Child is sick too often! (update post 214)

[mefordis]

I'm not clear whether this is a relatively recent development or a recurring issue over a longer period of time. If it's the latter, a friend's daughter went through this through elementary school & missed a lot of days. With no cause discovered it was suspected that she was trying to get out of school. Eventually in MS the absences became more and more problematic and her parents pushed very hard for answers because their daughter was showing signs of obvious frustration with the situation and they became more and more convinced she wasn't trying to get out of school. A diagnosis of Celiac's and adjustments in her diet opened up a new world for her rather quickly.

Wow, thanks. How do they diagnose this? A diagnosis means you stop eating wheat, right?

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd probably go have the doctor peek at the ears and also do a strep test.

 

[mefordis]

Another thing: She first complained of a terrible headdhache, then throwing up, now she still has a mild headache after throwing up about 7 times.

 

[Christine]

Wow, thanks. How do they diagnose this? A diagnosis means you stop eating wheat, right?

They can diagnose somewhat by blood tests, but the "gold" standard is to look at a certain area of the intestine. You would avoid gluten for this.

 

[Christine]

Another thing: She first complained of a terrible headdhache, then throwing up, now she still has a mild headache after throwing up about 7 times.

Could be so many possibilities: sinuses, drainage, gastroenteritis, etc.

I know you are worried sick about this (believe me, I am HUGE hypochondriac and I've had cancer). None of this is saying "cancer" to me. Try to relax if you can and get her to the doctor to be looked at. Anxiety and stress is another real possibility at that age.

 

[mefordis]

They can diagnose somewhat by blood tests, but the "gold" standard is to look at a certain area of the intestine. You would avoid gluten for this.

Oh, no that sounds like surgery? Worse than drawing blood.

 

[Christine]

Oh, no that sounds like surgery? Worse than drawing blood.

It's like a colonoscopy or endoscopy. But you are NOWHERE near that. You'd have to have longstanding issues before they went down that path. And for all the people you hear about avoiding gluten, Celiac is not very common.

 

[cabanafrau]

Wow, thanks. How do they diagnose this? A diagnosis means you stop eating wheat, right?

Yes, a gluten free diet is needed if someone has Celiac's. I do not know how how it is diagnosed. I know my friend's daughter was diagnosed after a test that required anesthesia in an OR at Children's Hospital, but I have no idea whether that was specific to her situation or some type of standard protocol about ten years ago.

Like I said, I have no idea how likely the possibility might be for your child because I'm not really clear on how ongoing the situation has been. If this recent bout is pretty much a one-time thing, even if it is lingering, I doubt it. Once my friend had the diagnosis she could look back to the toddler years and recognize signs.

 

[Christine]

Yes, a gluten free diet is needed if someone has Celiac's. I do not know how how it is diagnosed. I know my friend's daughter was diagnosed after a test that required anesthesia in an OR at Children's Hospital, but I have no idea whether that was specific to her situation or some type of standard protocol about ten years ago.

Like I said, I have no idea how likely the possibility might be for your child because I'm not really clear on how ongoing the situation has been. If this recent bout is pretty much a one-time thing, even if it is lingering, I doubt it. Once my friend had the diagnosis she could look back to the toddler years and recognize signs.

Re: bolded. I believe a biopsy of the small intestine is still the gold standard for a final diagnosis. The look to see if the villi are flattened or damaged.

 

[aejammers]

Another thing: She first complained of a terrible headdhache, then throwing up, now she still has a mild headache after throwing up about 7 times.

Does she always have a headache before throwing up? She could be having migraines. Nausea is a symptom of the migraine and for some people vomiting relieves the headache.

 

[cabanafrau]

Another thing: She first complained of a terrible headdhache, then throwing up, now she still has a mild headache after throwing up about 7 times.

That sounds like the bug one of my daughters woke up with the morning of NYE, which she then thoughtfully shared with her sister.

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, it looks like you recently posted about your daughter having strep. Did you replace her toothbrush and anything else that she routinely uses in her mouth? Has anyone else in the house been sick? Since strep is bacterial, it's possible to pass it back and forth in the house, or to reinfect with a toothbrush.

 

[mefordis]

OP, it looks like you recently posted about your daughter having strep. Did you replace her toothbrush and anything else that she routinely uses in her mouth? Has anyone else in the house been sick? Since strep is bacterial, it's possible to pass it back and forth in the house, or to reinfect with a toothbrush.

I wonder if the strep is still lingering. I did replace her toothbrush a few times. No other symptoms though except the headache, vomiting, then she is fine for a while.

 

[Christine]

My kids' pediatrician often used to say that a strep throat can often just show as stomach issues.

 

[sam_gordon]

Wow, really? She doesn't have ear pain. I hope it's something simple like that.

My kids would get ear infections (or strep) with no symptoms until they started throwing up/got a fever or headache.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My DS always presented a bit like that with strep. He'd complain of a headache and stomachache, fall asleep, and only then wake up with a fever and sore throat. So definitely check.

But when I read your initial post, my head jumped right to anxiety. Is is possible that she heard some news about the recent school shooting? Sometimes worry can make people with sensitive stomachs throw up.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My DS always presented a bit like that with strep. He'd complain of a headache and stomachache, fall asleep, and only then wake up with a fever and sore throat. So definitely check.

But when I read your initial post, my head jumped right to anxiety. Is is possible that she heard some news about the recent school shooting? Sometimes worry can make people with sensitive stomachs throw up.

 

[Hikergirl]

OP, she could just be catching the bugs that are going around this time of year.
I don't think there is anything to be too worried about, but like others have said it is worth a visit to her doctor.
Keep track of what she is eating and how she is feeling, and you may see a pattern with the vomiting.

 

[mefordis]

My DS always presented a bit like that with strep. He'd complain of a headache and stomachache, fall asleep, and only then wake up with a fever and sore throat. So definitely check.

But when I read your initial post, my head jumped right to anxiety. Is is possible that she heard some news about the recent school shooting? Sometimes worry can make people with sensitive stomachs throw up.

That is a possibility but she started getting sick before the incident, so I think her immune system might not be up to par and our school doesn't seem to be the cleanest. The bathroom smells horrendous - like a porta potty. She has a weak stomach like won't eat a much lunch at school because it grosses her out to eat there, she says.

 

[mefordis]

OP, she could just be catching the bugs that are going around this time of year.
I don't think there is anything to be too worried about, but like others have said it is worth a visit to her doctor.
Keep track of what she is eating and how she is feeling, and you may see a pattern with the vomiting.

Thanks. I will start keeping track today on what she eats, how she feels.

Does anyone have any input on the slime she plays with? It's diluted borax, fragrance and elmer's glue.