Auntevil I agree with THC you need to see a rheumatologist now to get the dx confirmed, and on the books of the experts. If it is Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobile type, then it is an autosomal dominant gene, which means you do not need to have genetic input from both parents, and if you have the gene you have the condition, there is no such thing as a carrier. It is considered to be a 50/50 chance of passing it on. I have three dc, and so far we believe that only my ds (eldest dc) has it.
Physio and pain meds are the ways of managing the condition, OT support and support within school can be invaluable too. There are apparent links to gastro issues. Just flicking through this thread you will see it again and again. It is recopgnised on some support groups, but my and my ds' consulatants are a bit less helpful about understanding the links, but maybe we are unlucky. My ds has food allergies by the way, and struggles to gain weight, others are affected much more severely. Some of his food allergies I would describe as intolerances, rather than allergies. His reaction is to get stomach pain, cramps, constipation or the opposite, lethargy..... sounds like IBS symptoms to me, but I know it is all related.
General advice.....things will occur to me after I have posted this but for now....pain means stop, there is no benefit in pushing through the pain, only damage (Prof Grahame told me that), subluxes and disloactions will happen easily, they will also often reduce easily (go back in) , but they still hurt.....a lot! Beware unnecessary x-rays, many x-rays will need to be taken so if not necessary don't have them. Soft tissue injury around the jointsd is common, warm and cold compresses can help. Watch out for poor kinesthetic awareness, falling regularly, poor gross motor skills, probelms with handwriting, problems with sitting still, building muscle strength around affected joints is important, asthma, gastro, cardiac issues can also occur. Don't panic, most poeple with EDS or hypermobility have little problems and live long happy active lives.
THC I am glad you are feeling better able to cope with the dx, I guess the appointments will help too, because you are actually going somewhere in getting him the support he needs. How is he doing, and how is DD too?
Ariane, I would go back to the gp and ask about zantac. The dose you can get over the counter is a fraction of what they gave me fr healing my ulcer. I sympathise, I can remember how awful I felt, but you will get over this and be all right, I made it, so can you. Big big big hugs. I think i was told small meals often to help reeduce the amount of time my stomach was empty, it helped reduce the sickness too. But don't take that as gospel, it was a long time ago and advice may have changed, perhaps another thing you could ask the gp?