Stomach pain with loss of balance

[jacqi]

My 13 year old son has been suffering for the past three weeks with pain in the abdominal area, loss of balance, swollen glands, tiredness and nauseous when on his feet.  He has does not have appendicitis, glandular fever, clear MRI scan on the brain, clear chest xray, blood check on liver ok, blood test showing no infection in the body.  ENT can't find anything wrong, he is off school as they can't accommodate a wheel chair and he can't concentrate on school work for more than an hour!  Does anyone out that have any ideas?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To evaluate for abdominal causes, a CT scan should be considered in addition to the tests already mentioned to fully evaluate the abdominal pain.  A sort of infection or mass can cause the pain.  Upper and lower endoscopy can be considered if the tests continue to be non-revealing.  

Regarding the balance loss - I would suggest a referral to a neurologist for further evaluation.  In addition to the MRI brain scan, an MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) of the cerebral vessels can be considered to evaluate for any insufficiency (although this would be uncommon in children).  Another ENT opinion may also be considered for the workup of the dizziness.  

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[PAJ]

I would still consider an infection as a possibility. Very often blood tests do not pick up infections , not many tests are conclusive ,and I bet he hasn’t been tested for fungal infection at all, pain in the abdominal area suggests if there is an infection that’s where to look. Has he had any stool cultures?   With such dramatic symptoms & many tests and still no diagnosis makes a yeast overgrowth a very real possibility .The doctors are quite capable of ignoring yeast I assure you ….Its worth checking out at the very least…take a look at my posts below …see if you relate to the information….

Here’s one test you may consider, three weeks is a bit soon for this but as it’s without risk it’s worth doing. There are other tests specific to bacteria , I have other info on neurological symptoms if your interested.
Over time it’s now known that we produce a lessening response to Candida antigen. This is called an Anergy . There is a test called  Hypersensitivity allergy test It’s a medical fact that a healthy person will react allegically to Candida albicans,. Using a clinical test for normal immunity, the doctor injects a small amount of Candida yeast extract under the skin and observes for a raised, red allergic reaction. If that reaction does not occur, the patient is diagnosed as "anergic," meaning that the immune system is not functioning. In other words, the body will always react allergically to Candida yeast unless immunity has become paralysed or stressed-out. That fact proves that the presence of yeast in the body creates stress to immunity.