My son is 10 years old and for the past year his stomach has been hurting him on and off. We can't seem to get a handle on it or find the cause. He is at that age when you ask if he is nervous or what kind of pain he is having, he really can't tell you spicifically. I took him to the doctor and they did an abdominal ultrasound which turned up nothing. They put him on some medication called Nexium to help with ulcers that would be forming. The medication seemed to work at first but now it isn't. Does anyone else have this problem and maybe some answers. I am not sure what to do. He has missed a lot of school. I am curious if maybe this is just his age and something he will grow out of. We try to keep our home as relaxed as possible with little stress. Maybe we just have a nervous child. Any feedback or advice is welcome. Thank you!!!
Hello Everyone and thank you for all the advice. The doctor did an x-ray, and although my son isn't showing that he is impacted with stool, it does show that there is stool in his colon. The doctor raised the Nexium from 20 to 40mg and also said to give him 1 tablespoon of MiraLax (stool softener) with 8 ounces of water or juice daily. For the first time in over 2 weeks he isn't complaining about stomach pain. The Miralax used to be prescription but is now over the counter. It dissolves very quickly and is easy for a child to take. We are also going to see a pediatric GI specialist at Texas Children's Hospital next week. I don't want the problem to be masked by medication. Also, a few nights ago I gave my son a suppository which helped a little. I will let everyone know what happens after we see the GI specialist. I hope some of this information has helped you as well. My mother and aunt both said that if you take your child to a GI specialist make sure they are pediatric specialists and the best are at Texas Children's.
L.
It may be worth it to take him to a Pediatric Gastrointerologist. They specialize in Gastro Intestinal issues (the stomach and such).
My son is 11 and we have fought this for a couple of years. We did the ant-acid but it stopped working as well. The thing that is helping now is from the healthfood store. He takes high doses of acidophilus in a refirgerated form. It's the good stuff in yogurt but concentrated and without the sugar. It has helped him tremendously. Hope your son gets better.
Try taking him off of milk...give him a soy, rice or almond alternative for a couple of weeks and see if his problem changes in any way (lessens or goes away). If it only lessens or changes he may be allergic to milk and you may need to ake him off of all dairy. If it goes away he may only be lactose intolerant and you can either keep him on the milk alternative an montior amounts of other dairy intake or allow him to have regular milk in smaller amounts... There are also lactose free versions of regular milk...
If he has no response to taking him off milk, try getting a second opinion from a doctor or telling your doctor this continuing problem is unnacceptable and more needs to be done to come up with the source of the matter to alleviate your sons discomfort...
Hi L.
Did your son just start a new school?
Is there a difference when he eats something different?
Is there a clue when what he eats and or after the stomach ache what does or doesnt come out the other end?
What I am trying to get at is if this is medical further investigation might be called for if this is due to stress,stress can then cause ulsers and or stomach disorders.
I also just re-read your letter and noticed Mia is 7 months old could there be a conection there?????
Boys respond better to questions when you get into whatever it is they are doing example:If your son is playing with match box cars play along with him and casually ask a few questions.
Best Wishes
I agree with Mary Ann's response. Sounds like it could be an allergy. Cut out milk. And milk can be hidden in things like pancakes. We have lots of milk allergys in my family. I don't give my kids milk. Only yogurt and kiefer. You should cut out all dairy to pin down the cause and slowly add back what they can handle.
my son is 7 and he complains also of his stomach hurting we have taken him to the doc also and they don't know what is causing it either
I am a grandmother who takes Nexium. That is a pretty powerful drug and I use it for GERD. I am not sure what
the doctor means in prescribing meds for ulcers that "May form".
I don't know, but I would recommend you see a gastrointerologist (pediatric\) if there is one.
I will pray for you to find the solution. I don't think you have found it yet.
Talk with your son's teacher and see if there is something going on at school. IS he having any problems with classmates, school work etc. You may want to see if any foods are causing him to have issues with his stomach. Try cutting dairy out for a week and see if that helps. I know dairy was a big issue for my stomach problems and that of my daughter. Look into getting him tested for any type of food allergies. Keep track of what he eats and see if that is when the pain is at it's worst.
Try talking with him one on one and seeing if he is having problems at shcool or on the school bus. Asking him about being nervous (he may not comprehend what nervous means).
You mentioned that you are trying to keep the home at a low stress level but it may not be your home life that is affecting him. IS he taking any medications that may affect him?
I would start with his diet, his teacher and talking with him directly. Maybe you and your son could have lunch together sometime-just the two of you and I know that isn't easy with two little ones and talk with him about his friends, etc. Children are under so much pressure in this day and age from peers, sports, etc.
Let me know what happens.
Blessings
M. Alexander
what about severe constipation, 'backing-up' into rectum, etc.... my son has had stomach pain from this.
