10 year old son, stomach & abdominal pain - ideas for relieving pain?

February 18, 2008

My 10 year old son has been diagnosed with Lyme and is being treated

by a LLMD.

Although he has always been troubled by navel-area stomach/abdominal

pain, especially at night, since he has been on abx (for about 5

months), we have trouble keeping his overall stomach health stable.

He does not get bouts of diarrhea, however, he gets severe cramping

(lower abdominals), and more lately, severe heartburn-like stabbing

stomach pains. Then, when they are not " stabbing " they are just a

dull pain. He has trouble describing the type of pain. It seems to

take days, weeks, to resolve, and I am never sure what triggered it,

or what ultimately relieves it.

I do not wish to take him off the abx as he seems markedly better

overall on them. However, when he gets in this mode, it is hard to

give him anyw=thing.

He can go weeks a time, feeling reasonably, and then some food or

other event, seems to trigger a long spell of pain. The pain tends

to increase after eating or is just remains constant. It is quite

debilitating for him. He has no evidence of H. pylori, so the new

upper stomach/duodenal position pain I am assuming is related to the

abx or some duodenitis-like issue.

Here's what has worked in the past - although I was never clear on

which one was effective. Also, once symptoms go away, I tend to

discontinue use. I am spotty at these items since he takes so many

pills, supplements already. I'm sure this is bad.

Miralax - bulk fiber

Prevacid - acid reducer

Pepto-Bismol - bismuth for heartburn

DGL - licorice for coating and healing stomach lining

I am keeping him casein-free and no longer serve him any wheat

products at home (his genetic test suggests that he is not celiac)

although. I have not noticed any particular problem with ingestion

of gluten after a gluten-free period.

However, his blood work, suggests that he is making antibodies for a

huge number of foods (including wheat, casein, etc ...) suggesting

that he has a leaky gut.

Any ideas for additional treatments, tests, or remedial fixes for

stomach discomfort?

Any comments or hints would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Deb

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