Recurrent stomach aches

[LaurieG]

Looking for where to explore next in resolving DS1's (age 8) recurrent stomach aches.

We've experimented with elimination diets and that doesn't seem to make a big difference. He didn't have any stomach aches while dairy or soy free, but no significant symptoms with reintroduction of either. The stomach aches are infrequent enough that it doesn't seem to warrent strict adherence to an ED.

In googling causes of recurrent stomach aches in children nothing seems to fit. They don't happen at particularly stressful times, DS isn't a highly anxious child, he doesn't have frequent diarrhea, he does sometimes go a few days between BM's but the stomach aches don't correlate as though they are due to constipation.

I've suspected reflux because they happen generally right after he drinks a large drink (especially chocolate milk for some reason, but regular milk rarely bothers him) and because he has chronic inflammation in his airway, but I don't know if I'm on the right track with that or not.

Any other thoughts on things to consider?

[mountainsun]

My ds, who is almost 7, has been prone to stomach aches since he was a toddler. My ds, is anxious and sensitive though, so I think that is much of the problem.

I know that if he has too many sweets and/ or greasy food (pizza) he will have a tummy ache. Things are much better now that he is a bit older - but what really helps him is peppermint tea I also have him on a good probiotc. He used to go a few days without a bm, but now he is pretty regular going every other day. I am also going to start taking him to a gentle chiropractor as I think that this will really help him.

hth.

[Llyra]

How severe are they? I mean, is he complaining of an uncomfortable pain, but still going about his normal activities? Or is he pale and clutching his belly and unable to play or do the other things he enjoys? Sometimes children get migraines, and the main symptom of them is severe abdominal pain-- a lot of those kids progress to having the more familiar headache migraines as they get older. If you google "abdominal migraine," you can read about it. But those usually show up as severe pain, with perhaps paleness, dark circles under the eyes, and the desire to just lie down in a quiet dark place and be left alone.

[LaurieG]

Originally Posted by mountainsun

My ds, who is almost 7, has been prone to stomach aches since he was a toddler. My ds, is anxious and sensitive though, so I think that is much of the problem.

I know that if he has too many sweets and/ or greasy food (pizza) he will have a tummy ache. Things are much better now that he is a bit older - but what really helps him is peppermint tea I also have him on a good probiotc. He used to go a few days without a bm, but now he is pretty regular going every other day. I am also going to start taking him to a gentle chiropractor as I think that this will really help him.

hth.

Thanks for sharing your story. So do you use the pepermint tea to treat the stomach ache in the moment or do you feel it has been helpful at prevention as well?

Originally Posted by Llyra

How severe are they? I mean, is he complaining of an uncomfortable pain, but still going about his normal activities? Or is he pale and clutching his belly and unable to play or do the other things he enjoys? Sometimes children get migraines, and the main symptom of them is severe abdominal pain-- a lot of those kids progress to having the more familiar headache migraines as they get older. If you google "abdominal migraine," you can read about it. But those usually show up as severe pain, with perhaps paleness, dark circles under the eyes, and the desire to just lie down in a quiet dark place and be left alone.

Something in between I would say. He is uncomfortable and really prefers to be lying down or otherwise curled up but he can continue along with encouragement. The stomach aches also don't seem to last as long as a stomach migraine might according to what I was reading (1 hr on the short end). His are more often 20 or 30 minutes. But it is interesting that they mentioned chocolate as a trigger. I wonder if there is a histamine response involved?

Thanks.

[mountainsun]

I use the peppermint tea as a treatment. I also make sure to give him the probiotic when his (our) eating has been sub-par.

[nursemom2]

my 9 y.o. son has sporadic stomach aches. the ped called them functional abdominal pains that are extremely common in school aged kids. however, we have eliminated all food dyes, and high fructose corn syrup and just about all grains. this has been dramatic and he hardly has any stomach aches now. we also try relaxation and yoga and recently adopted a kitten which has brought much calmness as he sits and holds and pets him for long periods of time. i recently read about naturally occuring fructose in apples, pears and watermelon among other foods. many people are fructose intolerant and my son does clain to have stomach aches after watermelon and apples. it might be worth a try. cutting out grains and fructose have been wonderful for him and our whole family.