posted
My 8 year old has had moderate to extreme stomach pain for 5 days now--nonstop. No fever or other cold symptoms present. She lies around all day, not wanting to do anything because it hurts so much. She has had some relief today, but this afternoon it started hurting a lot again.
She is not diagnosed with lyme, but her sister and brother are being treated for possible lyme. They both had attached deer ticks for 48 hrs. Since I found the ticks two months ago I have been reading as much as I can about lyme and I have been reading everyone's posts on lymenet trying to learn what I can.
With that said, I have become extremely paranoid that I might miss early symptoms of lyme with any of us. I have been watching my 8 year old closely these last two months and the only thing that has ailed her were a few mild morning headaches, ear pain (she swims everyday so I have thought swimmer's ear although doctor says ears look good but could be the beginning), and now this stomach pain that came on very suddenly and is not getting better. I did take her to the doctor Wed. and they ruled out apendicitis. Her white cell count was high on a urinalysis but the culture came up negative. So they don't know what is wrong.
Should I be alarmed? What experience have any of you had with subtle symptoms in children? Should I not be worried anymore since two months have passed since the "terrible" hike we took and I haven't seen any "classic" symptoms?
As any mother, I just want to do what is best for my kids.
Thanks
Posts: 3 | From Wisconsin | Registered: May 2005
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
IDON'T THINK YOU'RE BEING PARANOID....JUST A CONCERNED MOM...
THERE ARE MANY STORIES WHERE JUST BECAUSE THE WHOLE FAMILY WAS SOMEWHERE OR BROUGHT HOME TICKS...THE WHOLE FAMILY EVENTUALLY CAME DOWN WITH LYME.... SO BEING CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT IS VERY GOOD. THE WHITE BLOOD COUNT BOTHERS ME CUZ I HAD THAT FOR THE LONGEST TIME BEFORE I EVER GOT MY LYME DIAGNOSIS....AND NONE OF THE DUCKS EVEN CONSIDERED IT... IT COULD BE THE 'SWIMMERS EAR' AND THE TUMMY ACHE MAY BE JUST THAT BUT WHY RISK IT.
IF IT WERE ME AND KNOW WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD HAVE EVERYONE CHECKED FOR LYME AND FAST. YOU CAN'T BE TOO CAREFUL....CUZ IF YOU CAN CATCH IT EARLY YOU MAY BE ABLE TO AVOID A LOT WORSE JUNK LATER.......THE MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE TICK HAVING TO BE ATTACHED FOR 48 HOURS IS A GRAVE MISTAKE...THE SALIVA THE TICK USES TO ANESTHETIZE IT'S BITE SITE CAN CONTAIN DISEASES......ZMAN ------------------
[This message has been edited by lymie tony z (edited 15 July 2005).]
Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Hi Sorry your daughter is having these tummy pains! You are right to be concerned...you are not over reacting. Stomach pain can be a symptom of lyme or another TBD, especially in children. You live in an endemic area as well.
Do you see Dr. J the pediatric lyme specialist in CT? I wonder if you called him and asked the office what they recommend for stomach pain relief then do the testing etc...
hope she feels better soon...5 days is too long and is worrisome. let us know how it goes!
Posts: 446 | From California | Registered: Jul 2004
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[This message has been edited by ICEiam (edited 16 July 2005).]
Posts: 468 | From Las Vegas NV | Registered: Jun 2005
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I worried I was being paranoid and over-vigilant about my 13-year-old daughter (I have neuro-Lyme myself), but I know she's been bitten lots, including recently, though the tick was on her for practically no time at all.
She did NOT want to go be tested. She felt great. She hates needles. She hates pills.
I stressed every time she had a headache.
Her knee started bothering her for no apparent reason and I stressed.
Finally I drug her down with me and had her tested through IGeneX.
I told her, "If you grow up with Lyme disease really bad, how would you forgive me for not MAKING you go get tested?"
I prayed she would be negative.
She was CDC positive.
You will feel much better when you go get her tested at IGeneX.
Good luck and I hope she feels better soon (and is negative, too!)
Michelle M
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My daughter's stomach pain and nausea were two of her most troublesome symptoms in the beginning, of course until joint pain made walking impossible sometimes (later on).
I would have loved to have had the opportunity you have, early testing, early treatment is always a plus with lyme.
I don't recommend "chance taking" with such a debilitating disease.
Facing fears head on is the way to go with this disease. Chances are much better now that she will recover fully from it! I think it is great you are being so careful, and no you are not paranoid.
Another thing, don't ever let anyone (especially a reg. doc) talk you out of your parental instincts.
If it had not be for our God given instincts with our daughter's diagnosis and treatment, she would still not be undergoing treatment for lyme!
Still as Michelle said, I hope that she doesn't have it.
I also want to add that all testing is not completely accurate and I would continue to write down and pay attention to any unusual symptoms, head, stiff neck, joints (migratory), etc....
Those are big clues that you cannot afford to miss.
Please take care and let us know how things go.
Posts: 270 | From Charlotte, NC | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Thanks for your replies. I have been wanting to get her tested, at least for a peace of mind. I am still a little unclear as to which tests I should order from Igenex. Money is tight so I don't want to do any unnecessary tests if there are any. Also, since it has only been 8 weeks since the suspected infection is it too early for a Western blot? Is it a complete waste to even do an Elisa? I know that is what my doctor will want to do first. THanks again. Posts: 3 | From Wisconsin | Registered: May 2005
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
It was just three and a half weeks since my daughter was bitten. IGeneX has a little chart on their site about what period of time the testing will cover. At eight weeks, you are MORE than good!!! Docs were a little iffy on my daughter but I just had a gut feeling and said, "Go for it."
We did the IGeneX Western blot IgM and IgG. Showing past/present infection. She had four 'indeterminates' on IgG (past infection), and six positive bands on IgM (18, 23-25m 39m 41m 58m 66).
That will set you back about $190 these days.
But if your "gut" is worrying you this much, you ought to listen to it. You will spend much much more down the road if she has it!
Fingers crossed for all negatives since it looks like you've got a serious handful going on already!!!
Michelle M
[This message has been edited by Michelle M (edited 16 July 2005).]
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My son had the same type of stomach problems last year. GET YOUR DAUGHTER TESTED. I wish I had done it sooner. He would somtimes have a real low temp with those stomach aches but rarely a higher than normal temp. I knew he wasn't faking however and that his stomch really was hurting. Please do something now.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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