Tummy pain in 5 year old - IBS?

[sandy06]

my son has complained of pains in his abdomen area since Christmas, with varying intensity. First it was diagnosed as some kind of inflammation of lymph nodes; now a paediatrician has said it's IBS (his father has it). We are on a diet removing dairy, shop bought sauces, juice and no snacking during day. Since seeing the doctor the pain has come back with a vengeance. Does anyone else have any experience of this at all? Cheers

Sandy sorry to hear your lo is having problems. I just wondered if stomach migraines had been considered? Don't want to suggest the diagnosis is wrong but I have heard of this being something to consider in lo's with stomach pain. Hope it gets resolved soon. Good luck! xxx

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this, not heard of stomach migraines before, will have a google, cheers

I am sorry to hear your DS isnt feeling great. My daughter is nearly 5 and we are going thru exactly the same here although ibs not diagnosed yet. My DD was finally diagnosed with a UTI after visiting a number of gps at local surgery! The pain is back a week later so sample being tested. Have also insisted on MRI scan to check for any problems. I have thought about IBS so have just started writing s food diary. Poor thing is in agony. Doesn't help that I am knackered fro so much broken sleep then scream at her when she plays up!

We've had nights like that, luckily though this week the pain has gone though I understand it's likely to come back. It's tough pre diagnosis because you don't know what to do; now we have also been prescribed Mebeverin to reduce inflammation and I can also give Calpol at the same time if I need to. But there's no test as such for IBS so who knows if it really is that, I guess time will tell. Is there IBS in the family because we have a history of it. Good luck with it all.

Hi Sandy,
Sorry to hear your DS is suffering. I would suggest getting him tested for Coeliac Disease just to rule it out. Both my two have Coeliac Disease and my youngest complained of tummy pains for ages until he was diagnosed.
Does he have any other symptoms? Upset stomach, lack of energy etc.
Very good luck

Thanks for your message Booner; not really other symptoms, only loose stools... Will def press for blood tests if the diet he's on is inconclusive and pains persist, cheers

Just wanted to join this thread as we're going through the same thing with DS1 (age 6). He frequently complains of tummy pains and has done for at least three months. Last week we ended up at A&E as he was doubled up in pain and vomiting fluid when he came home from school. No "emergency" found so he wasn't admitted but we're continuing with tests.

GP originally suggested abdominal migraine but we're just awaiting results of blood tests - one of which is for Coeliac. I have recently been diagnosed with Coeliac but in children it is generally associated with "failure to thrive" and, as he's the tallest in his class seems unlikely but need to rule things out.

My youngest was definitely failing to thrive but my eldest really had no symptoms at all.
He was only tested for Coeliac Disease because his younger brother was diagnosed with Coeliac and it can run in families.

He tested positive as well.

I am joining in. Cannot help but have a 6 yr old who since Feb has had 4 horrible stomach pain attacks lasting a least 48 hrs. Dr thinks it is constipation so going down that route at the moment. It's just horrible isn't it? I feel so helpless and he's missing out on school, friends and activities.

Interesting Booner - particularly as I had very few "obvious" signs of Coeliac. Went to the GP because I felt generally shit - hence I have pushed for DS to have a test. Am also interested that the ages mentioned of children affected all seem to be similar.

I do have concerns that the pains could be anxiety-related. It would make it no less real - but possibly harder to deal with! Pancakeflipper - can absolutely identify with the missing out.

my son is fine in himself too, tallest in class, very well generally, just has this recurring pain thing from time to time, though at the moment few and far between, long may it last. Change in diet difficult but luckily has taken to soya and oat milks so at least that makes cereal at breakfast easy. We were told by the doctor no snacking which is hard - how to convince a hungry 5 year old they can't eat, esp as he is a real foodie. Faffaround, any test results yet? This tummy pain is a frustrating issue as there don't seem to be clear cut answers, as the case with IBS...

Well it's not coeliac... the tummy pain seemed to go for a while but it's returned the last couple of days. All other bloods were also fine apart from slightly low vitamin D - but hardly surprising seeing as we're only just starting to see a bit of sun! So.. we're still at a loss.