"Stomach Flu" Again!

I would also want to know about intestinal parasites, which can cause cycling symptoms. I see that you are collecting samples, so the doctor may already be looking at that. Also, I have not heard of irritable bowel syndrome in a child so young, but ibs can cause some similar symptoms, especially after several bouts of stomach flu. Hope she feels better soon.

Sounds more like an allergy to me... especially since she is fine after puking. You could try an elimination diet getting rid of one thing at a time to see if she stops and then re-introducing the food to see if that triggers her to vomit again. Milk and wheat are common, but also look at anything she eats at daycare that she didn't eat before. Good luck.

www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/vitamin-c.htm
Linus Pauling 2 time Nobel Peace Prize winner and advocate for Large doses of Vitamin C for optimal health.

Vitamin C is a miracle vitamin. Emergen-C is fizzy and taste good. Try this to keep 'em healthy. And fight off the flu.
GOOD LUCK

As a mom of two kids with numerous health issues this is what I would do. I have found that sugar gets me further than threats. I would tell my MD "I know it may be the stomach flu as you have said but I am worried and would feel more comfortable if we could do some additional testing to make sure that it isn't anything else." I have never had a doctor turn me down yet and usually my thoughts are correct. If my child's doctor ever told me that he still didn't want to do anything I would find another doctor. There is no reason not to not make sure that everything is covered. You may want to look into allergy testing and/or seeing a pedicatric GI or another area. Due to health insurance changes we have more different doctors than I care to think about. Some are more receptive and some are not. I would just keep asking questions. If you have PPO you can self refer to a different doctor or specialist. Good Luck

I agree with the other moms about checking what's going on in day care as well as pushing with your pediatrician. You should definitely have them run a panel on the diarrhea too. It's not fun for you (have to collect the feces and spoon into a vial) but it will rule out a ton of bacteria and parasites. Our son had something similar but it looks like it was the stomach flu. He was throwing up a couple of times for a couple of days but no fever. We kept him home. Then a week later, more throwing up. It took him almost 2 weeks of rest to completely get over it. So weird because the kids at day care didn't have it. I wish you all the luck. Always trust your instincts!

Hi M. M,

It sounds like your daughter's immune system needs rebuilding.

If you are interested I will give you some advise on how to do that.

Have a great day.

N. Marie

I would take her to a pediatric G/I specialist. Sounds like it could be more than a "bug" and it's better to be safe. Sometimes pediatricians can miss things.

M.,

I would say to go with your "gut" instincts and either force the issue with your ped or better yet, see a different one for a second opinion. Something obviously seems to be going on with your daughter and you need to get to the bottom of it. Your ped is not showing much concern and should be trying to work with you to help solve the issue.

Good luck!

If you think something is wrong, keep pushing it. Try another doctor. It took me 10 years, countless doctors and countless test to get diagnosed with severe food allergies. After most of the doctors told me I was perfectly fine, and many even told me I was making it up. If I hadn't kept pushing I'd still be sick today.

Here is how you "push" the issue with your ped: "There is something wrong with my baby! Either you will do tests to determine what is wrong and why she pukes, or I will seek another doctor who will do more than you." Then if the doctor again tells you nothing is wrong, that you worry, too much, etc., etc. you need to make good on your promise and find another doc.
YOU know your baby, if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Don't let a doctor who sees your baby once every 3 months tell you there is nothing wrong if you feel there is.

It doesn't make sense that it is the stomach flu. They are not that common and she would be lethargic if she were fighting off a virus. There are so many other possibilities that the doctor needs to check out. For instance, parasites, allergies, candida, structural digestive issues, etc... I would insist on having her tested for other things or see another pediatrician. There is no reason your daughter has to suffer like this! I hope you find some answers so she can get better :)

I would get a second opinion by another doctor. That sounds like too much for a little to be vomiting. Please get a second opinion and trust your instincts.

i don't think you need to panic, but i also would get it checked out a little further. has the doc done any kinds of tests...idk what kind of test he would do but has he done anything other than say "stomach flu...again" ?? the odd part in my thinking is that you said it is so regular and predictable and that it is not keeping her down like a normal flu probably would.
you just need to remember that you have to be your own advocate and that you are the consumer...if your doc insists on just saying "its the stomach flu again" and brushes off your concerns then it is time to find a new doctor.

M.-

Just want to add support for having her checked for allergies or reflux - my bet is an allergy. Go for a 2nd opinion and don't be afraid to talk to the ped. Some doctors are naturally pushy and can be flippant about your concerns. I told mine (in a nice, non-threatening tone) that dismissing my instinct would be a problem. We now have a new ped. I am not in favor of putting a child through any tests unless there continues to be an issue. Keep the food diary, journal the vomiting and/or diarrhea issues and see if you can spot the pattern. If so take it to the ped. If not, have her tested.

Good luck!
D.

Definitely google "cyclical vomiting" and abdominal migraines.
My son had the same exact symptoms. It is not widely known but does happen more often than is suspected.
Maxalt is the name of a medication that will stop the vomiting

This totally sounds like giardia to me.

Get a second opinion. If you search through my posts you will see a theme...trust your gut. I would rather be seen as an "over protective" mom then not listen to my instincts. There is a strong chance that your doctor is right, my 2 girls had two bouts of the flu back to back last Spring. But if you feel there is more to it with your daughter then take her somewhere else. You are her best advocate. =)

Hi M.:
I think the first thing to figure out is whether she is allergic to something she is eating at daycare or something that is affecting her body. Check what is being fed during the day and night and see if there is a correlation to the times she throws up. Usually daycare's are pretty standard on what they give for food each month so if this only just started, potentially that is one reason.
The other potential issue is she may be having gastroenteroloigical issues and this might be a "reflux" issue. If she throws up more at night, try to position pillows under her so she sleeps at a minimum of 45 degree angle. If the throwing up/diarrhea is occurring more during the day, slow down on her intake and allow her to take up to 30min. to finish a meal.
Without being a doctor, I only know what I have been through with my son who has VATER Syndrome and GERD and the drs labeling him as a "Failure to Thrive" Child. He is turning 3 next month and only weighs 21lbs. But every time we do what the drs want, we end up in the hospital. So, as the other mom's said - go with your gut instinct. If you think the ped dr is not helping and hearing you, find another. There are tons of drs in CA and not only in the SAC area either. I think drs nowadays think that just because they are a medical provider they can do whatever they want and they don't have to listen. Well, word of mouth gets around easier than just switching. The medical providers MUST start listening to those of us that are concerned about our families - so tell your ped either step up or get out of the way because you know something is not right with your little one.
Good luck!
T.

I would switch doctors. We had a dr for my daughter who dismissed her daily hives as " she is just an allergic child" I switched doctors and the new dr gave her a blood test that gave us a list of foods to avoid and no more hives. Maybe your daughter has an allergy to milk or some other food she is getting often. Even if she is sick 5 times in two months that is a lot and I would want a dr to do more than just dismiss it.
Good luck
J.

I agree with the allergy testing. My first instict is wheat allergy and possible celiac disease. Have them run a panel to test for this. Or just get a referral to a pediatric g.i. dr.
You need to nip this in the bud.
T.

Has the doctor tested her for Celiac disease? It is an intolerance to gluten which can be found in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains. It usually, but not always, leads to digestive problems. Kids fail to gain weight. Sometimes they also have skin problems like eczema. They may also have some behavior problems or have sleeping problems. There are MANY other symptoms.

Celiac is a genetic condition. Unfortunately, the testing for it often comes up negative until the disease has progressed and damage is done to the intestines. This damage prohibits the intestines from absorbing the nutrients the body needs. People will often become anemic or have other vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The damage will usually repair itself once the person goes on a gluten-free diet. This diet is the only treatment so far for this condition but it works!

It is a more common condition than doctors realize and it would be good to try to rule it out. Is it widely underdiagnosed because the testing is not always accuarate and doctors think it is rare so they refuse to test for it. Talk to your doctor! But remember, many doctors are very reluctant to test for this condition because they think it is rare. This is not true. READ, READ, READ! :) Afer discussing it with him/her, and hopefully getting your daughter tested, you may want to try a gluten free diet (you have to be REALLY sure you remove all the sources of gluten, which takes some research!) and see if you notice a difference.

Oops, almost forgot... I'm assuming you have already tried removing dairy from her diet?

Read about it online (search "celiac desease" or "gluten intolerance") and let me know if you need anything at all. I'd be happy to recommend some reading material and give you more information. Take care!

So, it sounds like she gets sick, then you keep her home until she's well enough to go back to Daycare, then she gets sicks again.....vicious cycle!

This is hard......It could be something going around at daycare. It is more difficult than ever to keep kids well this season, so it's even more important for your Daycare to continuously sanitize their facility to prevent your daughter and the rest of the kids from getting ill.

I would gently approach the Daycare about your concerns. Tell them you are so confused, because everytime she comes back to Daycare...she gets sick. Ask them to show you all the different places they put her during her day there. Maybe they are over-looking to clean something......or maybe they are not cleaning often enough.

I would check that route first. As scary as it is to watch our babies throw up, it probably is simply the stomach flu.....

Good Luck.

~N. :O)

Probiotics. Liquid or powder form. You can buy them @ any health food store. Make sure she is getting some each day-it's the good bacteria that will fight or ward off the bad bacteria on a daily basis all year round.
Lots of vegetables-@ least @ every meal,
plenty of water-not juice-too much sugar...
& a multiple vitamin daily-all year round.
Remember we really are what we eat & every time we open our mouths is an opportunity to put something beneficial to help nurture the body. Good luck & hang in there-after you try all of these things if it continues, then I would def. push for a 2nd opinion.
(My daughter does all of the above & has only been sick with 1 cold & 1 mild flu for 5 days each her whole life. She is 16 months now)

Have her checked for dairy allergy, or just switch to soy milk(vanilla and chocolate Silk are great) for a while and see if it helps. My daughter and niece had that and it stopped once they got off the milk.

Do you think she may be alergic to something? Does she eat a lot of dairy? Is there a fever with the bug? You should push the issue! Sometimes you need to just to feel better yourself. If she is fine great, but you just never know. I hope you find out what the issue is. Poor baby girl to always be sick.

I would get another pediatrician's opinion.

Keep a food diary at home & daycare. The symptoms you describe can happen with food allergies (any many other things). If you notice a pattern ask your MD for a referral to an Allergist and food testing. My son has food allergies and the symptoms you describe are some of what he dealt with before we knew what was going on. T.