My daughter just turned 14 and has had very bad stomach pains for the past few years.
It isn't constant: it goes in spurts. Lately she has been even spitting up blood after exercising. She is very athletic and eats pretty healthy. We have been to a few acupuncturists, she has seen 2 different general practicioners and had an ultrasound and noone can figure out what is going on. The pain gets so bad that she will literally doube over and cry. I am looking for a really good GP that will listen to her and get her a good referral or a stomach specialist or just some feedback if anyone has had any kind of simular experience..
thank you so much.
I second seeing a gatroentologist. The fact that she is occasionally coughing up blood is troubling. Have her tested for Celiac and other wheat intolerances. Celiac can cause tears on the lining of the small intestine and can be quite painful.
Edited to add: This website may be more helpful.
http://www.celiac.org/cd-main.php
Our doctor - Dr. Tracie O'Neill at Pediatric Associates in Pine Lake is amazing. When my daughter had GERD (acid reflux) starting at 4 months old, she treated her first with standard meds (Zantac) but referred her immediately to a Gastro-Enterologist at Seattle Childrens Hospital as well.
To my layman's (but experienced in this case - since I had it as a teenager, and my daughter did as a baby) ears...it does sound like GERD....the pain due to excess acid (have you tried an antacid?), and then the blood is the irritated esophagous (sp?)...of course it could be something else, but the symptoms are what I and my daughter had.
I would get her in to see a gastro-ent doctor as soon as you can - it seems less likely to be OB-Gyn related if she is spitting up blood.
good luck,
K.
Your daughter is still young enough to go to a Pediatrician, so if you go that route, I recommend Dr. Benda at Pediatric Associates in Bellevue. If you want to take her to an adult doctor, try Dr. James Martin, who is an internist practicing at Minor and James Clinic on Mercer Island. Finally, you might try a Gynecologist. Dr. Elena Hannon is definitely the best OB/GYN in Seattle. I think her practice is closed to new patients, but if you call up and tell the office your story, she might take you.
I definitely would not give up and keep looking until you get your daughter help. Best wishes for a speedy diagnosis and quick recovery!
Hi T.,
It is possible that the pain could be related to the cycle. However, it could be just constipation. That can really hurt if digestion is out of wack. I think seeing a Gatroentologist is an option as well as a naturopath geared in that field. Though I have never experienced it with my own child, I did experience it myself at that age. Now, at 31 I am finally getting it all straight. So, I say nip it early on so her health stays good. :)Blessings to you both.
K.S.
Has she seen an ob/gyn? It could be related to her cycle. sometimes their can be a small (benign) cyst that flares up when she ovulates,
D
where are you in bothell?
I recommend Woodinville Pediatrics, Dr. Kenishiro. He attends at Children's Hospital. Hes our son's pediatrician..
My son has an excellent gastro doctor at Childrens Hospital in Seattle. Dr Suskin. I know though from talking to other parents in that all of the gastro doctors there are excellent and it sounds to me that she could benefit from seeing one. At this point I would maybe just get the GP to put the referral to a Gastroenderalist (sp?) it is what we had to do for my son. Different symptoms but same outcome, no GP could give us an answer.
Good Luck and hope your daughter gets to feeling better soon.
Spitting up blood is never okay. She must see a gastroenterologist. This could be anything from celiac disease (wheat intolerance) to a bleeding ulcer, to internal injury.. I am very surprised that neither of the GP's she has seen have referred her to a gastroenterologist. There are several very well renowned dr's at the polyclinic in Seattle - Dr. Craig Pepin, is fantastic, especially with young people. I worked with him several years ago. The office phone there is ###-###-####, or you can look him up at http://www.polyclinic.com
