Ongoing tummy ache - 4 year old

[PickledLily]

DD has been complaining about tummy ache on and off for a few months, which I've put down to anxiety of starting school as she's also been very clingy. However for the past couple of weeks it seems to be constant - she doesn't want to do anything/go anywhere because her tummy is sore. The doctor doesn't reckon it's anything wrong, maybe just swollen glands in her tummy. There are lots of tummy bugs going around and one of her friends has been diagnosed with mesenteric adenitis, but DD hasn't had a temperature. It could be anxiety (she's constantly telling me she is scared of monsters, usually at bedtime). Could it be something else?

Can anyone shed any light on what might be going on?

Is she constipated?

Thanks for replying. I've ruled out constipated, she has a daily poo and the doctor said there were no signs.
She's still complaining about her tummy today and will get half way through her food and then say she she doesn't want any more as her tummy is sore.

I think I'd be taking her back yo the doctor if she physically can't eat because of the pain. My DD1 used to get swollen glands in the tummy but her pain would only last a few days. I'm sorry I don't have any other suggestions but hopefully someone will think of someone else.

I went through this with my DD when she was four. She had some blood tests to rule out deficiencies and coeliac but there were no answers. I finally thought to try lactose free milk and that did the trick (the ability to digest milk is genetic, and I am lactose intolerant, but it also could have happened to her after a bout of gastroenteritis). I would probably talk to the dr first before trying stuff like this though, we just got lucky.

Dd2 had that. She was very constipated, but it took a paeds appointment and a scan to be certain.
However she also started getting abdominal migraines at that age. They were at times so bad that the GP sent us to A&E to get checked out for appendicitis. Mostly caused by anxiety.

give her probiotics daily eg probiotics powder such as biocare for kids.

daily poo does not always rule out constipation she could still have a blockage

Ok, lots of possibilities, good to know I'm not missing anything obvious at least!

I really don't think she is constipated (been there, it's not the same this time).

She's complaining tonight that the monsters are jabbing her tummy. The pain is always on her belly button, except tonight when she has had some reflux (happens occasionally). Probiotics are a good idea.

Buttonloon - did your DD have any other symptoms? I've tried lactose free before, when DD was suffering with silent reflux, but it didn't have any noticeable effect.

Coeliac did cross my mind, also food intolerances, as she is prone to eczema (or maybe dermatitis of some sort?), but I don't think she has any other symptoms.

Just tummy pain, it came and went. Her pain was central and just above belly button. Sometimes she farted a lot but all kids do sometimes. :D

My friend's DD has had ongoing stomach pain. Had a blood test which was inconclusive but then was given a biopsy and she was found to be coeliac.

What is her height/weight like?

I think there's a few things it could be and as it's been going on a fair few months I think she needs to see a paediatric gastroenterologist.

My dd is intolerant to milk, specifically uncooked milk (fine with cheese, yogurt etc.). We tried this summer before starting reception to reintroduce milk, after a few weeks she complained of tummy ache lots, really constipated (but doc found no signs of this, still pooing every day or so, several high doses of movicol would disagree!).

Stopped milk, tummy ache gone. Dairy can also induce eczema too. She was only having a bit on her cereal in the morning. Might be worth a try?