12 yr. old with stomach pain

[meodow]

My 12 year old son has been having stomach problems with about seven months now. I took him to the Dr. when it first started and the Dr. put him on miralax even though my son is regular daily with some diarrhea. Dr. said he could be block up somewhere and still have some diarrhea and regular. Dr. did x-ray and didn't see anything wrong.  The miralax seemed to help at first, but he still was uncomfortable. My son's condition has gotten worse in the past month. We took dairly products away thinking it was a lactos thing, but still he has problems. He says he has stronger pain in the upper abdomen, but feels it all over the stomach. He doesn't really know how to describe what he is feeling except for some pain and a little nausea. He has episodes of rolling on the floor crying. It happens at anytime day or night, full stomach or empty and resting or active. When he does have a bowel movement he has to sit on the toilet for a very long time and may go only a little, but he does go everyday. He has another Dr. appointment next week, but I need to know if anyone has had these symptoms and know how I can help my son.

[tazzygirl16]

I have a son that has gone through that same stuff. In fact one doctor said he was full of poop for almost 3 years. He was doing mirilax,mineral oil,stool softeners,and such. I decided to get a second opinion by a pediatric gastroenterologist and then he was diagnosed with IBS-C which is irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. He is on meds now and doing so much better

[meodow]

Thanks for the comment. I never thought about that, but thank you. I will ask the dr.

[Allicatsmom]

Is he seeing a specialist? He needs to see a gastroenterologist. My daughter had problems off and on for 4 years until her recent diagnosis of fructose intolerance. She would be in such severe pain that she couldn't function. She would have bouts of diarrhea and vomitting which would be much worse in the morning and at night. Mid -day wouldn't be too bad. I'm not saying that is what your son has but his symptoms mirror my daughters.

[Jaybay]

Frankly, I think you need a different doctor.  If you're working with your son's pediatrician, you may need a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.  Something is obviously causing all that pain, and laxatives are only skirting the edges of the symptoms.  You obviously need to get to the bottom of what is causing the symptoms.  Pediatric gastro docs can be difficult to find outside major urban cities.  If you have insurance, start checking there to see if one is on your plan.