surprised and happy I was that everyone posted to my message. I understand exactly what you are all going though.  It is very frustrating when our kids are in pain.

Thank you to Wendall : for your advice

Thank you to Dee: I asked my family doc about chronic Inflamation and he is pretty sure it is constipation. He is much better now after a 3 week treatment of a senna laxative.  

Thank you to Catherine: I know that my son's is agrivated by school stress.  Have you considered an irritable bowel?  My family doc also said that he has seen about 20 cases last month just on constipation alone.

Thank you to Carrie: for e-mailing me, Yes we are a lot alike and we have a lot in common.  Support and Friendship is important.

Thank you to Cindy: For sharing your grandson's story with us. I hope it is soon figured out.  I wouldn't think blood in his urine would be a good thing. When my son is in pain, he is also very pale and listless. The pain usually lets up a few hours after he is up and his colour returns.  

Thank you to Susan:  I agree that school is very stressful for our kids.  I wonder if it has something to do with the grade 5 year, since all of our kids are about 10.  

Please email me if anyone wants to share stories or progress. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Tammy
***@****

[Carrie]

Catherine if you are reading these followups please contact me so we can compare notes.
Thanks Carrie
***@****

[Carrie]

Tammy, you could be me!  I too have a ten year old son that complains of pain around his belly button and radiating up the center of his body.  Unlike you we have been dealing with this for two years! We went through thinking if there was a problem at school etc.  Our son has always seemed to have a problem with diarrhea, is a picky eater, and has to go the bathroom usually after he starts eating. He has a rough time in the morning like your son and I often get a call from the school at lunchtime (after he has eaten) He has missed many days of school and seems glad to be home.  I have charted his "attacks"  (a good thing to do ) and also got the school to photocopy his absences so I have a record.  On Feb 15 he had the worst attack yet. Finally after getting nowhere (for the last two years!) with our family doc we took him to the children's hospital on Feb 19/00 and he was finally xrayed and had some blood tests. His bowel was grossly distended and full of stool, the pediatrician said that it has probably been like that for at least 2 years.  They gave him an enema , said it was more than likely constipation and mineral oil to take every night up to 4 tablespoons a night.  I also had to give him an enema the next day.  Well two weeks later and still in pain and a fruitless visit to our family doc again (and yet another enema in the meantime)  I pulled out all stops and yesterday (March 1) I took my doubled over son into the emergency ward of the hospital again.  4 hours in the waiting room and finally we were in.  They took another x ray which showed that most of the stool was gone.  They asked me if we had cystic fibrosis in our family (we don't to my knowledge) that really through me for a loop.  They also asked if any one gets migraines (I do) He has had headaches at times. They also did blood work again.  They said that they are concerned about his liver.  Did they have you do stool samples to rule out parasites and such? Like e coli etc?  He has done all of those and now has to do a 72 hour stool collection (lots of fun) We left the hospital with a gallon paint pail for those purposes.  Well the long and the short of it is they are sending us to a pediatric gastroenterolgist  within the next two weeks for a complete upper and lower workup.
Keep at them --- remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  Contact me if you like and we can compare notes!

[Carrie]

Tammy,
I forgot my email address  
***@****