Young boy (primary aged) with frequent stomach pains

[hurlyburly1]

Had blood and stool tests at doctor, all came back negative.
Some possible food and outside stress triggers for upset stomachs, we have removed these and stomach upsets have reduced.
Still often complains of pain, sometimes all over stomach sometimes below belly button. Overall very sporty and eats a good diet, with minimal processed foods. No antibiotics in the last few years. Anything else to test for and try? Thanks

Have you considered abdominal migraines? Common in boys in late primary school/puberty.

Thanks @Puddlesinside I hadn't, but think he is too young. Started with a stressful school issue at 6/7 but have gone on for a few years as stressors and problem foods eliminated.

My teen seems to have exactly the same thing. Gastro consultant was happy there was nothing serious, ultrasound clear, stool samples clear, blood clear.

She can identify some stress/anxiety triggers and we think there are some food triggers but that doesn't fully clear it up. We're just muddling through.

Would it be anxiety?

Just looked up abdominal migraines and my husband has migraines (as does his mum) and it can be genetic, so I wonder whether that is what my teen has after all.

I'd enquire about a grumbling appendix.
My son was the same - years of random stomach pains, vomiting etc.
all "checked" and no apparent cause - they said abdominal migraines.
Then suddenly he developed acute appendicitis to have a very stressful emergency operation. BUT since then, not a single pain, not a single complaint.
I did ask and was told (eventually) that yes it could have been, but we'll never know.

He isnt too young for abdominal migraines OP. Mine has been diagnosed with them much younger than that.

https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/abdominal-migraine/

My 2 oldest had recurring stomach pains during primary school. For both it was anxiety related and usually resulted in vomiting especially my dd. They both grew out of the physical symptoms of anxiety, but my dd had to have therapy and a period of being homeschooled to recover.

Acid reflux? Ds had it as a baby it reoccurred in primary he was put on gaviscon now he is in secondary he is on omaprazole

My ds had constant tummy aches. Doctors could find nothing so kept saying anxiety, schoolitis etc. Then one visit a locum was there. He examined his tonsils and said they were full of poison which was going into his stomach. He never had a sore throat. Doctor was quite cross with me saying he was neglected with those tonsils but he had regular doctors visits but no one had ever even looked at his tonsils. He had them out and never had another pain, never missed another day at school.

Thank you all. I will ask about the possibility of abdominal migraines or a grumbling appendix. He has never pinpointed pain to the appendix area, so this was not on my radar.

I will keep working to reduce anxiety, in case it is this and a pattern has been set up. He does not vomit, but does sometimes get an upset stomach. This often coincided with a particular school day. The main issue was resolved with a move from a school that suddenly got rough and had issues with control.

Thanks @junebirthdaygirl Will definitely ask about this. Had had a few sore throats and recently tested negative for strep. I presume they looked closely then, but will ask.