HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

concerned about granddaughter

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/13/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
     My 14 yr old granddaughter has apparently been having stomach pain and diarrhea.  My daughter just told me about this yesterday.  She has taken my granddaughter to a pediatric gastro doctor.   He told my granddaughter it is "just nerves".  She hasn't gotten any better over the course of a year, so yesterday my ex son in law took her back to the same doctor.  He told her to eat more fiber.  What the heck????  I am so upset over this.  I asked my daughter..."didn't this guy request any tests??? Upper or lower GI...nothing???"  She said , "no".

     Shame on my daughter and ex son in law if they just accept this explanation.  My daughter sort of keeps me in the dark about anything serious because she doesn't want to upset me, but this is more upsetting than anything.  What can I do??

Posted 5/13/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
This is unfortunate that your granddaughter isn't getting the care she needs. Are her stomach problems continual or relating to her periods?

At least she's been to the doctor...twice in a year...but the doctor is more of the problem for not suggesting stool samples, a colonoscopy, etc...especially since you do (did) have an aggressive form of UC.

How did your daughter react to you regarding your UC? and your surgery, etc?

It seems more in denial. If you're close to your granddaughter, suggest she encourage her mom to take her to another doctor or to at least do the testing to help find out what's going on.

It could be food related, however...maybe just a list of foods she does eat continually and if they're limited could help with her symptoms?

Keep us posted.
quincy
Posted 5/13/2011 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
     Thanks Heather.....my granddaughter said she is going for blood tests, thank God.  I am not sure exactly what blood tests but she said the doctor is going to take one step at a time.  Maybe he is ruling out some things before putting her through all the uncomfortable tests.  I sure hope and pray she doesn't have UC.  My oldest daughter (the mother) was in denial big time about my illness.  She even wanted to send my husband and I to Vegas for our 41st wedding anniversary last year.  My youngest daughter still lives with us and tried to explain exactly just how sick I really was.  This was only a few months prior to my operation.  There was no way I could take a trip at the time.

     My mom's side of the family has no colon problems but dad's family did.  He had diverticulosis and my paternal grandmother died from cancer of the rectum.  We think now she had UC but that was back in 52 and matters of the bowels were not discussed too often.

     I'm very happy to hear she is at least having blood work done.

Posted 5/13/2011 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you're stressed Christine. I can't imagine how worrisome it is to think about this happening to someone you love so much. I am sure it isn't UC, it's probably just an upset stomach but I agree that it should be taken seriously and evaluated, especially having a family history.
Posted 5/14/2011 8:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Christine
Unless UC is severe often the blood tests don't give enough info to be sure of anything. I agree that it is a big step to put a 14 year old through the trauma of a colonoscopy but your daughter could ask for a fecal calprotectin test. It detects inflamation/raised neutrophil activity in the colon and is much more specific for UC.
Sue
Posted 5/14/2011 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Do you think you could ask your daughter to ask the doctor to run a cat scan or something if he doesn't want to put your grand daughter through the uncomfortable procedure of a colonoscopy?
Posted 5/15/2011 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
i had my first colonoscopy in the 6th grade (they wouldn't do one any earlier). they put me out for it and didn't tell me what the test entailed. sure it was unpleasant, but it gave us answers. as long as they're willing to knock her out, she won't be scarred for life or anything (i'd never admit it to my mom b/c i give her a hard time about it all the time, but i'm glad she made me have it). as for the blood tests, i know that with me, there have been times when they can tell me i'm flaring from the tests, but i can also be really sick and they'll tell me that the blood tests say i'm in remission (which i think is crazy). i don't put a lot of stake into blood tests anymore.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply