What is causing DD's swollen tummy?

[Splurgle]

My DD 7, has had a distended tummy for as long as I can remember although it has definitely become more pronounced in the last 3 years.

I can't help thinking there is something more going on.

It is firm and quite rounded.

She has suffered with quite bad constipation for the past 6 months and was having accidents at school (she had never had an accident at school before this) and she has been on movicol regularly, which helps.

She has a lot of flatulence.

She's always been a terrible sleeper and seems to have dreams/nightmares a lot. She had a grommet, adenoids and tonsils removed 2 years ago which helped her breathing hugely.

She is hypermobile in her legs and arms and I have got inserts in her shoes which reduce pain in her shins.

Her immune system isn't fantastic even though she eats a wide range of food incl fruit and veg. She isn't a particularly fussy eater and can put away quite a lot of food and often asks for seconds. She often says she is hungry and I've had to start reducing her portion sizes as she is in danger of becoming borderline overweight.

Also she has suddenly become very emotional and highly sensitive since returning to school in September.

I spoke to the doctor about possible food intolerance, but they dismissed it and said she is physically thriving (she is quite tall for her age) so therefore unlikely and they are convinced it's constipation.

Other children have started making comments on her tummy. It's definitely not normal. My other dd 9, hasn't got this and my dd2 is starting to become self concious.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas I would be so grateful. I don't know what to do next or what route to take.

Thank you.

has she been checked for coeliacs?

Instead of movicol have you tried just lactulose which is less harsh in the vowel I believe
My DD gets constipation and overflow which I wonder is what you mean (ie still still in bowel but build up causes a whoosh leak .. but poop still there

My DD gets this and lactulse does the trick (horse size poo follows 😱)

Coeliac disease.

Coeliac

Definitely get a second opinion. See a different Doctor at your surgery.

Coeliac disease. It often presents with constipation. Look at the coeliac UK website, symptom checker and lots of useful info on there.

Could it be lactose intolerance? My dd was puddingee, she only has lactose free milk and very little other diary. With the onset of puberty she's flatter bit her stomach swells if she's been at a lot of diary.

Flatulence is a weapon of mass destruction though.

Thank you for all your responses.

Crikey, I had wondered about coeliac but our GP practically declared it was impossible as her poo would be runny.

Hadn't thought of lactose intolerance either, can that cause constipation then?

You won't know until she's been tested. See a different GP and push push push. That one sounds useless.

Lactose intolerance often causes constipation.

Have a look into SIBO, especially the Methane prominent type... it's common in hypermobile people

Also worth considering a fructose intolerance.

Does she swallow air as a habit?

Thank you for posting.

AFAIK she doesn't particularly swallow air. It used to be more of a problem before her large tonsils came out, but she breathes and eats fairly normally now I'd say.

Am going to look up SIBO and fructose intolerance....

As soon as I saw your title I thought corliac, and even more so when I read through your post. Despite what your GP said, coeliac is definitely a possibility and shouldn't be ruled out without tests. Look at the Coeliac UK website. Of course I'm no doctor and I'm sure there are many other possibilities, but it should be ruled out properly.

Constipation can cause a distended stomach, my son has cc and I often notice his stomach. He’s occasionally uncomfortable with it. Could be coeliac but ask for referral to paediatrics if you don’t already see them.

Is she showing any signs of early puberty? Bloating and being emotional could be signs amongst others especially if shes tall for her age.

Well is she constipated?

Have a look at Ehler Danlos syndrome too as this can be linked to hypermobility and can have Gastro links too.

Sorry, I've just seen its been going on for 3yrs. I'm hyper mobile and am prone to putting on weight and getting quite flabby because its harder for me to build muscle tone. I also get very hungry. Does she do any exercise that would build tone?

She does get recurring constipation if we don't keep up with a maintenance dose of movicol.
Even after she's had a good clear out, she still has this tummy.
It is firm, like it is inflated, rather than soft or flabby.

We go swimming regularly but had to stop tap and ballet because of pain from her hypermobility. (And also her ballet teacher told her to suck in her tummy, even though she couldn't! which upset her).

My friend's daughter had coeliac disease and no diarrhea, only constipation. Some people have no symptoms at all! Ask for the test - and a better GP!

Push for allergy testing