HELP for our young son! Diarrhea, vomiting, tummyache, distended abdomen

[ajwmom]

Hopefully somebody can shed some light on symptoms our 2.5 year old boy has been having - we are waiting to see a gastroenterologist.   A brief history: Allergies include diary, egg and nuts.  2 months ago, he complained of a severe stomach ache which followed with 5-6 days of diarrhea - at least 3x/day of liquid or watery stools - pediatrician diagnosed him as having gastroenteritis (viral).  He got somewhat better, but he would complain of a tummyache with decreased appetite.  3 weeks later, he vomits 1-2x/day for 5 days in a row with severely reduced appetite but no diarrhea and soft stools.  After 5 days of vomiting, he had one day with no BM and no vomiting, then the next day frequent diarrhea.  We again figured he had a virus and just bad luck.  Took him back to the pediatrician after 6 days of diarrhea, but no more vomiting.  We did a stool culture and sensitivity, check for rotavirus and c-diff.  All negative.  Diarrhea continued daily 2-3x/day with continued decreased appetite and tummy ache complaints.  The diarrhea eventually stopped after 2.5 weeks and we breathed a sigh of relief.  During this time, he began taking probiotics - both acidophilus as well as beneficial yeast - saccharomyces boulardii.  His stools firmed up some, but were never formed for the next 1.5 weeks.  He then vomited 5x in one day with a formed stool and then diarrhea.  The next day, just diarrhea but no vomiting.  The 3rd day, more vomiting and diarrhea.  The  4th, 5th, and 6th days, no vomiting but loose stools and no appetite.  On the 7th day, more vomiting and diarrhea. we are on the 8th day of this round and the diarrhea continues 1-3x/day. Tonight a new symptom - his belly is really distended (his belly button that is normally a slight "innie" is now flush with his belly) and he complains of a tummy ache.  When I press on his tummy, he says it is most tender above his belly button in the middle (epigastric) and some discomfort around the belly button with pressure (periumbilical)  No tenderness in the lower quadrants.  He has lost about 1.5 pounds in the last month.  (currently he weighs 28 pounds).  I agree with the pediatrician who doesn't think that what he has is infectious in nature since this has continued off and on (mostly on) for the better part of 2 1/2 months.  Nobody else in the family or at daycare has had any symptoms.  He has not had a fever.  Any ideas as to the cause of this?  We are worried and worn out!

[tiredincali31]

Please take him immediately to a doctor!! Something is wrong with your 2.5 year old that is not a simple stomach virus!! It worried me when I read that he had vomiting and diarrhea for so long but now his stomach is distended!! I worked as an EMT for a number of years and a distended stomach is usually a sign of something more complicated than a stomach virus!! Please let us know how it turns out. I agree with mammo if you can't get him into a gastroenterologist take him to the ER...actually you should take him to the ER anyways most ER's have gi's close by.

[mammo]

You truly need to get your son to the gastroenterologist right away.  I would call his office and let them know your son has these new symptoms, and if they can't get you in immediately, I would take him to the ER.