I have a 3rd grader who has consistently been in my office about once every month/every other month, complaining of a stomach ache that leads to vomiting in the bathroom. Never a fever. Rarely a witnessed episode of vomiting. Always happens after PE. Usually 2 hours post, but they always say the stomach ache started during PE.
Last month's visit he was able to produce some "regurgitated food". I'm labeling it like that because it wasn't a true vomit. Very controlled. Small amount. Mucous-y. Not your typical "I have a stomach virus that's causing projectile vomiting". Sent kiddo home. Again.
Fast forward to today, kiddo comes in on their way back from....you guessed it, PE...and they tell me "we were playing a game in PE and the other kids started yelling and all of the yelling made my stomach and my head hurt". Had kiddo drink some water, gave them a peppermint, and told them to go back to class so they can cool down from PE. Kiddo walks away and I tell my admin assistant "I guarantee they'll be back later saying they threw up in the bathroom".
30 mins later...I was right. They're currently sitting in my office with the sad puppy dog face.
I refuse to send them home today. And we're going to talk about better coping mechanisms when situations make us uncomfortable.
My teachers like to panic when a kiddo is able to produce ANYTHING out of their mouths. Many have been shocked to know that everything that comes up isn't always vomit and that I have a few that can vomit on cue.
I know you mentioned having spoken to the child's teachers already, but did you or are you allowed to ask about bullying? As a former teacher, it could be that the child is being bullied in one of the classes after PE and does not want to be in there for that. I am not saying his actions are justified, but it could be the reason they are trying to get out of class. That might be something to look into.
I have multiple kids who will spit essentially a lougie out and they call it vomit and my teachers panic. I also have a few students who are able to produce regurgitated food on command. For example, had a kiddo earlier this year say they vomited in the bathroom. Told this kiddo that one episode of unwitnessed vomiting wasn't a ticket home that an adult would have to see it. His response? "oh, they will". He proceeded to walk out of my office and into his art class (which is right by our main office) and say "Hey Mrs. Teacher...." when she looked, he picked her trash can up, opened his mouth, pushed a little, and about 10 ml of "vomit" came out. Teacher panicked and sent him back to me. He proceeded to walk back to my office smiling.
I know you mentioned having spoken to the child's teachers already, but did you or are you allowed to ask about bullying? As a former teacher, it could be that the child is being bullied in one of the classes after PE and does not want to be in there for that. I am not saying his actions are justified, but it could be the reason they are trying to get out of class. That might be something to look into.
Yes, I've talked to his teacher. Bullying isn't on the radar at the moment as this student struggling academically and his teacher and I both feel things are related to that. Per the teacher, his parents aren't taking his failing grades seriously and think the course content is too hard for their kiddo. She and I both think his gi issues are related to anxiety/stress regarding his grades. We have a meeting set up with his parents to discuss this in a more "serious" setting as phone discussions with them seem to fall on deaf ears.
.thumb.jpg.e7b5bd336d518053002d5b4dbeef882b.jpg){kind=small}
Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN
1,348 Posts
If it is not vomit what are you talking about?