Tough to say without examination. A floating stool can be caused by pancreatitis as well as malabsorption. A blood test looking for pancreatic disease as well as sending the stool off for a fecal fat analysis can be more specialized tests that you can consider. A lower endoscopy can be considered to evaluate for colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Regarding the stomach pain - things like refractory reflux as well as inflammation of the upper digestive tract can lead to the symptoms. An upper endoscopy or upper GI series would be reasonable first tests to evaluate this.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
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.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Yes, we are in Japan. I had posted a question to a different forum. I finally found a really nice dr who said she will run tests until we find out what is going on. If she comes up with nothing, I will take him to a local dr. I did ask about celiac and she said it could be. She wants to run all the stool tests and go from there. I am writing a log of what he eats and how he acts and how often his stomach hurts. We do not eat out in town much and when we do, the kids won't eat (they are very picky eaters). I appreciate the comments because maybe I can suggest something the dr didn't think about.
I am supposed to be getting stool samples and bring them in. The dr said she was going to check it for infection, malabsorption and parasites and go from there whatever the results are. But now that she did a rectal exam and he knows we need to keep the poo, he doesn't want to go even though he has to.
has your son been checked for malabsorption, or lactose intolerance or allergies such as wheat etc...?
did you check out his gall bladder?is he allergic to fat??
Fatty, voluminous stools are often found in people with celiac disease (an inability to digest gluten). Fatigue, GI problems, and some other extraintestinal symptoms may also be found in children/adults with inflammatory bowel disease. If you would like more information about either condition, reliable sources include www.celiac.org for celiac disease, and www.ccfa.org for inflammatory bowel disease.
I hope your son feels better soon.
i recall you said once you are in Japan.
have you folks been eating sushi and sashimi??
If the tests do not yield any results,consider seeing a local doctor.