MY 7 YEAR OLD STEP DAUGHTER HAS A PERMANENT BELLY ACHE!??

[karizmaflip]

I HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD STEP DAUGHTER AND SHE ALWAYS HAS A BELLY ACHE. I TOOK HER TO THE DOCTORS AND HE TESTED HER FOR H-PYLORI AND IT WAS NEGITIVE SO HE GAVE HER SOME MYLANTA. WELL THAT WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND SHE IS STILL COMPLAINING. SHE BECAME SICK IN SEPTEMBER SO I TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL AND SHE HAD A UTI AND THEY KEPT HER FOR 3 DAYS. COULD THE UTI DONE SOMETHING TO HER STOMACH? SHE GETS BOUTS OF DIAHREAH ONCE A WEEK AND SHE IS FAIRLY PAIL. ME AND HER FATHER GOT CUSTODY OF HER IN SEPTEMBER 01, AND SHE HAS HAD THESE PAINS SINCE THEN. WHAT COULD THIS BE?

[BeccasMom]

My 8 year old daughter has had belly pain for 3 years now. It started 3 years ago with a UTI. Her family physician treated her with antiobiotics and it seemed to clear up. She had another UTI a few months later, with blood in her urine (under the microscope). She has had probably 6 UTI's in the past 3 years. She has never been able to wear anything tight around her belly, always has to wear her pants below her belly. Her belly is distended a bit, but not hard. Very pliable, no lumps, no masses. We have had Cat Scans, X-Rays, IVP (injecting dye into her to see if her Uretor tubes were blocked), all kinds of tests. She is going to see a Pediatric Gastro doctor on April 15th. Hopefully he can tell us more. She has seen surgeons, urologists, and lots of doctors in the ER. It hurts after she eats, and has constipation alot. It hurts when she does have a bowel movement. I feel like I am going nuts!!! My child has been in pain for 3 years now and they still have not found anything! I think the doctor's think I am nuts, too. I know what you're going through. Hopefully the Gastro doctor will find out something. Keep me posted as to how you make out with your daughter and I will do the same. My e-mail is ***@****.

[daycaremamma]

My daughter had a stomach ache for 4 years too.  We finally found out she had become lactose intolerant.  We gave her a lactaid tablet 3 times a day and that took care of it.  She got her color back and started to gain weight agian.  She is now 21 and only occasionally has pains.  She has also weaned herself off the tablets.  Try that.  The reason we went with the pills and not cuting out dairy is that a nutritionist told us that there is lactose in so many things that don't have dairy.  For example, the powder coating on gum and french fries has lactose.
Good Luck

[needabreak]

I have to agree with the others.  I have/had a similar experience with my daughter.  She tends to be a worrier like me and anxiety of any sort seems to give her stomach problems, like pain and ocassional diarrhea.  Get a medical opinion also, but consider what she has gone through emotionally.  Best of luck.

[pikamom]

It could be anything, from physical to psychological. She needs a doctor to sort it out. UTI in children is rare and usually serious. Did she have tests to find out why she got it? Her pain started at the same time as custody, could be emotional pain.

[karizmaflip]

they did not start in september they were there prior to the custody. she had an appendectomy in june 2000 and the uti in december 2000. and i will add again she is very pale. the doctor in the hospital said he wanted to inject a dye into her kidneys to see the function of them but other than that i am puzzeled!

[Ciske]

You said that the belly aches started when you got custody last September.  Could it be the custody (battle?) made her have these pains.  A belly ache is sometimes a symptom of depression and with proper care understanding and love easily made better.

Better talk to your general practioner.  Good luck!

[Dr Mum]

Hi there
  I to have a young child who suffers with abdominal pain.
He is nearly 6 years old and has had problems all his life.

Has she ever had any surgery in the past as adhesions may
be causing this problem.

If not I would suggest going back to the doctor and asking
for further tests and maybe exploritory ones.

Also consider the huge emotional change in her life and
the emotional impact on her.

Keep fighting for her and get very knowledgeable as you
already have shown by coming here.

Take care Dr Mum.