D.H. asks from Maryville, TN on April 23, 2009
My Daughter Has Had Severe Stomach Pain for 6 Weeks and Is Losing Weight
My daughter is 12 and has been having severe stomach pain for 6 weeks. We have been to Blount Memorial hospital and to her pediatrician numerous times. We were referred to Dr. Al-Tawil at Children's Hospital and he has done a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy. The Colonoscopy showed that she has 1 ulcer in her colon (not stomach). The doctor thinks it may be Crohns Disease but the biopsy was normal. He has since done a small bowell series which was also normal and the next test he is going to do is where she will swallow a small capsule that has a camera in it. Here's the thing, she has been and continues to be in severe pain this entire time. She has no energy and has lost 12 pounds (she is very small so she didn't have any to spare). The doctor said he can't give her anything for pain until they find out what is wrong. She has also vomited blood (only once). I am very frustrated and tired of waiting on doctors! She is being home schooled because she is so sick. She doesn't sleep well because the pain wakes her up a lot. We have used a heating pad but that doesn't help. It is killing me because she is in pain and I can't stop it. She is my world and I am so worried about her. Has anyone else expereienced this kind of problem or does anyone have any suggestions to help with the pain or any suggestions at all? Please, please let me know if you do. Thank you.
Featured Answers
E.F. answers from Louisville on April 24, 2009
Sounds like Celiac's Disease. I have this and started having symptoms with puberty. There are a lot of symptoms associated with this disease and all are mostly related to extreme malnutrition. It get's worse with time and by the time I was 20 I had skin rash, daily vomiting, joint pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, bloating, muscle loss, fatigue, brain fog, low blood sugar, numbness in my extremeities, and amenoreia. The good new is this disease goes away with a gluten-free diet. Today, it's easier than ever to live well and be happy while going gluten-free.
Bad news is the blood tests don't work and most GI specialists do the endoscopy biopsy's too high in the small intestines to get a sample of the diseased intestinal villa. You need to find a doctor who knows something about this disease. Don't give up and go ahead and start the diet and see if she get's better.
1 mom found this helpful
P.B. answers from Raleigh on April 24, 2009
Have her tested for Crohn's Disease.
http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/tc...
Good Luck!
P
More Answers
B.L. answers from Jacksonville on April 24, 2009
If you're getting nowhere with MDs, I'd start looking for an ND (naturopathic physician). naturopathic.org
1 mom found this helpful
E.F. answers from Louisville on April 24, 2009
Sounds like Celiac's Disease. I have this and started having symptoms with puberty. There are a lot of symptoms associated with this disease and all are mostly related to extreme malnutrition. It get's worse with time and by the time I was 20 I had skin rash, daily vomiting, joint pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, bloating, muscle loss, fatigue, brain fog, low blood sugar, numbness in my extremeities, and amenoreia. The good new is this disease goes away with a gluten-free diet. Today, it's easier than ever to live well and be happy while going gluten-free.
Bad news is the blood tests don't work and most GI specialists do the endoscopy biopsy's too high in the small intestines to get a sample of the diseased intestinal villa. You need to find a doctor who knows something about this disease. Don't give up and go ahead and start the diet and see if she get's better.
1 mom found this helpful
A.D. answers from Knoxville on April 25, 2009
Hi D.,
I am not sure if this could be your daughter's problem or not but I recently had H.Pylori which is a stomach infection and I had stomach pain with it and chest pain as well. They can do a blood test to check for it if she has never had it before. I lost some weight during this time as well. I hope you find out what is causing her pain. God Bless.
A.
K.A. answers from Louisville on April 24, 2009
My daughter is 12 and unfortunately the only thing I can tell you is that my heart goes out to you and her both. You will be in my prayers.
T.C. answers from Lexington on April 24, 2009
From my expeience my suggestion is to have her tested for Celiac Disease, she may be gluten intoleratant. Meaning, she can't eat anything with wheat gluten or wheat in it. If you are at wits end, as I was, try putting her on a gluten free diet. You are just going to have to read labels from here on out. In about a week you should be able to tell the difference and she should feel better quickly if this is her problem. I was tested for everything under the sun, No Chrons, no colitis, no IBS..it turned out to be a gluten intolerance for me. I cramped, had constant diarehha, bloating severe pains in my belly area and lower back. I also was gaining weight because my body went into starvation mode because everything was going straight through me when I ate, but usually people lose weight quickly. I cut the wheat out of my diet and in 3 days there was such a difference I demanded from my gastro to be tested, even though he thought it was not the problem. HA!
Just be aware that if you try this diet she has to consume wheat before being tested, it HAS to be in her system to be detected. There is a blood test that can tell you, but tends to have false negatives. The ONLY way to be 100% sure is for her to have an endoscopy and a biopsy taken of her small intestine. I'm sorry your daughter and family are going through this, but it's better to catch it now. I was stupid and dealt with it for MANY years.
If not gluten intolerance, have her tested for Ulcerative Colitis. My aunt has it and has the same symptoms.
Problem with gastro problems is that many diseases can mimik the other.
Good luck.
A.M. answers from Raleigh on April 24, 2009
Dear Dona,
When I was about that age I had almost same problem, ------ “fearing to fear, and early adolescence obsessive compulsive disorder". My parents did everything, from hospital specialists to traditional doctors, to Psychics, but to no avail. My illness was within me. I was the supreme talisman of myself. I had a hidden fear that I will die. The more my parents were worried, the more anxious I was about my situation. My only treatment was prayers, beautiful, hopeful, and positive real life stories of great people, encouraged adventures with friends, travelling to see nice places, and living in a happy and positive environment. My mother never told me of her new found treatment technique, but rather went ahead and pretended to forget that I was very seek. My family turned over a new positive lifestyle by integrating with the church and community life. We attended prayer sessions, observed our community and family devotions, visited many attractive places, and my parents appeared happy everyday, with faithful stories of our God given health, wealth, happiness and long life. I was encouraged to engage in our junior youth activities, it appeared as if my friends were instructed not to mention anything about my pain but rather leave God to take care of my pain. I gradually integrated to the positive environment, and my illness gradually disappeared. It is over thirty-eight years, I had never such felt “fearing to fear death" again in my life. I decided to study in the medical career to find the cure of the disease which impeded my feelings of fearing to die. I am very religious and living a wealth of life. I was married for thirty -two years, and had four beautiful daughters and three handsome boys. My husband transitioned to Abba Kingdom three years ago, may his perfect soul rest in peace. My children and I are now living in full ecstasy ... LIFE! D., dear, try this positive technique, while following her treatment with joy and happiness. Turn to God. This is a healing prayer revealed by the Manifestation of God "Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing, and my succour in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All- Knowing, and the All-Wise". Baha'u'llah.
From A..
E.M. answers from Louisville on April 24, 2009
I had this happen to me when I was about seven. After tons of tests they came to find out had severe anxiety and depression. Hope this helps.
ps have they checked her for worms?
M.T. answers from Nashville on April 24, 2009
I am so sorry for all the problems and the pain your daughter is going through.
The vomiting blood could be from her ulcer. I would try to get your daughter to narrow down the exact spot the pain is coming from, such as low abdomen or high stomach. I know it is usually unheard of for kids to have gallbladder problems but it has happened. Ask the dr to do an ultrasound. I guess there is really nothing else you can do except wait on the docs.
I would give her some benedryhl at night to help her sleep and lots of tylenol. Other than that, there is not much else you can do unless you want to go to another doctor and get a second opinion.
Sorry and I hope it all works out for her
Email