posted
My 10 yr old has been complaining of constant nausea for awhile now. He also has complained of heartburn and takes fiber daily for constipation.
Lately he has been saying he has pain near the upper right abdominal area. At 1st I thought it was his liver inflamed so I increased the milk thistle. Then I started to wonder if it could be his gallbladder? The nausea thing is what makes me wonder.
The problem is it could be pancreas too so how does one know? Would an ultra sound show anything? I could call his LLMD and request one if so.
How can you know if it's an actual problem with the organ or if it's just a herx or inflammation?
It's tough when it's your kids. I try not to overreact but my 13 yr old had an ulcer a few years ago and then a hernia
Right now he is on Azithromycin 500 mg and just got off Biaxin 1000 mg because it caused insomnia. He just started Prevacid after he told the LLMD about his heartburn.
Thanks, Amy
[ 07-28-2009, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: Amy C ]
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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I am having an ultrasound this week for this very issue, but I am on ceftriaxone which is known for causing gallbladder stones/issues. I have pain in the gallbladder area and nausea, also get full really fast.
My dr. poked my tummy last week and said "yep, that's where your gallbladder lives." If it has been going on for a while and an ultrasound is easy to get, if it were me, I'd have a look. God bless you.
Posts: 374 | From United States | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Is your son on Rocephin? It can cause gallstones. BTW: ceftin is a derivative, but I don't think it causes gall stones.
Posts: 524 | From Hudson Valley, NY | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I had my gallbladder attack 2 yrs. ago on my birthday/
My pain was also very severe across my upper back.
When I went to my G.P. he ran blood tests and could tell I was having a gallbladder attack.
They did an ultrasound in the hosp. and then did emergency surgery 4 hrs. later.
The ultrasound showed my gallbladder was filled with stones and if I didn't have it out, my liver would start shutting down.
I may have had pain from that before, but at 56 with arthritis and menapause, I was used to pain.
Funny that I was dx'd with lyme a yr. and 2 mos. later.
I wonder now how long had I really had this disease.
Prayers for you and your son. It must be so hard for you.. Sending angels to protect your family and taking prayers to God.
Fondly, Connie
Posts: 145 | From Paris, Tn. | Registered: Dec 2008
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
I believe that Prevacid is a Fluorinated Drug.
I would look into a replacement acid reflux medication that does not contain the toxin Fluoride.
I had mottled Teeth as a result of fluoridated water combined with Fluorinated antibiotics as a child. It may not be the only bad effect it had on me, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
Many medications, antibiotics, and anti-depressants are Fluorinated and several Fluorinated drugs have been removed from the market in the past.
Take a look at the article Dr. Mercola has concerning this subject and see what you think.
posted
Yes, definitely get him an ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen. THey don't hurt and are non-invasive. You don't want to mess around with it; it's my understanding that the stones can come out of the gall bladder and get stuck in the ductwork and cause pancreas problems. Check out gallbladderattack.com, they had some very useful information when I started researching.
I just had my gall bladder removed after suffering terrible nausea and pain for 6 weeks. Turns out I had a stone 1 inch in diameter - no wonder my guts hurt! I feel unbelievably better now that it's out, and I think it's probably been bothering me low-grade for years.
-------------------- dx: MS in 1998 2007 - Lyme suspected 2009 - Positive Lyme, MS worse. Now: Copaxone shots for MS gall bladder out 7/09 Ceftin, Zith, Septra LDN Acyclovir Monolaurin, DHEA, Pregnonelon, Curcumin Posts: 243 | From New Mexico | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Absolutely! Ask to have an ultrasound done to check out his gallbladder, liver, pancreas, etc.
Let the doctor know ALL of his symptoms! There should be no hesitation as far as the doctor is concerned to see what's going on inside your little 10 yr. old's gut.
You don't want to have him suffer painful gallbladder attacks........not knowing that's actually happening........then have to find out the hard way by possibly ending up in an emergency situation.
I had my gallbladder removed on an emergency basis, just 2 days after interviewing an abdominal surgeon. He recommended that it be removed right away.
But I was going to treat it as "elective" surgery and schedule it when it "REALLY started bothering me constantly" ------- those were my exact words 2 days earlier!
Thank goodness I HAD a surgeon to call in the MIDDLE of the NIGHT! I felt like I had been stabbed with a knife and it was being twisted around over and over! Thought I was gonna die.
I still remember how it felt........I was 27 and now I'm 50. It turns out my gallbladder was about to rupture and also a gallstone was stuck in the bile duct. My gallbladder actually looked like a popcorn ball ----- it was FULL of gallstones.
SO, I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to share MY little gallbladder story with you. I have 3 boys and I would definitely ask their doctor for an ultrasound if they were having your son's symptoms.
In fact, I would insist on it. Good luck and please let us know how things go.
Take care,
terri3boys
Posts: 268 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I called the LLMD today and I think he is going to order an ultra sound of his gall bladder.
I hope all is ok!!
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
You should also ask for a test of the liver enzymes and the pancreas enzymes. I have pancreatitis that mimics gall bladder attacks. My pancreatic enzymes were elevated when the pancreatitis first started.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Ok so I guess I am on my own with this one!
Why can't I find an LLMD that makes me happy?? We just switched to a new one that we drive 12 hrs to see and I thought I like him but now I am not so sure!
Just spoke to him and he is saying maybe it's his meds or an ulcer? But all symptoms point to gallbladder, liver or pancreas to me so why can't he just order an ultra sound?
My older son had an ucler and I know what those symptoms are and this is different.
He was on Biaxin and now Zith and I don't see how either of these would cause this problem?
He wants me to take him off of abx for a week to see if that helps. I don't want to do that! His Lyme would probably get worse don't you think?
Ugh!!
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
A stricture in the small bowel can cause the symptoms you describe. Of course so can a dozen other things. If there is a stricture, you can sometimes feel a harder lump in the intestine from the outside.
You can try a low bulk liquid type diet and see if he improves.
Since your other son has had a Hernia, maybe the younger one does also. Possibly a strangulated Hernia.
Just some possibilities.
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Many years ago I had nausea and it was because my liver enzymes were very, very high. If you are not able to get help through LLMD, my non-professional opinion would be to see regular MD, have blood tests done on liver, etc,. If necessary even go to the ER. Pain in the right side should be investigated right away.
I wish you the very best in getting the help you are seeking for your son.
Posts: 515 | From In His Loving Care | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
So I just talked with my son about it again. Kind of hard to get the best description from a 10 yr old.
He says it feels worse after he eats. He also feels hungry a lot even when he eats. Sometimes it hurts on the left side but mostly the right side.
I guess it could be an ulcer. My older son had various stomach problems for awhile and then got really bad pains for a few days and then started throwing up stomach acid. We ended up in the ER with him. He did have an ulcer. But the symptoms seem a little different to me??
I wonder if the LLMD is doing a process of elimination? Meds 1st, the maybe ulcer, then something else?
But does anyone think it's a good idea to really be off your abx for a week? I doubt it is the meds!! Not sure what to do??
He did just have some blood work recently from our last LLMD. I won't have copies of them until next week. I don't remember if they tested the liver enzymes? I think they might have though.
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I don't think being off antibiotics for 1 week is that bad, especially if it will help to get to the bottom of the stomach problem. Zith stays in your system for a very long time. I would say at least a week.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Antibiotics could/would make gallbladder symptoms worse, so going off for one week would likely tell you SOMETHING.
Usually, with GB problems, you are NOT hungry. Maybe in the early stages of the problem you would be hungry, but then miserable after eating something with fat in it.
You could also try having him eat foods with NO FAT and see if he still has pain there.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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I don't have any medical knowledge to make my suggestions but what Dr. H said to stop the med for a week sounds sensible. I would follow his instruction and give him a chance.
posted
does sound like process of elimination. smart move when kids involved. jumping to testing sometimes is not the answer right off the bat
for example: if pain stops off abt, but then you are able to track it to certain time of day, or after certain foods, etc.
while off abt may be good idea for you to help him journal the pain?? (have 3 boys so understand can be hard to get good info from them, and they will/can tell ya no just to stop talking about it..mine do anyway at times)
would cut back on the fiber as well, can cause bloating inside esp if not enough water ingested. then making bricks.
probiotics also great for helping regulate GI funtion and avoiding consitpation- maybe slowly up probiotic dose until he is having daily BM? (had neighbor use probiotic for her dtr with severe mental disorder who is still struggling with potty training at 9 yr old. now the probiotics have her needing to use restroom every am !! HUGE gain for their family !! plus she can use the immunity support)
fiber can be tricky and irritate some GI issues.
decrease fat, then if he eats higher fat meal and pain within hour= most likly gallbladder
wish you the best !!! my son has had GI pain and we did labs/ ultrasound and all was negative
using probiotic and zyflamend now and has helped. he has not started abt. for lyme however. I am wanting to look at natural methods and increase immunse system first. this is all hard to learn what is right ??? i jumped right into abt tx and have had 2 surj. in 4 mo. time.
my gallbladder came out this may. started rocphen in feb. found out internal lining was hemmoraging, FULL of stones, sludge. stones up to .5 cm and had gallbladder size larger than norm. surj. said this took YEARS to happen and i am only 33. so our 13 yr old with GI complaints does have us worried about the same. my ultrasound did show sludge and stones but, did not show to the extent that was found once removed.
if is internal inflammation issue: peronally zyflamend is GREAT !! must have supp. in my opinion. HUGE difference every time i dont take it.
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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