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Discussion in 'Family Life - Stories, Pictures & Updates' started by barbiegirl, Mar 28, 2012.

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  1. Mar 28, 2012 #1
    barbiegirl

    barbiegirl Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Hi everyone. I am a mother of a 15 year old boy. He has been on and off sick since August and with stomach pain badly since November. We have had a lot of tests, blood work, xrays, ultrasound, urine and stool samples taken and all come back normal. We have cut back on dairy and he drinks almond milk instead of cow's milk. Just got the blood work and xrays results from the pediatric gastroenterologist, (after waiting 2 weeks for results), everything normal.

    He gets very bad lower intestinal pain with bad diarrhea. The pain and diarrhea lasts 3-4 days and then goes away and then comes back 4 weeks later and starts all over again. First they thought it was his appendix, then celiac disease, then his gall bladder. This is the second time this month he has had the pain and last time it lasted longer then 3-4 days. Had to wait 3 months to see a specialist and then all they want him to do is drink laxatives every day till his follow up visit in June. He ran more bloodwork and 2 more xrays.

    I don't know what to do for his pain, i can't take it away or make it better. He has missed so much school because of this. This year I am going to try to grow a garden. Last time I grew a garden only the deer were able to eat anything. I bought 6 pullets, I hope they are all pullets, for fresh eggs. Hoping that eating fresh fruit, veggies and eggs might help. Maybe its a chemical in the food that is hurting him. I don't know.

    Thanks for listening to me. I am so stressed out about not being able to help my son feel better. Has anyone else had similar symptoms or gone through this?
     
  3. Mar 28, 2012 #2
    sumi

    sumi Égalité Staff Member

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    I really feel for you, I'm a mom too. I go nuts when my son gets sick and I have to wait to see a doctor. Your bunch sounds a bit worrying, to say the least. They should have him admitted to hospital and taken care of and really looked at until they find the cause of the problem. I have no idea what it could be, but it sounds terrible!
    Go see the specialist again and insist they take this more seriously. June might be too late... and I don't think taking laxatives daily until then is a good idea. Especially since they don't know what's wrong with him! It could just make things worse!
    Good luck and keep us posted.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mar 28, 2012 #3
    sfw2

    sfw2 Global Menace

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    I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but have any of the doctors suggested that your son talk to a counselor? I'm not saying it's all in his head. Speaking from my own experience, though, stress and/or depression can play a huge role in gastrointestinal health, and it's not too unusual for teens of his age (boys AND girls) to be faced with a lot of stress; be it social, academic, or whatever. Even if that has nothing to do with the cause of the actual symptoms, I'm sure that feeling awful and missing so much school must be tough, and he might benefit from an impartial third party to discuss it all with.

    Have they checked his pancreatic function? I'm assuming that the docs have had you keep a food journal, to see if you can spot a diet trigger.

    I do hope you find the cause of his issues. Please keep us updated!

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Mar 28, 2012 #4
    barbiegirl

    barbiegirl Chillin' With My Peeps

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    The doctors asked if he was stressed or anything bothering him at home or school. He says no. He is honors classes and is on the honor roll every marking period. He is active in his boyscout troop, when he is feeling well enough to go. :(

    I am not sure if they checked his pancreatic function. The specialist was checking 3 pages worth of blood work. He is keeping a food journal and doesn't seem to be a diet trigger. The specialist wants to do a colon cleansing and then take xrays after we are done. I don't like the fact they want him on a laxative every day for 3 months but my hubby thinks we should listen to the specialist since what we are doing isn't working. The specialist doesn't want to see him again until June. He never saw him when he had the pain. We only saw him once. Took 3 months to get an appointment with him. Takes 2 weeks to get results (blood work and xrays) back from him.

    I tried to find another specialist in my insurance program but the only one was 2 hours away. I don't drive that far. :( The last time he was in this pain, 2 weeks ago, I wanted to take him to the hospital and let them sort it out maybe they will figure it out. Was waiting for the test results from the specialist so I thought maybe he would find an answer but no luck. Everything comes back normal.
     
  9. Mar 29, 2012 #5
    Mattemma

    Mattemma Overrun With Chickens

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    I remember when my mom had severe stomach pains.They told her it was acid and take tablets.Still she hurt and someone finally found a nasty bateria in the gut,so she was put on a month of antibios.With all the tests I would be surprised if they missed bacteria or parasites,but that is what I was thinking.

    Been watching a lot of the Monsters inside me show so I am always thinking about bugs in us.Doctors often miss the bugs in us till finally they pinpoint it.

    For the gut instead of laxs could you try some probiotics first like LIFEWAY kefir? Or maybe do the lax,test,and then take the kefir.

    I hope you will update once you get a dx. Healings for your son. Given all that you have tried I might even go the alternative route of acupuncture or traditional chinese meds.Anything to help.
     
  11. Mar 29, 2012 #6
    SillyChicken

    SillyChicken Overrun With Chickens

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    Has he been tested for gluten intolerance?


    Hope you find out whats wrong soon.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2012
  13. Mar 31, 2012 #7
    Godsgrl

    Godsgrl Ostrich wrangler

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    Has your son been tested for h. pylori? My dd was suffering from similar symptoms and after 6months it was finally diagnosed. Treatment was abx and acid reducers. Hope your son finds relief soon.
     
  15. Mar 31, 2012 #8
    Eddy Chicken

    Eddy Chicken Chillin' With My Peeps

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    This woman fixed me up. http://www.foodwisdomrx.com/

    I had similar symptoms as your son but I'm older. For me...it was the food... just look at the TV during dinner and see what commercials are the most prevelant.....commercials for..acid reflux, gas, bloating, diareaha, constipation, too fat, etc...we eat the junk and take a pill to mask the effects.

    Hope he feels better.
     
  17. Mar 31, 2012 #9
    SallyF

    SallyF Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Had a friend whose daughter had similar symptoms while she was in high school. Everyone thought she was just a drama queen, but they finally diagnosed her with Crohn's disease. When they started treatment for that she did much better. Good luck with finding the source of the problems.
     
  19. Apr 1, 2012 #10
    TriciaHowe

    TriciaHowe Mother Hen

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    My husband was diagnosed a couple of years ago with gluten intolerance (similar to celiac but no antibodies). 3 days totally gluten free and you will know.... He is also allergic to MSG. Nasty stuff that causes him major intestinal issues.
    Hope they find the cause. It's a terrible thing to have to live with.
     
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