Parents Tummy troubles

[MaryA]

Disclamer: I have had DD to the doctor on Friday, blood tests were done, all was normal, and I am keeping a log of her incidents in case we need to go back again. I guess I'm looking for encouragement (for her and for me) and if any of you have "been there/done that", that would be helpful too.

I have discussed this with a few of you privately, but finally decided to open it up to a larger audience as my frustration grows.

On and off for the past few weeks, DD (will be 12 in Feb) has had general stomach upset. Not cramps. Not nausea. Just "bleh." Sometimes accompanied by dizziness, especially when upside-down. A couple of times (like today) it's been bad enough that she's called to be picked up from either school or practice. Yesterday she made it through till the last hour of practice (which was floor, her favorite and her strongest event, so I don't think it was a sickness of convenience) but that was probably the most practicing she's done since the week before last. Lots of stretching and resting when she does stay at practice. Today she started feeling sick around lunch time and came home immediately after school.

Doctor's theory: Puberty hormones making her feel yucky, the same way a woman who starts taking "the pill" might feel yucky at first. Nothing to do (since iron and thyroid tests came back normal) except wait it out.

Coach's theory: She needs to eat more. Just the act of growing is using up all of her energy with nothing left over. Have started having her pack a lunch AND buy a lunch! The school she is at allows her to eat as needed throughout the day. The food I send is nutritious, mix of protein and carbs (usually a sandwich on whole wheat bread and some fruit, maybe some nuts).

My theory: Some combination of the two, plus maybe some sort of bug that has messed with her inner ear in some way, thus leading to the dizziness.

Concussion has been discussed, but DD swears she hasn't hit her head recently, nor has she complained of headaches at all. I looked at symptoms for lactose intollerance (since cheese and milk are such easy "go to" snacks... in fact, I've been having her buy 2 milks with her school lunch), but none of those seem to fit either.

I have asked her if there is anything that is stressing her out... at school, at the gym... she swears that, other than being stressed out about not being able to practice with her first meet in less than 2 weeks (if she is even able to compete in it, which is looking doubtful), nothing is bothering her.

What is frustrating is that this doesn't seem to be following any pattern (getting progressively better or progressively worse). Yesterday I could have sworn she was on the mend, and was SO relieved. She says she even had a really good practice (on the 3 events she practiced before she started feeling sick again... and even then she said she felt better after resting for a little while... seemed in good spirits when I picked her up) in spite of her not practicing much recently, and then today - another bad day.

Anyone else experience anything similar when your daughter was going through the beginning stages of puberty? Or at any other time? If this continues and we end up back at the doctor, is there something else I should insist on him checking, since he already tested for anemia and thyroid issues and did a general "check up"?

Many thanks!

 

[vagymmomma]

Obviously this just one experience, but my DD (who's about 6 months younger than yours) had some crazy stomach issues about 2 years ago. Hers was a little different -- she had cramps, but was also waking up vomiting in the middle of the night. I mean the heaving kind of sickness. We initially thought it was just the flu. She got better, then about 5 days later -- same thing. We took her to a pediatrician and had to get permission to send her to school. It went on for nearly 4 months (it was happening even at her state meet and she literally finished her last event and went to the restroom to fix her stomach). We finally went to a stomach specialist and they ran a whole series of tests. They couldn't find anything wrong and eventually the symptoms finally stopped.

The gastro specialist suggested stress as a possible contributing factor, but it was definitely not meet related. They also mentioned diet as another contributing factor. I ultimately chocked it up to they really didn't know. But I can tell you that it was a great to relief to me to have her tested just to confirm it was nothing more serious. The location of the cramping seemed to suggest it might be related to female issues, but she still has not started her cycle so I'm sure that wasn't the cause. Good luck -- I know it can be unsettling so I definitely recommend a doctors visit.

 

[magymmom]

My dd almost 12 in fact 12 on the 20th of this month has been having tummy issues as well. We have been to dr. and even had a CT scan, she does not have the dizziness but almost all the other symptoms you listed. We have figured out that she is lactose intolerant and also have cut out soda which she did not drink much of anyway. She was fine for around 2 months but started having issues again in the past week. We also gave her fiber supplement and that helped a little. The problems are not as severe this time as they were. I am kind of relieved to see that there is someone else going through the same things. Hope you find answers. Her problems more recently do seem to be cyclical so I am leaning towards the hormone changes with her.

 

[JessLW]

Maybe you could discuss with her doctor the possibility of certain intolerance, and trying to eliminate certain food groups and see if anything improves? Lactose? Gluten? I know some people who lived with Crohn's for years without ever being diagnosed, just thinking they had sensitive stomachs. I'm sorry she's had another setback Mary. I think puberty sounds like the most likely scenario, but I'd want to rule out anything more serious if it doesn't improve soon.

 

[MaryA]

Do food sensitivities often pop up around puberty? She's always been so healthy. She started a new gym and a new school last September, and this past month is the first time she's had a sick day at either place!

 

[Amusibus]

I am so sorry to hear you are going thru this. My daughter is only 6, and she has stomach issues too for over a year now, but nothing at all like your daughter's- she either has no pain at all or is in severe pain (to the point of vomiting and the last two times even called 911 and went to the ER). I just wanted to respond to let you know I know how frustrating abdominal problems can be as they are apparently so hard to diagnose. We too have seen multiple specialists including a pediatric gastroenterologist and had ipper GI, endoscopy, biopsies, blood work, you name it- still no firm diagnosis and we are going to CHOP in a couple weeks to hopefully get some answers. One thought- did you ask her if she is gassy?An embarrasing question for a child, I know. Lactose or some other intolerance sounds like a possibility to me. If the docs can't find anything, in the area of tummy troubles especially I have found alternative practitioners such as a naturopath to have a lot of good ideas the MD's don't always think of. Good luck getting your answers, keep us posted and sorry, it is very frustrating for all involved.

 

[Flossyduck]

You poor things - how frustrating for you to see your daughter going through this.

I know of two girls who went through something similar recently and each ended up with a different diagnosis. My niece (who is now thirteen) was eventually diagnosed as a coeliac sufferer and after months of looking awful and feeling sick on and off, CT scans and other tests, she is now on a gluten free diet and like a different girl. My dear friend's daughter, (also a gymnast and now twelve) was diagnosed with an electrolyte imbalance. The cause was never fully pinned down, although hormones were discussed. She has come through it and is much better now. There are obviously many other things it could be too.

I can only really offer encouragement, no solutions, I'm afraid. But I would say to keep trying to get an answer, without letting your daughter think that you are overly worried, and I hope that you get some answers and things start to improve.

In the meantime have you tried ginger? It helped me a lot with nausea in pregnancy...

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

I would try cutting out the lactose or try putting her on the pill/depo to regulate the ups and downs of puberty.

 

[wallinbl]

Do food sensitivities often pop up around puberty?

I didn't figure out my issue with lactose until I was 34! Looking back, I realized it had been there all along and I just wasn't paying enough attention.

 

[emorymom]

One of my children has celiac. They can live a normal, thriving life as long as they stay off gluten. This is kind of a PSA just because celiac was brought up -- though OP, do make sure your child had a celiac panel.

Do not, ever, do a trial of gluten free prior to getting a simple blood test (celiac panel). Always get the blood work done and then you can certainly do a gluten free trial while waiting the results because while a bit under 1% of the population has celiac, another approximately 5% have some form of gluten intolerance, which is a different beast.

Celiac is horribly underdiagnosed in this country. 1/133 are suffering (based on studies running the celiac panel on random blood samples) but it's only 1/1000 or so that's actually diagnosed. The average celiac patient is really sick for YEARS before a doctor finally thinks to run the blood test. So IF you see ANY celiac symptoms in your kid, DEMAND the blood test. In my own experience, I had to DEMAND it. My doctor simply did not think that the fact that my kid stopped growing for the better part of a year, had bags under his eyes for a couple of years, and tummy troubles was enough because "celiac patients are really sick." After he'd been gluten free for about six months, a pediatrician aquaintence asked me why he was on gluten free and I said celiac. She said Oh, he doesn't look like a celiac kid. Well that's because they are trained to wait until the kids are horribly growth stunted and bleeding out internally! I am exaggerating but not too much.

 

[onebusymama]

My oldest DD had the same exact symptoms going on with her when she was 11 1/2. She does not do gymnastics but she would frequently go to the school nurse with stomach issues (not cramping, or vomiting) just something not feeling right. Sometimes it was accompanied by dizziness & sometimes she said she felt a little silly when it would come on (??). The Dr said it was the onset of puberty. After a few months of this she started her period & then it started to mellow out. The dizziness went away & the strange stomach aches were less frequent. Once her periods got regular, it all stopped & she just had the usual cramping with pms. I'm not sure if this is what is going on with your DD but it sounds so familiar. I hope things get better for her.

 

[gymmomtotwo]

Blood sugar issues such as hypoglycemia?

Inner ear infection?

Just ideas.

 

[MaryA]

Yes, I brought up blood sugar with Dr. and he seemed to think it was not likely. He talked about all of the extreme things the body will do to maintain blood sugar (discussion of katosis, etc.) and he didn't see any of those things going on with her. I do sort of wish he had tested for it (I mean, he tested for Cholesterol, for heaven's sake... seems like a blood sugar issue is more likely in an atheletic 11-year-old than high cholesterol).

Yeah, it could be an inner ear thing... maybe not even an infection (no fever or other symptoms) but I've had some vertigo issues just after having a cold or something. Though I feel like, if it was a virus, it would be more likely to be getting progressively better or progressively worse, rather than this on-again-off-again thing.

I called the doctor back and got the OK to try her on Miralax to see if it might be a bowel issue, so I'll pick some of that up today. I'm debating whether or not to tell her what it's supposed to do (so that she's not surprised by the effects) or just tell her it's to try to help her stomach feel better. I guess I have to tell her, but she's not going to be happy about it.

Ah, motherhood...

 

[maryRS]

I don't know as this did not happen with my daughter but many of the moms of daughters I have talked to have seemed to have their daughters have stomach issues before the onset of their period beginning. One in particular is was very painful, and they did all kinds of tests, and had her keep a log of what she was eating etc. When she had it happen it was debilitating. Some others have talked about just mild general ickiness and crampiness. Also headaches. It seems that after the doctors run tests, they all seem to lean toward hormonal and puberty.

I would say it certainly can't hurt to pack her extra food, particulary higher protien but leaner so it wouldn't make her feel icky at practice. I don't know though, these are just some experiences that I've heard of. My daughter did not have any of this and her period came on out of nowhere I swear. It was like one day she was a little girl, stayed home sick and by the end of the day she had her period. Within a month she had a more girly figure. Ugh, weird!
Just a month before her doctor told us he thought she was 2 years away.

Disclamer: I have had DD to the doctor on Friday, blood tests were done, all was normal, and I am keeping a log of her incidents in case we need to go back again. I guess I'm looking for encouragement (for her and for me) and if any of you have "been there/done that", that would be helpful too.

I have discussed this with a few of you privately, but finally decided to open it up to a larger audience as my frustration grows.

On and off for the past few weeks, DD (will be 12 in Feb) has had general stomach upset. Not cramps. Not nausea. Just "bleh." Sometimes accompanied by dizziness, especially when upside-down. A couple of times (like today) it's been bad enough that she's called to be picked up from either school or practice. Yesterday she made it through till the last hour of practice (which was floor, her favorite and her strongest event, so I don't think it was a sickness of convenience) but that was probably the most practicing she's done since the week before last. Lots of stretching and resting when she does stay at practice. Today she started feeling sick around lunch time and came home immediately after school.

Doctor's theory: Puberty hormones making her feel yucky, the same way a woman who starts taking "the pill" might feel yucky at first. Nothing to do (since iron and thyroid tests came back normal) except wait it out.

Coach's theory: She needs to eat more. Just the act of growing is using up all of her energy with nothing left over. Have started having her pack a lunch AND buy a lunch! The school she is at allows her to eat as needed throughout the day. The food I send is nutritious, mix of protein and carbs (usually a sandwich on whole wheat bread and some fruit, maybe some nuts).

My theory: Some combination of the two, plus maybe some sort of bug that has messed with her inner ear in some way, thus leading to the dizziness.

Concussion has been discussed, but DD swears she hasn't hit her head recently, nor has she complained of headaches at all. I looked at symptoms for lactose intollerance (since cheese and milk are such easy "go to" snacks... in fact, I've been having her buy 2 milks with her school lunch), but none of those seem to fit either.

I have asked her if there is anything that is stressing her out... at school, at the gym... she swears that, other than being stressed out about not being able to practice with her first meet in less than 2 weeks (if she is even able to compete in it, which is looking doubtful), nothing is bothering her.

What is frustrating is that this doesn't seem to be following any pattern (getting progressively better or progressively worse). Yesterday I could have sworn she was on the mend, and was SO relieved. She says she even had a really good practice (on the 3 events she practiced before she started feeling sick again... and even then she said she felt better after resting for a little while... seemed in good spirits when I picked her up) in spite of her not practicing much recently, and then today - another bad day.

Anyone else experience anything similar when your daughter was going through the beginning stages of puberty? Or at any other time? If this continues and we end up back at the doctor, is there something else I should insist on him checking, since he already tested for anemia and thyroid issues and did a general "check up"?

Many thanks!

 

[marie83]

I went through a similar thing myself at age 11. I was tired a lot, felt 'ill' a lot, had dizzy spells and stomach upset. My doctor did a blood test to check if I was anemic or had glandular fever, but somehow from the results worked out that it was just tgat I'd had quite a large growth spurt in a short amount of time. (I have no idea how, or even if this is possible - I may have misunderstood!). Anyhow, I was a VERY active 11 year old - I danced 5 times a week, Did Gym once a week, took horse riding lessons once a week and swam once a week, and I was also helping to care for my mum. When the dr heard this he told me to take a short break from some of the activities to give myself time to adjust! Well sadly in the end I gave up everything because I just wasn't recovering, and what do you know, very soon afterwards puberty hit! I went back to dance and gym about a year later.
I do hope your dd gets sorted and that it is nothing serious, but I hope she doesn't have to give up any gymnastics over it!!

 

[cbifoja]

I called the doctor back and got the OK to try her on Miralax to see if it might be a bowel issue, so I'll pick some of that up today. I'm debating whether or not to tell her what it's supposed to do (so that she's not surprised by the effects) or just tell her it's to try to help her stomach feel better. I guess I have to tell her, but she's not going to be happy about it.

Ah, motherhood...

Mary,

Bella has had bowel issues for year. When she was a toddler, we tried everything natural as far as food/drink options but even on a high fiber diet, she would only poop once or twice a week. When she was in preschool, she was put on Miralax and it has worked wonders. It doesn't produce dramatic results like a laxative does so I don't know that there is anything to "warn" your DD about. Bella was on Miralax twice a day from age 4 to 7.

Last year, I weaned her off a bit at the doctor's suggestion to see how she would do now. She mostly does okay but she is conscious of the fact that if she hasn't pooped in a day or two, that she needs to sprinkle her milk.

It sometimes interferes with gymnastics. Her gym did a conditioning baseline at the beginning of summer and I noticed her bar toe touches were ridiculously low. She told me that her belly was hurting so she could only do four or five in whatever time period they were given. Miralax to the rescue!

Constipation is annoying but the Miralax has really helped normalize Bella. It doesn't make her cramp but makes her have regular bowel movements so she doesn't get backed up and then have those shooting pains in her stomach and other pains when she has to force things to happen.

 

[profmom]

Keep us posted. If it is some nondescript virus, there probably just won't be any way to know until it goes away. (I'm still putting my money on that one.) I second asking for a blood test for celiac if this continues -- but hasten to add that if you go this route, get the blood test before you start experimenting with a gluten-free diet.

One other weird thought that your doc has probably already ruled out: was she outdoors much this fall? Lyme disease can cause the off-and-on exhaustion. One of my son's friends was diagnosed with it last March; it took the doc a few weeks to think of testing for Lyme because of the season.

Ain't parenthood grand? Hoping that the Miralax does the trick!!

 

[Deleted member D3987]

Yes, I brought up blood sugar with Dr. and he seemed to think it was not likely. He talked about all of the extreme things the body will do to maintain blood sugar (discussion of katosis, etc.) and he didn't see any of those things going on with her. I do sort of wish he had tested for it (I mean, he tested for Cholesterol, for heaven's sake... seems like a blood sugar issue is more likely in an atheletic 11-year-old than high cholesterol).

Yeah, it could be an inner ear thing... maybe not even an infection (no fever or other symptoms) but I've had some vertigo issues just after having a cold or something. Though I feel like, if it was a virus, it would be more likely to be getting progressively better or progressively worse, rather than this on-again-off-again thing.

I called the doctor back and got the OK to try her on Miralax to see if it might be a bowel issue, so I'll pick some of that up today. I'm debating whether or not to tell her what it's supposed to do (so that she's not surprised by the effects) or just tell her it's to try to help her stomach feel better. I guess I have to tell her, but she's not going to be happy about it.

Ah, motherhood...

make that Ketosis just in case someone wonders what that is and looks it up and can't find it.

 

[MaryA]

Thanks Dunno.

Looks like it may be stress-related after all. Major nervous breakdown at gym yesterday. Apparently my seemingly laid-back, even-keeled child is very good at bottling things up. Of course, that is potentially (likely) hormone related as well. I feel like a heel for not having a clue...

 

[onebusymama]

Definitely sounds like hormones are kicking in. Hang in there!