Kids with frequent stomach aches

[ckay87]

Anybody have a school-age or teen kid who's had frequent stomach aches? My DS, 13, has had them to the point where I think I'll finally take him to the doctor. I know stress - especially social stress - can be a big deal during middle school. That's what I'm suspecting. Even though he has lots of friends and seems very happy and adjusted (as much as a kid that age can be), I'm thinking that's the cause.

I'm wondering whether a doctor can even suggest anything? Anybody have any experience with this?

Why don't these things come with handbooks?

 

[DawnCt1]

DS 27 had frequent stomach aches when he was 13 and up, that also seemed stress related. There were never any real findings, then when he was about 21 he developed Crohns Disease. He probably had it subclinically for a long time before he was actually diagnosed.

 

[bananiem]

I can trace my IBS symptoms back to elementary school. I was brushed off by my doctor for years. It was "all in my head." Ah, no...It was all in my gut!
I also feel really nauseous if I don't take my allergy meds. Maybe he needs to have an allergy testing done?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I always rule out a medical cause first. Generally if it is stress a visit to the doctor is like medicine in itself. You know how your mind can wander about "your pains".

 

[Colleen456]

I will tell my sister to come post here about her DD when she's done working today. My niece is 11 and for years she's had stomach aches and they've gotten worse. Well she was recently diagnosed by a Gastroenterologist
and put on a medication and her symptoms have pretty much gone away. I can't remember what they called it but like I said I'll have my sis come and post.

For my niece it wasn't stress or IBS its an actual condition.

Ok, talked to my sister and she said DN had a build up of some kind and she's currently taking a power to help clean her out. It isn't so much a potty issues because DN was going regularly and she's a good eater. She said the pediatrician didn't find any wrong, it was the gastroenterologist that took charge and finally got her help.

 

[Aidensmom]

My 4 year old started having frequent stomach aches, and some other stomach problems several months ago. We still don't have an exact diagnosis (still some tests to be done), but he is currently on medication for acid reflux and has taken care of the stomach aches for the most part, so that appears to be the main problem.

A lot of stomach problems - acid reflux, IBS, etc, do occur in kids. Hopefully your son will be feeling better soon!

 

[frndshpcptn]

"For my niece it wasn't stress or IBS its an actual condition."

FYI - IBS is an actual condition.

 

[AllyandJack]

I also had stomach problems my entire life. Part of it was caused by some problems I was born with. Everyone just assumed that I'd "grow out of it" after I had my surgery when I was 5. I never did. My surgery was on my esophagus and my real problems always centered around....umm.....the other end.

Anyway, finally, at age 21 when I was able to demand some testing without being under my parents' care. I had a colononscopy. Turns out, I have colitis. I suffered for YEARS. People gave me Zantac. People gave me Axid. People gave me Prilosec. Finally, some wonderful doctor found out what was really wrong with me and gave me what I need - Bentyl.

I really regret not pushing for more testing when I was younger because I could have been treated so much earlier.

Make sure he sees a gastro and not some general practitioner - they're good for sore throats and stuff, but they can't do the proper testing on the stomach.

 

[Disney Ella]

My DD 10 has frequent stomach aches. Part of it is stress and part of it is just the way her body is. When she gets sick, the first thing affected is always her stomach. Sounds like taking your DS to the doctor is a good idea.

 

[phorsenuf]

For my niece it wasn't stress or IBS its an actual condition.

Ummm...what do you think IBS is? As someone who suffers from it and I do mean suffer, trust me it is an actual condition!

Anyways, my son had stomache trouble for many years and he had chronic appendicitis. Sometimes his appendix would act up, we'd take him to the ER (as we were instructed) and then things would calm down so no surgery required. This probably lasted about 3-4 years. The Drs said he would more than likely grow out of it and he hasn't had an "attack" in quite sometime so maybe he finally has.
It was a pain though because you never knew if this was "the one".

What are the symptoms?

 

[ckay87]

Oh you guys are great. It's always really nice to hear some real-life experiences with stuff like this. Honestly, I "Googled" Stomach Ache and Teens earlier this morning and I got an entire page of "teens and depression" and "teens and suicide" results

He's always had a tendency toward a sensitive stomach, as have I. Of course his diet is fattier than it could be, but I can and will change that. Am curious what the doctor has to say, but I'm armed with some extra information going in there, thanks to you.

 

[bananiem]

"For my niece it wasn't stress or IBS its an actual condition."

FYI - IBS is an actual condition.

Thank you!

 

[arminnie]

A friend of mine had stomach problems all through high school. At 19 she ended up having her gall bladder out and never had any more problems.

It's pretty unusual for someone to have gall bladder problems that young, but it can happen. Your son should have an ultrasound as part of the testing that a gastro specialist will do.

 

[phorsenuf]

A friend of mine had stomach problems all through high school. At 19 she ended up having her gall bladder out and never had any more problems.

It's pretty unusual for someone to have gall bladder problems that young, but it can happen. Your son should have an ultrasound as part of the testing that a gastro specialist will do.

When I read that the OP said he had a fattier diet I immediatly thought gallbladder too!

 

[Colleen456]

"For my niece it wasn't stress or IBS its an actual condition."

FYI - IBS is an actual condition.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that its not a condition, I know it is.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I had a friend in junior high that started having lots of stomach problems. Eventually, her mom took her to a doctor. Found out that she had a stomach ulcer at the age of 13.

So I would definetely take DS to the doctor and press him/her until they find the problem.

 

[Colleen456]

Ummm...what do you think IBS is? As someone who suffers from it and I do mean suffer, trust me it is an actual condition!

Anyways, my son had stomache trouble for many years and he had chronic appendicitis. Sometimes his appendix would act up, we'd take him to the ER (as we were instructed) and then things would calm down so no surgery required. This probably lasted about 3-4 years. The Drs said he would more than likely grow out of it and he hasn't had an "attack" in quite sometime so maybe he finally has.
It was a pain though because you never knew if this was "the one".

What are the symptoms?

Geez, a little slip of the fingers and the rolling eyes come out. FYI I was thinking that for years the doctor kept saying that it was stress or in her head...that's why I said she actually has a condition.

 

[floridafam]

My DD had frequent stomach aches until she was 5.

She also started throwing up. A few weeks later we ended up in the ER and she had emergency for Meckel's Diverticulum and an appendicitis.

It doesn't sound like that's the problem here but I at least wanted to mention it.

Has there been any vomiting? Any bowel problems?

I would definately follow up with the Dr.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I'm lactose intolerant and although I was not as a child, it started when I was a teen. Does he have a stomach ache after eating dairy or things with whey?

 

[LittleDino]

Here are a few other possibilities... you could run these idea's by your Dr, and at least have him tested to rule these out:

Gastroparesis - delayed emptying of the stomach. Can cause a "heavy stomach" feeling, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. Can be diagnosed with a gastric emptying study.

Celiac Sprue (allergy to gluten/wheat) - affects the intestines, and causes aches/pains in the lower abdominal area. Can be diagnosed with a blood test.

Ulcer - Pain after eating. Can be diagnosed with an endoscopy.

Gallbladder - has already been mentioned, but that can cause localized pain just below the ribs (can't remember if it's left or right side.) Can be diagnosed with an ultrasound.

IBS, bacterial infection, lactose intolerance all can be checked out too. I sympathize with you and your son. Stomach pains can be frustrating to deal with, especially when trying to find out the cause. DH25 was tested for all of the above, and finally was diagnosed with Gastroparesis (temporary condition caused by a virus) he dealt with it for 6 months and is finally coming out of it.

Hope you can figure out what's wrong, and treat it soon!