Very Sick Teenager

[michelle4boys]

I really need some help I have a 15 year old that has been very sick for 3 months now. I wont even go into the FULL story because it would be just WAY too much reading. Basically.... he has been diagnosed with TONS of different allergies. In the course of 3 months he has been prescribed 13 (i think) different medications. The latest med is Zantac. Zantac was prescribed for the vomitting and pains he has been having on and off. He can vomit several times a week. He complains of stomach pains - sharp and dull, stomach cramping - sometimes severe. (He has not lost any weight)

We found out he had a wheat allergy thru the allergist. He was also just tested for molds. One that he is allergic to is Candida. No one ever told us to do anything about the Candida. We started him on a wheat free diet (not gluten free) a few weeks ago. I have not noticed any significant change in the way he feels. He still complains and still vomits a couple times a week. I discussed at our last visit the possiblity of Celiac. The doctor dismissed this - saying "Most Celiac's have diareaha". Is this true? Instead of walking out of the office with any answer - we walked out with yet another prescription and a "well maybe he is developing ulcers". @@

I dont even know what to do at this point in time other than to change to a more aggressive doctor. I guess my question would be... does it sound AT ALL like Celiac? I'm just at a loss. I'm at the end of my rope with watching my child get sick and dont know what to do. ANY information or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[chrissy]

no---not all celiacs have diahreah (SP?) can you ask the doctor to just humor you and run the test? one of my twins was nauseated for 3 months and now that ashe is gluten free, her nauses has improved.

christine

[michelle4boys]

what tests would I ask for?

[key]

I am sorry your son is so sick. He definitely should be tested for celiac. They don't have to have diarhea. ARe you seeing a pediatric Gastroenterologist? If you are, then you need to find another one and if you aren't you need to find one.

I hope you find the answer soon.

Does he having any gas or bloating with this?

Hope you get some answers. Obviously though it is time to find a new doctor.

Monica

[michelle4boys]

No he is only seeing our family practice doctor. She only wants him to see an allergist. I think its time to move on....

[jerseyangel]

I would also suggest you have him tested for Celiac. I am 49, but had nausea as my main symptom from the time I was in my 20's. Because nausea and dizziness were my main symptoms, I was misdiagnosed for many years. The D did not begin to be a problem until about 10 years ago--and did not get severe until 2 years ago. You need to ask for the complete Celiac blood panel. Moving on from the allergist is a good idea for this. A gastroenterologist with Celiac experience would be the best person to talk to.

[michelle4boys]

Well - I took your advice. I was under the impression I needed a referal to see any specialist. This is new insurance we have. I called my insurance company and NO referal needed!!! I will call in for a gastro.... specialist tomorrow! Thank you very much! I know it sounds like such a 'minor' thing but I already feel this is a huge step forward in finding out what is wrong. And here I was trying to get a referal that was refused by the family practitioner @@ So, believe it or not - you've all helped me so much already! Any step forward is a good step! Thank You!

[celiac3270]

Diarrhea is not necessary for a celiac diagnosis by any means--there are over 212 symptoms and diarrhea is not even the most common of them! Definitely get him tested.

[jerseyangel]

Michelle--It's not minor at all! So happy you got the go-ahead from the ins. co. Good luck--and let us know how he does

[Merika]

Diahrea is not always there. It could swing all the way to constipation. Or bowel movements could be perfectly fine. Mine were always fine and it took me 12 YEARS and an accidental diagnosis to find out about celiac. I wish you and your son luck in feeling better.

Merika

[marciab]

My daughter just turned 18 and has severe environmental and food allergies. I worry about her too. Her body, esp her face, swells on a regular basis. She takes Zyrtec daily and uses a rescue inhaler as needed. We are going to her doctors for asthma meds today. They prescribed Zantac too, but her stomach issues come and go, so she refuses to take it every day. Did they tell you that Zantac has an antihistamine in it ?

I completely agree with the rest about having him tested for celiac. But meanwhile, your son should start paying more attention to which foods he is eating and what the results are. Be sure he keeps a journal. The elimination diet would be the fasted way to see if he has food allergies, but he has to be eating wheat, rye, barley and oats for the celiac tests to be accurate. My daughter has concluded that she is allergic to bananas, coconut and pineapple. Bananas make her mouth tingle. She loves Reeses and is in denial about peanuts.

I'm planning on having my daughter tested for celiac the next time they draw blood on her. I heard about that woman who's body swelled up from celiac. My daughter sees what I eat and really wants no part of it. This should be fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck and Hang in there ... It's tough being a Mom... Marcia

[Ashley]

I would absolutely recommend having him tested for Celiac. I had no Diarrhea whatsoever. The symptoms are different with each individual. With some cases, some lose significant amounts weight (which happened to myself...eighty pounds ) and others have none. Hope your Son makes way to feeling much better!

[Rachel--24]

Hi,

I never had diarreah either. Don't let the doctor tell you that w/out diarreah you cant have celiac...its not true. My doctor said the same thing...they are just misinformed.

[pixiegirl]

I have tons of food allergies as well and similar symptoms, pain, gas, all sorts of GI symptoms. You might want to talk to the GI doctor about having your son take Gastrocrom... its a mast cell inhibitor... (which are allergy related) its got virtually no side effects, you mix a few drops with a glass of water before you eat and it mitigates the allergic response to food. As far as drugs go, its very low on the scale of being bad for you. It is the only thing that has worked for me with my food allergies, I'm feeling almost totally normal right now. The only bad thing about it is: it has to be take before every meal and bedtime and it takes about 2 weeks to really work.

However even if he takes it for the short term it would give his system some time to heal up. I really suggest you ask your doctor about it and do some Google research, its help me tons and I believe there are others on this list that have taken it and I am on a few other lists for GI disorders and it seems its helped tons of people. Again very low on side effects (I've had none at all, other then feeling great).

Just an idea!

Susan