My daughter is 3 years old and had her gallbladder out almost a year ago, now since May of this year we have been dealing with her having stomach aches. Usually they go away and we dont really think to much of it (and yes we called her doctor and they said she was okay) but in the past couple of weeks things have got much worse she has started to tell me 5-10times a day that it hurts and its always the same spot ( maybe an inch up from her belly button) Now she wont eat because she says it hurts and makes her sick so I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of what this could be? Thank You So Much.
My son had stomachaches all the time too. We found out he was "sensitive" to soy and milk. Not an all out allergy but they gave him stomachaches.
Plus, my 34 year old brother had his gallbladder removed recently and they told him most people are lactose intolerant after they remove their gallbladder.
Is she complaining of pain after eating fatty foods? There are many foods that can cause discomfort once the galbladder is removed. Did they caution against her eating certain foods for a while?
Just a suggestion...
I agree with a ped gastroenterologist. Maybe even a ped allergist. There is an allergic disorder called eosinophilic disorders that can cause that type of pain. http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=...
Hi J.,
My name is T. Smith and I had my gallbladder removed when I was 25 years old after I had my one and only daughter. Once you have it removed you have to limit your intake of fried and grease foods and some dairy products. Whenever I wait to long to eat my first meal the food would upset my stomach. When your gallbladder has been removed you still have to watch your diet.
A little about me:
Mom of 1 daughter and granddaughter.
I highly recommend taking her to a doc from Children's Medical. We've had amazing success with them.
Hi J. since her doctor says "she's okay." and she's still hurting, trying getting a second opinion from another doctor.
sound like there may be something wrong. if the doc says there is nothing wrong ask for another doc. it seems like now a days the docs just want you in and out and dont feel like really checking things out. there could be a big prob or it may be nothing but i would get a second doc to look at her. good luck
I would take her to the Dr right away and demand a referral if they try to blow you off. It could be something as simple as difficulty digesting certain foods post gall bladder removal or a gastroenteritis. It isn't very common for children to need their gallbladder removed so I would be concerned that something else is going on. If it was soon after surgery you could suspect an abscess or stones in the bile duct but not a year after surgery. Good luck and hope you get to the bottom of it!
Maybe not what you are wanting to hear but, I would have her seen by a Dr. today! There is something that is causing it and it needs to be treated. If the Dr gives her a once over and says its nothing, I would get a second opinion. You are her only advocate. I have now more than once had Drs tell me something was nothing and so, I let it be for a couple of critical months. I had a gut feeling it was not nothing and got a second opinion and it was something very serious each time.
I agree with many of the posts. When you don't like your hair stylist, you get a new one. :) Get a second opinion and see a pediatric GI allergist one who does ELISA allergy testing. I talk about it on my family health column http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...
Does she have any other sypmptoms of secondary food allergies or perhaps Celiac Disease? (I have that on my column too).
Take a good look, record what she eats (when she eats) and note how she reacts and is feeling, you may have good answers.
Good Luck,
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
Have you googled side effects of gall bladder removal? If I remember correctly from reading Dr Gott in the paper, that is a side effect of gall bladder removal.
I would seriously get a second opinion about the pain because the poor child is going to become malnourished if she doesn't eat.
It is good, she is probably allergic or has a sensitivity to wheat or milk. please look into Eosnophilid Disorders this sounds like your daughter and a simple scope with biopsies will give the answers. Do not give up your daughter is NOT making this up!
Please all of you especially the one with the husband after eating subway it is totally EE ckeck out www.curedfoundation.com please, you d o not need to have all symptoms like vomiting but the nausea and pain and wow my kids have it and my hsuband has it and you all sound likeour lives and we have a wonderful Gi or the best place to go to is Cinncinati Childrens hospital they ahve an entire floor dedicate to this widespread up and coming disease, people are finally figuring out what it is and colic is now being diagnosed as some of these issues!
my best wishes for you all and please feel free to e-mail me with any questions
J.
J.,
I agree that the best source for medical info is the pediatrician. However, I will at least throw one out that we encountered with our daughter with similar pain complaints. The very first thing our pediatrician said was that whenever the "pain" is right around the belly button, it is generally going to be some type of bowel issue. (We have another daughter who had acid reflux and she would never have pain near the belly button. Her's was always up at the chest.) For our daughter with pain near the belly button, we discovered she simply had chronic constipation. She loved milk / cheese and she did not eat enough fiber for what her particular body needed. We ended up having to use Miralax (a very safe and mild laxative for kids) as a "preventive" medicine to keep her from getting constipated. She has since out grown it and does just fine with no laxatives. Good luck!
My recommendation would be to see another doctor and get another opinion. It's possible that certain foods she is eating may have a lot to do with it. I know in adults who have their gallbladder removed certain foods give them an upset stomach. Good luck.
Sounds like her IC valve is stuck in her colon. You can put your fingers on the outside and massage it counterclockwise for 30 seconds each time, then pull it towards her bellybutton. This will open up the valve. Any other questions, email me at ____@____.com-Good Luck-Maria
My 5 year old was at the doctor 2 weeks ago, complaining of pain in the same area. She also had other accompanying symptoms. She said she felt like she was going to throw up. This started at bed time, so we thought she was just trying to stall. Then over the course of two months, it was up to a couple of times an hour. She also started throwing up in her mouth about once a week. The doctor said that she developed acid reflux. We have started her on a probiotic and taken her off of dairy, hoping to avoid having to do medication.
I second taking her to see a specialist, even if just for peace of mind. I had my gall bladder removed without issue but a person I worked with a long time ago had problems digesting breads after hers was removed. She always had to watch portions and such. Also, although fiber is very important, it is possible to have too much fiber. My husband had this problem when he decided to eat more fiber-he went overboard there. I hope she feels better.
Hi J.-
I am not usre if the two are related, but my MIL had hernia surgery at the end of May. Ever since then her stomache will swell up and get a hard spot, right above here belly button, it is very painful and it also causes her to be nausiated and not want to eat. After going to the ER and Dr. several times, having several tests and CAT scan, the DR. told her that she has fluid and it could take 6-12 months to get back to normal. I find this unacceptable, and have told her to get a 2nd opinion, but she is afaird that they will want to go back in and explore. I would take your daughter to a specialist if I were you. Good Luck.
Go back to the doctor and let them know what is going on face to face. Be the advocate for your daughter, doctors can't make a diagnosis over the phone. There is something going on and you need to find out what it is.
I agree with going to the doctor soon. Get more than one opinion! There could be issues relating to having the gallbladder removed as other posters have said. Also, when my stepson was 3 he had pains around his belly button and he ended up having a hernia that needed surgery. I would go soon and get some answers just because it is not normal for her to have these problems and the sooner you know what's going on the better.
Hi J.!
I hope you find out the source & let me know! My husband is in the same situation. After years of abdominal pain and issues, they diagnosed him with an "inactive gall bladder" (no stones) & removed it 2.07. They said to give it about a year to see improvements & continue to watch his diet. Well, here we are today & he has abdominal pain all the time (especially around his belly button) & feels nauseated 1/2 into a meal so he hardly eats. Its not dietary because this even happens when he eats an oven roasted subway sandwich. He is underweight & has been tested for lactose issues & everything came back normal. We've seen specialists, surgeons, & drs & no one gives us any help so I wish you luck & can understand your frustrations. Best wishes & hope your baby feels better soon!
J., Ialways tell people not to diagnose themselves. If your doctor/pediatrician can't figure out what's wrong with your poor little girl, I'd do anything to find another doctor or gastrointestinal specialist. Good luck.
Could she possibly be constipated? Let the dr. know so he can tell you what to do if that could be the problem.
