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My daughter started having abdominal pain about a year ago. She is now 10. She has been hospitalized several times and had so many tests run that it is hard to keep track. She has had CT scans, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound, Scopes both upper and lower, barium enema and countless labs. So far they have ruled out almost everything. When she has an episode it usually lasts for a week to 10 days. When she is not having an episode she is a normal happy healthy girl. She had a period over the summer where she was fine for about 3 monthes. She has seen several Dr's and had allergy tests done. She has seen a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist who was very kind but has run out of tests to do. She seems normal and happy but at this point I am running out of ideas. Could it be something that a psychiatrist could help with? I know she is not faking and that she just wants to go to school and be normal. She has not started her period yet but gyn problems have not been ruled out at this point.
I have a daughter who is now 16 and has suffered from what you describe since about age 11. The reason why your post caught my eye was that she was fine in the summer...no school.... Does your daughter have any symptoms of anxiety? The reason I ask...my daughter, also around age 11 suddenly started showing anxiety symptoms, quite severe at times...this lead to depression and panic attacks where she would pass out. She was a healthy, well-adjusted child with a happy home life when these symptoms started to appear. When she had a panic attack in front of me and then passed out, it was then that I knew all the love in the world was not going to make her better. She was put on medication for anxiety and depression. Since then, she has made such progress. I have to be honest...she still has stomach issues...but not nearly as bad or as often and her Doctors all tell me that so many kids with anxiety suffer from stomach problems. My daughter has had a few tests, which all showed nothing. The gastro Dr. says it is irritable bowel disease. Most times it is just like you describe...stomach pain, and lots of days missed at school.
My only suggestion...watch when she is doing something she loves, having a good time...does her stomach hurt then? How about weekends when she is truly relaxed? Does she talk about things that worry her? Get upset over a low grade in school? By you saying that her summer was Ok, leads me to think the added pressure of school is causing some anxiety. Perhaps a low dose of an ant-anxiety med would help. If you have any other questions, you can send me a direct message and I will try to help you. I know what this is like.
I would also agree with I LOVE PA's response. My son (now 11) also gets stomach pains and cramps. This has gone on and off for years. I used to worry so much until I realized that he was just having major anxiety about school. I know of course that he wasn't "faking" the pain, but on the occasions where I allowed him to stay home sick, he'd be perfectly fine once he started playing his video games or watching tv. When his mind was off of school, he'd magically improve. Sounds like you've done everything possible to get to the bottom of her symptoms. It might be time to have her see someone that she can talk to about anxiety or stress. Maybe someone to help her learn of ways to help her relax when the pain starts out. Meditation, yoga- that sort of thing? The mind can be such a powerful thing. Good luck to you and your daughter.
Have you explored food interances like celiac disease which can be painful. Certain people cannot handle wheat or grain products as it causes inflammation in the intestines. Just something to throw out there at you !
IBS - Irritable bowel syndrome - sounds likely if it is stress-related. I know several people who have suffered from it, and always stress-related.
We all have stress in our lives, it's a part of being human, but people handle stress in different ways, sometimes internalising it.
Maybe your daughter could learn some yoga relaxation techniques, which she can have as her own personal medicine for whenever she feels she needs it?
For people with IBS and IBD, yoga is perhaps most helpful for its ability to reduce the stress, anxiety, and pain of chronic illness. Regular practice will indisputably improve your physical and mental fitness, promote relaxation, and give you a sense of control over your health and well-being.
It honestly could be psychological, which does not mean that she is faking it...she would not even be aware. That being said, I would rule out everything medical, maybe even seeking out a specialist at a place like Mayo, and then see if the doctor thinks she should see a psychologist for an assessment (psychologist, not psychiatrist). Many children do manifest anxiety/depression as physical pain. Again, that may or may not be it, but it's something to keep in mind and check with your doctor.
I had what sounds like the same symptoms... around 10yrs old, it would come every now and then and I'd just curl up in a ball and wait for it to go away... after finally seeking an alternative practicioner(sp) I was diagnosed with celiace disease...now almost 30 looking back that must have solved it!
My daughter started having abdominal pain about a year ago. She is now 10. She has been hospitalized several times and had so many tests run that it is hard to keep track. She has had CT scans, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound, Scopes both upper and lower, barium enema and countless labs. So far they have ruled out almost everything. When she has an episode it usually lasts for a week to 10 days. When she is not having an episode she is a normal happy healthy girl. She had a period over the summer where she was fine for about 3 monthes. She has seen several Dr's and had allergy tests done. She has seen a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist who was very kind but has run out of tests to do. She seems normal and happy but at this point I am running out of ideas. Could it be something that a psychiatrist could help with? I know she is not faking and that she just wants to go to school and be normal. She has not started her period yet but gyn problems have not been ruled out at this point.
Hi Erika Kazan. I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I know you said they have done countless labs and tests, but have they checked for cysts on her ovaries? That is very painful. I have what they call pop-off cysts on both of my ovaries. I was wondering if you could pinpoint the exact place it hurts? Is it high, like up around her bread basket or gull bladder, or is it low, or off to one side more than the other? I have a condition that nobody can pinpoint either. I also have been through numberous tests and labs. My high pain is right where the bread basket is. It is excruciating when I have attacks. It rears its ugly head at its whim. I get a little excited about something or eat something that doesn't agree and you can count me out for anything. A few ways I have learned to subside the pain is through pain killers, muscle relaxers, multi-symtom rolaids, milk, oreos, or just lay down and relax and go to sleep. When I wake up, most generally it is gone. Yes, oreos act as a stool softener on me. But that is the one food I can eat or suck on that will stop that pain. I know it sounds kooky but it works for me. It usually takes about 30 min to start feeling relief. My lower pain is scar tissue and pop-off cysts.
My x-mother- in- law in Texas had a condition where her insides were squeezing her to death, literally. She had surgery to take care of it. She said she is like a new woman now. I had never heard of it. Pretty scary though. You might ask her docs about this. I can find out the name of it if you want me to.
Gosh, I hope she gets some relief soon, no matter what is causing it. I will say a prayer for her. Will you keep us posted?
I have the same problem with my 10y old. Doctors dont know what the problem is but I suspect is an ulcer trigged by stress cause she has bloody stools when she has somachaches. During the summer she is fine and happy. Its the loads and loads of homework, the curriculum that they make it so difficult and in such a short time. She really doesnt have a life.That makes her miserable and she thinks she is stupid. Im really thinking on homeschooling her. She said that would be her dream come true.
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good luck
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