I’m sorry, posting here for traffic

[Desperatemama87]

I need help, my daughter is 8 and has issues with her skin, indigestion, some constipation, she’s losing weight. Indigestion is now at the point where she is petrified to eat but I can’t get an appointment until next week. Does anyone have any suggestions I can make a note of to ask the doctor?

Shes had 2 full blood counts. 1 showed low eosinophil and reticulocyte counts and the 2nd showed only a low reticulocyte count. Shes been tested for coeliac which was negative however some gluten had previously been cut out. She’s also had a chest X-ray to make sure nothing is stuck in the chest giving her this feeling of indigestion.

I’m at my wits end seeing my daughter struggling so much. She cries everyday because of the way she feels.

I’ve attached photos of her hands. The rashes are on her hands, elbows, thighs

Digestive enzymes , my kids are using them, help digest all kinds

Enzymedica spectrum is what we use and it’s pretty good

could be also her stomach acid is too low and doesn’t help

Thank you, will look into that.

I forgot to add allergy testing for egg, milk and wheat done which came back negative

Looks very similar to psoriasis, can you put a pic of her elbows on? Do they mirror?

Here’s an elbow photo. I don’t think they mirror 100% to be honest.

My sibling suffered with psoriasis and I just remember his skin looking different to my daughters

Are they itchy? Has the GP ruled out pompholyx?

I do and it looks very much like mine did. Obviously there are other issues but I’d ask to be referred to a dermatologist and for allergy testing

Sorry didn’t see your post re allergy tests, ask for further tests, could be allergic to something in shower gel/bubble bath

Never itchy through the day, only itches at night so my daughter has to wear bandages around her hands to bed.

Doctor doesn’t seem interested in diving deeper into the skin issues, says it’s either eczema or dermatitis. I asked for a skin biopsy and was told other options would be explored first

My gp told me I’d have to learn to live with it, I insisted I was referred, it’s now managed to an acceptable level. Insist

Indigestion can cover a few different symptoms, can you be more specific?

At her appointment next week I’m not backing down and will be insisting she gets referred to a dermatologist.

@Leafy3 as soon as she eats she feels like the food just isn’t digesting and sits in her throat/chest. It can feel this way for 45-60 mins. Sorry that’s as specific as I can be

Her hands look like pustular psoriasis, little blisters under the skin, probably itch more at night because of blankets etc. has she had it for long?

She’s had the skin issues for 2+ years now and her indigestion started getting worse maybe 10 months ago. It’s at the point where she’s scared to eat 😟

Gastroparesis https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroparesis/

I have huge sympathy for you OP and in no way wish to be unhelpful but the description of food sitting there sounds very unlike indigestion.
Could she be anxious and the anxiety giving rise to that feeling?

I’ve had similar skin issues as a child and teen. Cut out gluten in my early 20s and it completed resolved. If I accidentally eat some now, it comes back. I also had a negative celiac test.

will make a note of gastroparesis thank you.

i don’t think it’s anxiety to be honest but I can’t rule that out 100%. I just can’t help but feel like the indigestion and skin issues are related.

Hmm interesting about your negative celiac test. There’s lots of info online that says a false negative blood test can be common. I might look into a private consultation with a dermatologist to see if they can do a skin biopsy and hopefully that might come back with some answers

Have you considered cutting out gluten for a significant period of time to see if it helps? I think testing only goes so far, and cutting it out would give you a definitive answer. Idk if I’m celiac or have a sensitivity but it’s been almost 20 years and not having a formal diagnosis hasn’t impacted me yet. Those with a celiac diagnosis can get things like bone density scans past a certain age but depends how important pursuing a diagnosis is for you, vs the potential to live more comfortably now.

Mast cell activation syndrome often causes rashes and stomach issues smong other things.

Unfortunately it's not well understood by many doctors.

It might be worth looking up a low histamine diet to see if that makes any difference.

We cut out gluten for 6 weeks a couple of months back and didn’t notice a difference however with the info I’ve been reading over the last week it mentions that some people don’t notice a change in symptoms until 6+ months gluten free. A diagnosis is important to me. If it was myself then I probably wouldn’t be bothered but I just need to get to the bottom of these issues for my child’s sake

have never heard of Mast cell activation syndrome but will definitely look into that thank you