|
[ Constipation Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
My 4-year-old daughter suffers from chronic constipation. I have tried altering her diet along with giving her Mineral Oil (MO). The MO helps. The problem is, though, if I forget to give it to her for a day or two, we are right back where we started - painful BMs and lots of tears. Everything I've read suggests that MO is NOT habbit-forming so, I don't understand why this happens. I don't know what else to do! Please help!
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
I'd make sure the water is up (not juices, but water) and lot's of fiber. My girlfriend made it a religion to give her kids apples and "Fiber Cookies" each day (bought at a health food store)
Michele
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
Hi
My son had this until we found out dairy was causing it (& his frequent ear infections) after we left dairy off he was fine, now hes 13 he can tolerate it now & again. Magnesium &/or vit c would help too!
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
it will give you a good program to follow while you learn what may be causing her constipation.
You don't say how you altered her diet. What exactly does she eat each day?
MO is not addictive so what is happening suggests that the cause of her constipation has not been addressed. As long as it is not addressed, she will need help.
~~~8>
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
Hi, I.
Listen to Labrat, Shaz & Michele.
Read the stool witholding protocol on the home page CAREFULLY.
Let us know what you learn and how she does.
Walt
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
My daughter had this issue and I must say it is such a horrible thing to watch your child suffer through. The mineral oil and metamucil combination works great. Dr. Stoll helped me through this time and he has great advice. The key is to get the right amount of the metamucil and Mineral Oil together. The MO alone will not do the trick. I tried that also. I would put the original flavored metamucil in muffins for her breakfast. She never knew it was in there. Then I would give her the MO and watered down juice. That seemed to get things moving. I would also allow her to have a mid afternoon snack of another muffin and do the same thing again. Once she realized that it was not going to hurt or she would not have to strain and work so hard to go to the bathroom the problem resolved itself. If you don't seem to be able to get the MO and Metamucil in her enough you can ask your doctor about "Miralax". It worked really well. Dr. Stoll finally made me realize that the long term effects of the chronic constipation was far worse than the possibility of a dependancy on a laxative. The Metamucil and MO is the best to use and Miralax I would opt for second. Good Luck. My daughter had been great for a year; however, I watch very carefully and if she has gone a day or two I pull of out the muffin mix, metamucil and MO.
In Reply to: Re: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by ds on March 08, 2003 at 08:12:30:
Thanks, DS.
Perfect experiential description of the problem and it's solution!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
Please know that you are not alone!!! No one likes to talkt about constipation and withholding stool in our children. I have a 6 and 4 year old (girl and boy) who both experienced constipation and progressed to withholding their stools. This was unbelievable to me since I try to feed them a reasonable diet and they drink water and eat fresh fruits and veggies daily. Mineral oil worked for me in helping to pass the withheld stool, but didn't end the constipation problem. Now both my children take Miralax, a prescription laxative that is a powder you mix with juice or water. There is no taste and my understanding is it draws water into the stool (similar to Dr. Stoll's description of Metamucil). With my 4 year old, a sticker chart works very well. We try to sit on the toilet after supper each night (if he hasn't gone earlier). A set time really helps, so we don't forget to try to go. Most times, he goes and puts a sticker on his chart. At first, he got a reward after about 15 stickers, then it was more like a month. (he chose a Thomas train to work towards getting and we drew a picture on the chart.) Now, He just puts a sticker on the calendar each day when he "poops" that day. (even if he goes twice, it is still one sticker, just to remind him that he has gone that day.) After 2 to 3 months, a reward will be something like a trip to ChuckECheeses, or a Mcdonald's with a playland. This is working very well for him. If I know we will be eating a binding food, I increase his dose of Miralax just a bit. He is currently on a half dose and we will very very gradually reduce it. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT NOT TO GO TOO FAST!!! A single hard stool will set you back to the very beginning and you will have to start all over. Trust me, I know. Miralax has been a miracle for us and even though I prefer not to have my kids on medicines, right now it is better than the alternative. I am also adding more and more whole foods into our diet. I wish you good luck, and feel free to post here again if you would like my email to converse further!! Linda
In Reply to: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 07, 2003 at 15:47:23:
Hi again! I know I am wordy and I apologize. Hope things are going okay in your battle. I have thought of some other things you may want to consider. Remember, all children are different and you know your child best. I am simply sharing my experience with my kids. I must be very vigilant in watching what my children ingest and avoiding things that constipate them by drying, hardening or bulking up the stool. Here's a tricky one we discovered: has your child taken cold or allergy medicine? Decongestants and antihistamines don't just dry up the nose, they can dry out the intestines as well, drying up and hardening the stool. This happens every time my daughter takes cold medicine and I must compensate with more water, and sometimes increasing her dose of Miralax (laxative.) Also, here's a list of things that bind up my kids: applesauce, apple juice! (yes, it used to cause diareah, but now I only serve it mixed with some prune juice) bananas (we can never eat them!!) chocolate!!! (watch this!) cheese, pizza, dairy products (we limit them), apples if peeled. This is only a partial list, but some of the things are surprising! People tell me I'm nuts, that apples and apple juice can't cause constipation, but in my kids they do! I try to serve more pears, peaches, berries, white grape peach juice, whole grain pastas and breads, and again, severely limit chocolate and dairy. It is hard, because I don't always know what my daughter gets at school for snack, but it always includes milk, and often is cheese, yogurt, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, etc. All things I try to avoid!!! Again, maintain vigilance! I suggest keeping a diary or journal of bowel movements, diet and dosages of any MO, or laxatives taken. Hang in there and do what you need to do and don't listen to people who haven't gone through this! It is not your fault!!! Linda
In Reply to: Re: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by Linda on March 11, 2003 at 08:33:04:
Linda, thank you so much for your encouragement and shared experience! I really appreciate it! The fact that decongestants might cause constipation REALLY surprised me. And, in fact, my daughter has been taken a lot of that this winter with the colds and allergies and all. I will keep this in mind. I try to alter her diet as much as I can and limit the amounts of foods she shouldn't be having. The MO works fine, but it JUST KILLS ME that she has to take it EVERY SINGLE DAY or else (she doesn't really mind, but still...). What is the bottom line, though? Do kids just grow out of it at some point??? I would really like to know that there is light at the end of this tunnel. Thanks again so much!
In Reply to: Re: Chronic Constipation in my 4-year-old posted by I.Derg on March 11, 2003 at 14:32:21:
Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!! However, for me that has meant daily Miralax, and for now I am okay with that. Improving our diet is an ongoing process and until I am convinced my children are old enough to handle their own bowel problems, I will keep them on it. I will gradually reduce dosage and continue to keep my diary of "triggers" etc. I included my email - feel free to get in touch anytime you need to vent or just hear from someone who has been there. I have lots of tips for things I did when my children were in the middle of a withholding episode, or the MO caused bowel leakage,or they got sore bottoms, etc. (Sorry so graphic, but that's how it is!) Thankfully, my children have been problem free for four complete months, and they are much happier people when they are not constipated!!! You are in my thoughts.
|
[ Constipation Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |