Persistant stomach ache/puberty issues?

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't think so. She isn't prone to that, she is a pretty even keeled kid. There really isn't anything going on that would make her anxious now either.

Really? My dd is about to keel over because AP tests are this week.

 

[golfgal]

Really? My dd is about to keel over because AP tests are this week.

She is only in 7th grade, no AP tests yet--state testing was a couple weeks ago so that is done. She is grounded for not telling us that she told her friends that we would pick them up from the Mall of America on Saturday after we told them we couldn't do that because we were golfing in a golf tournament and then ignoring our cell phone calls to find out when they were coming home . The stomach aches were going on before that though.

 

[mickeysgal]

My DD easily gets stomach aches from any one of combo of the following: anxiety (tests at school etc.) , not getting enough sleep, not staying hydrated enough, and/or not eating regularly.

 

[golfgal]

I have an appointment for her later today, of course the first thing the nurse said, 'it's probably cramps". I explained that she hasn't had her period yet and this has been going on for a week and ibuprofen isn't working then she was ok with that .

 

[TeresaNJ]

The fact that you said she has had stomach surgery in the past raises a flag for me. Any stomach discomfort that has lasted more than several days needs to be evaluated. I'm glad she is being seen today. Best wishes and keep us updated.

 

[golfgal]

The fact that you said she has had stomach surgery in the past raises a flag for me. Any stomach discomfort that has lasted more than several days needs to be evaluated. I'm glad she is being seen today. Best wishes and keep us updated.

The stomach surgery was 7 years ago to remove a bezoar (hairball--gross). I don't think this is related.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

My dd13 had horrible stomach aches/pains last year. On and off for two months, crying in pain (she's a stoic one, usually), usually at night. Nothing tender, no problems in the bathroom. No period yet either.

After one exceptionally bad night, she woke up with a rash on her legs. I got her into an allergist that morning. She tested positive for a bunch of food allergies!

Since eliminating all those foods (and controlling the seasonal allergies that also popped up last spring), she hasn't had those pains again.

If everything else checks out with her doctor, you might want to look into allergy testing.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

First, I hope your dd starts to feel better soon. I'm glad you're having an eval.

With "cramps", what causes the discomfort is prostaglandin synthesis, and yes, ibuprofin does help with that, but the key is to take it before the onset of menses to help with the inflammation that they cause. So if that's what it was, you were on the right track where she hasn't menstruated yet (but maybe she will be soon). However, with ibuprofin, you do have to make sure that taking it doesn't cause GI bleeding, so you only need a small, regular (ie round the clock) dose, with food. If this is what the issue is for her, she'll learn what dosing works best. I had such horrible menstrual pain when I was her age, I wish we had something as good as motrin, all I had was midol and it was useless. I remember going to the doctor, too, for it and yup, he said it was "cramps". I still have horrible pain sometimes and my motrin works wonders, thankfully.

Another thought. My DD 10 had been complaining off and on of stomach discomfort. I finally figured out she has a late onset allergy to lactose, and it comes and goes which our pediatrician says can often happen. So that gets kind of tricky. She loves dairy so she takes the pills before she eats it and she's ok. Once in a while she forgets and eats an ice cream or something and she winds up with an upset stomach. But she's learning how to manage it.

Another thought, as I think someone else mentioned, would be GERD, for which a PPI might help.

Good luck.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The stomach surgery was 7 years ago to remove a bezoar (hairball--gross). I don't think this is related.

Are you sure she does not have another?

 

[james'mommy]

Okay this is probably going to be TMI but here goes. Has she pooed lately? 2 weeks ago I got a little "backed up" and was having really bad crampy pain in my midsection. After a few daysI thought maybe appendix or a blockage. Went to the emergency room they gave me rx strength motrin and some miralax. I ended up back at the er 2 days later because it didn't work. Let's say trip number 2 (hehe) was not fun. They said the reason they didn't do anything the first trip was because people my age usually don't have suck severe bowel problems. So moral of the story make sure she's pooped.

 

[_queenie_]

When I was her age, I had a similar thing going on!! The Dr's never did figure it out and my mom's ob/gyn actually had the nerve to tell me it was in my head!

Sorry but I have to laugh. So many doctors have told me something was "in my head" in the past. I've had this problem with my nerves for years where I get jerking pains very suddenly and every time I bring it up they say it's in my head! I think it's just their excuse when they don't really know what's going on.

OP- Just to warn you, (plus at her age) she really shouldn't be taking ibuprofen that often. My sister's DH got an ulcer a few years ago from exteneded use. Hope you get to the bottom of this!

 

[golfgal]

Are you sure she does not have another?

Positive--besides, it is in a different spot but yes, I am positive that problem is gone.

Okay this is probably going to be TMI but here goes. Has she pooed lately? 2 weeks ago I got a little "backed up" and was having really bad crampy pain in my midsection. After a few daysI thought maybe appendix or a blockage. Went to the emergency room they gave me rx strength motrin and some miralax. I ended up back at the er 2 days later because it didn't work. Let's say trip number 2 (hehe) was not fun. They said the reason they didn't do anything the first trip was because people my age usually don't have suck severe bowel problems. So moral of the story make sure she's pooped.

This is what the dr though even though DD told her she was fine. They did an x-ray and that checked out ok--she has never been constipated, which we told the dr.

I suggested a hernia to the dr and she checked her groin, um, no, umbilical hernia since her symptoms sound an awful lot like mine when I had a hernia.

The dr basically said that it was probably nothing-um, she is not a complainer. Didn't do blood work to check for appendix. Thought maybe anxiety--no. I asked her if she was sure it wasn't something intestinal, appendix, hernia--she didn't think so but didn't really check for them either. This wasn't our regular dr, couldn't get into him today.

This is why I hate going to the dr.

 

[wishspirit]

This is why I hate going to the dr.

I hear that! I had to sit in the queue for 40 minuites today to get a repeat prescrition!

I hope you find out whats wrong soon!