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Feeling full 10 year old
Hello,
My daughter who is 10 years old has been having complaints of abdominal fullness since August 2019. It was occasional complaint then and wasn't affecting her eating then. Started in October, the complaint grew stronger and she wasn't able to eat her school snacks, but still finished all her food. In December, it got worse to the point she wasn't able to eat much at dinner and complaining she feels really full. Dinner was a big struggle, she still managed to finish all her breakfast and lunch. Up to January, daughter couldn't take any food at all, she says she feels really full all the time. She is also experiencing constipation, she also experiences headache when she feels really full. We have done all kinds of tests, x-ray, CT scan, endoscopy, ultrasound, upper GI test, blood tests, all have come back normal. Now they diagnosed her as eating disorder. I understand that she has some anxiety/fear over eating due to her fullness in the tummy, but it's not due to anything else. Is this a form of eating disorder?
She was admitted to the hospital 3 weeks ago, tube feeding was started on her as she was
malnourished and had lost lots of weight over the months. She is experiencing severe symptoms towards the tube feed. We were told the symptoms should get better over time as she adjusts to the feed, but after a week, she was still feeling awful. She experiences burning in her throat, pain in her chest, stomach, fullness and sick feeling in her stomach, nausea but not able to throw up, she also burped lots with acid reflux coming up. She felt really distressful with the tube. When offered the food, she is not interested at all. She said she feels really full. She has started on the solids 5 days ago with the eating disorder program, she can only eat minimal amounts, she threw up almost on all meals. She was offered anti nausea meds after, have not thrown up but felt lots of discomfort. I can see that she hunches down with lots of discomfort. I wanted to help my daughter but don't know how. Should I get a second opinion on her abdominal fullness? She said the full feeling is not the same as a full feeling when you eat lots of food. When she has a bowel movement, she does feel a little better. I am really lost at this point and desperately wanted to help my daughter.
Any advise you can offer is much appreciated.
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Thank you everyone! Thank you @ken82 for sharing! We met with the drs, they said gastroparesis is rare in children and children with eating disorders would have gastroparesis. I am not convinced that my daughter has eating disorder. It's more so of an underlying condition that makes her unable to eat. Daughter told me it's really hard to eat. They are trying to get her to eat with her symptoms, I can see her hunching down, really uncomfortable in her tummy. It really hurts, I really wish there is a medicine that can relieve of her symptoms. They've given her multivitamin, the laxative and nexum for acid reflux. I was wondering how many days would be required for the Mayo visit if we were to come for a diagnosis? Thank you
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1 ReactionHello @needhelpparent
In order to find out how many days would be required for a diagnosis, I encourage you to follow the link I provided in my other post and give Mayo a call. They can help you understand the appointment process. Here is the link once again, https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international/appointments
On this link regarding international patients, you will see the following information,
"Efficient scheduling
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doctors provide both diagnosis and treatment within the same patient visit. Doctors usually can report diagnostic test results to patients one or two days after testing is completed. The schedule of appointments for tests, physician consultation and treatment can often be compressed into a short period for international patients. This means less time away from home, less expense and more efficient use of patients' and family members' time."
Does this help?
@needhelpparent I'm so sorry your daughter is going through all this! I am 39 and have Gastroparesis diagnosed last year. I went for 2 decades misdiagnosed until I started demanding tests. I got rapidly worse last year and was sent to UW hospital and then referred to Mayo in Minnesota. I live in Wisconsin and it's about 6 hour drive to Rochester. I got a appointment very easily and was told to book a week's stay and I was there for 5 business days. Every day was tests, x-rays, exams, etc... It was exhausting but worth it. Every day was filled with appointments on the campus. Very easy to get around and very helpful staff. It's like a small city. I was already diagnosed with Gastroparesis from my local GI but they weren't sure what to do. Mayo confirmed that diagnosis. I had different tests done including those mentioned with eating a large portion of eggs and bread with a glass of milk and x-rays for the next 2 days every few hours (except overnight). I also had to swallow a pill with 23 tracer pills inside and those were monitored as they traveled through my system. Also blood tests, MRI's, CT's etc. It all depends on your particular case and diagnosis. I have other conditions now because of the disease but each person is different. I stay in touch with my doctor there though the patient portal and if need be, I will go back. My understanding is that there isn't much you can do for this but manage it. I wouldn't hesitate to go there as they are very good and fast with treatment. She'll be in good hands if you go and ask questions!!! Hugs to you and your daughter.
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1 ReactionThank you so much @tykehome for sharing your experiences, appreciate it. I will definitely keep that in mind, I hope she gets through the difficulties. All the best to you and take care!
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2 Reactions@needhelpparent - I totally agree with @tykehome Mayo will take care of your daughter. I have also been evaluated for gastroparesis and other motility disorders. I was a patient at Jacksonville and was referred to Rochester for a second opinion.
I don’t need to see GI at Mayo now after I was diagnosed and treated, but at the time I could call and leave a message and my doctor would call back the same day.
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1 Reaction@needhelpparent - I’m just checking in on you and your daughter. How are things going?
Thank you @astaingegerdm! We are still at the hospital. They are trying to get daughter to eat since that's essential to live. She started eating, not a lot and still not quite herself. I will wait and see how her eating goes. She complains of tummy pain quite often. I will wait and see how her eating goes. Thank you so much for thinking about us. Take care!
@needhelpparent - I’m glad your daughter is in the hospital getting nutrition. Please give us updates if you don’t mind!
Who is your GI doctor at Mayo? I'd like to go as I've having several issues, and I need someone competent to help me.