Complaining of tummy aches to get out of school

[Porthmum]

Hi. My seven year old daughter has begun to complain of tummy aches to get out of school and other activities eg Brownies. I have seen 3 different gps all of whom agree she is physically ok. The school have been great in supporting us but I am going out of my mind trying to wrestle her uniform on every morning while she screams. She is outgoing and confident and has lots of friends. She is doing well academically. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

My sister suffered with this as a child and I remember also suffering but to a lesser extent. My parents took her to a homeopathist in the end (after GPs ruled out problems) who said children experience stomach aches in the way adults experience migraines - ie. it can be brought on by stress, or anxiety, or can be something an individual is prone to.

I experienced the same as ThePartyArtist at a similar age. Doctors couldn't woe it out, it felt it in the area just below my ribs. I am positive it was a physical manifestation of anxiety and stress, as it often came at the beginning of a school year or similar stressful time. It was very real, even though professionals were perplexed. I grew out of it eventually.

work, not woe!! FWIW, I too was academically able, had friends and outwardly confident, I think I was internalising stress however

Are you sure it's not genuine? My ds get terrible stomach pains and diahorrea at random times. No-one can tell us why-I've taken him to doctors several times and he's had allergy tests etc. Because it's so random no-one can work out what starts it. He loves school, is pretty unstressed about life and has no reason at all to be trying to get out of it. I believe him about it because he's doubled up crying in pain, then within an hour or so it wears off. He gets very annoyed that it happens and with no warning. All he can do is lie down or head swiftly to the toilet. He's had it a few years now. All the doctors can say is that it's some sort of spasm and that hopefully he'll grow out of it. He's now 12 and I must admit the attacks are lessening, he hasn't had one for some months. I do think it could be some sort of stomach migraine. He's otherwise very fit and sporty.

Not much help, but just remembered why my DP had his appendix removed. He was 8 and did not want to go to school and complained of tummy ache, so the doctors decided at the time that it was quite urgent to operate. He was screaming that he was lying, but no one believed him.

Thanks everyone. I don't believe she is in pain from the way she behaves with it and the way she will change symptoms if she thinks I am not listening. When she is genuinely ill she behaves very differently. I do think it could be an attention getting thing or that she really is stressed about something but doesn't even know herself what it is. The idea of alternative medicine appeals but not sure which way to go. Any suggestions? We are in Cornwall. Thanks

My dd2 is like that.

It did turn out that she was majorly constipated, have you had that checked? We were referred onto a paed after the GP couldn't find anything with basic checks (including bloods) and they found it with an xray or scan, can't remember which.
I did not believe the tummy aches for ages as she's melodramatic and tended to always say something was wrong.

She also was later diagnosed with abdominal migraines (which now have developped into actual migraines).
The Gp said on that, they typically come when stressed or anxious, and can go as soon as they come when the stress is resolved (like arrving at school and dashing off as soon as friends arrive), very much like your situation, changing symptoms etc.
However the pain is real, and they're not putting it on.

With dd2 though, I generally treat her tummy aches fairly casually. "Oh poor you. Lets get to school and if you're feeling bad then tell the teacher and I'll fetch you"-I've been fetched for tummy pain I think 2 times-she's in year 5.
Cranberry juice is a good "medicine". It genuinely does have good properties (used for UTIs), is cheap, not terribly nice tasting (we do add it to orange juice which makes it better), and they can have it as often as needed.

I'd never heard of abdominal migraines! I will go back to the GP and ask about it, thanks.

Oh yes, this was me as a 7yr old, I remember it so well. Although I wasn't actually ill I remember genuinely feeling ill.

Looking back now I can see it was stress, I still react in a similar way to stress now. And now I have a 9 yr old DD who also reacts to stress in the same way.

For me it was the loss of a grandparent who I was very close to which triggered mine along with a less than sympathetic teacher. I'm glad to hear that your DD's school are sympathetic. Mine didn't really ease until my parents moved me schools, although I realise that's a bit extreme.

With my DD, I have explained to her that sometimes our bodies react to worrying by giving us tummy aches (or other symptoms) and asked her if there was something worrying her when she got really bad around a year ago. It took quite a few chats before she started opening up but it turned out to be bullying.

It's certainly worth checking out any physical reasons but also chatting to her if you don't think she's really unwell (I could tell too)

Good luck, i hope she's on the mend soon

Thank you. I have tried talking to her but so far nothing. I am beginning to wonder if it is a bit of separation anxiety from me as my ex is moving here soon and although she is looking forward to it, it is a big change. I appreciate all your replies, thank you.