3yr old with irritated stomach

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
3yr old with irritated stomach
9
Thu, 10-11-2007 - 12:23pm

Just wanting some opinions while I wait.


My daughter just turned 3 and she has been having stomach issues for a while now.  At 13 months I weaned her from breast milk and started her on cows milk but it gave her diarrhea.  We were finally sent to a GI doctor and he suggested we switch her to soy milk.  She seems to do fine with that.  Also she can't have juice it give he the same problems of diarrhea.


The summer was the typical tummy ache every now and then....sometimes 2-3 times a day some days nothing.  We have been trying to keep an eye on what she eats and see if anything sets it off.  The only thing that I noticed was after she eats it does usually hurt if she has milk with her meal.  Not always does it hurt but it does seem like 5 out of 7 days a week it will.


She started complained of it hurting (now that she is more vocal) form her throat all the way down.  In July we had went to the park and she started crying her tummy/back hurt.  I had to carry her home crying she just cried and cried.  I called the local doctor and they seen her 2 hours later but by then it was better.  The next day she had another 10 minutes spell...the next day she woke up in PAIN and cried and screamed that her stomach/back hurt.  After a nerve wracking hour we loaded her up and drove 90 miles to the closest childrens hospital.  They think she had an intussusception. They started her on an IV, took X-rays and did an barium enema.  They actually never seen it on the ultrasound but they all (12 doctor, surgeons and residents) say that is what was probably going on.  She was admitted to the hospital over night for observation.   That was the only time she had the SEVERE pain.


 


But her stomach continues to bother her.  When she complains I ask her where it hurts and it is either the neck area, rib area or around her navel.  They started her on prevacid 15 mg and double it to 30 mg 2 weeks later since there was no improvement.  After another 2 weeks they scheduled a upper endoscopy. 


She had the upper scope on Tuesday and it showed that her stomach and esophagus was inflammed and very irritated.  The took the normal biopsies and a few extra in her stomach and esophagus and sent them to the lab.  We won't have the results till Monday.


SO.....my questions is....any ideas?


The doctor said there was no ulcers or tumors (which is GREAT) and rambled off several things that it could be. (which for the life of me I can't remember any of them)  I did asked it is was what we would do and he said we had to wait until the results come in.


The waiting games sucks!


Thanks for any opinions in advance.  Melissa


 


 


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
Thu, 10-11-2007 - 4:58pm

Have any of these doctors suggested a food diary or food elimination?


I dislike when doctors happily write prescriptions when it's obvious they have no idea what the problem is... if that's so, then why do they expect the prescription to work??

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-11-2007 - 9:05pm

Thank you for replying.


I have just been told to watch what she eats and see if it makes a difference.

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 12:54pm

I

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:24pm

Here's some info on gastritis that you might find helpful http://digestive.health.ivillage.com/gastritisulcer/gastritis.cfm


Was your daughter tested for food allergies?

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:35pm

Thanks I will check out the link


She drinks Soy Milk, propel and crystal light.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 3:06pm

I find it odd that they can say she has no allergies if she's never been tested.

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 10-16-2007 - 10:46am

I think I will make an appointment with an allergist.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
Tue, 10-16-2007 - 11:40am

i have found that added vitamin c/ascorbic acid can be harsh on the tummy. Citric acid is more likely to be a source of tummy pain than plain carbonation and there are several sites that say stay away from sucralose if you have gastritis (tho these are mostly other people's opinions, not medical sites).


Keep away from high acid things like tomato, citrus, vinegar/pickles.


Also, many juices have added vitamin c, but Motts has one that isn't. It's pure juice and I bet she could tolerate it especially if diluted with water.

Avatar for momleonard
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-17-2007 - 11:32am

Thank you!