Stress Center Peer Support

OK so here it goes.

As you all know I suffer from anxiety.

My six yr old son recently started suffering from abdominal pains and while he has good days (up to a week in some instances) the issue is still around.

He had stomach flu on Feb. 3 and it appeared to carry with him for about a week, ending with "the runs" the following Friday.

Things seem pretty good till around Feb. 21 when he started complaining again of stomach pain. It was so bad (to him) we took him to see the doctor. They did all the abdominal quadrant testing and did not feel he had anything surgical, but perhaps he had the end of a bug.

Anyway, today has been stressful for him, me, and now my wife as I did not handle things well while we were out.

After going out to a park and having a good time as a family we decided to go out to eat. (Mind you he had some pain this morning and couple that with a dentist appt to fix a cavity is has been a rough day). He started to drink his lemonade (so he says) when the pain started again. He got clinging to my wife and so forth and I was kind of crabby. I began telling him to get over it and that he was fine (which I know was wrong). My wife gave me a few jabs back based on my CONSTANT anxiety symptoms and questions and I deserved them, w/o a doubt.

Anyway, I had spoke with the doctor yesterday and they made some suggestions, I just did not expect an incident so shortly as things have been OK for the most part.

With my own constant worrying, chest pain, throat sensations, etc I am not sure how much longer I can worry about my son w/o flipping out.

I have Xanax that I can take, but I have been trying not to take pills anymore, it has been at least 6 days since my last Xanax (not six days since anxiety).

I have wondered if anything had to do with Anxiety with him, but he seems happy, does well in school (kindergarten) etc, so I think it could be pain. Possibly constipation. I just am so scared to find out something else might be wrong with him. We are suppose to track things for a week or so, see how it goes and if necessary contact the doctor for an appt. or a specialist.

I recently went through an Upper GI (Drinking the chalk) and have an Upper Endsocopy slated for 3-27, I just cannot imagine my son going through any of this.

I am sure I am "over" concerned, but it is what I do best.

Oh well. If anyone has any advice for me or have experience similar issues with their child, it would be great to hear! Today I feel at wits end with it and wonder if the little white miracle pill is the way to go, no matter how much I don't want to!

Thanks for listening - Sorry if I rambled!

My eight year old shows some signs of anxiety. He's had to take a stomach med before, but I can't remember the name right this second. He will complin of headaches every once in a while. I think he holds a lot in. His dad gets mad at him alot more now since the divorce and my daughter going to college. My son is the only one left for dad to unload on, so to speak, and m son never says a word, just takes it. It breaks my heart.
I've learned a few things on the tape that I've talked to him about. Like letting one little thing ruin your day. He gets upset over something like his shirt not fitting right and goes into a funk. I thought he was just spoiled, but I have realized that I do it too. Just things like that have come to my attention.
I guess if he has to have similar problems as me, I'm thankful I have time to work with him and hopefully, he won't have to deal with all I've had to go through. Maybe he can learn to handle his problems better than I.
Good luck with your tests. let us know how they go. We'll be thinking about you. Beverly

Engine,
It could be your son is allergic to some foods, like maybe to acidy foods and beverages.
you might write down what he eats for a week, and see if he has any stomach problems.
Sometimes kids, like adults, when something is bothering them, it comes out in stomach aches. Kids are also very senstive to what parents feel and how they react.
My grandson who is 12 was here Christmas eve, Feeling GREAT,, we had appetizers and different pies. He ate a piece of cocanut pie, and in 10 minutes he was having horrible stomach ache, and in the bathroom. We didnt realize he was allergic to cocanut.. Gave him pepto bismol and in about 45 minutes he was better.. But with kids you just never know. Im sure its nothing serious,, and maybe his tummy is still weak from having stomach flu.... Take care Nelly:)

Engine2,

I actually use to have these things happen to me. I had I guess a small form of anxiety when I was little that was stated in my medical records. I know that my stomach did really hurt bad at times to where I wasn't sure what to do at all about it. I was staying constipated and all sorts of things, they gave me something that tasted like chocolate to help with that. Then they found out that I was allergic to milk. I still if when upset get stomach pains along with chest pains and other things. I was given a ice pack to put on my stomach and when I was little that made it all better. If the doctor couldn't find anything wrong then there is nothing to worry about. Ask him how it feels when his stomach feels and remember that we have all been there at one point in our lives and remember that when you have the chest pains it scares you just like it does your son. (that took me awhile to do with my daughter as well). If maybe you give him a feel good bear (just any stuffed animal) to squeeze when he is feeling this you can find out if it is anxiety because if he says it made it feel better than you just took his mind off the anxiety and on to something else. If not then it could be a bug or a allergy to some food. I hope that this helps. God bless

Jennifier

Thanks Jennifer.

Hard to say what it could be for sure. I was thinking anxiety too, but, now it is like as he goes to eat unless he is getting worked up before he eats. I know how it is to get worked up.

In general though he eats well and I would think being home would bring the anxiety down, unless of course I am a source of anxiety. Sometimes I wonder what he has heard from me about my recent symptoms. I have learned to curve my talk with my kids around.

They have ears like hawkes and I forget that sometimes.

Engine2,

I get bad anxiety in places where there are alot of people around. I also get panic at home. There could be things that bother him and make him have anxiety. I would talk to him about it because if this is the beginning part of anxiety then he needs to get off his chest about what is bothering him so that it doesn't continue on farther. That is what has helped me alot. He may be feeling how you feel and taking on the same feelings. I know how that feels because I too do the same things. All kids have those hawk ears. I know my daughter does. I hope that you can get it stopped before it gets worse and then again it could be nothing. God bless
Jennifier

My wife is certain it is not anxiety, then again this from the women who does not understand anxiety, but has certainly accepted.

Anyway, we gave my son some Maalox Jr. as recommended by the doctors office and he has been having a good afternoon, but we did distract him with outside play and a walk.

I'll keep an eye on it, I know he does have some sort of anxiety already as when he goes to many large person events (like a classmates b-day party) he does not always want to follow along! Especially if my wife or I are there, he'll hang by us.

Lately we have started leaving him when a friend's mom is there and she has said he does wonderfully.

Beats me!

My mom didnt think I had anxiety neither. i guess it is hard if they don't have it themselves. I know that my daughter shows symptoms now of anxiety so I talk to her and it has helped and she doesn't have those problems now. I don't know how old he is but if he is in school the teacher will be able to tell you if he has anxiety because my daughters teacher told me that my daughter had some type of anxiety. I hope that you can get it figured out. Keep me informed so that I know what's going on. Have a wonderful weekend. God bless

Jennifier