Constant tummy aches in 6 year old

[cuckoonest]

I'd really appreciate thoughts on how I can help my DD(6). For several years, she has complained of pretty non-specific tummy aches. We pursued it with the GP, who referred us to paediatrics. The consultant met her, and found nothing specific and suggested that we try treating it as constipation, and if that didn't work then to try dairy free and wheat free diets. Constipation treatment had some, but not total, effect, the dairy free diet had no effect. We had her tested for coeliac disease and other blood tests which all came back as normal. We didn't try wheat free, partly because she is a picky eater with a tiny appetite who lives on peanut butter sandwiches and cereal, and partly because the coeliac tests had come back negative. Roll forward a couple of years, and we are back at the same consultant after a year of constant tummy aches and nausea, often when she wakes up, but also before school, after school, during school, at the weekend, in the car, before lunch, after lunch... you get the idea, no particular pattern or obvious trigger. Consultant suggests that tummy ache is just her 'thing' which goes when something else is amiss but it is All The Time. And then when she is actually ill, it is missed, because she has been almost 'crying wolf'. Consultant suggests irritable bowel tendency, and possibly a wheat free trial period. I am talking to school about whether it is anxiety related, as she is generally a glass-half-empty soul, and prone to panicking, although doesn't appear to be worried about anything outside of the panic moments (these can be for anything - leaving me at the school door, putting her face in the water at swimming, being asked to put her shoes on...). How can I help her? How can I not want to tear my hair out every time the whining starts about her tummy hurting?!

[Badders123]

Google functional abdominal pain of childhood

[Itsallaswizz]

I have a dd the same, also 6. Her tummy pain, or sometimes described as a sore side or stitch, does come and go but she complains frequently. Has had a number of uti and seems particularly susceptible but no discernible reason, kidneys normal etc. Heard that threadworms can result in sore tummy so treated her for them but she still complains. Eats well and runs about but can be a bit lethargic and occasionally very thirsty. Another gp appointment next week...

[Haudyerwheesht]

Have you looked into abdominal migraines?

[Itsallaswizz]

Sorry no advice there! But sympathy

[gamerchick]

Is it definitely pain and not anxiety?

[Didiplanthis]

It's probably worth a trial of worm treatment if not tried. My dd was like this. Paeds couldn't find anything but suggested it even though no signs and it cleared up. Maybe coincidence but worth a go...

[Crumbs1]

Children often describe themselves as having tummy ache when it is something else such as worry or hunger. Maybe back off from medicalisation now tests and professional opinion suggests nothing really physical. Can't you keep a bottle of calpol and a hot water bottle and develop an "Oh dear, never mind let's do x " attitude?

[LimeySnickett]

I complained of tummy aches as a child in the hope it would get me off the hook when being asked to eat my meals up... I was a very limited eater with no appetite and big anxiety. My parents were very strict about eating though / lots of screaming, hitting etc so hence the anxiety. But putting this out there....

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

My DD was the same, I'd also suggest worm treatment. If if you can't see any they can cause tummy ache and irritability.

We were prescribed Ovex 5ml daily for three days, repeated after two weeks. I had to take it to.

Seemed to work, but we've had the dreaded things twice since!

[AVeryBigHouse]

How are her stools?

After years of symptoms including tummy pain, my daughter was diagnosed with intolerances to fructose and lactose.

[BelleBoyd]

My DD complained of tummy aches every night for years until fairly recently. She was on acid reflux medication for it as that is what the Dr thought it was.
Since Xmas though I've really tried to cut down on sugary snacks/crisps etc and also smaller meals as she was overeating a bit I thought. Asking for food an hour after dinner, lots of snacking etc
And since doing that she hasn't had a tummy ache. If she eats a lot of rubbish-like on a birthday party day it often comes back. Just a thought.
Your DD doesn't eat as much it sounds like but can you limit the sugar-up the fibre in what she will eat?

[Earlybird]

Watching with interest, as dd complains of regular tummy aches too. We have found that keeping her mostly lactose-free helps, but doesn't solve the issue completely.

[Spongesecret008]

My ds complains of a tummy ache at times when something else is bothering him. He is very sensitive to noise and anxious about going to the cinema. A few times after being at the cinema he has had a tummy ache. When he had a chest infection he compained of a tummy ache. I think the only way he could describe how low he was feeling was by saying he had a tummy ache. So if my ds says he has a tummy ache it usually means something is wrong but maybe something other than his tummy aching.