Stomach pain in kid/only at night? *Updated again

[Jerico]

My 9 year old son often has stomach pains- he won't always throw up but sometimes. He is usually up for hours moaning and groaning. It only ever happens at night. He often has a bowel movement and feels a bit better, but it usually resolves on its own by morning.

 

It has no discernable pattern. It could happen once in a month. It could happen 2-3 times a week.

 

I've tried to keep his schedule very even- drinking enough fluids, slightly increasing his fiber, not eating too much junk food, having a consistent routine.

 

We will probably have an insurance change very shortly here. Should I take him to the doctor? Any ideas?

Edited June 16, 2017 by Jerico

[Erica in OR]

I'd be interested in advice too. In a similar situation with my tween, although he doesn't vomit during those instances. I wonder in our case if it's constipation or some sort of food intolerance.

 

I also wonder if the doctor could make anything of it, or if it would be a wasted visit.

 

Erica in OR

[JudoMom]

Abdominal migraine? I have one with traditional migraines, and when they started they always came on in the evening, every 4-6 weeks (though he'd sometimes have a cluster of them instead of just one).

Edited April 29, 2017 by JudoMom

[Pink and Green Mom]

My son used to get this, only when he would lay down.  We went to a stomach doctor and it turned out  that his large intestine made a sort of "sharp turn" above his belly button and stool was getting stuck there (this was diagnosed with an xray). 

 

The orders from the doctor were whenever he felt this type of pain to spend a Saturday doing a clean out (just as wonderful as it sounds).  Starting at 8 am, take a full dose of Miralax.  Repeat every hour (a full dose) until they go to the bathroom and it is pretty much just clear liquid coming out.  It takes about 2-3 hours to start going to the bathroom and about 5 hours for it to be running clear.  You should only eat very lightly - toast, soups, etc during this time and whatever you do, don't drink any red colored drinks (because it looks like blood on the way out).  And the child will not be able to be too far from the bathroom the entire rest of the weekend.  The doctor told us to just do this at home anytime the pains recurred.  We did it the first time and it was a good 6 months before he had similar pains and we had to repeat the process.

 

Good luck!

[kbutton]

Migraine is definitely something to consider, but it sounds more like gas or constipation or a combo because of the writhing. If I'm having a migraine (even just the upset stomach), first, taking ibuprofen helps the nausea even without a headache. Secondly, I won't want to move at all, including writhing because movement is something I am super sensitive to when I have a migraine of any kind (this varies from person to person, but part of a migraine is a sensitive to light, sound, movement, etc. or some combo). 

 

Some people who are lactose intolerant are more or less tolerant in any give timeframe. So, they might be fine eating x, y, and z one week, but the next week, it's too much. Lactaid can help--its the enzyme that digests lactose. People who are lactose intolerant makes less of it.

 

Digestive enzymes in general are inexpensive, and they can help with a lot of eating-related discomfort for someone who just doesn't make a lot of enzymes or eat a lot of enzymes. It's supposedly pretty common in our modern diet and in how we cook foods. It might be something to try to rule things in or out. Beano has digestive enzymes, but not the lactase enzyme for digesting lactose, and probably not a full complement of digestive enzymes. Same idea though.

 

If it's a food intolerance, it could be something he eats late, or it could be something that takes a long time to flare up, but if you try some of the major triggers, you might get some insight. 

[gardenmom5]

yes - I would get him to a dr.  you may even need to get a referral to a gastroenterologist.

 

do you keep a food journal for him?  include activity.   then have those listed alongside when he has episodes. it could be a food sensitivity, or combination of foods.  2dd would get leg cramps - I learned days she was most active - I had to make sure she drank extra milk to prevent them.  (and preferably doing so the day before she was expecting to be very active.)

 

I understand the frustration and feelings of helplessness.  1ds had major stomach issues when he was younger. pain, vomiting, lethargy.  the ped neuro diagnosed it was cyclic vomiting syndrome. approx every three months. . . but they would last for a few days - to eventually eight days. (and three days of recovery) lots of testing - ultimately at the children's hospital. they couldn't find a cause. we had constantly changing (or no) insurance.  the episodes required ER tx with ivs and im (inadequate) narcotics.  he couldn't eat anything during them.   it went on for three+ years.

 

it turned out he had fractured a vertebra in his spine and it was pinching a nerve.  (bless the chiropractor) . . and it was over that fast.  he did require periodic tx while he grew.

[gardenmom5]

Migraine is definitely something to consider, but it sounds more like gas or constipation or a combo because of the writhing. If I'm having a migraine (even just the upset stomach), first, taking ibuprofen helps the nausea even without a headache. Secondly, I won't want to move at all, including writhing because movement is something I am super sensitive to when I have a migraine of any kind (this varies from person to person, but part of a migraine is a sensitive to light, sound, movement, etc. or some combo). 

 

Some people who are lactose intolerant are more or less tolerant in any give timeframe. So, they might be fine eating x, y, and z one week, but the next week, it's too much. Lactaid can help--its the enzyme that digests lactose. People who are lactose intolerant makes less of it.

 

Digestive enzymes in general are inexpensive, and they can help with a lot of eating-related discomfort for someone who just doesn't make a lot of enzymes or eat a lot of enzymes. It's supposedly pretty common in our modern diet and in how we cook foods. It might be something to try to rule things in or out. Beano has digestive enzymes, but not the lactase enzyme for digesting lactose, and probably not a full complement of digestive enzymes. Same idea though.

 

If it's a food intolerance, it could be something he eats late, or it could be something that takes a long time to flare up, but if you try some of the major triggers, you might get some insight. 

 

yes . .. shut up you're breathing too loud.. . . :glare: just cut my head off.

 

I second probiotics.   those can make a huge difference.  get a good one.

[wonderchica]

Sounds like lactose intolerance to me. It would hit me at different times, days, sometimes not at all. I felt like I would die sometimes. I was sure something was terribly wrong. I went off dairy for about a month and stopped all symptoms. I added some back in along with Lactaid and am now fine as long as I don't overdo it. Try giving up dairy for a few weeks.

[Butter]

My stomach pain like that when I was a kid/teen turned out to be Celiac Disease.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

This is similar to my son's celiac symptoms.  I would definitely go to a doctor.  

 

My theory for why they hit at night is because he was actually in some degree of pain all day, but was more distracted.  At night, there is nothing to do but feel pain if it's present.  The gluten issue also caused constipation issues and it took maybe 18 months of gluten free plus occasional bouts of laxative use until things were all running smoothly again.  

 

If the problem is gluten or dairy proteins, you may find a food diary is not particularly helpful, as the pain doesn't necessarily correspond exactly with consumption.  (Lactose intolerance is easier to spot, but only if milk products are not a super-frequent part of the diet).  Elimination diets can give you a better idea as to what's going on.  BUT, don't start anything until you've had your doctor run a few simple tests.  

[HSmomof2]

My ds(14) has been having similar stomach episodes as well. Always at night or very early morning. It happens every 2-3 months. Severe cramping pain, nausea but doesn't vomit or have diarrhea. It last about two hours then goes away. Constipation has been ruled out.

[Okra]

This sounds exactly like when my seven year old was severely constipated.

[Random]

Some ideas off the top of my head (because we have dealt with all of these in my family):

 

GERD (your description sounds like how my dd acts when her GERD is acting up.)

Celiac

Eosinophilic Esophagitis   https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/e/eosinophilic-esophagitis-ee

Constipation

Undiagnosed food allergy

Ulcer

H Pylori

 

If you are about to lose your insurance coverage, or have a decrease in coverage, I'd make that appointment immediately.

Sorry he's suffering.  I hope you figure it out soon!

 

 

 

[wintermom]

Yes, I would be at the dr now. Chronic stomach pain and vomiting, with hours of moaning and groaning. That must be very, very painful for the poor guy. Get him looked at.

 

I'm going through some stomach issues myself right now. They are very painful, and very distressing. I'm completely baffled that you are trying to self-medicate or something (?) with this.  Sorry if this seems out of line, but you really need to understand that stomach and intestinal issues are very painful and can be quite serious health issues. 

Edited April 30, 2017 by wintermom

[Katy]

I had stomach pains like that as a kid.  It turned out I was having a reaction to onions.  I never ate them for breakfast or lunch.  And I loved them, so I didn't figure out the link until I stopped eating them as an older teen when I was more worried about boys and bad breath than I was about food.  Then when I'd eat onion rings or a salad with raw onion, the pain was back.

 

Even today, too much onion will give me first heartburn, then terrible intestinal pain for 6-8 hours after I eat it, possibly more.  And finally, diarrhea. I thought for a while I had a fructose issue, but it's pretty much only with onions, so I don't know where the intolerance comes from.

[Luckymama]

My older d had pain like that. Hers was due to a soy allergy.

 

When younger d started having stomach/intestinal pain with no other symptoms, we went to the allergist right away. We eliminated her allergens but the pain remained. She had all kinds of tests done, including a very frightening episode of a potential serious genetic disease. Everything was fine yet she was still in pain and losing weight rapidly. It turns out she has a severe dairy (not lactose) intolerance. Once we eliminated all dairy, even trace amounts, she felt better and regained weight. Accidental cross-contamination with dairy products make her sick for 40-48 hours.

[cintinative]

Mine had that and it turned out to be both constipation and Celiac disease. For a long time they treated it as only constipation, but then it got so bad he started losing weight. Then they tested him for Celiac. It's a initially just a blood test. The weird thing was his stomach mostly only hurt at night. I figure it has something to do with the body's ability to overlook certain levels of pain when you are not resting. I have the same issue--my chronic foot issues bother me much more at night when I am trying to rest and sleep even though really they are flaring all day.

Edited April 30, 2017 by cintinative

[matrips]

Nice timing and listening in. My ds12 just came to me again for his hurting stomach. It's been going in for over a week now and he now tells me it sometimes hurts during the day as well. But I guess he pays more attention at night since he's not busy. But his is more of an ache he says, no sharp pains.

[HSmomof2]

Not trying to hijack.....but for those that have celiac, was you pain constant/daily? My ds has these episodes maybe 1-2 times every few months. The dr has ruled out constipation, and is saying it's 'viral'. I don't buy the virus diagnosis with no vomiting/diarrhea, just cramping pain, plus no one else gets sick. I have Hashimotos and there are a lot of other autoimmune issues in our family.....

[Jerico]

Thank you everyone!!!

 

We went to the doctor. He said I have done the right thing so far (always nice to hear). Starting with urine and stool samples, then blood work and a CT scan if needed.

 

Hopefully this will give us see answers.

 

Now, since you all are so helpful I think I will start a post on my own stomach issues. Though, if my son does receive a diagnosis it may be worth checking out my issues. I know some can run in families.

[cintinative]

Not trying to hijack.....but for those that have celiac, was you pain constant/daily? My ds has these episodes maybe 1-2 times every few months. The dr has ruled out constipation, and is saying it's 'viral'. I don't buy the virus diagnosis with no vomiting/diarrhea, just cramping pain, plus no one else gets sick. I have Hashimotos and there are a lot of other autoimmune issues in our family.....

 

 

Ours started off more infrequently like what you describe, and over the course of about eight months turned into a daily thing.  Have they run a Celiac blood panel on your son? Given the autoimmune connection it makes sense to run it.  The tendency to autoimmune runs in families (as opposed to the specific autoimmune). My husband has Sarcoidosis, my husband's sister has Crohn's, my son has Celiac.

 

ETA: During the time the stomach pain was going on my son was also having frequent bouts of strep or ear infections. So a popular thing was to blame it on the antibiotics. At the worst point he was on some strong antibiotics because the normal ones were not working. Looking back on it now, we realize he had a weakened immune system from the Celiac. 

Edited May 4, 2017 by cintinative

[cintinative]

Nice timing and listening in. My ds12 just came to me again for his hurting stomach. It's been going in for over a week now and he now tells me it sometimes hurts during the day as well. But I guess he pays more attention at night since he's not busy. But his is more of an ache he says, no sharp pains.

 

My son never had sharp pain with Celiac. Only a painful ache that grew in intensity as the weeks went on.

[Butter]

Not trying to hijack.....but for those that have celiac, was you pain constant/daily? My ds has these episodes maybe 1-2 times every few months. The dr has ruled out constipation, and is saying it's 'viral'. I don't buy the virus diagnosis with no vomiting/diarrhea, just cramping pain, plus no one else gets sick. I have Hashimotos and there are a lot of other autoimmune issues in our family.....

 

Sort of.  I didn't think it was constant or daily, but once I was diagnosed and got off gluten then I realized it was all the time, it was just worse sometimes.

[Jerico]

Well, almost 2 months later, all I have is $800+ in medical bills. No answers. I never even got a call back after the X-ray. That's so annoying. He has had the issue 3 or 4 times more, but not in the past month (or 3 weeks or so).

[MommyLiberty5013]

Well, almost 2 months later, all I have is $800+ in medical bills. No answers. I never even got a call back after the X-ray. That's so annoying. He has had the issue 3 or 4 times more, but not in the past month (or 3 weeks or so).

So, did the call back slip through the cracks by mistake? It is highly unusual for no call back either way. You paid for it, so call on it. Ask, "What are the next steps?" and "What do you recommend we do?"

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Well, almost 2 months later, all I have is $800+ in medical bills. No answers. I never even got a call back after the X-ray. That's so annoying. He has had the issue 3 or 4 times more, but not in the past month (or 3 weeks or so).

Go to medical records for whatever facility you had it done and get a copy of the X-rays and radiology report.

[Jerico]

So, did the call back slip through the cracks by mistake? It is highly unusual for no call back either way. You paid for it, so call on it. Ask, "What are the next steps?" and "What do you recommend we do?"

Nope. I've had to call at every step of the way. The voicemail says they'd get back to me in 24-48 hours. After I called after urine samples (I gave them an extra day or two) it took 6 days to get back to me.

 

I'm not made of money so it's so frustrating. Our insurance is changing. I should have waited in hopes of having it under 1 deductable, but we were unsure of exactly when this career change would come.

[MommyLiberty5013]

Nope. I've had to call at every step of the way. The voicemail says they'd get back to me in 24-48 hours. After I called after urine samples (I gave them an extra day or two) it took 6 days to get back to me.

 

I'm not made of money so it's so frustrating. Our insurance is changing. I should have waited in hopes of having it under 1 deductable, but we were unsure of exactly when this career change would come.

Ugh. That's frustrating.

 

You could "pull rank" and figure out who is in charge of this lab/department or whatever it is and contact them.

 

I understand the insurance changing being a stressor. That's a big life factor.

[Jerico]

Yes, I would be at the dr now. Chronic stomach pain and vomiting, with hours of moaning and groaning. That must be very, very painful for the poor guy. Get him looked at.

 

I'm going through some stomach issues myself right now. They are very painful, and very distressing. I'm completely baffled that you are trying to self-medicate or something (?) with this. Sorry if this seems out of line, but you really need to understand that stomach and intestinal issues are very painful and can be quite serious health issues.

Honestly I've learned to try to self medicate due to past experience.

 

This was just another example of me spending a ton of money and time at the doctor's with exactly zero to show for it. It's happened to me.

 

We went to the doctor last spring. I spent roughly $1000 for a few visits, a stool sample, and an x-ray. I had to basically harrass the doctor every day to even get a callback. I never heard feedback from the X-ray. We have one doctors office in our town. We don't have specialists. $1000 is about a third of our monthly income so I don't have a lot to just toss around.

 

He didn't have any problems all fall but this week has been continual pain. I think we will try dairy free first (it's helped me) and if that doesn't help, will try gluten free (I've done both so I know how big of a pita it is).

[J-rap]

Sorry you haven't had any answer yet.  I react this way to apples.  One apple is okay, two is not.  One glass of apple juice is okay, two is not.  I ended up twice in the hospital ER after two glasses of apple juice, I was in such severe pain.  The second time I realized it was the apple juice!  The doctors never figured it out;  I did.  I don't react like that to any other food.  (That was years ago now.)

 

It's probably not this for your ds, but you never know!  

[Sandwalker]

Honestly I've learned to try to self medicate due to past experience.

 

This was just another example of me spending a ton of money and time at the doctor's with exactly zero to show for it. It's happened to me.

 

We went to the doctor last spring. I spent roughly $1000 for a few visits, a stool sample, and an x-ray. I had to basically harrass the doctor every day to even get a callback. I never heard feedback from the X-ray. We have one doctors office in our town. We don't have specialists. $1000 is about a third of our monthly income so I don't have a lot to just toss around.

 

He didn't have any problems all fall but this week has been continual pain. I think we will try dairy free first (it's helped me) and if that doesn't help, will try gluten free (I've done both so I know how big of a pita it is).

I think that stopping the dairy as a trial is a good idea. I wouldn't take gluten out yet though, unless they tested for celiac already. The testing for celiac requires that the patient be eating gluten to get accurate results. Best wishes for your ds.

[solascriptura]

I’d never heard of an abdominal migraine, until someone mentioned it here on the hive. I’m pretty sure my dd gets these. They come out of no where, she’s in a lot of pain, is exhausted, takes a nap, and then it’s gone.