Q: Hopefully you can give me some direction or advice to help my son out. He was diagnosed with H-pylori bacteria based on his symptoms of severe stomach pain, weight loss and a blood test. Then he was also diagnosed with IBS. After completing a course of antibiotics, his stomach and bowel issues continued to plague him, causing pain in his lower left abdomen. He continues to take Miralax to keep his stools soft and Prilosec to help with acid reflux. His diet is limited and issues seem to flare up a few times a week, either due to the food he’s eaten or possibly because of stress, although he states he doesn’t feel stressed about things. He states the pain gets worse sometimes after a bowel movement. In March he had such discomfort and pain that we visited his pediatrician and an X-ray showed that his bowels were packed. The doctor recommended an enema or suppository. Instead, he took two doses of Milk of Magnesia over a two day period and he was able to empty himself out. He wants to take Milk of Magnesia again but I was told by our pharmacist not to become dependent on it.
In April we visited a pediatric GI specialist and after taking a history, feeling his stomach and getting a blood test, he found nothing. My son has missed more than 20 days of school this year and has missed out on many other outings due to his stomach pain and bowel movements.
Some family history includes anxiety issues and Crohn’s disease, along with IBS but the GI specialist did not find signs of Crohn’s.
Would an endoscopy be recommended? A fiber laxative? Any recommendations, directions or guidance would be appreciated. Thank you. I enjoy reading your column.
A: H. pylori infection is a bacteria that infects the stomach. It is more common during childhood and most individuals are unaware they even have such an infection because they don’t have any symptoms. When they do, they are treated with antibiotics.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, cramps, bloating and gas. For some, diet modification, avoiding stressful situations and some lifestyle changes will help. For others, medication and perhaps counseling may be more appropriate. Common triggers include stress, specific foods including milk, soda and other carbonated drinks, broccoli, and chocolate.
Milk of Magnesia is recommended as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation. It should not be used for general stomach pain, nausea or vomiting because the symptoms are vague and could represent an entirely different but critical issue. Further, it is not recommended for longer than seven days without medical advice and should not be taken in conjunction with vitamins or herbal products.
An endoscopy is an instrument with a small camera attached that allows a physician to view what is going on inside your body. An upper GI endoscopy may assist a physician determine the cause of such things as abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abnormal growths, and more.
I feel your son should be seen either by his pediatric gastroenterologist or he should seek a second opinion. He may also benefit from stress counseling. His symptoms cannot be treated unless and until they are diagnosed. Until a physician works with you to rule out some disorders and hone in on others, you and your son will continue to have unanswered questions. You know he has bowel issues. You know he needs better control over his diet. And you know he should avoid stressful situations whenever possible. That’s a good start. Now you need to determine what causes him to have the debilitating issues that he constantly suffers from.
