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functional abdominal pain syndrome

Posted , 27 users are following.

tonysth
tonysth

My 7 year old daughter is suffering from functional abdominal pain syndrome which is Chronic.

The pain is centered around 1 to 2cm above the belly button. She has done endoscopy, CT scan, stool, urine, blood & xray test still nothing has found.

We are currently managing it but we are looking for medicine that can reduced\stop the pain.

Has anybody or child suffered faps? I'll like to hear from you. Thanks

3 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • georgina_80922
    georgina_80922 tonysth

    Posted

    Such a shame a little one if going through this! Do you mind me asking what kind of pain it is?
  • tonysth
    tonysth

    Posted

    It's very difficult for us to understand the pain. Her description varies a lot but it's like something poking her in the stomach
    • susie74530
      susie74530 tonysth

      Posted

      That sounds a little like the pain of trapped wind.  Could it be an intestine that sometimes twists, or blocks?  Possibly, something to do with the navel itself a it is located so close?
    • tonysth
      tonysth susie74530

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. We don't know what it is. This has been going on for almost 7 months. We've been to many doctors, it seems there are all money grabbers. All we want is something that can relief the pain or make it go.
    • susie74530
      susie74530 tonysth

      Posted

      OK, but has the area around her navel been properly examined?  There may be an internal inflammation or infection there.  Just a thought, as it is very close to the belly button.  Have you tried cold compresses, such as a bag of peas with the towel over the area?   If it relieves the symptoms, it could point to something around the navel.  
    • kelly55322
      kelly55322 tonysth

      Posted

      Hi have you found any relief for your daughtet? Im having the same issue with my son
  • debahuti19615
    debahuti19615 tonysth

    Posted

    Hi!

    I am so sorry that your little child has to go through this, you can try homeopathy and see if it works for her.

    Since nothing has been diagnosed, you can consult a good homeopath and have treatment.

    Homeopathy remedies are based on symptoms and not findings.

    That might help..

    Thanks!

  • dush
    dush tonysth

    Posted

    Hi,

    I'm very sorry to hear about your daughter.

    I'm an 18 year old suffering from chronic functional abdominal pain syndrome, and have had pain for almost 10 years now. I have had every test you can name along with an appendicectomy in 2008 and a diagnostic laproscopy in 2014. I have still not been diagnosed with anything and am managing the pain with medication, as far as opiod patches.

    I have tried even altrnate medicine like homoeopathy and even ayurveda. It didn't really work for me but I would encourage you to try everything before ruling it out.

    I encourage you to not stop looking but at the same time make sure you don't take any quick decisions about surgery or any intrusive procedure.

    I hope you can find some medication to reduce her pain, even the slightest bit can bring some relief.

    I also would like to say that please never let her feel like you or anyone else doesn't believe she is feeling her pain, no matter how hard it is to diagnose the issue.

    I wish you alll the best,

    Please do feel free to contact me if you need to know anything else.

    • sabrinacalfee
      sabrinacalfee dush

      Posted

      Hi. Thank you for your reply to this post. I commend you for your compassion and willingness to share your experiences. My son is in the midst of a diagnostic nightmare right now...meaning he has had all the tests (endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scans, HIDA scan, ultrasound, xray, bloodwork, etc...) and I am fighting the doctors to continue until the bitter end with no more testing options available. They have tried to label him with Functional Abdominal Pain about eight tests ago but I have insisted that is unacceptable. The only thing left is the pill cam for him to swallow and film his entire digestive tract. 

      I tell you all that to say that I completely believe that this is a real syndrome with VERY real pain. I am fighting this diagnosis because they are telling me the only thing they can do for FAPS is counseling and teaching him to deal with the pain. At this point I have a really hard time with that since we can do such things as remove someone's heart and lungs and replace them with someone else's but they can't help my son's pain? The doctors expect me to watch him writhe in pain for hours and tell him sorry, there's nothing I can do? That's not an acceptable answer to me. 

      When you were intially diagnosed, how long did it take for your doctors to agree to help you with medication for the pain? I am obviously considering finding another doctor but I just wondered what your experience was? 

      Thanks again for your candor and the empathy you have shown here. 

    • RVF
      RVF sabrinacalfee

      Posted

      I can relate as have guto dismotility....Medsfor this beenwithdrawnIcanonly use paracetamol and often doesnothelp...itsliketobewindwhich gpdoesnotmention.

      Trylowfibreandpureedveg.warmbottlewarmwaterherbteas and rubeing abdomen,

      Gooduck.

    • Sushishrink
      Sushishrink sabrinacalfee

      Posted

      Hi. Any luck on diagnosis? My 13 yr old DD is in the year long testing phase you described. They keep talking to her about stress and FAPs since all results are normal. Have had the scopes and scans. Next is a specific CT with more contrast. I wonder where to stop but feel like there must be an explanation for this pain! She refuses to eat half the time because she doesn’t want to hurt. 
    • Geordansmom
      Geordansmom dush

      Posted

      My son is now 14 and has been in constant pain for three years now. Does the opiate patch work and how were you able to get it? I am desparate. He's already had to repeat 7th grade and is failing again due to absences and inability to concentrate on schoolwork at home.

    • sue3matt
      sue3matt sabrinacalfee

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am sorry for your son.  I am also in the midst of this with my 11 year old daughter.  We have been dealing with it since June 2016.  Every doctor and test under the sun and were just told today there is basically nothing else except for counseling. 

      Please let me know if they have been able to help your son (and you too)!  It's terrible to watch your kid in pain.  Take care

    • tssm1
      tssm1 Sushishrink

      Posted

      My 12 year old started pain 4 months ago when she got a stomach virus that just consisted of bad stomach pains, headache, and fever.  The headache and fever went away within 3 days but the stomach pains never did.  They are from the time she opens her eyes in the morning till she goes to bed.  Pain seems more intense in the morning and night.  We have done X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood test, lactose test, celiacs test, everything comes back normal.  My daughter had so much life in her, she was my crazy one, and now she just wants to be in her PJ's and lay on the couch.  The doctor keeps asking about anxiety, but honestly she is the most unstressed kid besides the occasional worry here and there.  So frustrating and heartbreaking and I feel like we are coming to the dx of FAP and I don't think I can accept that diagnosis.  It just seems like there has to be answer.

    • Sushishrink
      Sushishrink tssm1

      Posted

      Yes our doctor basically said they just don’t know yet what the answer is. They only know some things to look for and that might help. We got no relief this last time from ER pain meds. Ended up basically making her comfortable with morphine and zofran only because it knocked her out enough to rest. The episodes have been resolving with time is the only good thing. SO this last time we decided to go detective ourselves. We started a pretty good daily journal of symptoms, food, and events to try to find a pattern. And we went gluten free. Just to make sure even though the celiac test was negative. We thought we may have to do dairy etc at some point too while investigating.  Well she went two months only hurting twice for one day each. Then she’s stopped the gluten free and had another episode. However it was only a four day which is an improvement. I got her back on Gfree because I really want to see if it is related. SO that’s what we are doing. If nothing else she’s had definite improvement but it’s only been just under three months. 
    • sandy2018
      sandy2018 Sushishrink

      Posted

      My 9 yr old daughter experiences the same as other posters here. She has always had stomach issues but after a 2 day stomach bug (lots of vomitting) about 8 weeks ago the stomach issue is now daily and relentless. The pain and nausea are worse on waking and at bedtime. She never actually throws up. She has dizziness and lately complains of headaches too. The pain and nausea never completely go away .... Just varying degrees of it all day. She is hungry even with the nausea and historically has a ravenous appetite although lately is less inclined to eat. Her pediatrician and GI doc diagnosed functional abdominal pain and I am starting to agree with them. From what I have read it is a problem of the nervous system where the pain signals sent are inappropriate that is why some antidepressants can be effective I believe. I promised my sweet girl that we won t give up until we find what will make it better. I am going to add acupuncture to the list based on a previous poster. I don't know how I can convince her to do it with all those needles!!

    • ricki927
      ricki927 dush

      Posted

      Hi...

      I know this is quite an old forum but its one of the only forums I can find thats similar to what my daughter is experiencing

      I'd really love to have a chat with you. My daughter is experiencing severe stomach pain, especially when she eats...

      I would love to know if eating food caused you pain!

      She has had every test done you can possibly think of... and no answers. I'm starting to think that she is going to be told its FAPS.

      She is currently in hospital, has lost ALOT of weight due to not eating properly...and on VERY strong pain medication. I am very worried for her future and would love to be able to have a chat on how you are going and if you have any suggestions that might be able to help her.

      Please reach out if you can.

      One very worried mum 😒

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