Hey everyone, I haven't been on in awhile as I have been managing my symptoms with diet and once a week Entocort. But my son who is 4, has developed some concerning symptoms.
The last month he has been complaining of stomach ache. At first I wrote it off, thinking he ate too much junk or just something didn't agree with him. I even thought that maybe he was getting over excited or even not looking forward to doing certain things and that might of caused him to worry and in result caused his belly to hurt. But now that its been a month I am starting to get really worried. I can find no pattern in when the stomach aches happen... certain foods don't seem to consistently cause it, certain activities don't bring it on. He has had random bouts of diarrhea that last about half a day and then disappear. And he even seems to strain sometimes while going. I took him to his pediatrician where they ruled out a UTI. They drew blood to test for Celiac disease as it runs in his dads side of the family. They also wanted to test for other food allergies, which frustrated me as I know from reading on here that those kinds of tests are a waste of time for us with MC so I don't expect to get any useful information out of those tests. Right now I'm holding out of the Celiac results but other than that his Dr didn't have any helpful answers. She is an amazing Dr but the lack of answers I received has me worrying and worrying.
I have taken him off gluten 100% since I know that gluten is hard to digest even for those who have no known problems/diseases. He still eats well and acts normal and plays most of the time. No fever or any other symptoms other than the ones listed above. It just breaks my heart because at least every other day he complains of a stomach ache and even says he feels like he needs to throw up. Today was the first time he actually threw up though, twice in row and then seemed fine.
I know this isn't exactly MC related but I was hoping that some of you would hopefully have some insight into it and maybe be able to suggest the next steps I should take. Should I take him to his Dr and ask for certain tests to be preformed...? Should I take him to a GI...? Any input would be MUCH appreciated as it is causes me severe anxiety and that is my number one MC trigger - I don't want both of us to be sick!
My Son is Having Strange Symptoms?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I agree with Deb. Dairy intolerance is rather common among young children, and it can cause either diarrhea or constipation, or both.
How long has he been gluten-free? Sometimes it takes a while for improvement to begin showing up.
Tex
How long has he been gluten-free? Sometimes it takes a while for improvement to begin showing up.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Stomach aches were huge for me. I had them EVERY time I ate. I went GF and still had it after many months. Later, I found out soy was a biggie for me along with dairy and eggs. Now, if I have any of those three I get an immediate stomach ache with no real change in my D habits. It's awful but at least I know why. It was really scary not being able pinpoint the cause. Soy is in everything.
Poor little guy! It's tough to take away more food options but he probably has more issue than just gluten.
Big hugs to you. It's a terrible feeling watching your kids have health issues and not being able to fix it.
Poor little guy! It's tough to take away more food options but he probably has more issue than just gluten.
Big hugs to you. It's a terrible feeling watching your kids have health issues and not being able to fix it.
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
Thanks for the responses guys. I feel like this is the only place I can get accurate answers as Drs seem to be at a loss over anything that involves stomach problems.
I have considered that milk may be a culprit. I just hate to cut out so many food choices for him such as dairy, soy, eggs on top of already cutting out gluten. He takes a GF multivitamin at least to get some of his nutrition at least. Tex He's been off gluten about a week and a half now, I know it takes awhile for the benefit of that to show I'm just panicking in the mean time because I can't give him any immediate relief. And now since last night I've been having D, I don't know if its from the stress of him being sick or if I'm in a flare all of a sudden so I'm just at my wits end. I tried calling into work this morning and almost lost my job, so I'm standing here at work getting ready to run to the bathroom at a moments notice.
Is there anything I should be asking the Dr to do? Any tests or specialists he should be referred to? I just want to make sure I do everything I can for him. Again I really appreciate all your support.
I have considered that milk may be a culprit. I just hate to cut out so many food choices for him such as dairy, soy, eggs on top of already cutting out gluten. He takes a GF multivitamin at least to get some of his nutrition at least. Tex He's been off gluten about a week and a half now, I know it takes awhile for the benefit of that to show I'm just panicking in the mean time because I can't give him any immediate relief. And now since last night I've been having D, I don't know if its from the stress of him being sick or if I'm in a flare all of a sudden so I'm just at my wits end. I tried calling into work this morning and almost lost my job, so I'm standing here at work getting ready to run to the bathroom at a moments notice.
Is there anything I should be asking the Dr to do? Any tests or specialists he should be referred to? I just want to make sure I do everything I can for him. Again I really appreciate all your support.
Hi,
About all the average pediatrician is likely to be able to do is the test for celiac disease. When that result gets back, it may answer a lot of questions.
If he already has D, then I can virtually guarantee that he will also be sensitive to dairy (lactose) until the inflammation is over. Therefore, eating dairy products can only make his symptoms worse. After the D ends, if he is not sensitive to casein, then he will be able to safely eat dairy products again. But giving him dairy products to eat when he already has D is not doing him any favors, unfortunately.
There is a very good chance that your current flare is due to the stress associated with your worrying about his health. I realize that it's impossible to not be concerned, but please try to not take it so seriously, because whatever is causing his problems is temporary, and it will eventually be resolved. While it's very uncomfortable and inconvenient, none of this is life-threatening, so you shouldn't allow it to disrupt your life any more than is absolutely necessary. He needs you, and in order to take the best care of him, you need to be as healthy as possible, yourself.
I sent you a PM that may be helpful.
Tex
About all the average pediatrician is likely to be able to do is the test for celiac disease. When that result gets back, it may answer a lot of questions.
If he already has D, then I can virtually guarantee that he will also be sensitive to dairy (lactose) until the inflammation is over. Therefore, eating dairy products can only make his symptoms worse. After the D ends, if he is not sensitive to casein, then he will be able to safely eat dairy products again. But giving him dairy products to eat when he already has D is not doing him any favors, unfortunately.
There is a very good chance that your current flare is due to the stress associated with your worrying about his health. I realize that it's impossible to not be concerned, but please try to not take it so seriously, because whatever is causing his problems is temporary, and it will eventually be resolved. While it's very uncomfortable and inconvenient, none of this is life-threatening, so you shouldn't allow it to disrupt your life any more than is absolutely necessary. He needs you, and in order to take the best care of him, you need to be as healthy as possible, yourself.
I sent you a PM that may be helpful.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Jesse's mom,
Is your son allergic to anything? Any seasonal or airborn allergens? My daughter is mildly allergic to ALL legumes, because she is highly allergic to birch pollen (birch pollen and legumes share a protein called Gly-M-4). When she ingests any soy, peanuts, beans, etc she gets a tummy ache followed by D. She seems fine with gluten and dairy so far, so don't always assume it's the big allergens he's reacting to. Could be a random fruit, vegetable, spice or other food. When she was younger, she had allergic symptoms after eating cinnamon and foods with Yellow #5 (Tartrazine - very toxic/reactive stuff).
I know of other kids who also complain of tummy aches following ingestion of foods containing soy, and it seems to appear in every processed food.
Oh, and being allergic/sensitive to GMO corn is all the rage now too. I'm actually going down that path myself, despite the popularity. All forms of corn seem to be triggering my rash...and corn is in more processed food than soy!
Is your son allergic to anything? Any seasonal or airborn allergens? My daughter is mildly allergic to ALL legumes, because she is highly allergic to birch pollen (birch pollen and legumes share a protein called Gly-M-4). When she ingests any soy, peanuts, beans, etc she gets a tummy ache followed by D. She seems fine with gluten and dairy so far, so don't always assume it's the big allergens he's reacting to. Could be a random fruit, vegetable, spice or other food. When she was younger, she had allergic symptoms after eating cinnamon and foods with Yellow #5 (Tartrazine - very toxic/reactive stuff).
I know of other kids who also complain of tummy aches following ingestion of foods containing soy, and it seems to appear in every processed food.
Oh, and being allergic/sensitive to GMO corn is all the rage now too. I'm actually going down that path myself, despite the popularity. All forms of corn seem to be triggering my rash...and corn is in more processed food than soy!
1987 Mononucleosis (EBV)
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
Thank you Tex for your response and thank you else for your responses also.
I got the lab results back this morning and everything came back normal including the test for Celiac. So I am grateful for that. I completely agree about it possibly being another food intolerance/allergy. Right now I plan to keep him off the gluten and I have now removed dairy from his diet. Looks like I will be buying more Almond Milk, luckily he eats Chex Cinnamon cereal every morning like I do so that is an easy transition for at least one meal.
You are right Tex, I need to not worry so much as he still is playing and acting like a 4 year old minus the random belly aches. He has since not throw up and for that I am very grateful. I am keeping a food diary so hopefully I can pin point any food reactions that he may be having, I pray I don't have to eliminate any more food groups from his diet. With good vibes in my mind I will do my best to figure out what his possible triggers might be so I can have a happy healthy little boy! And I need not worry so much as my anxiety brings on my symptoms and the last thing I need is both of fighting over the bathroom
Tex I got your message and am getting ready to message you back. I appreciate that beyond belief.
Once again I don't know what I would do without you guys, Thank You!
I got the lab results back this morning and everything came back normal including the test for Celiac. So I am grateful for that. I completely agree about it possibly being another food intolerance/allergy. Right now I plan to keep him off the gluten and I have now removed dairy from his diet. Looks like I will be buying more Almond Milk, luckily he eats Chex Cinnamon cereal every morning like I do so that is an easy transition for at least one meal.
You are right Tex, I need to not worry so much as he still is playing and acting like a 4 year old minus the random belly aches. He has since not throw up and for that I am very grateful. I am keeping a food diary so hopefully I can pin point any food reactions that he may be having, I pray I don't have to eliminate any more food groups from his diet. With good vibes in my mind I will do my best to figure out what his possible triggers might be so I can have a happy healthy little boy! And I need not worry so much as my anxiety brings on my symptoms and the last thing I need is both of fighting over the bathroom
Tex I got your message and am getting ready to message you back. I appreciate that beyond belief.
Once again I don't know what I would do without you guys, Thank You!