An ER Visit and Answers

Yesterday morning was spent in the emergency room. My daughter has been complaining of abdominal pain, dizziness, chest pains, and headaches for over two months now. At first, it was random. None of the symptoms came up all at once. One day it was chest pains. Several days later it would be stomach pains and dizziness. A week would go by and then she’d mention headaches. We visited with her primary about two weeks ago, and the results came back “ify”. Her EKG results came back fine but she didn’t appear to be outgrowing her asthma. Her other test results showed high levels of white blood cells so they leaned towards an infection. Bladder or UTI; weren’t 100% sure but either would get knocked out with the same medication. So, off we went on our way. We had answers, and that’s all that mattered. 

Then Sunday night there was nothing but tossing and turning. Moaning in pain. Neither of us had gotten much sleep, and as we woke up on Monday she started complaining of the pain. She didn’t want to move, but she had to get ready for school. As she got out of bed, she said, “Mom, my legs feel like jello.” And down she went. So, that sealed the deal. We needed better answers, and I needed to know what I had to do in order to make her feel better. So, I made the decision to take her into the emergency room. This is a last resort for us because our hospital is notorious for being slow & less than helpful. Thankfully we were the only ones there that morning so they were able to get us in right away. After several hours, scans, blood tests, and x-rays we were told that she looked fairly healthy. However, she did have a viral infection and an irritated bowel. Her intestines were also having a hard time digesting and processing her food. So, this told us she was having GI issues, and that the most likely culprit was food allergies. The dizziness and “jello legs” were all just a byproduct of her severe abdominal pain.  

Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be given to her for the pain or the infection. It would just have to run its course. If her pain continues, or get worse then we'll be referred to a Pediatric GI specialist at Cook Children's. For now, it doesn't look like surgery will be necessary, but there may be other options. Until then, we just have to keep track of what she's eating. After some advice from my sister-in-law, I opted to switch over to some gluten-free products. And now we just wait. I'm hoping the diet change is all that needs to be done. Emery, on the other hand, is so over gluten-free and it's been less than twenty-four hours. So, send us some prayers, or good vibes if that's your thing because having a grumpy nine-year-old that consistently talks about how nasty gluten free stuff is and how she's "starving" for real food is already getting old. And again, it hasn't even been twenty-four hours. So, wish me us luck! We're both gonna need it. 

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