15 y/o son sick constantly

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
15 y/o son sick constantly
23
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 7:17pm
My 15 year old son has had stomach problems for a long time. As an infant, he vomitted alot. As he got older it got a little better, but not really. He has a lot of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I have taken him to many, many dr's and back in October, they discovered that his gallbladder was not functioning. Mid-November, we had the gallbladder removed, but he is still having the diarrhea and vomiting. I have taken him to our family dr. 3 times in the last 3 weeks. The 1st visit, they told us it was a sinus infection and put him on antibiotics. A week later he wasn't any better, so we went back and they changed the antibiotic. He got over that and was ok over the Christmas holidays, but over New Year's he started the vomiting and diarrhea again, so back to the dr. we went on Tuesday. This time they said it was a stomach virus. He has been sick all week. I didn't think stomach virus lasted that long! I am so frustrated with all of this. The gastroenterologist released him to go back to school 12/1 and he has yet to go back because he stays so sick all the time. The gastro told me to take him off the Prilosec that he had him on, but I've put him back on it this week. I'm to the point that I don't know what to do now or where to turn. The dr's kept telling me it was a stomach virus before and come to find out it was actually the gallbladder giving him the problems then. Why is he still having these problems? Who would be the best Dr. to take him to? I wasn't real crazy about either of the 2 different gastro dr's we've taken him to. The 1st one acted like he thought he wasn't really sick. The 2nd one is the one who diagnosed the gallbladder and we had it removed, but I have a hard time talking to him and don't feel like he's really listening. We live in a fairly small city and there's not that many dr's on my insurance plan to chose from. I feel like once again that I'm getting the run around. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated. I'm so tired of seeing my son suffer all the time!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 5:23pm

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I have my fingers crossed that these new tests determine something easily corrected. Your son has to be relieved that someone is finally listening!


Keep us updated and be sure to take care of you!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2002
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 10:48pm

Yay so glad your son is getting these tests and that the GI doctor is really taking this seriously. A young boy with these symptoms needs help in order that he can get on with his life. Will be checking in to see what the tests show. Best of luck to you both.


Sandra

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 3:56pm

Well, we're home and he had his tests done this morning. They did the colonoscopy and the endoscopy. Said the colonoscopy looked good, but they went ahead and biopsied it anyway just to make sure. The endoscopy showed that he still has way too much bile in his stomach. I'm typing from what they sent home and it says "Moderately severe gastritis found in the antrum and fundus" and "Bile gastritis". Everything else looked normal. He put him on sucrafate and we're suppose to go back on 2/5 for a followup appointment. The nurse practioner came and talked to us and she said sometimes when the gallbladder is removed, the body still produces too much bile and it takes a while to slow it down. Is there any other reason why he would have too much bile?

Also, the endocrinologist called yesterday and his thyroid is showing signs of underactivity, so she put him on Synthroid. We also saw the allergist this past week and he's wanting to do a cat scan of his sinuses. I feel like we're making a little progress now. Poor kid. He's on 6 meds now that they've added these 2!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 7:42pm
I don't know if anybody is still reading this or not, but I've really had a go round with the Dr's office on this! I just don't understand how a pediatric gastroenterologist's office can handle things the way this has been handled. We had the tests done last Friday morning. Friday afternoon I called the Dr's office to ask about keeping him on home bound and someone called me back pretty quickly and told me that it would be Monday before they'd know the test results and could get with the dr. and they would call me. Well, I never heard, so I called late that afternoon and no one called back. I called again Tuesday morning and that afternoon someone called back and asked me to fax the forms and they would present them to the dr. and see what he said. I ASSUMED that once I did that they would get with the dr. and get back with me. Heard nothing yesterday and called again. Still heard nothing this morning until his homebound teacher called me and said the dr's office had sent forms on Tuesday saying that he could return to school Wednesday! I was totally floored. He could return to school, yet nobody bothered to let me, the parent know? So I waited until around 10 a.m. today and faxed a note to the dr's office since my call hadn't been returned and asked them to have someone call me because the school was informing me that he should have been back yesterday, yet no one had called me and told me that! I mean, I'm not a mind reader! I was pretty upset by this. The form said with "liberal bathroom privileges". Even the homebound teacher said that wasn't going to be possible in high school (he's in 10th grade)! They might be accomodating to him to a certain degree, but if he's in the middle of a test or something, I don't think they're going to let him jump up and go. Well, I understand the Dr's office is busy, but they should have called me as soon as the form was filled out, not faxed to the school so I could find out from the school. All she could offer was an apology, yet she told me to assume that he could return to school unless I heard differently. Well, she should have told me that Friday afternoon! They did send me a note for the last 2 days to cover his absences. When I got home, they had mailed me a copy of the form sent to the school. It said he had Gastritis & Esophagitis. This is the first time I've heard he has Esophagitis, too. Anyway, I'm checking into homeschooling him for the rest of the year under an umbrella school. Does anyone know of any online support groups for homeschooling ill children? This is not something I even want to do, but feel that it's in his best interest for now. If nothing else "liberal bathroom privileges" tell you his condition!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2007
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 8:39pm

Please go to your health food store and get a bottle of the best probiotic that they have. My daughter was having trouble with her stomach and a friend told her about it.
She had missed work with diarrhea and nausea and did not know what was causing it. She said that these capsules were like a miracle to her.

The one she uses is called Healthy Trinity and it is kept refrigerated. She says that it has made a big difference in her life. She takes hers with the morning meal with a glass of water.

There are some cheaper ones but she tried those and they did not work as well. This one is really expensive but she gets it anyway. I think 30 capsules cost about $59. She says that it is worth every cent. They keep it in the regrigerated case at the Health Food Store.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 9:09pm

It sounds like bile salts diarrhea which you can get after having the GB removed. I suffered with this for 23 years before I found a solution..Please don't wait anylonger and get your son on some calcium carbonate and I bet he will feel much better in a short time.

Here is the calcium information. I know it is a lot to take in but it may be will worth it to see if this simple solution can offer you the relief it has me and many others. You need to follow it as close as you can to get the best results. I know it sound too simple to work but it really does help a lot.

This is what has helped me for more than 8 years with almost daily attacks of urgent diarrhea after having my Gall Bladder removed. Calcium is known to be constipating so if you are that IBS type do not take it. All calcium is not the same. Here is the what and how to take the calcium information if you suffer from diarrhea.

Calcium is an OTC supplement we all do not usually get enough of. No Rx is needed to purchase this.

When you take calcium about 40% of the dose gets to the bones the rest is eliminated in our waste. The calcium goes to the intestines and soaks up excess fluids and binds them together and they are gotten rid of in our waste.

This is a process that can be continued by taking the calcium carbonate on a daily basis thus giving a more formed BM.

There is calcium carbonate which helps us with diarrhea and there is calcium citrate which is more easily absorbed by the body and gets to the bones but is not as helpful in controlling diarrhea.

A lot of the calcium supplements contain a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. Magnesium is not helpful for us with diarrhea only causing more in most cases. So, do not purchase this combination. It will only make things worse. Also if you are taking a multi vitamin with magnesium this may be a source of some of the problem if you are having diarrhea. Also for me vitamin A, C, and E seemed to cause me stomach upset. If you check this out your will see they too can cause diarrhea. It is better not to take a multi vitamin while trying to get the calcium to help.

The dose to take is different for everyone. I must take 3 a day one at each meal and it does not make a difference if I take it before during or after just take it regularly. Taking them at least 4 or 5 hours apart is also necessary so the calcium has time to go through the system and soak up excess bile and water. Sometimes, because of the long number of hours between dinner and breakfast it may be necessary to adjust your timing to taking one at bedtime with a small snack to get better results if you are a person who usually suffers from diarrhea in the mornings. I think the way it works is the dose you take prior helps with the current meal and the distress it may cause.

The most success has come from using any formula of calcium supplement that is like Caltrate 600 Plus with Vitamin D and Minerals in the purple and white box. This information is from the many users that have sent me emails and of the posters on the web sites I have dealt with. I hope this will help anyone wishing to try it and I am always here to answer any questions for you. I have a lot of feed back form many users.

You must also have some testing done to be sure you are not dealing with anything more serious. This is most important.
There are other things to consider. If you take any other meds check the side effects and also check with the Doctor or Pharmacist to see if taking calcium will interfere with your other medications and how you might take them. I know if you take thyroid meds it is important not to take the calcium at the same time but you can take the thyroid meds one hour before you take calcium or 4 hours after taking the calcium. The calcium will soak up the thyroid medication and you will not be getting the benefit from it. You should also look at the side effects of any other meds you may be on this can contribute to the success or failure of using calcium to help to control your diarrhea. You may also consider if you are constipated and taking calcium this may be the reason for your constipation. You can most likely switch to another form of calcium to relieve this also.

The only side effect is at the beginning of taking the calcium, you may have some gas or indigestion but this usually goes away soon after taking a regular dose for a few days as your body adjusts to the added calcium. For most it is about 3 days and it is important to start with the lower dose so you don't have the added distress and think the calcium is not helping but making you worse.

Starting with 1/2 tablet doses with each meal will lessen this problem and it may be enough to control the diarrhea attacks without making you constipated.

Constipation can be a problem so be careful not to take too much. It is safe for most of us to take 1800 mg a day as long as your body processes calcium correctly and you do not have some underlying problem. Check with your Doctor.

I had my gall bladder removed in 1976 and from that time on I had suffered urgent attacks of diarrhea. It is now known to me that is called Bile Salts Diarrhea. This happens to a good percent of people who have had their Gall Bladder Removed. I Went through a lot of test but nothing else could be found. I took many of the meds for bowel spasms and cramps over the years but nothing ever seemed to help. I started to take a calcium supplement to help prevent bone loss in later years and from the first day I felt relief. I was pretty much a prisoner to the bathroom or had to go without eating to be able to leave the house.

I must take 1 tablet with each meal and the diarrhea does not come back if I miss taking it I get diarrhea. It is a trial and error situation to find the right amount that may help you.

The way it works is the calcium carbonate it a binder and when you take it only about 40% of the calcium gets to the bones and the rest is gotten rid of in our waste. During that process it gets to the intestines and soaks up excess bile and water and helps give a more solid BM. Now that you have no gall bladder the bile fluid goes directly into the intestines and causes irritation and diarrhea. That burning yellowish color that you may see is the bile. The calcium carbonate soaks this up and no more diarrhea. It works great for a lot of us and you just have to take the calcium regularly and do not miss.

I started with Caltrate 600 Plus with vitamin D and minerals and it does seem to make a difference in the ingredients of calcium... This one seems to do the best job for most. You can buy other store brands of calcium with the same ingredients that work just as well but they need to have the same ingredients. I get Member's Mark Brand from Sam's Club you get 300 tablets for 8.99. I know Walgreens has their brand with the same ingredients and if you live in the UK Boots has been reported to have something similar. Let me know if you need more help. You won't be sorry if you try it.

I suggest starting with 1/2 tablet with each meal at first this may be enough to control the diarrhea if not in a few days up the dose to 1 tablet with each meal or any combination there of. The side effect is constipation so if you feel it coming on just stop taking it until you have a BM then start back on a lower dose. It is important to use a calcium that is as much alike as the Caltrate brand from the feedback I have gotten.

Let me list the ingredients:

Vitamin D 400 IU (The sunshine vitamin needed to help the body absorb calcium)

Calcium 500 or 600 MG (This should be calcium carbonate form) (Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Calcium is vital to muscle and nerve function, blood clotting and metabolism.)

Magnesium 50 MG (No more than this amount because magnesium will cause you to have diarrhea but because calcium is constipating the magnesium helps to counter act that effect) (Magnesium is essential to build bones and is needed for muscle function, energy metabolism, trans-mission of nerve impulses and to make genetic material and protein.)

Zinc 7.5 MG (Zinc is necessary for some metabolic processes, normal growth and sexual development, and proper immune system functions.)

Copper 1 MG (Copper promotes iron absorption and is essential to red blood cells, connective tissue, fibers and skin pigmentation.)

Manganese 1.8 MG (Maganese plays an important role in metabolism and is also needed to build bones and tendons.)

Boron 250 MCG. (Improves calcium and magnesium retention. Similar improvements can also be seen in Vitamin D deficient post menopausal females.)

There are other brands with the same ingredients so get something as close as you can. Then start with 1/2 tablet with each meal and in a few days if this is not enough to control your diarrhea then up the dose to 1 tablet with each meal. If you feel you are becoming constipated then cut back on the dose. You may have to stop the calcium completely then start back after you have a BM at a lower dose.

It has been working since the first day I started taking it July 1998 and as long as I take 3 a day (this is the amount I must take it may be different for you) I remain diarrhea free. No cramps, bloating or diarrhea. No stomach noises, gas or pain. If I should happen to have a case of diarrhea for who knows what reason it is very short lived and not the pain involved like before and this I am sure happens to even normal people. It is usually a one shot deal and it is over.

The dose you take with each meal is not the dose that is helping you at that meal it is the prior ones that have time to works their way through you system to soak up excess bile and water in the intestines.

It also works for those of you who still have the gall bladder.

Take Care,

Linda




Edited 1/29/2007 5:50 pm ET by lnape
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 2:09pm

Welcome Linda and thanks for sharing what has helped you. I believe that in this case, what Mom is doing for her son is the better route for now. Obviously her son is quite sick and there appear to be a few issues that need to be resolved.


She can certainly bring this up to her doctors, along with the previous poster's suggestion about probiotics, but her son apparently is under doctor's care and testing may get to the root of his health problems.


A suggestion...please remove your email address from your post. You can go back to your original post and edit it. Feel free to have your email address available through your profile, but leaving it in your post leaves you open to spammers. They have programs that harvest email info that is so readily available.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 6:11pm
I would like to know what it is, because I suffer from several problems as well, including sleep apnea. It might could help both of us!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 9:52am
He is currently taking Flora Q which is a prescription the Dr. put him on. I don't know if he'll continue it or not, but I'll ask him about it when we go back next Monday. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2007
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 1:28pm
Hello....it seems like deja vou reading your post. This is exactly how it has been for my 16 year old granddaughter over the past about six years. All except for the gallbladder incident. One of her doctors, after trying many kinds of meds and going through all of the other scenarios, blah, blah, blah, finally decided to do one more test....a gluten intolerance test. This test was very expensive and very involved, and was to show whether or not she was allergic to gluten, which is found in wheat and several other grains. The name of the disease is Celiac Disease. You might want to try for that particular test. You can find a lot of info about Celiac Disease on the internet and there are lots of books on the subject, as well as lots of cook books with gluten free recipes, if needed. I hope that this helps. Best wishes for you and your son.