5 Yr Old Having Re-occuring Tummy Aches-maybe Nerves

Maybe he is trying to get your attention. Or maybe you are the only one who believes that something is wrong. Maybe you need a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist to look for some sort of syndrome. Also have you done any online research?

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Hi M.,

My son, who is now 7, had constipation problems from about 1-5 years old. His pedi put him on Miralax (I think I spelled it right.), which is a powder form of fiber to keep him regular. He would complain about tummy aches and I would always ask him if he had to go pooh. He would always say no, but eventually he would go to the bathroom and once he had a bowel movement, his stomach didn't hurt anymore. At one point he avoided going pooh because it hurt to go, which made the problem even worse, but once the Miralax starting working he felt much better. Try to avoid binding foods, like bannas and give him more fruits like peaches or pears in the syrup as I was told that those types of food would help, which they did. I hope this is helpful! I know how heartbreaking it is to see your children suffering!!!! God Bless!

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poor thing.my daughter had reflux last year at 5/6! I dont know why, if it was a nervous tummy that started it or the tummy bug she had that messed her up. But she ALWAYS had a tummy ache and kept saying she tasted puke, even if she was just sitting playing barbies, and it isnt her to have so many tummy aches. she took some reflux med (?) and it was gone in a month, shes been fine ever since. So check with him and make sure its actually the bowels part of his tummy, and if they keep happening he should so a GI doctor and maybe get some more allergy testing done...good luck!

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Hi M.. Sounds like you have the medical issues covered. I have a a lot of experience working with young children and anxiety. Using storytelling to help children find coping skills for difficult feelings is a great strategy. One of my favorites that you might find helpful is called:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

You can find it at most bookstores too. Maybe even Target.

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Hi M.,

I send a reply to mothers requesting help for children with abdominal pain and bowel movement problems. So as not to take up a ton of my time rewriting the same thing over and over, below are copies of what I've sent other mothers.

Good luck. I hope your son feels better soon!
: ) M.

....

An alternate suggestion to the mineral oil suggestion in another post - cod liver oil. You can get it flavored with lemon from Carlson's. It contains essential nutrients as opposed to mineral oil. Flaxseed oil too.

I had a blood test for celiac disease. It came back negative but I felt much better after removing wheat from my diet. In time I discovered that all grains gave me trouble. It took me three days to feel better after removing wheat. It took a fairly healthy relative of mine 3 months before noticing a change. Seeing how poorly your daughter feels, I'll bet she'll feel the difference sooner than later.

I mostly use ground flaxseed and almonds in place of grains. Check out the recipe website. I now cook almost all of our food from scratch. You need to read labels and know the sources of ingredients. Life isn't impossible on this diet. It is much more enjoyable to feel better too.
Glad to see you are a SAHM too. It helps with the cooking - make too much food when you cook so that you'll have leftovers. You can freeze some things for later.

Another remedy to relieve constipation is milk of magnesia. Magnesium is an important mineral for the body and mind. A diet change may help with the constipation. Hers is pretty bad though so it might not completely get rid of the problem. One of my children still has a problem. Don't know if it's not enough fluid, or fiber, or magnesium in the diet causing the constipation, or maybe it's just the way his digestive tract works. I'm a LOT better though. What a relief!

: ) M.

A number of us; me, family, and friends; have found the information found on the below websites to be of great benefit to our health. One doesn't need to be overweight - it will help with that - to find help from this diet. Our problems were gastro-intestinal related. The change in diet also helped with other problems that are not considered by the medical establishment to be diet related. Good luck to you and your child!

M.

http://www.cambridge.org/us/books/kiple/introduction1.htm... a number one (1) at the end of introduction, not a lower-case letter L.) The Cambridge World History of Food, Cambridge University (England) website
http://www.ThePaleodiet.com, http://www.PaleoDiet.com, htpp://www.thepaleodiet.com/newsletters
http://www.sofdesign.com/neanderthin/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/AncestralLifestyle
http://www.paleofood.com - recipes and ingredient conversions.

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M.,
I would strongly recommend consulting a classic homeopath. Homeopathy excels at addressing underlying emotional symptoms to a problem and the nice thing is, no side effects whatsoever. Not covered by insurance but if it works, it's worth it! You can find one here - I use one that's far away, who does phone consultation.
http://www.homeopathy-cures.com/

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i would ddefinately do Alot of what the other moms suggested. keep a log of what he eats, when he eats, when he complaoins of pain, and when he poops take the log to your pediatricin and get a refferral to a GI preferably one who deals with children. also try the fibre supplement one mom suggested & put tha in the log as well. keeping track will also give you an idea of what helps and what to avoid.I know someone whose child would get so constipated from cheese and crakers she wouldn't poop anywhere besides her pants. The pedi had her give the child the fibre supplement along with some castor oil mixed with Orange Juice. I also like the idea of when he complains of putting him to bed he won't want to be in bed if he isn't in pain, he would rather be up and playing. hopefully you get your answers soon. :)

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HI M.,
I think that anytime a child complains about pain we should listen to them. Even if it is for attention- that is still something that he needs. I am sure that he isn't thinking that he should complain about a stomach ache so he gets attention. He probably really feels the pain! I would treat it like a pain and put him to bed whenever he complains. This way you know if it's real or just for attention. If it's just for attention he'll say it's better since he doesn't want to lay in bed!
I would also start giving him some cuddle time- maybe with a book or have him sit in your lap and do a puzzle. Do this when he isn't complaining about pain and see if it helps cut down on the number of times he complains.
This would help you figure out if it's genuine pain or not- without making him feel bad about it.
Good luck,
S.

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Of course he wants his mom - he doesn't feel well!! The food allergies and constipation are the problem - and I would love to tell you more about Reliv's nutritional product for kids. I have talked to many many parents whose children have gotten relief from major disgestive issues - and gotten rid of their food allergies. If you're interested in learning more and talking directly to moms whose kids have had very severe problems, let me know. Your little guy doesn't have to feel this way, and he could be much happier, poor thing! Let me know. ###-###-#### or email me back, or directly at ____@____.com

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A five year old is very young, but seems you are doing the right things, especially keeping in touch with the pediatrician.

I hate to add this, but I feel I must in the remote, very remote possibility you must keep your mind open. If he talks of having to keep secrets, someone he is afraid of or seems to have a bizarre knowledge of things he shouldn't about his body. I know it may seem inappropriate and I don't want to alarm you, but I'm speaking from experience. Again, the possibility is remote but please keep your eyes and ears open and observe his behavior.

Otherwise, you seem to be doing well and are attentive to his needs. Also, has your family gone through any major changes lately? Moved? Change in routine? Someone he was used to has left his life or someone new come into his life? What about daycare? Ask the daycare workers about his routine and get to know the people that are dealing with him each day.

Does sound like his symptoms are originating from an emotional level or something else. Remember, a five year old really hasn't formed the ability yet to articulate all his experiences or how he feels.

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Hi there,
It is possible that it could be an attention thing. But, It could also be something else. Has you MD done any sort of testing on him? I have a close friend who's son suffered stomachache's for years. She talked to his MD and they wrote it off as attention seeking. Well many years later they finally did a cat scan of his belly and found that he had a small stone that would occationally block off his appendix and cause the pain. He had it removed and since has had no further pain. Food allergies and lactose intolerance can also cause abd pain. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you know your child better than anyone else. If you feel that it's the realy thing then please pursue it. Good luck.

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M.,
i agree with the other moms. see a specialist. push your dr if you have too! my oldest son has food allergies, and some issues with going. He also has reflux which is uncomfortable. Ask your son to best descripe what he is feeling. keep a food log. my son describes his acid reflux as a feeling of burning, and sometimes needing to vomit.
good luck and let us know!

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Hi M.,
My daughter went through the same sort of thing when she was five also. I sometimes had to rush her up to the Hospital she was in such pain. It turned out that she was very constipated and suffering from acid reflux. Does your son have bad Tonsils? It turned out that my Daughter had such infected Tonsils that the gunk in her throat would drip down into her stomach and cause all that acid. Once her Tonsils came out the problem was gone. The Doctor put her on Miralax for the constipation. It works great but you need to be consistant with it. Good Luck,G.!

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Along with the advice about a specialist add Flaxseed Oil to his diet to help with his bowels. Do some research on Flaxseed Oil...it has helped my now 12yo since sh was 2, no constipation and the most beautiful skin, hair and nails.

Blessings,

G.~~~

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Hi M.,
You should do what the pedi said about keeping a poop diary...maybe even a food log as well. That way they can rule out if it is constipation or an issue with something he is eating. That is usually the first step and then the Dr. will go from there.
My nephew had a similar problem with tummy aches that began around 5 yrs, he's 9 now, about 2 yrs ago they discovered he had anxiety! He needed to be medicated but he is a much happier and healthier child now! His school work has improved tremendously as well.
Good Luck!

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I agree that you should consider a GI specialist. We discovered that our son's stomach issues were gluten intolerance, and once we removed gluten we had a new kid! He went from irritable, clingy, fussy, etc to good-natured, independent, loving and sweet. His stools cleared up and his gas went away and his appetite went through the roof.

Since celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is one of the most common and under diagnosed GI problems in this country, it's worth pushing for testing. The symptoms can be extremely varied (when symptoms occur), including constipation, lactose intolerance, stomach ache, behavior problems, sleep problems,and much much more. Basically, anything that can be damaged/affected by malnutrition can be caused by undiagnosed celiac disease.

In any event, especially with a child who already has food issues, I would take it seriously and have him seen by a specialist. Who knows what might really be going on?

Good luck!

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Hi M.,

I would insist that the pediatrician take a look at his stomach and have him checked out. If there is something that really is hurting him, this could be why he wants all the extra attention. Hoping someone will figure something out. Unfortunately now a days, doctors see so many patients a day, they breeze in and out. I hope whatever is ailing the little guy is easily fixable :) Good luck,

B.

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Hi M.,
I agree with everyone: food diary, poo diary, and the time the stomach aches come on as well as their intensity (scale of 1 to 5). Is his daycare good? Make sure they comply with this.

Also, do take him to a specialist; insist your MD give you the referral and if he won't give you a specific MD name find one somehow (I wish I could give you one!). Better to rule out anything sooner rather than later.

Good luck and do give the little man love and cuddles when he needs them.

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Hi M.,
It sounds like you must work a full time job as well as your husband and your son is in day care full time. It might be that he is missing his parents. The daycare is his parent as far as he has been taught, is there any way to work part time or be a stay at home mom? There are a lot of network marketing companies that can provide a decent income so you don't have to sacrafice. In my company Arbonne we have lots of former business business owners, doctors, pa's, and stay at home mom's who are now parents to their children working part time.
Definitely make sure he is all right medically first, but if it continues he may be telling you and your husband that he just wants his parents or parent to be there full time. Good luck with this. Sometimes the simple explainations are right in front of us!

A former 70 hour a week business owner, who is now a Stay at home mom for two beautiful boys 11 & 13 and a real wife to a wonderful husband who has been able to retire due to my Arbonne home based business. Don't let those precious years slip away forever, you can fix it now like I did. L.

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