very prolonged vomiting and bowel problems

[jackietwix]

Hi, just wondered if anyone else had any clues as to where I could go with this. Suggesting a different UK forum that I could consult would be fine.

He is 14, has always had a dodgy stomach. He has now been unable to keep any food down for 5 weeks , with intermittent constipation and diarhoea and a constant stomach ache. The paediatricians seem puzzled. Meanwhile he just gets thinner (and misses more and more school)... :(

The paediatrician has said that they'll refer him to gastroenterology if he isn't improving in another 10 days, but judging by his dietician non-appointment, it takes about a week for referrals just to make their way from one side of the hospital to the other.

PS he's had lots of blood tests and a stool sample and come back negative for everything they've tested, including markers of Coeliac/IBS/Crohns.

Has your GP looked at the possibility of a hernia? DS1 started projectile vomitting at 6 months old and it turned out to be a hiatus hernia. Can't remember about his bowels though sorry!

My father has a HH - for some reason I therefore thought only old people could get it. I don't think it causes Dad any bowel problems.

It certainly hasn't been mentioned as a possibility by any of the doctors we've seen (3 GPs and 2 paediatricians so far). But something structurally wrong would make sense to me, and explain why all the blood tests etc are negative.

Celiac blood test and even biopsy can be unreliable, have you tried any diet changes?

There are also different levels of sensitivity and for many the only way is to try going gluten free as the tests are not sensitive enough.

If it was structural, it would have been drastically obvious from day 1, problem with gluten that the microscopic damage gets worse over the years and yes, it then can become structural.

To me prologed gut problems say celiac, if you would like to try another forum, try GlutenFreeForum, it literally rescued my ds and many others from life long misery.

No we haven't tried any specific diet changes, except that the Dr has said no dairy for the time being. ATM I'm just trying to get enough fluids and calories into him and waiting to see the dietician.

His current diet consists of fizzy drinks, smoothies, chicken stock, peppermint tea and carrot soup.

The carrot soup does have a little dairy in it but he actually asked for it and he doesn't throw it up. I've also made him some dairy-free parsnip soup, but since having that yesterday he's had the runs. No idea if it was the soup's fault or not.

Ask your GP about the possibility of a HH. DS1 was diagnosed with reflux when he began vomitting (even though he was six months at the time and the only time he wasn't sick was lying down). I saw 3 GP's at my surgery and 2 different doctors in paeds who all said the same.

Eventually we went private when DS1 was 13 monthsa as I was getting so upset & DS was not thriving. Consultant diagnoswed HH straight away.

If you have a family history (like we had) it is a possibility and worth at least ruling out.

Good luck x