Vomiting problems with my kids (16 & 11)

[stclairt]

I posted this on the gallbladder page too .... but thought maybe someone here could help me. Please.

Let me see if I can make a long story semi-short. Back in April/May/June my then 15 yr old daughter got pretty ill. What started as a 'stomach bug' ended in a nightmare. She had a 'bug' for a couple days of throwing up, then seems ok, the following week the 'bug' returned for a few days ... afterward it seemed to go away then the 3rd week the vomiting was so bad she was sick continually -- throwing up everything she ate and at this point she was eating only animal crackers and apple sauce. After her pediatrician tried Zofran (for nausea) with no results we went to a ped. gi dr. He did a wide range of blood tests, stool test, upper and lower GI x-ray. Those were clean and ok. The vomiting continued the weakness got worse so she had an endoscope (throat) and a sig-something to check the lower part of her colon. Those tests were OK. They were just with the idea that "this would pass" and gave her Prilosec. UGH. After a few more days, now like week 5-6 I told them she was really losing weight and not able to get out of bed due to weakness. They admitted her in the hospital, did an NG feeding tube ... and ordered a CT scan. The CT scan was 'normal' except showing a smaller but functioning kidney (unrelated). I felt so frustrated. I mean they found nothing but why was my daughter so ill? She had the feeding tube for about 5 days -- and after it was removed she started to be a little better, over the summer she gained strength and seemed OK. Now, 2 weeks ago, she got a stomach bug, it lasted for a week, she said she felt like she did before (but her younger brother was sick too so I thought it was indeed a bug) -- after a week she seemed to improve but after a few days it came back and came back hard like before. She was throwing up nearly everything she ate, vomiting 5-10 times a day. We went back to the dr on Friday, the gi specialist and they are leaning to IBS. Since all of those test were OK this is what they are looking at. I see vomiting is rare with IBS. The thing is her symptoms are stomach ache, vomiting, feels hot but doesn't run a fever, tho last week it was 99.4, she is NOT nauseous, she doesn't have bowel problems and no cramps, just aches -- she said her sides hurt, like the ribs but could be from the vomiting.

GI dr gave her Prolisec again and an anti depressant for pain (did more blood work and order another stool test to be sure) -- we are on day 6 of the meds, no real improvement but to early to say I'm sure. She is missing school, I am extremely worried about her, its so stressful. I don't know if IBS is the 'real' reason she is sick and they said her ibs is worse with stress and since she is now behind in school that is flaring her IBS symptoms. They also want her to seek counseling too. I just feel lost and like I am losing my mind. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions. I might just lose my mind :(

My thought is it might be her gallbladder. I just had a nuclear gallbladder test on myself and it is functioning at 21% -- told it needs to come out since I am having a lot of pain related. And my 11 yr old son is having similar symptoms as my daughter vomiting after some meals but nothing as sever as hers. Could we have bad gallbladders -- be hereditary? At this point I am grasping at straws. My daughter is now home bound for school, she is pretty ill and to get her to another specialist at  Wake Forest Children's Hospital it will take until Nov 24, with her condition that is a looooong time. Thoughts, suggestions?

[stclairt]

My daughter did do the barium test .... it was ok too :/

[LivingInHope]

You might try having your kids stay with you at a close relative's house, since you wonder if it could be something at your house and see if it makes a difference?

[LivingInHope]

I had an upper GI  or endoscopy as well, and the doctor said nothing about muscle weakness caused by acid.  It wasn't until I had I had the barium swallow that it was seen that I had food and liquid catching in my throat.  The endoscopy had shown esophagitis in the lower part and gastritis, but the barium swallow test demonstrated the acid reflux coming up the throat with swallowing barium liquid.  Since your daughter has the lump in the throat feeling, it would be worth pursuing a barium swallow test.  The endoscopy is now done passively (at least where I had it done), where they had me asleep and didn't ask me to swallow.

[mammo]

I undertstand.  Two of my 3 children suffer with a rare hereditary condition, along with a grandson.  I lost one of my sons and my grandson.  It was very frustrating when the doctors had no answers for us, and there was no such thing as the internet.  Sometimes as parents, we must do all the research and hope that we come across something to mention to the docs in hopes it rings a bell.  You're working hard at this, you'll find the answer.
Take care......

[stclairt]

Thanks everyone. I will look into some posions and such over the weekend. I just find this so crazy. Especially with it being both of them. One thing that dawned on me today, we had a flood from a toliet 2+ yrs ago, that water got in the ducts -- but this was on the opposite side of the house from where they sleep but could it be something? We had ServPro do the cleaning and such but nothing was done to the ducts. Grasping again ...

I have read some about the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome ... sadly there isn't a 'test' for that and she doesn't meet all of the symptoms but who knows. Something to bring up to the doctors. Sadly I feel like I am doing more work on finding out what is wrong with her than they are.

[mammo]

Try "googling" your daughters symptoms, there are numerous things.  One that caught my eye was "Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome".  Don't know if it fits, but check it out.

[mammo]

Food allergies are a real possibility, and it would make sense that a brother and sister would both have them.

[mammo]

I did some checking and your daughter doesn't have the symptoms of  any mercury, arsenic, or lead poisoning.  They did say anytime more than one person  in the household is having the same symptoms, you should look at poisoning, either thru contaminated water, food, anything they are both exposed to. Look at any medications they are on also.  I will keep looking to see if I can find anything else.  They say that poisoning is very hard to diagnose because it has many of the same symptoms as other illnesses.

[cbuchholtz]

I think it's weird that both are having problems at the same time which makes me believe it's environmental but it looks like you've ruled it out.

This maybe grasping at straws, but try removing gluten from their diet. Your daughter was having problems only eating crackers. Normally crackers make you feel better but she was getting worse. Your son had problems with pizza and pasta.

Celiac is a genetic disease and it can seem to just turn on. I have it, and I believe it made my gall bladder so sick that I had it removed.

It will seem challenging at first but there are a ton of gluten free products in your regular grocery store. General Mills has done a nice job. Do your research and read labels. Look for malt flavoring in cereals that you'd think should be gluten free.

It couldn't hurt to try and it may take a week before you see some improvement.

[stclairt]

My daughter did have the EGD and a sigma-scope something or other done (check the lower part of the intestines) ... both were OK. Nothing seemed weak, no reflux signs, nothing ... which is why I feel like I am going NUTS!!

Anyone know anything about arsenic poisoning? I'm told this could be something my kids are being exposed to, something environmental or something they are eating?

[LivingInHope]

I recently had a barium swallow test done.  The lady saw with every swallow, whether with food or straight barium, a little was getting caught in my throat.  She said the muscle may be weakened.  I learned that acid reflux can weaken the muscle.  She also saw acid coming up my throat.   The lady said that people often who get that test complain of feeling like something is caught in their throat (I get the same feeling).  She said the acid coming up the throat in people with GERD are the ones complaining.

[mammo]

I know your worry, and this seems to be a real puzzle. Has she had an endoscopy or colonoscopy? But I just can't help but think there is something either environmental or  in what they both eat. It appears not to be physical even though there are other things to be ruled out.  But for everyone to be feeling bad just makes me think there is a common thread here.  Your daughter got better in the hospital and was better for awhile after.  Think of what, if anything changed just prior to her getting sick again.  I would ask her doctor if they tested her for any chemical poisoning, as this can occur accidentally with no knowledge.  Check her room thoroughly for any sign of mold or irritants that may be getting into the house. I know I'm no help, but I feel your frustrations and the need to find the cause.  For more than one person in a household to be sick like this, usually points to one common factor, but what?  Do they both take any supplements that are the same?

[stclairt]

We have thought about the enviromental things --- we feel everyone would be sick if that as the case but maybe not? There are 3 kids and 2 adults in the house. We don't appear to have mold issues but should look at the more. We are on city water ...
Kayleigh was tested for parasites before but those tests were negative. I need to look into some things house related, to be sure.

We all started these symptoms about the same time, which is odd -- ad it really is only coming to light now ... I didn't place these things together when it all was starting. My oldest son, 17 at the time got mono, he recovered from that, even tho it was stressful, not long after that the first symptoms started with my daughter, at the time we figured it was a bug of some type. It came and went at first then 2-3 week then it stayed for a while ... another 4-5 weeks. My middle son, the 11 year old start complaining of being sick feeling after like a fast food meal, namely chicken tenders/nuggets. He stopped eating those, then it was pizza, now its plain pasta with parm, and his cereal ... it seems to have progressed this week with him. SO strange.

At the same time I started having these stomach aches, burning feeling but I figured I had worried myself into a ulcer. However, after having some  tests then the HIDA xray I am told my gallbladder is not functioning -- its at 21%,just found out this week, my test was Tuesday.

My daughter says food feels stuck, and it helps to eat then it helps the pain to throw up. She wants to eat ... she tried to eat all day -- not a full meal but snacks. Its like she has pain from not eating then has pain after eating.

She has blood work, CT scan on her belly,upper and lower gi (barrium sp) xray, EGD ... she had blood work redone this last week and it is all normal. So ... I don't know what to do next.

[wantonwonderer]

    In June I had a stomach virus which has resulted in chronic nausea (no vomiting in my case but I have come close many times.) I also had an extensive work-up with no definite answers. The result of my HIDA scan was 33% which I am told is "borderline". Doctors cannot provide any assurance that removing my gallbladder would help me (I am 24 y.o., by the way). In your daughters case, a bad gallbladder is a possibility so I would recommend getting the HIDA scan.
     Has your daughter had a gastric emptying scan? This is also a nuclear med test, although fairly noninvasive. You consume some radioactive food and they time how long it takes to empty from your stomach. Gastroparesis is slow stomach emptying which can occur following a viral illness. It causes nausea and vomiting of undigested food, sometimes a long time after eating. In my case, this test was normal but it is worth looking into for your daughter.
       I know how difficult it is to feel that something is seriously wrong but be unable to find a diagnosis. Doctors can be dismissive, so it is critical to find a good one who will take up the torch for your daughter. I am also left with the diagnosis of IBS, which I seriously doubt as I have no lower digestive problems. IBS is a catchall term for when they don't know what's going wrong. Best of luck and feel free to message me if you want to chat.
    

[mammo]

I understand your frustrations.  But I do feel it's odd that now your son is also becoming sick.  You may want to look at something they are eating that is bad, their environment, some type of poisoning, mold, the water, parasites, anything they may have in common.  They are very young to have gallbladder problems, and this is not IBS, the doctors are grasping at straws on that one!  Maybe you should contact Wake Forest and tell them about your son and tell them your daughter is worse, can they get you in sooner.  It would be very easy for your daughter to become dehydrated, and with her vomiting like this, I don't see any way except intravenously to hydrate her.  Dehydration can become very serious, they cannot allow her to continue until November like this.  I would load them into the car and go the the ER at Wake Forest and tell them you have an appt. with the specialist the end of Nov. but she is worse and now your son is sick also.  

[LivingInHope]

You might also try posting this in the "undiagnosed" forum.