My daughter's symptoms

[April2]

My 17 year old daughter has been getting symptoms the last year or so that have gradually gotten worse. I took her in to the doctor today because she called me from school and said she didn't feel well at all.  

Her symptoms have been:

Stomach pain
Nausea
Gas
Bloating
Constipation (sometimes with blood)

The doctor today prescribed Zantac and tested for H.Pylori. Is there anything else anyone can think of as to what is causing her to feel this way?

I myself have some digestive issues, Crohns in the past and bad GERD right now. Not sure what could be hereditary but her symptoms don't sound like Crohns or Reflux to me. I'm just not sure. Could use some advice as to what you all may think it is and what tests we should possibly ask for or what can give her some relief. Thanks!

[stubby226]

I love your last statement.  I also tend to be cynical of the medical proffession at times.  I hope her doctor is good but personable.  How are you doing?  Won't go into details as I know this is an open site.  My prayers continue to be wwith you and your family.

[April2]

Thanks Stubby. Yes, she still has her appendix. I asked her if her periods are normal and she said not really. They aren't always at the same time each month and she does have a lot of pain the first day or two. She also gets pretty heavy periods, but isn't all this pretty normal for a teen? I understood that it takes years for the body to adjust and regulate the periods, etc. I don't know.

I do know about colonoscopies. I've had two plus an endoscopy. The worst part is drinking that nasty stuff the day before! I just hate for her to go through all of this. The first test will be the Upper GI but she insists she doesn't have Reflux. I know they just want to rule out stuff. Watch, they'll probably go through all this testing and wind up saying it's IBS!

[stubby226]

When getting a colonoscopy they usually use conscious sedation so she has litte to no pain.  There are just so many problems possible.  Does she have her appendix still?  She could have minor inflammation , irritation which can cause pain to radiate.  Has she been running any elevated temp?  Female problem can also cause the sx she has been having.  Are her periods normal?  Does the pain increase around certain time of cycle.  

I am not try to play doctor and diagnose whats wrong.  I am only trying to put out questions for thought.

I will keep her in pray and knowing God protects his children.  If I come up with any other possibilities I will shoot them out your way for thought.

[April2]

No diarrhea, just constipation, sometimes with blood, but the doctor said that can happen with constipation.
She does seem worse after eating but it can last for hours. She said laying down helps as she did yesterday when coming home from school.  I asked what she ate yesterday and she said a peach for breakfast and then later started feeling real bad so thought maybe she better eat something healthy for lunch so she got a wrap with lettuce, veggies on whole wheat, and couldn't finish it because she was feeling more and more sick. That's when she called me at 1pm, right after her lunch period.

I thought about IBS but like you, I know that can be a catch all when doctors can't figure it out, so I want to check everything out first. She's scheduled to get an Upper GI on Monday but I don't think it's reflux but we can rule stuff out with that test, I guess.
The pcp said she may have to get referred out to a GI and that they'd probably want to do a colonoscopy which she said she's sure she won't want to get but that they'll try some other non invasive things first.
My mom had her gallbladder out, I remember, but otherwise I can't think of anything else.
She said her pain is all over, not just one side or one place.

I told her she needs to watch what she's eating and see what affects her and of course her reaction was that she doesn't want to have to have a restricted diet, etc., she wants to be a normal kid and eat like other kids. I understand, and I told her that, that she doesn't necessarily have to have a restricted diet but she does need to pay attention to what she's eating unless she wants to continue to feel bad!  

[stubby226]

I hate to even suggest this as so many people feel it is just a catch all diagnosis.  Irritable bowle syndrome can often exhibit some of the same symptoms.  Does she ever get diarherra?  With irritable bowel syndrome you can also have that.  The pai can be really uncomfortable.  Is her stomach pain pretty steady in one place or does it room all over?  Are her sx worse after eating fatty foods?  Does gallbladder disease run in the family?   Do you have to get s referral to see a specialist or can you self referr?  I would suggest getting in to see a good one.   There are so many different things that can go on in the intestal tract.  I would reccomend keeping a diary of sx so when she sees a doctor she will have written down what has actually been going on.  Will keep her in my prayers.