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What Causes Diarrhea And Upper Abdominal Pain?

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Posted on Sat, 13 Sep 2014
Question: My daughter (age 15) has been having stomach issues every morning for 2 weeks. She is not pregnant. She gets better as the day goes on. A friend (who is a doctor) suggested she try taking a benadryl and pepcid at night before bed. It worked like magic for the past week!! I forgot to give it to her last night and out of the blue this morning, she started vomiting (pretty severely). Any idea what could be going on?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need some more information sir, thank you

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would like to start by asking if she has any of the following listed symptoms along with the vomiting:
-Heart burn
-Chest pain
-Dry cough
-Difficulty swallowing
-Change or hoarseness of voice
-Abdominal pain (if yes, where exactly)
-Bitter taste in mouth at times
-Regurgitation of food or other substances in the mouth
-Feeling or sensation of something stuck in the throat
or any other symptoms.

Could I also ask what you meant by 'stomach issues' in your query so I can better understand what she is going through. Did she have a fever anytime during these 2 weeks? Did she eat outside prior to developing her first symptoms? If so, does she remember what it was? Thank you so much for the information, I am sure it will greatly help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (14 hours later)
Thank you. During the time before I started to give her the Pepcid and Benadryl at night she also had diarrhea and stomach pain (in the morning also). The stomach pain was in the upper abdomen and went around to the lower left side but mostly upper. I asked her about the other symptoms and the only one she has regularly is the regurgitation of food when she tries to eat in the morning... Says it's really hard to get it down. I gave her the meds last night and she is fine again this morning. She did have a minor fever 99.7 the first and second day this started but not since. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Confirmed gastric condition, needs diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Thank you so much for that information, it is really good information.

I have to highlight a few of the points that seem to be really helpful from the information provided by you:
-Upper abdominal pain
-Symptoms relieve after taking antacids and benadryl
-Regurgitation of food
-Abdominal pain
-Diarrhea
-Vomiting
-Fever intermittently
-Difficulty in swallowing

These symptoms confirm the presence of a gastrointestinal condition, and is most probably one of the following conditions:

-Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
-Gastritis
-Lower esophageal abnormalities
-Achalasia cardia
-Hiatus hernia
-Esophagitis
and a few other possibilities.

I would recommend a few investigations sir, but please understand that there exists some underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed and not blindly treated. The recommended investigations include:
-24 hour pH monitoring
-Upper endoscopy
-Erect chest x-ray
and other investigations your doctor might recommend for your daughter. My only concern right now is that a diagnosis has not been made. Because once a diagnosis is made, treatment is not really a difficult task sir.

I hope and pray we can diagnose and accordingly treat your daughter. Please feel free to keep in touch with me at all times, keep me updated and also do not hesitate to ask me anything that you do not understand or need to know.

Best of luck sir.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Thank you. I will make her another doctor appointment to try to find the underlying cause.
In the meantime, can I keep her on the Benadryl/Pepcid at night for now?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes sir, please do continue them

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Yes sir, please do not discontinue these medications sir. As long these medications help, please continue them. Either way, for all of the above mentioned possibilities pepcid and medications belonging to the same group will/should be prescribed as part of the treatment regimen.

Please keep in touch and keep me updated sir. I am always here to help.

Best of luck and God bless your family.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Diarrhea And Upper Abdominal Pain?

Brief Answer: Need some more information sir, thank you Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would like to start by asking if she has any of the following listed symptoms along with the vomiting: -Heart burn -Chest pain -Dry cough -Difficulty swallowing -Change or hoarseness of voice -Abdominal pain (if yes, where exactly) -Bitter taste in mouth at times -Regurgitation of food or other substances in the mouth -Feeling or sensation of something stuck in the throat or any other symptoms. Could I also ask what you meant by 'stomach issues' in your query so I can better understand what she is going through. Did she have a fever anytime during these 2 weeks? Did she eat outside prior to developing her first symptoms? If so, does she remember what it was? Thank you so much for the information, I am sure it will greatly help. Best wishes.