Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

GI issues in teen girl, Gastroenterology or other expert?

22 replies

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 21:45

DD has always has 'gut' issues from toddler diarrhea & failure to thrive investigations as a baby to constipation, stomach ache, nausea issues now. Celiac tests have been negative, other standard bloodwork is good.

A few years ago we went to a dietician and she was advised to eat more, essentially. She does have a good appetite but the above issues remain and affect her sleep.

GP has referred to a gastroenterologist but I'm wondering we should also consider other specialists more in the nutrition space to pin point potential triggers or to advise on probiotics or enzymes etc. Any advice welcome. She is also ND which i know can bring some GI issue links.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 21:49

Do you suspect an allergy?

What kind of test for celiacs has she had? Just the blood screening or the biopsy test?

Have they done a calprotectin test?

Has she been seen by a paeds dietitian?

NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 21:57

Is she still suffering from constipation because that would explain the other issues.

Mumof1andacat · 10/11/2025 21:57

I wonder if a clinical psychologist would be of help too. Our gastro service at the childrens hospital where I work has 2 dedicated psychologists who work with children with gastro issues. They can help with sleep, pain, nausea/anxiety feelings. This is not saying any of what you daughter has is a psychological but if this service is offered, consider it.

ScaryM0nster · 10/11/2025 22:00

Ever tried cutting dairy?

There’s a study from Italy that found a surprisingly high percentage of unexplained constipation was dairy.

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:19

NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 21:49

Do you suspect an allergy?

What kind of test for celiacs has she had? Just the blood screening or the biopsy test?

Have they done a calprotectin test?

Has she been seen by a paeds dietitian?

I'm not sure if there's a trigger food(s) or other underlying issue.

She has only had the blood test, several times over the years, they seem to only do biopsy if the blood test indicates it's negative but I know there can be false negatives.

I don't think she's had a calprotectin tests, certainly not in recent years. That's a good one to ask about, thanks.

It was a clinical dietician. Private.

OP posts:
3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:20

NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 21:57

Is she still suffering from constipation because that would explain the other issues.

Yes, and we've only just made the connection again in the last few days. She has restarted movicol that was previous prescribed last year. I suppose we need to focus on what is causing the constipation.

OP posts:
3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:23

ScaryM0nster · 10/11/2025 22:00

Ever tried cutting dairy?

There’s a study from Italy that found a surprisingly high percentage of unexplained constipation was dairy.

We moved to lactose free on advice from the dietician but she's not a huge dairy consumer anyway. I feel like I've been tipping away at things like getting her to increase water intake and fibre and trying probiotics but not getting to the core issue, so it flares and settles then flares again.

OP posts:
3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:27

Mumof1andacat · 10/11/2025 21:57

I wonder if a clinical psychologist would be of help too. Our gastro service at the childrens hospital where I work has 2 dedicated psychologists who work with children with gastro issues. They can help with sleep, pain, nausea/anxiety feelings. This is not saying any of what you daughter has is a psychological but if this service is offered, consider it.

Thanks, I did consider this as she had some challenges with school due to ND at one stage but that has greatly improved and the gut stuff remains.

OP posts:
NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 22:32

The others things to consider are IBS, especially stressed induced IBS as I’m assuming as a ND person her stress levels are fairly high and ARFRID,

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:47

NearlyDec · 10/11/2025 22:32

The others things to consider are IBS, especially stressed induced IBS as I’m assuming as a ND person her stress levels are fairly high and ARFRID,

Yes, IBS is a contender though thankfully she is isn't particularly restrictive in her food choices, except where she is feeling like this and is worried about making the full/nausea feeling worse.

This may be a drip feed! But I've just recalled she can have bad breath and sometimes a very light dotty rash but it's very faint. Those two things obviously point to celiac again or perhaps gluten intolerance can cause the same?

I'm thinking we go to the gastroenterology appointment with a list of the various impacts and see what they say. But equally, consider a dietician/nutrionist too.

OP posts:
Newparent101 · 10/11/2025 23:14

I was a junior doctor and not practicing any more so definitely not pro on this, and I'm reluctant to give advice without actually knowing the full history - but I know the state of the NHS at the moment and how hard it is to get some thorough centralised advice, but please take this all with a pinch of salt and check this all with their GP! We did learn a bit about this at med school: if you'd said diarrhoea and tummy pain I'd think much more about intolerances and suggest doing a food diary to work out the food trigger(s), but since you specify constipation (not diarrhoea) and ND, the cause sounds to me much more likely (but not definitely) to be psychological - so I'd also consider speaking to an occupational therapist who works with ND kids, or a psychologist specialising in ND, maybe even with a special interest in "organic" or gastrointestinal conditions in ND, if you can find one.

Have you considered things like making sure there's a toilet your kid feels comfortable using every day, and making sure they have lots of time when they do go to the toilet, and putting things in place to help them to feel relaxed on the toilet and beforehand? (Lots of ND kids won't go in unknown toilets/school toilets, etc, which then causes constipation - actually most young children and even many adults have trouble doing a poo in unknown bathrooms but it's hardest of all for ND kids). And carving out plenty of time every day specifically for them to go in a toilet where they feel comfortable? Also making pooing a routine (same time and place every day), at a time of day when they are relaxed and don't have any time pressure, which can train the body to go at the same time each day (best is after a big meal when there is no time pressure). I think there are other things you can do to make it easier for them to go to the toilet, but am not an expert on it - worth a google. It's a good idea to talk with your kid about how they feel going to the toilet in different places - eg at school, ask if they find the toilet ok, if it makes them nervous and why, if they find the toilets there gross or dirty, if the toilet paper is too scratchy and uncomfortable, if they worry they don't know how best to clean themselves afterwards, or if they are nervous someone will hear them, etc, if they prefer going at home and why, that kind of thing - to then help you come up with some practical solutions in case it is because they don't feel comfortable/it's due to a sensory sensitivity or anxiety.

Also, are they eating and drinking enough? If they aren't eating enough (especially fibre) or aren't hydrated enough they'll naturally be constipated - constipation can then cause tummy ache and nausea. So could be worth thinking about changing breakfast to wheetabix or bran flakes (fibre) with lots of milk and a big glass of water (fluids), for example. Check with your GP first! On the other hand, if that makes it worse then you'd think about gluten intolerance (in wheetabix) or lactose intolerance (in milk) being the problem.

That being said, it's always important to first rule out all possible physical causes before concluding it's psychological, and neurodiversity is also associated with both "physical" and psychological gut issues too, so you're doing the right thing seeing a gastrointestinal doctor! And it would be helpful keeping a food diary, tracking exactly what they eat and drink and when, as well as tracking the symptoms and when, as well as their anxiety/stress levels and when, and sleep quality the night before - this would help you to see if there are any intolerances to particular foods, or pinpoint if stress might be the cause - this would also be really useful to bring with you to the gastrointestinal doctor appointment. Hope that's helpful, good luck :)

tetleyhead · 10/11/2025 23:20

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:19

I'm not sure if there's a trigger food(s) or other underlying issue.

She has only had the blood test, several times over the years, they seem to only do biopsy if the blood test indicates it's negative but I know there can be false negatives.

I don't think she's had a calprotectin tests, certainly not in recent years. That's a good one to ask about, thanks.

It was a clinical dietician. Private.

Second the ask for calprotectin test if you think it might be Crohns or Colitis related

Sending you love and strength. It’s very hard to watch your child struggle so I feel for you too

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 23:24

Newparent101 · 10/11/2025 23:14

I was a junior doctor and not practicing any more so definitely not pro on this, and I'm reluctant to give advice without actually knowing the full history - but I know the state of the NHS at the moment and how hard it is to get some thorough centralised advice, but please take this all with a pinch of salt and check this all with their GP! We did learn a bit about this at med school: if you'd said diarrhoea and tummy pain I'd think much more about intolerances and suggest doing a food diary to work out the food trigger(s), but since you specify constipation (not diarrhoea) and ND, the cause sounds to me much more likely (but not definitely) to be psychological - so I'd also consider speaking to an occupational therapist who works with ND kids, or a psychologist specialising in ND, maybe even with a special interest in "organic" or gastrointestinal conditions in ND, if you can find one.

Have you considered things like making sure there's a toilet your kid feels comfortable using every day, and making sure they have lots of time when they do go to the toilet, and putting things in place to help them to feel relaxed on the toilet and beforehand? (Lots of ND kids won't go in unknown toilets/school toilets, etc, which then causes constipation - actually most young children and even many adults have trouble doing a poo in unknown bathrooms but it's hardest of all for ND kids). And carving out plenty of time every day specifically for them to go in a toilet where they feel comfortable? Also making pooing a routine (same time and place every day), at a time of day when they are relaxed and don't have any time pressure, which can train the body to go at the same time each day (best is after a big meal when there is no time pressure). I think there are other things you can do to make it easier for them to go to the toilet, but am not an expert on it - worth a google. It's a good idea to talk with your kid about how they feel going to the toilet in different places - eg at school, ask if they find the toilet ok, if it makes them nervous and why, if they find the toilets there gross or dirty, if the toilet paper is too scratchy and uncomfortable, if they worry they don't know how best to clean themselves afterwards, or if they are nervous someone will hear them, etc, if they prefer going at home and why, that kind of thing - to then help you come up with some practical solutions in case it is because they don't feel comfortable/it's due to a sensory sensitivity or anxiety.

Also, are they eating and drinking enough? If they aren't eating enough (especially fibre) or aren't hydrated enough they'll naturally be constipated - constipation can then cause tummy ache and nausea. So could be worth thinking about changing breakfast to wheetabix or bran flakes (fibre) with lots of milk and a big glass of water (fluids), for example. Check with your GP first! On the other hand, if that makes it worse then you'd think about gluten intolerance (in wheetabix) or lactose intolerance (in milk) being the problem.

That being said, it's always important to first rule out all possible physical causes before concluding it's psychological, and neurodiversity is also associated with both "physical" and psychological gut issues too, so you're doing the right thing seeing a gastrointestinal doctor! And it would be helpful keeping a food diary, tracking exactly what they eat and drink and when, as well as tracking the symptoms and when, as well as their anxiety/stress levels and when, and sleep quality the night before - this would help you to see if there are any intolerances to particular foods, or pinpoint if stress might be the cause - this would also be really useful to bring with you to the gastrointestinal doctor appointment. Hope that's helpful, good luck :)

Ah, thanks for taking the time to reply in such detail. She actually can veer to diarrhea but at the minute that seems to be related to the movicol so we need to try to get that the balance of dose right.

The anxiety aspect certainly has to be kept in mind and the impact of sensory and environmental factors that might be impacting that and possibly compounding the issue.

Thanks to everyone for the tips, advice and reminders. Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees so fresh perspective is really useful and has given me some key things to raise at the appointment.

OP posts:
3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 23:26

tetleyhead · 10/11/2025 23:20

Second the ask for calprotectin test if you think it might be Crohns or Colitis related

Sending you love and strength. It’s very hard to watch your child struggle so I feel for you too

That's very kind, thanks. She has come on so well in recent years and is much happier in herself and I'd love to get this resolved for her.

OP posts:
FlamingoFloss · 10/11/2025 23:28

Bile malabsorption syndrome?

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 23:37

FlamingoFloss · 10/11/2025 23:28

Bile malabsorption syndrome?

I heard of this for the first time last week via Tik Tok! Do you have experience of it? thanks.

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 11/11/2025 07:07

3girlsmama · 10/11/2025 22:23

We moved to lactose free on advice from the dietician but she's not a huge dairy consumer anyway. I feel like I've been tipping away at things like getting her to increase water intake and fibre and trying probiotics but not getting to the core issue, so it flares and settles then flares again.

Ah, the study found it was all dairy, rather than just lactose. Likely to be the protein in milk. So a lactose free trial wouldn’t necessarily catch it.

On the test child in our house see an improvement in about a week and real change in a fortnight so it’s not a massive thing to try. And it’s not lots of dairy, but absolutely any. We use may contain milk traces stuff, but nothing with milk or whey in tye ingredients.

3girlsmama · 11/11/2025 09:18

ScaryM0nster · 11/11/2025 07:07

Ah, the study found it was all dairy, rather than just lactose. Likely to be the protein in milk. So a lactose free trial wouldn’t necessarily catch it.

On the test child in our house see an improvement in about a week and real change in a fortnight so it’s not a massive thing to try. And it’s not lots of dairy, but absolutely any. We use may contain milk traces stuff, but nothing with milk or whey in tye ingredients.

That's very interesting, thank you. Another thing to try.

OP posts:
MuteDS · 14/11/2025 11:30

All symptoms u describing suggest impacted bowel and they can have normal bowel movement and diarrhoe which makes thing they not impacted.
u need x ray to confirm and disimpact, check Eric website

3girlsmama · 14/11/2025 16:45

MuteDS · 14/11/2025 11:30

All symptoms u describing suggest impacted bowel and they can have normal bowel movement and diarrhoe which makes thing they not impacted.
u need x ray to confirm and disimpact, check Eric website

Thank you. In the last day or so I have been thinking this is the likely issue so I appreciate the ERIC info, I'd never heard of that website & the regime it outlines.

OP posts:
MuteDS · 14/11/2025 17:37

Yes one sachet or two sachets wont do anything if she’s impacted. It’s like u giving her nothing. U need up to 12 sachets but please u have to confirm first via x ray or consultant. Side note, gps usually clueless. U might have better luck taking her urgent care and ask for x rai and say she’s poor

ScaryM0nster · 14/11/2025 17:42

3girlsmama · 14/11/2025 16:45

Thank you. In the last day or so I have been thinking this is the likely issue so I appreciate the ERIC info, I'd never heard of that website & the regime it outlines.

ERIC is well recognised as the best in class info and reference material. So it’s not a weird corner of the internet.

Theres a sweetcorn test on there somewhere. Thats helpful for transit time indications.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page