Chronic nausea in a 12 year old

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Critical Care/ ED.

Hi all,

My 12 year old son has been nauseated for about a month now, pretty continuously. He has had an upper GI, which showed reflux but no ulcer or other problems. He's been on prilosec for 2 weeks with no results. I've tried to do all the dietary changes, but he's not eating much anyway because of his nausea. He has missed much school because of this; I am actually considering having him be homebound for the rest of the year as I am concerned he won't pass. He does vomit occassionally and c/o intermittent pain/burning/bubbling. Also, he has a history of IBS and constipation, but that has been doing fairly well lately.

Is there anything else I should be pushing for? I am at the end of my rope, it's awful seeing my little man sick all the time. Last night he was in bed with me crying because he doesn't think he will ever feel better again. :crying2:

Thanks

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

I am so sorry this is going on with your son :o I went through the same thing in my early teens. I ended up having reflux/hiatal hernia. The prilosec did the trick for me and made me feel much better after about a week. Maybe your son needs a different med. After a while the prilosec didn't do anything for me and I had to switch to Prevacid. Also, is he taking capsules or caplets? The caplets don't work for me (Prilosec OTC is caplets). Is he taking the meds first thing in the AM at least half an hour before eating or drinking anything? He may have damaged his tummy with all this excess acid causing gastritis which may take a little longer for him to feel better. I also had a biopsy of my stomach done during my endoscopy to check for H. Pylori bacteria which can cause these same Sx. If he hasn't had one, I believe there is a new test where he can blow into a bag instead of having the biopsy. I would also R/O gallbladder and appendix. I really really hope he feels better soon. I know how awful this is as I went through it. The docs were sometimes very cruel as well saying it was all in my head or 'At least you're not in PAIN' Geez! Nausea is NO FUN! I'm praying for your little guy!

Also, Pepto Bismol caplets (the ones you swallow so you don't get the icky taste) helped me a lot too...but check with his doc first.

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Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

I'm sorry your son is going through that. My son is 11 years old and has been through the same thing. The doctor started him on Prevacid. He has not had any problems since! As a matter of fact, he also has had no further problems with his asthma since then either! He's like a new kid!!!

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I really dont have anything to add, but I hope your son gets better...:o

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This may be a long shot but sometimes psychological stress factors play a role in unexplained illnesses with no explanation or cause discovered.

Could be school, could be friends or bullies, could also be a family situation that you may not be aware of.

Maybe a little sleuthing will uncover something.

Hope your son recovers and all is resolved.

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.
This may be a long shot but sometimes psychological stress factors play a role in unexplained illnesses with no explanation or cause discovered.

Could be school, could be friends or bullies, could also be a family situation that you may not be aware of.

Maybe a little sleuthing will uncover something.

Hope your son recovers and all is resolved.

Very good point playa!

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My advice is don't go with the pychological cause...not yet anyway, you've not completely exhausted therapy for your son's real problems. My son had an undiagnosed lactose intolerance that caused chronic gastritis and reflux. He also had diarrhea.. I DID home school him for a year...mostly because his teachers and classmates didn't believe him when he said he didn't feel well, and were not supportive. I feel this did some damage to him emotionally. Who wants to go to school/work when you're feeling like crap? then nobody believes you on top of it...pediatrician even suggested psychological problems behind his sx...but I pushed until he found the real cause, then never went back to him again. If your doctor won't help find one who will. Good luck to you and your little guy...it breaks our hearts to see our babies hurt I know.

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I am sorry to hear about your son. My daughter had similar symptoms that were diagnosed (FINALLY) as abdominal migraines. Not too common. Stress related, but causes real sickness. I know you will continue to advocate for your son. Tell him we are hoping he feels better soon.

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I had the same as a 12 yr old, but it turned out to be stress related ulcers. I was always so nervous, shy, worried (over pretty much nothing) that it caused all the nausea. I took Zantac and Gaviscon for years, but finally grew out of it. I admit though that I still "get all GI" whenever I am nervous or anxious about something, I am just better able to deal with things and Sx subside quickly. Hope your little man gets better soon.

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Keep trying diff meds until you hit on the right one..after 2 weeks of prilosec with no results, sounds like time to try something diff...I'd also look into the stress factor ..pre-teens/teens are under sooooo much stress..to fit in/comform..anxiety/stress play a major role in many GI problems....hope your baby feels better soooooooon (((hugzzzzzz)))

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I read that your son got in bed with you crying becuase he was afraid he wouldnt ever feel good again......Just a note, make sure that the Prilosec isnt adding to his problem....a side effect is anxiety :uhoh3: I tried the OTC version and discovered this the hard way. It is buried in tiny tiny print on the pkg insert. I decided that acid indigestion is better than anxiety attacks...after 3 days on the med I started getting all jittery, started putting 2+2 together. Shame on me for not reading the pkging more carefully.

Laura

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
Hi all,

My 12 year old son has been nauseated for about a month now, pretty continuously. He has had an upper GI, which showed reflux but no ulcer or other problems. He's been on prilosec for 2 weeks with no results. I've tried to do all the dietary changes, but he's not eating much anyway because of his nausea. He has missed much school because of this; I am actually considering having him be homebound for the rest of the year as I am concerned he won't pass. He does vomit occassionally and c/o intermittent pain/burning/bubbling. Also, he has a history of IBS and constipation, but that has been doing fairly well lately.

Is there anything else I should be pushing for? I am at the end of my rope, it's awful seeing my little man sick all the time. Last night he was in bed with me crying because he doesn't think he will ever feel better again. :crying2:

Thanks

I just returned from caring for my g-daughter with much the same thing. Turns out she was severly depressed, school and a bad divorce were the problem. I dont know if depression could be the case for your son but it could'nt hurt to check it out.She is nine yrs. old and now doing play therapy and seem to be doing much better, she was also not able to attend school. I hope whatever the case is your son gets better soon. Good Luck CRB613

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