Need Some Help

[Nic]

As I posted earlier this week, my son (6) is back in the throws of a very bad constipation. Since his diagnosis 2 years ago we have had plenty of bouts to constipation but this one strongly resembles what he was like pre-diagnosis. He has not really pooped in about 6 days. He will be fine for a while and then all of a sudden running to the bathroom screaming and holding his butt. The other day he sat for 3 hours without getting up and nothing happened. It is almost like it comes on in attacks. He complains that his butt hurts badly. Here is what I have done so far: he had 3 laxatives over a 3 day period, he is continuously on Miralax (stool softener), he is getting extra fiber through Yummi Bear Fiber, and I have reintroduced acidophilous. Since doing all this he managed to pass a little but he is still very uncomfortable and still not eating. It seems as if the stool is actually right there, he just can't get it out. Not to be gross but is seems soft as well because even if nothing comes out in the toilet, he is still messy. I spoke with the doctor (ped.) and he said give an enima. The ped. GI said give a supository (sp?). I tried the supository and it just pops back out and he screams that it hurts. I won't do the enima. Back when he was like this before, it never worked. During one hospital visit they gave him 4 enimas and nothing happened. We have no success with either one ever and I do not want to put him through it. Does anyone have any other ideas on how to help him?

Nicole

[debmidge]

You probably need to see a pediatric colon specialist.....maybe his spincter muscle is not expanding properly to "let out" waste.

[shayesmom]

  Nic said:

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to help him?

Nicole

Try maximizing the foods on these lists (depending on which ones your son is not allergic/intolerant to).

Foods to treat constipation

Foods that lubricate the intestines:

Alfalfa sprouts, Almond, Apple, Apricot, Banana, Beets, Carrots, Cauliflower, Honey, Okra, Peach, Pear, Pinenut, Prunes (stewed), Seaweed, Sesame oil, Spinach, Walnut

Foods that promote bowel movement

Asparagus, Black sesame seed, Bran from rice, Cabbage, Castor oil, Coconut, Fig, Papaya, Peas, Sweet potato

Flora-Enhancing foods (probiotics)

Acidophilus, Chlorophyll-rich foods: Dark green veggies, Micro-algae (wild blue-green and spirulina);

Dairy yogurt with

[mdzplus2]

I'm sorry your son is having an awful time. I hope things are better now. Have you ever tried using Epson Salt in his bath? You can research that on Google. They sell it at Walmart. Maybe just a long playtime in a tub full of warm water where the salts have already disolved would relax him enough. It's not just the relaxation, the magnesium will actually help resolve the constipation. Poor little guy. I hope things are better now. Best of luck.

[Nic]

  mdzplus2 said:

I'm sorry your son is having an awful time. I hope things are better now. Have you ever tried using Epson Salt in his bath? You can research that on Google. They sell it at Walmart. Maybe just a long playtime in a tub full of warm water where the salts have already disolved would relax him enough. It's not just the relaxation, the magnesium will actually help resolve the constipation. Poor little guy. I hope things are better now. Best of luck.

Hi, I never heard of using epsom salt for this purpose but am willing to try anything. He did eventually poop yesterday which was day 8 of this cycle. But this morning felt he needed to go after breakfast and sat twice but could not go again. I don't understand this at all. It does not make sense that we are always going around with this. I understand that some people are chronically constipated and he does have times where I call it "normal" constipation. That is when he gets backed up and all I need to do is increase his stool softener or try some Senecot and he gets going. This is different. This does not happen as often but it is terrible. He is almost in an attack. The pain comes and goes, he is walking funny, and always holding his butt. He is in and out of the bathroom for hours or sitting on the toilet for hours. He stops eaying and becomes miserable. We go back to the GI on Monday the 12th so I am hoping someone will be able to help him eventually.

Nicole