Constipation Archives

Update on Chronic Constipation protocol - 1 year later

I've been looking forward to this moment - the year anniversary (as of 2/20) of my 12-year-old daughter being on your program to get rid of her chronic constipation. I feel that after a year I can finally write a testimonial for the bulletin board.
Just to recap, taking your advice we eliminated dairy products, and started her on Metamucil and Kondremul, and acidopholus. We did a stool sample in the beginning which confirmed your diagnosis of dysbiosis (so severe it was off the charts - bacteria and a parasite). We started out with Grapefruit Seed Extract and took HY's advice and gave her Primal Defense and later Flora Source probiotics. She gradually improved and as she started going almost every day we gradually cut down on the Metamucil and Kondremul - and finally cut it out. Going only once a day worked for her and I'm thrilled with the result.
(This week is an off week for some reason, but hopefully she'll get back on track.)
I just wanted people to know that this protocol really does work and that you, Dr. Stoll, were able to diagnose her and help her when other doctors, including a gastroenterologist, could not. For that I thank you with all my heart.
For everyone out there who has a child with a stool withholding problem, this is my advice. 1) please read Article No. 24 in the Articles on Health section on the first page of this website and follow that procedure. That way you'll get immediate help; 2) If you have an older child and the problem has gone on for years and is serious, go to a naturopath and ask for a stool sample kit - we used Great Smokies. Then read the archives about probiotics; 3) Get the child tested for food sensitivities - in our case there was a sensitivity to dairy; 4) Consider getting a good chiropractor. S/he gets to know your child's body and can keep tabs to see if things are moving along and if the body is in balance, and can also tell if the sensitivities are improving with time after eliminating the offending foods; 5) Don't underestimate your child. I did, and I was in for a surprise. I never imagined that she would actually cooperate with the food elimination, reading package labels, taking all those horse pills, drinking that yucky mineral oil, keeping a daily calendar and drinking lots of water and herbal tea - yet she did. She also started opening up and talking more about it; 6) Expect this to take several months, and that there may be setbacks along the way. If there are setbacks, don't think that you're back to square one; 7) When your child gets regular, don't, and I repeat DON'T suddenly eliminate the metamucil and mineral oil or there will most definately be a setback. Week by week lessen the amount of both substances as subtly as you can, even if it takes months to stop it completely; 8) Of course, give your child lots of praise for being so mature and courageous to help him/herself, and especially if s/he has finally gotten into the habit of stopping an interesting activity to go to the bathroom instead of waiting and withholding. That's a big step forward.
We felt so alone when we had this problem and finding this bulletin board helped us more than I can say. It's been a great comfort to me and others with this problem. Thank you again, Dr. Stoll, for all your help and also to HY for specific answers about probiotics, etc. I will never forget the help and concern shown by the members of this bulletin board. Sorry for this rather long post!

Re: Update on Chronic Constipation protocol - 1 year later

Re: Update on Chronic Constipation protocol - 1 year later TESTIMONIAL

Re: 1 year later - For Barbara