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10 Year old Son/ How to evaluate his pain

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/29/2008 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Our son was diagnosed 3 years ago.  He recently was hospitilized with stomach pains.  After eating a soft foods diet with no improvement, we took him to the er with pain. He was admitted.  All his labs came back normal, endo and colonoscopy looked "prestine" and he had no indiaction that this was a Chron's Flare. GI even said that if he did not know that he had Chron's then he never would have known from his labs and tests.

After a week we came home. Diagnosis:  viral infection

Past 3 nights, only at bedtime our son complains of stomach pain.  We do believe that his pain is real, but not sure how much is maybe some anxiety turned into pain.

I want to help him, but it gets hard when he is playing with his friends and running around, and come bedtime it hurts.

Anyone with ideas we are open.  it is 1:23 AM and I just got him to sleep.  I do not want to reinforce negative attention yet I do not want to ignore him either.

Thanks so much.

Posted 12/29/2008 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
This disease is one that can come and go. It is not surprising to me that he can be normal one moment and in pain the next. This is one of the reasons that those that are not well versed with Crohn's disease, begin to doubt the severity of pain that one is having. My pain usually is strongest in the evening due to the build up of gas during the day. This is very common among those of us with Crohn's and you should believe him if he is complaining of pain. One of the worst things that a parent, loved one, or friend can do is doubt the pain of a crohnie. The day to day battle with this disease is very taxing on us emotionally as it is and our confidence levels can become very fragile. I can only imagine how hard it must be on a 10 year old to always have to be in the bathroom. He is right about that age when there are so many changes going on with his body as it is, this can only exaberate those hormonal imbalances. The best thing that you can do is continue to show him your love and support and keep pressure on the doctors to find the source of his pain. There are usually support groups for children with diseases and this would probably be a huge help for him as he grows up. I have heard about the special summer camps for the youth suffering from crohn's. I think that you can probably find more information on the CCFA website. You may also want to talk to your G.I. about possible getting him on a anti-spasmatic medication such as levisin or bentyl to help with the pain. He is probably way too young to start on pain medication, but it would not be a bad idea to have some on hand for those times when the pain is severe. Most of us always keep some sort of medication on hand for break through pain.
Posted 12/29/2008 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
Most illnesses feel worse at night. With children, they tend to under describe the level of pain they are in. THere was a time when doctor's thought children did not even feel pain but it was discovered that the kids did not let folks know.

I think you should trust your son's estimate.

Donnaeil
Posted 12/29/2008 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Perhaps starting a pain level chart from 1 to 10 so you can have some idea as to how bad they are. Hope this helps some. lol gail
Posted 12/29/2008 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I think Tsitodawg is right maybe try getting something like Bentyl, Levsin or Donnatal might help with the cramps at night. Not as strong as some of the pain meds, but work great to help with the spasms and cramps. Good luck.
Posted 12/29/2008 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was having a similar problem with my son earlier this year and they decided it was just IBS and started using Elavil to help mask the pain.  When we started seeing a new Dr. he did a fecal calprotectin test that showed a lot of inflammaion.  Even though all of his other blood work was pretty good for him, this test proved he was still having problems and they have started trying to help him again.

I'm sorry that as a mom that you have to go through this and hope that you will get your answers soon.

Laura G./ Steven 14 & Jenny 19/ both CD

 

Posted 12/29/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
My pain usually makes itself known around 3-4pm and gets gradually worse until I go to bed. My best time is in the am and the afternoon. I have posted the question "when is your pain the worst" on this forum, and found that this is not unusual. What may help is to try and keep a diary of what he is doing, how it relates to meals, whether or not he is tender to touch, etc.
Posted 12/31/2008 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the help.  I have contiuned to tell him that we do believe him and I am trying to encourage him to do some visual imagery. We stopped the caffiene and I have given him a glass of milk at night.  Maybe the dissovable prevacid is not strong enough for him.

I hope you all get some relief soon.

Melissa

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