Any nurses or doctors out there? Question...

OK, I've got a question...maybe someone on here knows a thing or two about children's health, or maybe has gone through this themselves...

My 8 year old gets cramps occassionally at night, but go away once he goes to sleep. Not too often, have never even mentioned it to the doctor, just thought they were growing pains, maybe had too much milk or something. He got one last night that didn't go away, and hurts him pretty bad. He can't walk without bending over, can't run, jump, eat, cough without it hurting him. If I try to touch it lightly he says it hurts. It's about 2" below his belly button all the way across his abdomen. I'm going to call the doctor today but know I won't get a phone call back for hours, was just wondering if anyone has any ideas of what this could be? I hate to take him to the dr and find out it's gas or something, and like I said it normally goes away quickly.

And don't worry, I'm not going to hold anyone responsible for anything they say, just wondering if I'm overlooking something, or if anyone has a kid who's gone through this before? He's got no other symptoms, although his head has been hurting for about a week. And he said it hurt him so much last night that he didn't get any sleep.

 

Appendix? Gas?

 

I was thinking appendix too, not sure if that's just on one side or all over?

 

If he's running a fever, take him to the doctor, could be appendicitis. Had to research this stuff for myself last year. Otherwise, it's probably gastroentistinal and not too much to worry about. Definitely worth calling the doc for though.

 

Diet, constipation...maybe Celiac disease where people can't have wheat glutten?

How is the BMs? You don't have to answer that one, but are they normal? Does the child strain? I'm no doctor, but lots of folks (even kids) have slow digestive systems and can easily get constipated. Ask the doctor to examine him and then see if its okay to try a mild laxative like polyethelene glycol. Its sold now over the counter by trade name, but that name escapes me. I wouldn't assume that it isn't an appendix and would get it checked out.

 

Miralax is the name your looking for.

 

Yep...that sounds like it. Thanks.

 

My son had appendicitis back in October. The "test" they do at the ER is have the child stand on one foot and hop. If he can't, it's appendicitis. But w/ the location and symptoms(previous ones as well) it is not sounding like that. I would honestly take him to a pediatric GI specialist to rule out a few things. My daughter ended up having H-pylori-- easily treated. There's something going on w/ him and in my opinion, it is not growing pains. Growing pains don't usually appear there. Good luck and I do hope your son feels better.

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

Thanks everyone! Stephanie, I had a feeling you might respond, I know you go through a lot of different things with your kids!

He actually has had most of his life constipation issues, but that's not what this is. He's been to a specialist for that, and I believe it's corrected, he hasn't had problems in years. He used to have to take miralax every day, but that ended 2 or 3 years ago.

I made him an appt for 1:20 today, if the dr thinks he needs an xray then he'll get one. He does not have a fever, although online it says he doesn't need to have one for appendicitis. He says he can't jump at all, although I didn't tell him to try just one foot...I wasn't sure, but thought appendix is on just one side. Someone else mentioned gas, and without getting too technical - he is an 8 year old boy, and doesn't ever have a problem letting that out!! :lol:

 

DMJmom...hope everything turns out okay for him. I'll say a prayer for him. Hopefully it won't be his appendix and something easily treated.

My son has not been himself lately either. He had a touch of fever and vomiting early last week, with subsequent headache and stomach ache. We carried him to the Dr., but his blood work was normal. He has constipation issues as well.

 

My son was complaining last week of earache, headach, stomachache last week too. It started 2 days after his checkup, so I knew it wasn't an ear infection, but thought maybe just with change of weather. A couple months ago he was having ear pain and that's what they said it was, something to do with sinuses and change of weather. Everything went away except for the headache, very odd. I'm glad he gets to see his regular dr today instead of one on call or someone else, that always makes me feel better. I'll let everyone know when we get back if they find anything. It all seems very odd to me.

 

As for viruses...this has been a tough year. I think we've had more colds in three months than I have had in three years total. Of course, then that pneumonia crept up on me too. And my son had fluid behind his ear about three weeks ago. I don't know about everybody else, but I'll be glad to see cold season gone!!!

 

OK, we're back from the doctors, for those of you who are curious...Apparently it looks like he's just backed up! They did xrays of his stomach, and even though he's not constipated (he's been going daily) he's got more stuck in there that needs to come out. So back on the miralax we go, and hopefully after a couple weeks he can get straightened out. I hope this doesn't last the rest of his life, poor kid. He's been dealing with this since he was a toddler.

 

Glad it's not serious! Good luck!

 

Poor Kid!

 

Poor guy.
What has your pediatrician recommended as far as helping get more fiber in his diet? Or does he even think this might be the cause of the little ones problems?
Just curious for future situations with my very young nieces and nephews.

 

He just asked if he gets enough fiber, which I think he does, but who knows? Just said plenty of whole grains and fruits and veggies. He eats like a kid, but does enjoy a variety of those things. He said I could try some of that fiber you can sprinkle on foods, but not sure of the taste? Does anyone out there use that? I don't know if he'd like it or not. We're only trying the miralax for a couple weeks, so we'll see.

 

If he likes yogurt try it in that for a disguise or some grapenuts cereal in yogurt for the fiber and texture. If he likes and is not allergic to nuts their a good source of fiber. Mostly any "raw" fruits, nuts and vegies. Oatmeal cookies are also great source of fiber and just any type of the oatmeal instant cereals for the morning or as a snack. Keep him away from the cheeses, processed flours and any of the most obvious starch groups like the pasta dishes.
Fruit juices can also keep the "juices" flowing, if ya know what I mean. Stay away from canned drinks that have tons of carbonated gases and salt in them that can cause cramping with gas and bloating issues.
Good luck.

 

Buff - thanks for the info! He loves raw fruits and veggies for the most part, but does not like oatmeal. Haven't tried oatmeal cookies though, maybe I'll make some this week. We actually don't give him a lot of dairy, although he loves it, just because of the problems he's had in the past. I appreciate your input though, thank you!

 

I use Benefiber every single day and so do my kids (they dont know it). It completely dissolves and has NO flavor. I put it in their grits, oatmeal. stir in a glass of water....they have no idea. I just give it to them because its good for them....they have never had 'issues'. :mrgreen: