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Dear Walt: (and anyone else willing to help!!!)
I am desperate for help. I have a 3 1/2year old son who has been seeing a GI for 3 years. The diagnosis is functional constipation (but I'm not even sure that's correct). -However the cause has so far eluded doctors - several of them, from some of the best hospitals around the country. Since the symptoms presented themselves at about 8 months of age, doctors have tried various prescriptions of lactulose, ducolax, senokot, milk of magnesia, and miralax. - So far to no avail - or at least not the result I'm looking for. - He either doesn't react at all, or gets gassy, bloated, or he just goes/leaks stool all day long. - NEVER a discreet/distinct bowel movement. The doctors are quick to say it must be anatomical because my son was born with a tethered spinal cord which was repaired through surgery a few months after birth. So, the default assumption is that it must be something wrong because of the birth defect. As his mother, I am almost certain it is otherwise. For several months after his surgery he had perfectly normal bowels. (To further complicate matters, I know they were normal because I have an older child whose bowels were not normal - a problem that was later solved with a regimen of Kondremul). My second child didn't start showing symptoms of ineffective bowels until about 8-9 months of age - when various solid foods and vitamin supplements were introduced (this all seems so clear in hindsight). - But because of his medical history, the doctors moved us immediately into high end testing at hospitals rather than taking the route of examining his diet changes. -- (In the interim I have all but confirmed that my other two children - one older and now one younger - had very adverse reactions to milk -- and my 3rd child didn't have any pre-existing medical condition to blame it on).
My problem is this, I'm so far along in his introduction of foods to his system, and his system is so far gone in getting itself out of whack, I don'tknowhow to proceed, or if it's possible to proceed on the two fronts at once. -- I want to find out if there is an offending substance (most likely milk or wheat) - but at the same time I need to get him/keep him really cleaned out so that his system/muscles can regain some tone and go back to their normal size - so that I can see any results. UGH. I'm desperate.
I'm still working with the GI and waiting to meet with a nutritionist to discuss possible allergies/elimination diet.
I am looking for any other thoughts, suggestions from anybody with these experiences (medical issues aside).
HOw much mineral oil can I give him? How do I get him to take it?
How impossible is it to conduct an elimination diet in a house with 3 kids under the age of 6?? I am committed to trying it & doing it right -- I just need some help.
Thank you enormously.
Molly
In Reply to: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by molly on January 05, 2003 at 23:28:46:
Food allergies may be a good place to start. Seeing a nutritionist to dial in the right diet seems like a smart idea, too. Why keep waiting? There are listings over the internet of companies that can detect food allergies with a a small finger prick you can do at home and send in. What is his diet like now?
In Reply to: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by molly on January 05, 2003 at 23:28:46:
Hi, Molly.
In MY opinion, the only real accurate test is the elimination/provocation test for hypersensitivities. I would start with dairy, then wheat and then both together.
Since you will only have to try each trial for a couple of weeks you just have to get the family to cooperate for that long to find out if this will help. At least at this age you still have total control over what he eats.
Kondremul IS 50% mineral oil.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by justathought on January 06, 2003 at 07:10:51:
His diet isn't terrible. It's not necessarily winning awards either. Good amount of fruits and vegetables, will eat whole wheat products -- which should of course be great for fiber, but what if wheat is the culprit. He doesn't like to drink a whole lot right now - because he knows almost everything he's served is a chemistry experiment of some sort.
How much mineral oil can I give him? Does it have to be at bedtime? Any great tips on masking it to get it into a 3 year old? Any fiber supplement options other than 3 Tbsp. (??) of Metamucil a day? - Do the fibercon tablets work as well??
Thanks.
Molly
In Reply to: Re: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by molly on January 06, 2003 at 11:05:50:
<< He doesn't like to drink a whole lot right now - because he knows almost everything he's served is a chemistry experiment of some sort. >>
Try getting 64 ounces of water down him per day. It should be like passing through the gates of Hell, but it'll help! I went through that, and it wasn't easy, but we did it.
Feed him healthy food at each meal. If he doesn't eat it, and you keep offering healthy food, eventually it will find its way into his tummy and he'll probably find out that it even tastes good!
<< How much mineral oil can I give him? Does it have to be at bedtime? Any great tips on masking it to get it into a 3 year old? Any fiber supplement options other than 3 Tbsp. (??) of Metamucil a day? - Do the fibercon tablets work as well?? >>
Get ANY amount of mineral oil (MO) down him. Aim for several TBSP of MO if you can. You're supposed to do it at night, b/c it wipes out certain vitamins. Could you mix it in with applesauce or puree it with a banana? Soak it into toast before bed? MO freezes into foods very nicely and I found that you can get a few TBSP in them that way.
You might also notice an orange oily stain coming out with his BMs. Wash that off his bummie b/c it can make his skin itchy.
Don't ever force MO since it can be breathed into the lungs and then you'll have bigger problems.
Do your best with the Met. We found that even a small amount did wonders.
Good luck. It is stressful, but it sounds like you're on the right track! :-)
In Reply to: Re: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by Once Had a Kid With Encopresis on January 06, 2003 at 17:09:09:
Thanks, Once!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: 3 1/2 year old on laxatives for 3 years -- HELP - milk allergy? posted by molly on January 05, 2003 at 23:28:46:
My 6 yo daughter had problems with constipation, and Walt suggested the MO and Metamucil regime....I put the MO in with OJ in a sippy cup, she couldn't see it, taste it or smell it, so there was never a problem with taking it. She is still taking the Metamucil in OJ 2x day. Good luck, I know its a long road, but its so worth it.....my daughter is much better. The 64 oz of water is a good idea, too.
Hope this helps.....Carolyn
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