Should I have asked for further testing?

I have just left the emergency room with my 15 year old daughter, who informed me this evening that she has been suffering intense, constant mid-abdominal pain with extreme distention/bloating, EVERY DAY, for the last several months!  She hadn't mentioned it to me until tonight, and told me she just was "dealing with it". She is a high school athlete, (volleyball, basketball, track and field), and has noticed that the pain begins around 2 or 2:30 pm every day, and is most excruciating during practice and games.  Last night, she claims she came off the bench and could barely stand up straight.  Changing positions does not bring about relief.  By the time the evening wears on, the pain subsides to just the bloating.  By morning, she feels fine.;.. then the cycle begins again.  She says she has tried cutting out dairy products, and bread (she knows I am lactose tolerant and grain sensitive and wanted to see if these dietary changes might help her pain).  She claims changes to her diet have not helped.  T

The ER doctor asked her if she experiences the pain on the weekends.  My daughter said that "only sometimes", does she have the pain and bloating on the weekends, and that when she does, it is less severe than it is during the school week.  In the absence of fever, vomiting, irregular bowel movements/habits, Dr. suggested that her pain is related to "stress".  Since "Ann" is a 3.8 student, athletically involved at school, and not lacking for friends, we are unsure about the stress diagnosis.  More likely, we are wondering if exercise/activity might be exacerbating her symptoms (she has practices and games during M-F, but not on the weekends).

Dr. also pressed on her stomach, and found her to be more sensitive in the lower left quadrant, suggesting possible colitis.  In the end, he recommended we get some Malox and ibuprofen, and follow up with a primary care physician if things don't get better.

"Ann" says she also gets pain high up in the ribcage (upper abdomen), and sometimes, when it gets bad, she has accompanying sharp pains in her chest.  Gas bubbles?  

Should we follow up with more extensive care, or just chug Malox here and chalk it all up to "stress"?  what is involved in diagnosing colitis?  Do these symptoms sound consistent with Colitis?  ANY thoughts are welcome!

[TrudieC]

Colitis usually presents itself with bloody and mucus filled diarhhea and cramps.  It is diagnosed by a colonoscopy.  There are many things this could be - ovarian cysts, food sensitivities, even referred pain from the back.  Do go to your family doctor and have him look into it.