My ds is 6yo and has been complaining a bit the last few days of a stomachache. He's been doing it at mealtimes and when he doesn't want to do something, like going to bed, so my dh and I thought it might be a little bit of manipulation. Today he's really uncomfortable and has even been rolling around on our bed, holding his tummy. I think he may be constipated but I'm not sure. I don't check on his bathroom habits much at this age. He has tried to go and said that it kind of feels like he needs to but he can't. I've got a call into the ped's office but of course he started really complaining of it on a Friday after office hours! Isn't that always the way? I've looked through all the posts about constipation but nothing seems to deal with the cramping that is such a problem with him. I'll be upping his veggie intake and picking up some prune or pear juice tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas to help with the pain. TIA

By Vicki on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 08:48 pm:

If he is so uncomfortable that he is rolling around on the bed, I would take him to the ER or stat care or something like that. Where exactly does he say it hurts? Up high, down lower, on the side etc???

By Karen~moderator on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:27 pm:

Is it the right side of his abdomen? I'd be concerned about appendicitis.

By Luvn29 on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:38 pm:

Constipation would be one of my first concerns.

My son who is five had such problems with stomach pain, that every time he would start to eat, he would take two or three bites, and be in so much pain he couldn't eat.

However, he was using the bathroom regularly, so I knew constipation wasn't the problem.

They can do x-rays to see if the child is constipated.

It turns out that Ashton just has too much stomach acid being produced, and he has to take prescription Zantac twice a day, everyday.

This has helped so much, and I am so sorry we didn't get to the culprit a lot sooner.

Take him seriously, or you may regret it. I let my son's problems go on too long simply because I thought it was a manipulation thing, also.

Good luck. And watch out for the major problems like the other posters mentioned.

By Tink on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:41 pm:

It's right in the middle around the belly button area. I haven't taken him to the ER because he'll be fine in five minutes or so and able to play and run around like usual for an hour or so. He's not running a fever or acting in any other way sick. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning toward constipation. I told my dh that he's acting like a baby with gas pain. He'll pull his legs up and be hurting one moment and laughing and talking the next.

By Vicki on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:48 pm:

hmmm... I don't have experience with childrens constipation, but when I am feeling that way, it is lower for me. Like below the belly button area. Of course, we are built different!! LOL Has he been able to tell you the last time he had a bm?

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 03:58 am:

You've called the doctor - call again if they don't call back. And think seriously about going to the ER if this keeps up.

One thing to know is that with children, appendicitis often doesn't follow the "rules" that it does with adults. Or, as ADena points out above, there could be another cause. But if my child were rolling around on the bed in pain, I'd want it looked at, as I'm sure you do.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 04:00 am:

Oh, and whatever you do - DON'T, DON'T, DON'T give him any medication, suppository or anything else for the suspected constipation without doctor's advice. All too often appendicitis is home-treated for constipation and the straining at the stool caused by the treatment makes things worse.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 09:11 am:

Is your DS OK now??

By Tink on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 01:12 pm:

I spoke to his pediatrician and she said to give him some juice (prune, pear or apple) and a couple of 1 tsp doses of Milk of Magnesia. If he wasn't feeling better by Tuesday, she wanted to see him in her office. If he'd gotten worse, she said to take him into their same-day clinic. After two cups of prune juice and four doses of MoM, he pooped and pooped and pooped! He hasn't complained of a tummy ache since Sunday morning and ate much better yesterday and this morning. Thanks for asking, even if you did end up with more information than you may have wanted. *EG*