Abdominal cramps 2 weeks+ in child

[Ane__0__0]

  My 13 year old son has always had a "nervous" stomach.  It was really bad in elementary school for a few years, and, frequently in the mornings on the way to school, we'd have to stop at a gas station or fast food place to let him go to the bathroom.  How-ever, once he went, it was over.
  It's been OK since Middle School.  However, about 3 1/2 weeks ago, he began to complain of severe abdominal cramps followed by a loose stool.  But, it was continuous.  He was having achieve-ment tests at school and he would go in for 3 hours to take the test then I'd have to pick him up.  They said there was a virus going around and that alot of kids were sick.  However, most of them had a fever and my son didn't.  
  The pediatrician just talked to him (no pushing on his stomach or listening to bowel sounds) and said it was probably anxiety.  I wasn't convinced.  He seemed to have terrible abdominal pain.  Passing the stool helped, but only for about 5 to 10 minutes.  The 2nd time, the doc said to use Mylanta Gas or Pepcid AC since he has sometimes had heartburn in the past.  (No heartburn during this period tho). These did not work.
  Finally, they've ordered stool tests and so far, no blood or parasites but there's one or two tests left (some of the tests they did at the lab were wrong).  Eating makes it worse and lying down makes it worse.  The doc has talked about checking for H-pylorei (sp?) next then going to a gastro doc.  Meanwhile, my son is miserable (they don't want me to use Immodium since they don't yet know the cause)and has missed almost 2 weeks of school.  Some days he has had 5 BM's per hour til it's just water.  He isn't losing weight as he eats even if his stomach hurts, but he looks haggard and tired with a constant neck ache and now he has what appears to be a cold.  
  I suspect IBS.  Do you agree?  What will a gastro doc probably do (what tests)?  Do they give antispasmodic drugs to kids for IBS or is  it just the extra fiber thing?  Thanks for your help!

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

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Dear Anne,
I hope that your sons condition is improving.  It is crucial to emphasize that irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis that is
only made after other diagnosable and treatable conditions have been excluded.
I have seen too many patients diagnosed with irritable bowel who had other causes for the problem e.g. Crohn's disease.  The delay in diagnosis
results from the physician not ordering the appropriate tesst.
Before deciding that your son has anxiety and/or irritable bowel ( which he may have), it is necwessary to perform stool cultures (to exclude treatable infections) and barium studies ( the latter to exclude structural intestinal causes for the diarrhea).  
No one is served by watching symptoms and not doing the appropriate tests or initiating treatment.
This information is presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: diarrhea
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