Questions for Son

[crervin]

Hi All,

I wanted to ask some questions about my son. He will be 15 next month and is growing like a weed. He has almost passed my oldest son in weight and size who will be 18 next month. Anyway, he has been having gut issues that started this summer. Every morning he keeps cramping and has to use the bathroom throughout the day, which is a nightmare for a high schooler. He has only 5 minutes between classes. He doesn't experience diarrhea, but does have really bad cramps and it takes him a long time to finish using the bathroom only to still feel like he has to use it when he is finished. He eats an enormous amount of food, so we are not sure if he has IBS or it is just his diet that is causing this. He starts rigorous basketball training in 2 weeks and is a nervous wreck because of his gut cramps and constantly needs to go to the bathroom. His anxiety is through the roof. I give him supplements of d3, magnesium (mag baths and remag), and remyte (dr deans mineral supplement).

In the past, he has always been on the constipated side of the spectrum. Typically, he would only have bowel movements once a day. He would literally sit in there for 30 minutes. Now, it has changed to 3 and 4 a day, but with the feeling of always needing to go.

Without him having diarrhea, would it be beneficial to send off his stool to the Texas lab to see if he has any sensitivities? Both my nieces just found out that they have celiac disease, so gut problems are strong in my family. His eating habits are not good at all, because he doesn't eat anything in moderation. Can your gut be inflamed if you don't experience diarrhea? Or maybe he is constipated and doesn't completely empty? I don't know if I should take him to dr or not. Maybe I need a dr note to explain to teachers that he is having difficulty??

I think I need to start him on a bland diet this weekend with rice and ground turkey. I just don't know how to feed him while at school.

BTW, he was on 2 very strong antibiotics for wisdom teeth infections for a week, so I know that didn't help his gut either. Also, 2 weeks prior to that he was on one for strep throat.

I appreciate any help or guidance you guys can give! Thank you!

[tex]

Hi Martha,

I apologize for posting information that you would rather not see, but tenesmus is a symptom of an IBD. If those multiple antibiotic treatments preceded his symptoms, then it's probably microscopic colitis. But Celia disease is also an IBD, so that's a possibility. In other words, simply avoiding gluten might be sufficient to resolve the symptoms. I'm not sure about celiac disease, but MC can definitely present with constipation as the primary symptom, although that's so uncommon that most gastroenterologists probably aren't aware of it.

Tex

[crervin]

Thank you Tex for your insight, I was afraid of this! He had these symptoms prior to the recent antibiotics, but it seems worse now. He did take an anitbiotic last year for an infection in his toe, so maybe that has started this. I just can't pinpoint when he took that to when the symptoms started. I noticed on our summer trip, we had to keep stopping at the bathroom for him more than me . Stress of changing schools this year has not helped at all either. He is my high stress child. Would you suggest sending off his stool to the Texas lab first or go to a dr for a colonoscopy?

[tex]

I believe I would try to schedule a colonoscopy, but you may want to do both. The colonoscopy is important because biopsies are the only way to get a definite diagnosis. And the food sensitivities reported by the lab tests from EnteroLab will tell you how to treat the problem, especially if it turns out to be MC or celiac disease. The colonoscopy becomes less important if you don't foresee ever using prescription medications, but one never knows what the future may bring, so it's best not to burn any bridges, or shut out any options, just in case some of those options might be needed in the future.

Tex

[crervin]

Thank you Tex! I appreciate your help! I have scheduled his appointment for the pediatric dr. I have to get a referral through them first.

[tex]

You're very welcome. Keep us posted. I hope his biopsies are negative, but it appears that IBDs may run in families.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Prior to my MC diagnosis, there were times (generally when I was overtired or stressed) I would get cramping pain that was immobilising.
If I was driving I would have to pull over, if I was upright I would have to sit down. it was equivalent of birthing contraction.

this is what inflammation, and constipation type issue would do.

Once I started the strict MC eating and lifestyle plan, this issue stopped.
removing major trigger foods, and getting the higher dosages of Vit D3 and magnesium etc definitely helped.

as tex has mentioned, IBD's, sensitivity to gluten etc are genetically linked. it doesn't mean that everyone will have chronic issues. But given the issues your son is having, the sooner you make diet and lifestyle adjustments, the more you can protect him from chronic issues later in life.

Given his growth spurt - also look at things like Zinc and Vit C. his immune system will need these nutrients and the rapid growth he will be needing the zinc. ensure he is having protein (preferably animal based) each meal/snack.

hope this helps and good luck.

[crervin]

Thank you Gabes for your help!

I have had to put a hold on his gut, he sprain his ankle extremely bad and is in a boot. I had to take him to ER and so we have been dealing with that.

Until we can get back to his gut problem, I am helping him clean up his diet. His cramping and constant feelings of needing to go have subsided. He had eaten 4 oranges, one apple, and a bowl of grapes one night, I found out and told him anyone would need to go all day. I have limited his fruit intake to moderation. He is down to 2 BMs a day, and his cramps seem to better a little better. I am watching everything he eats!

[tex]

That's bad news about his ankle, but it sounds as though you're making good progress on his diet.

I might be able to handle one orange and an apple, without any problems, but I believe 4 oranges, an apple, and a bowl full of grapes would probably turn me inside out.

Tex