The #1 cause of abdominal pain in children

[PrincessFiona]

Today when Alex got home from kindergarten he couldn't even get out of the van himself. I had to carry him to the sofa. He was writhing in pain and moaning, sobbing and crying. He accused me of breaking his ribs when I put on his car seat. After about 20 minutes I called the pediatrician. That's a whole other story because they told me that they were 'booked' today and that I'd have to look on the back of my insurance card and call my provider to find out where I could go. This is the end of the road with this practice...time for a new ped.

But anyway, I took him to the ER where he sobbed and cried desperately when his abdomen was touched. He couldn't walk to the bathroom or to be x-rayed...he had to be carried or put in a wheelchair. He was miserable...I was terrified.

Diagnosis?







CONSTIPATION

Did you know that constipation is the #1 cause of abdominal pain in young children??????

Sounds like quite the adventure! Didn't he have another ER requiring injury recently? When it rains it pours.

I'm glad he is ok.

[Sheherezade]

Ouch. Well.....it IS uncomfortable. I have a good friend who's son missed school often because of abdominal pain due to constipation. After YEARS of this intermittently, he was diagnosed with celiac disease. Now she is experiencing the joys of wheat free baking. Let's hope this is a one time thing for you!

Especially for little boys who would rather play, run, jump, you name it, than go sit on the pot. We have had to make our 5yo sit on the toilet for 30 min or more so that this doesn't happen.....and yes, I unfortunately knew the answer(maybe cause I live the a Peditrican AND have a 5yo!)

Oh, the irony. We often lament that "$hit happens," yet when it doesn't...

[PrincessFiona]

Oh, the irony. We often lament that "$hit happens," yet when it doesn't...

Fortunately, things have....moved along....and he's back to running, jumping and leaping through the house.

Matt, you're right....it is very difficult for us to get him to stop and sit on the potty...He is always sooo busy. If I am not really careful with him and force him to sit down, he still sometimes has accidents.

Lets hope this is not the beginning of anything like celiac disease. :!

[fluffhead]

We get so caught up in our kids' digestive patterns.
When our son was born, our 2 YO daughter protested by holding it in for two full weeks. She finally couldn't withstand the pressure of some good old prescription strength GlycoLax snuck into her orange juice.

[Meenah]

Yep, I knw that one too. Mother of two and ER nurse!! Dried apricots always worked for my youngest, and she thought they were treats.
Luanne

[mommax3]

I knew that one also....have lived through it too many times! Raisins are the miracle cure around here.

Sally

[SueC]

Yep, our oldest had some issues when she was about 2 that were making her absolutely miserable. We even had to give her a suppository once, which worked in a pinch. By the way, if you ever give your kid a suppository, make sure you do it in the bathroom near the toilet because the results are immediate!