Stomach Cramping in child....ongoing...any ideas?

[brokenheart]

My 7 year old gets strong, painful stomach cramps very randomly. It has been happening for about 2 years now, but at first it was only once every 4 or 5 months. I took her to the doctor twice and was told it was too vague and it could be a number of things and she'd probably outgrow it.

It seemed to stop, then 3 months ago she suddenly got very bad pain which caused her to be doubled-over and crying. I was scared it was her appendix and we rushed her to Emergency. While waiting, the cramps subsided and she was sweaty/clammy and very tired. The doctor felt her stomach and asked questions, but said again it could be any number of things, but he didn't think it was serious (by that time she felt totally well and was playing with a toy).

Now, over the past 2 months she has had stomach pain frequently. Not as bad, but bad enough that she cries and has to lie down. I've kept track of what she's eating, and it doesn't seem related...very random. For example, today she felt very unwell (and the stomach cramps have persisted off and on for hours, but not severe....but it seems like everytime she goes to the bathroom she cries, but she's not constipated -- I have no idea what is happening). I would think lactose intolerance, but I tried giving her digestive enzymes and it doesn't help. It can't really be gluten, because why would it only happen so infrequently when she eats grains often? I can't figure out anything else food related...her diet is fairly consistent and it isn't like she suddenly eats something unusual and then gets sick.

[Llyra]

There is such a thing as abdominal migraine. I know a bit about it, because we briefly considered it as a diagnosis for my DD2's issues.

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache...-migraine.html

The disorder functions a lot like migraine headaches do-- it comes and goes, and often the sufferer can identify triggers. However, the main symptom isn't headache, it's severe abdominal pain, often accompanied by pallor (paleness), refusal to eat, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. It's most common in children between 5 and 9, and often develops into the more typical migraine as the child grows older.

You'd need some tests, to rule out other problems, before this could be diagnosed. You'll want to rule out GI problems, for example. The best treatment is to keep a diary of symptoms, food, stressful situations, chemical exposure-- to try to identify triggers, the way you might with allergies. There are also drug treatments, if the symptoms start to interfere with the child's daily life.

[dannic]

nak--have you considered food allergies/intolerances? maybe keep a food journal?

[Learning_Mum]

Does she get diarrea when she has the cramps?

For as long as I can remember I've had issues with stomach aches. Usually I go to the toilet and that fixes them. I know the sweaty, clammy feeling well.

I've wondered whether I have IBS, but I've never actually spoken to a doctor about it.

[ameliabedelia]

Could it be anxiety/stress related? Constipation would be another guess. The abdominal migraines also occurred to me as well.

Hope she feels better soon. It's so hard when kids get these odd things and doctors don't seem to take it seriously.

[brokenheart]

I've never heard of abdominal migraines before. Wow! Okay, maybe it is something like that.

I've considered food intolerances, but it is just so random. She eats pretty much the same types of food so if she were intolerant to milk (for example), you would think she would have this problem all the time instead of so randomly.

Other than this weirdness, she doesn't have any digestion issues at all. Even with the pain she doesn't have diahrrea/constipation. No anxiety/stress. No vomiting. But yesterday, she did seem to have loud gas at times. Only bad stomach cramps and (the one time) clammy/sweating/fatigue. A lot of times she will get quite agitated and kind of hop around saying it hurts.

[dannic]

allergies, ect symptoms can seem random or BE random when not addressed, but once off the offending food, they become more obvious when breached...does that make sense? I'm in newborn-induced haze, lol.

[libba]

At age ten my dd still confuses a "stomachache" with the need to have a bowel movement. Don't know at what point this understanding kicks in! Also she tends to have tummy aches in relation to stress.

[Strong Mama]

Next time she gets it, give appropriate dosage to her age for Motrin and if it goes away, it is probably abdominal migraine. IF it does not, it is more than likely a digestive issue. I would eliminate dairy for the time being, as well.

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by Strong Mama

Next time she gets it, give appropriate dosage to her age for Motrin and if it goes away, it is probably abdominal migraine. IF it does not, it is more than likely a digestive issue. I would eliminate dairy for the time being, as well.

I wouldn't be so sure that it's not migraine, even if Motrin doesn't touch it. Many sufferers of true migraines find that the NSAIDs are not terribly effective against their pain.