4 year old tummy aches in waking hours

[Delma]

My four year old boy has been complaining of a tummy ache for several months now. Sometimes it extends to his back. Sometimes he vomits, even first thing in the morning before he has had breakfast. The naturopath said he detected large pockets of gas. We started probiotics, fish oil, and today started sipping water soaked in fennel seeds, and water with a pinch of apple cider vinegar.
The GP did the entire range of blood tests, urine, stool, Xray and ultrasound and all were normal. Now the GP wants to eliminate one food at a time, and is averse to referring to a pediatric gastroenterologist. I get the impression the GP will continue indefinitely trying one thing after another, without having a clue and is content to dispel any concerns and suggests it is merely anxiety.
He does not go to school and he loves his singing and swimming classes and there is no rush in the morning for his father to get out the door to go to work, and I can’t think of any obvious reason for anxiety causing tummy ache. I am worried because he is in constant pain, although he is eating fine and runs around and does all his play without complaint, but if you ask him how he is he will mention that he has a pain in his tummy and sometimes he mentions it without being reminded.
Any ideas?
Thanks,

[Ruthla]

My first guess would be some kind of food allergy.

I wouldn't be comfortable eliminating one food at a time when your DS is in daily pain, and an allergist can test for a dozen different allergens at once. I'd insist that the GP refer me to somebody else, or go ahead and get a 2nd opinion if he won't write the referral.

If you really want to do this with an elimination diet, rather than blood or skin tests, then at least try eliminating many foods at once so you can get results more quickly. Removing one food at a time isn't going to help if he's got more than one food allergy!

[Ofwait]

Hmm... Is his belly distended?
I would take him to the gastro doc, and insist on a CT scan.
If there is really something wrong you don't want to sit around indefinately waiting for this DR to finally figure it out. You know there is something wrong, and you doubt your Dr, or you probably wouldn't be posting here.

Follow your instincts.

[Lingmom]

You know your child best and you know when he's seriously ill and when he's mostly fine. I would follow your intuitions.

If you think the problem is really serious, press your family doctor for a referral to a gastro-enterologist and prepare yourself (and your son) for more diagnostic tests.

If you think it's a food sensitivity, try the elimination diet that your doctor suggested.

If you prefer to use a naturopath and feel that the problem is resolving, then continue with that.

When you've got an unknown health problem, it's easy to get frustrated... Good luck!

[Delma]

Thanks for the encouragement and support. I have just phoned the GP's office and asked for copies of the tests so I can get a referral to a pediatrician from a walk in clinic. Sadly I have to ask the GP for permission for the copy in person, and find myself dreading that. Does seem that my instincts are telling me to find another GP. I have an appointment for next Tuesday. I'll definitely ask for a CT scan and for a referral to an allergist too.

It feels better to have something specific to address. Thanks again,
Delma.

[lilgreen]

Can you get a blood test done for celiac disease, or was that one of the orignial tests done by the GP? I know there are a ton of possible causes for this, but it was so easy for us to get a blood test. Get it done before any food elimination is done. If your gp makes him eliminate gluten for a while, the effects may not be a dramatic improvement and therefore be missed. Also, once gluten is elminated for a while and THEN you get a blood test, even after going back on gluten before the test, the test may offer numbers that don't accurately show what's going on.

You can read about celiac dissease at celiac.com, but this is a particularly helpful document when trying to assess if your dc has celiac d: www.celiachealth.org/pdf/celiac8.pdf

I sure hope you get it figured out quickly. That does not sound like a fun way to live

[Delma]

Ofwait,
I don't know if Robert's tummy is distended or not. Side profile is kind of pear shaped, with the belly protruding, but not bulging abruptly, if that makes any sense. Anything we should look for in particular?
Thanks for suggesting CT scan and gastro enterologist. The GP told us there is a two year waiting list so hope we can find another route.
Beko.

[Delma]

Hi Lilgreen, yes did get the celiac dissease test, and it was normal so that's not the problem to best of my knowledge.
Thanks,
Delma.

[2shy2post]

You said "all the normal" tests... so this may have already been done.

Has he been tested for diabetes? For kids with a "slow" onset of diabetes, a constant stomach ache is pretty standard.

Not only should they check his current blood sugar, but also do an A1C (which is an "average" of the last few months).

Best wishes finding the answers you need! It's never fun to deal with unanswered health concerns.

[Ofwait]

I am thinking about a lopsidedness. Have you noticed any changes in his belly button? like flattening.
My DD's flattened out when she had a kidney tumor, just like with pregnancy.
There is so much the medical world can do now for sick kids, don't hesitate to seek out the help you need.

[Strong Mama]

Could he have an ulcer? Have you tried waking him up in the middle of the night, giving him crackers or something light and seeing if he still had the tummyache/nausea in the morning if hes had something on his stomach?

[Rie]

Have you heard of Bioset? It has been very successful for my cousin who has terrible allergies. I myself have gone through the Biofeedback (Biomeridian) which I found helpful to find my food sensitivities. Bioset I believe is specifically for allergy elimination. Here's a link so you can check it out.

http://www.bioset.net/

As a child I had terrible stomach aches due to dairy. But it sounds like he is experiencing more than just a stomach ache.

I hope you can find some relief for him soon.

[Delma]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I'm ashamed to say I don't even know what all the blood tests Robert has had done are for. I just remember there was eight blood tests. Next Tuesday I intend to be well armed with questions thanks to all the help here. I am feeling better about making the request for a copy of the test results.

I will keep an eye on the body shape changes, and start to pay attention to the belly button and check out the bioset. Also will ask doctor if check done for diabetes and take care of it if it's not.
If anyone has a reference book on amino acids that they recommend I would appreciate it. I would love to learn something instead of feeling at a loss.

Thanks again for all the well wishes, I do know that helps.

Delma

[2shy2post]

Originally Posted by Delma

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I'm ashamed to say I don't even know what all the blood tests Robert has had done are for.

Don't be ashamed! There is NO WAY that any one mama could possibly know all that it out there. Sadly, there's so many *things* out there that it often takes a well-educated doctor a battery of tests to determine things.

I'm sure many of these mamas who are sharing their experiences went through a dozen "maybe it's ... " before finding the right diagnosis.

Best wishes and let us know!

[Rie]

Delma did you find out the cause of DC tummy aches??

I just read tummy aches can be a symptom of tonsillitis even though your tonsils are in your throat. Anyway, I though of you.

Hope all is improving!