Always Constipated, But Now 3 Weeks Of The Runs

[azmom3]

We're still waiting on our 2 year old son's GI appointment (next week, finally...4 1/2 months after making the appt.!) , so he is not gluten-free yet. (Bood test has 1 of 3 panels positive)

He had severe diahrrea when solids were first being introduced for several weeks, but has been very constipated ever since...crying "poop, poop, poop" every time right before he goes because it hurts so bad. He only goes every 3-4 days, but would have 3-4 huge ones all in a row every time. It's a cycle we have unfortunately gotten used to.

For the past 3 weeks or so, it has turned back to diahrrea. It's not severe enough where I"m worried about dehydration, but it's happening anywhere from 1-4 times per day and probably 4-5 days per week. (He drinks a lot of water and pees a lot.) It comes out of nowhere sometimes with a very audible explosion and he now tells us after he goes. He has been much more irritable than normal, but has no signs of fever or anything else going on.

Is this typical to go back and forth between constipation and diahrrea? If he' s been constipated for about a year and a half straight, what would cause him to all of a sudden to start having diahrrea? Forgive my ignorance here, but would apple juice cause this? I water it down at least 50/50 and try to keep his intake at no more than 4 ounces per day (can't guarantee that my husband is as good about this though). It just dawned on me today that maybe this is what's causing it, so I'm cutting this out immediately.

[Ursa Major]

I am sorry that your little one has those problems. I have had alternating constipation and diarrhea all my life, unfortunately, that can very well be caused by just celiac disease. But it can't hurt to try eliminating other possible culprits, to see if something else is causing it. I do have my doubts though, that watered down apple juice would be causing diarrhea, not at this age any more (I'd say, possibly if he was a baby).

After testing is complete, will you try going gluten-free, no matter what the results are?

[azmom3]

I am sorry that your little one has those problems. I have had alternating constipation and diarrhea all my life, unfortunately, that can very well be caused by just celiac disease. But it can't hurt to try eliminating other possible culprits, to see if something else is causing it. I do have my doubts though, that watered down apple juice would be causing diarrhea, not at this age any more (I'd say, possibly if he was a baby).

After testing is complete, will you try going gluten-free, no matter what the results are?

Ursula,

Thanks so much for your quick reply! Absolutely, we will be going gluten-free no matter what they tell us. I will definitely be talking to a nutritionist and the doctors for help. His blood work also showed him being allergic to all nuts, milk, and eggs. I'm not sure what else I should have him tested for, but everything on the first panel came back with a positive. Any suggestions? It sounds like a lot of people on here have multiple allergies along with celiac disease. My son weighed in at 20 pounds 12 ounces at his two year check up last week. Our other two kids weighed that well before their 1st b-day and were always on the high end for their weight. I'm having the toughest time finding clothes that fit around his skinny little belly. We're pretty much down to overalls as everything else just falls off him. He still wears a couple pairs of 6-9 month shorts. So, yes, we have nothing to lose by going gluten-free and after everything I've been learning from this site and just watching him, I would be shocked if he didnt' have celiac disease. How long do you recommend doing the gluten-free diet to see if it works...6 months or so? I know I would probably see some results quickly,but if not, I don't want to waste time when I should be finding out other causes for his lack of weight gain and other symptoms. He was negative for cystic fibrosis. (I had 3 siblings with the disease.) Maybe Chron's is looked into next?

[Ursa Major]

Yes, giving it a good six month try is a good idea. With little kids you usually see amazing results a lot sooner, if they really have celiac disease, probably within a week.

Also, with all his intolerances, I wouldn't even try substituting with anything that has soy in it. It is too likely to cause a problem as well.

Overalls are cute on little kids, and practical, anyway. In the winter little track suits are great, especially under snow suits (okay, I'm thinking Canada here, don't know where you are ). You can always add some elastic to the backs of pants or shorts, or sew your own little shorts. They're a snap to make.

My kids were always awfully skinny, too, but none of them will get tested. Everything falls off my 4-year-old grandson, too. But my daughter refuses to believe that near-diarrhea as his 'normal' bm is NOT normal.

Anyway, I always had to be creative when it came to clothes. How about some little elastic belts, or suspenders? If you can't find those in your stores, try the Internet. Here is the URL to Landsend. If you click on Boys, then 'Toddler Boys', 'Tops and Playsuits', and last 'see all tops and playsuits', and scroll down to the bottom, you'll find the cutest little one piece playsuit, that is guaranteed to look adorable and can't fall off him, since it's all one piece! It will come up with baby sizes selected, click on the right on 'toddler' to get the toddler sizes. Open Original Shared Link

I might get that one for my younger grandson (he is 2), he would look awfully cute!

[skipper30]

axmom3...

We has 2 different dxs with our 3 year old(2 1/2 at the time) of chronic diarrhea and another of chronic constipation! So for us this was normal and at the time of diagnosis, or GI said (take this for what you think it is worth) that is is not unusual for kids with celiac not to be able to empty the bowels completely, because of the damage. Things have gotten SO much better for him now.

Hang in there...you sound like you are doing what you can right now!!

Dallas

[azmom3]

Yes, giving it a good six month try is a good idea. With little kids you usually see amazing results a lot sooner, if they really have celiac disease, probably within a week.

Also, with all his intolerances, I wouldn't even try substituting with anything that has soy in it. It is too likely to cause a problem as well.

Overalls are cute on little kids, and practical, anyway. In the winter little track suits are great, especially under snow suits (okay, I'm thinking Canada here, don't know where you are ). You can always add some elastic to the backs of pants or shorts, or sew your own little shorts. They're a snap to make.

My kids were always awfully skinny, too, but none of them will get tested. Everything falls off my 4-year-old grandson, too. But my daughter refuses to believe that near-diarrhea as his 'normal' bm is NOT normal.

Anyway, I always had to be creative when it came to clothes. How about some little elastic belts, or suspenders? If you can't find those in your stores, try the Internet. Here is the URL to Landsend. If you click on Boys, then 'Toddler Boys', 'Tops and Playsuits', and last 'see all tops and playsuits', and scroll down to the bottom, you'll find the cutest little one piece playsuit, that is guaranteed to look adorable and can't fall off him, since it's all one piece! It will come up with baby sizes selected, click on the right on 'toddler' to get the toddler sizes. Open Original Shared Link

SO CUTE!!! Thanks for the ideas. I'm in Phoenix, AZ...so we'll skip the snowsuits. Unless of course, we head up to the mountains in the winter...it can get well below freezing temperatures just a couple hours north of here.

I might get that one for my younger grandson (he is 2), he would look awfully cute!

[Ursa Major]

SO CUTE!!! Thanks for the ideas. I'm in Phoenix, AZ...so we'll skip the snowsuits. Unless of course, we head up to the mountains in the winter...it can get well below freezing temperatures just a couple hours north of here.

Okay, I guess you won't need little tracksuits, either. But as I said, shorts or shortalls are easy to make if you sew. I like overalls/shortalls for little kids anyway, because I don't like their pants falling down and their bellies hanging out (or unbrushed hair or dirty faces, for that matter..........typical German I guess ).

I hope the testing is done soon, so you can start the gluten-free diet, and your little guy can start gaining a little weight.

[azmom3]

Okay, I guess you won't need little tracksuits, either. But as I said, shorts or shortalls are easy to make if you sew. I like overalls/shortalls for little kids anyway, because I don't like their pants falling down and their bellies hanging out (or unbrushed hair or dirty faces, for that matter..........typical German I guess ).

I hope the testing is done soon, so you can start the gluten-free diet, and your little guy can start gaining a little weight.

I can barely sew a button on, so I'm going to have to pass on making my own, but I agree that shortalls are so cute on little kids. I'm going to have to stick to this and the occasional pair of shorts or pants that have a small enough waistband. HOpefully, this will change soon. I got so excited yesterday when the dr's office called to confirm our appt. for next week. After all this waiting, I finally feel like we might get some answers soon. Like I said though before, regardless of what they tell me, we will be trying the gluten-free diet anyways. I just don't want to do a life changing diet for the rest of our lives without being sure. I will gladly do it with a positive diagnosis given by the dr. or as seen from dietary changes. The pediatric GI we will be seeing was recommended by several people in my area, so I'm hoping that waiting was worth it in our case.

[aprilh]

It takes about 1 year for the gut to heal on a gluten free diet. The gut has to heal before he can start tolerating any of the allergy foods. I would have a complete allergy panel done by enterolab. Get all the allergies OUT and give him time to heal. That's my 2 cents!

My little one who is 2, also weighs about 21 pounds. It wasn't until I discovered my own gluten allergy that I discovered his. My pediatrician and family did not support this at first since there was no dr. diagnosis to "prove" but what better proof is a baby that isn't pooping all the time.

I just started giving my son juice at all - so I say cut it out.

What kind of foods is he/she eating?

[azmom3]

I can't afford Enterolab yet or I would do it. I cut the apple juice out and the diahrrea stopped almost immediately. It's been 3 days w/o pooping though, so I'm afraid we're in for some painful ones coming up soon again.

He eats all regular foods (gluten included until after our GI appt(s)). Right now the doctors (pediatrician and allergy/asthma dr.) would rather have him eating the foods he's allergic to and treating his symptoms than restrict his diet due to his weight concerns. The medications have controlled his symptoms enough that this seems to be the lesser of two evils for us right now. I know everyone may not agree with our decision, but it's what we feel comfortable with, especially seeing his weight drop when taking certain foods out of his diet ). He doesn't eat eggs. He' s very picky about most meats except chicken, although we keep trying different ways of preparing them. He's not a big fan of veggies, so I mince them and mix them in with things. He loves bananas, but doesn't care for other fruit that much (again, we keep reintroducing a variety on a regular basis.) His favorite foods are peanut butter sandwiches, crackers and pizza, which we let him have often to try to pack on calories. We are very anxious to eliminate the gluten and see if his weight will improve once he's able to absorb everything better.

[aprilh]

I can't afford Enterolab yet or I would do it. I cut the apple juice out and the diahrrea stopped almost immediately. It's been 3 days w/o pooping though, so I'm afraid we're in for some painful ones coming up soon again.

He eats all regular foods (gluten included until after our GI appt(s)). Right now the doctors (pediatrician and allergy/asthma dr.) would rather have him eating the foods he's allergic to and treating his symptoms than restrict his diet due to his weight concerns. The medications have controlled his symptoms enough that this seems to be the lesser of two evils for us right now. I know everyone may not agree with our decision, but it's what we feel comfortable with, especially seeing his weight drop when taking certain foods out of his diet ). He doesn't eat eggs. He' s very picky about most meats except chicken, although we keep trying different ways of preparing them. He's not a big fan of veggies, so I mince them and mix them in with things. He loves bananas, but doesn't care for other fruit that much (again, we keep reintroducing a variety on a regular basis.) His favorite foods are peanut butter sandwiches, crackers and pizza, which we let him have often to try to pack on calories. We are very anxious to eliminate the gluten and see if his weight will improve once he's able to absorb everything better.

The allergy foods may be causing his weight problems. At least that was the case for my son. I know its very hard when they are picky and won't eat! Could you try some "alternative" crackers, pizza, etc. so he still thinks he's getting the real thing, but without the gluten? Curious as to why you are waiting to get him on the diet. Can you give him some flax seed oil or fish oil to help move things along? Nordic Naturals makes a kids chewable fish oil. May help his gut.

[azmom3]

The allergy foods may be causing his weight problems. At least that was the case for my son. I know its very hard when they are picky and won't eat! Could you try some "alternative" crackers, pizza, etc. so he still thinks he's getting the real thing, but without the gluten? Curious as to why you are waiting to get him on the diet. Can you give him some flax seed oil or fish oil to help move things along? Nordic Naturals makes a kids chewable fish oil. May help his gut.

We are going the biopsy route and need to keep him on gluten for that. I would rather know for sure now (assuming it comes back positive), than to change his diet forever and never really be sure. It's one thing to be allergic to foods....it's another to have celiac disease. If I know for sure, there would be no question that we would stay gluten-free for life. However, if there's any doubt, we are still trying the gluten-free diet for a while and will make our decision based on dietary response, but will probably have him tested again when he's a little older. If there's any chance that it's allergies or something else, I want to know.