My 2 year old daughter has a awful time using the bathroom. This has been going on since she was 2 weeks old. She is on MIRALAX and is taking 3/4 capful 2x daily. It always works for a little bit and then it stops. She is having a hard time again and I am just so fusturated. We are even having her eat a high fiber diet. Our doctor says it could be a medical issue. Has anyone else gone through this or is having the same problem? I will take any advice!
Part 2
Everyone is giving great advice but I guess I should have given some more info. She was on a hypoallerginic formula which actaully helped. She is now on a soy milk (she just can't handle cows milk at all). They say she is not allergic to milk but she gets 10x worse on cows milk, yogurt, cheese etc. We are not only giving her the laxative but Fibersure also if she doesn't meet the 7g they want her to get during the day of fiber. The doctor said for most kids it is a fiber issue but since this has been going on for so long there may be something else adding to it. We had a barium enema done on her but it just showed that she has a really long colon and that she was really backed up. She doesn't go back until Oct. 30th but I will update you after that. Please keep the advice coming!
Also, the juice, mineral oils, enemas -all that good stuff just does not work for her. It's kinda like the miralax, it works a couple of times but then stops.
Well Emily had her doctors appointment yesterday and they have added a second laxative(she can only be on it for 3 weeks) and did a ton of blood work. He really seemed suprised that the Miralax wasn't working (mostly because she is on such a high dose).I am very curious to see what the blood tests show. I know he is looking for quite a few things. Hopefully we will have them by the end of the week.
I want to thank everyone for the advice and if you have any other ideas or comments please post them. I'm sure if the blood tests show nothing, I will post again becasue I am so fustrated!
M.,
I have a 7 year old daughter that has the same problem,she has been on MIRALAX for a few years now she has to keep taking it or she will really get constipated she was born @ 25 weeks so hers is from prematuarity the doctor said but I know where you are coming from.
When my daughter, who is also 2, gets constipated I give her apple juice or any very sweet juice. In this case I dont know how well it will work, but its worth a try. Experiment with different amounts. Since the case is extreme, I would give her 8oz. a day. Hope that helps, K.
When you say "high fiber" what do you mean? I was having constipation issues related to pregnancy (I'm 36 weeks), and I started eating a half cup of yogurt with a half cup of natural granola a day. That's worked wonderfully so far. I've tried other things, and the granola was the only thing that really worked. Most granolas nowadays come sweetened to be used for cereal, so you can eat them with just milk as well. (They tend to soften up a little more in milk than yogurt.)
Your situation sounds very similar to ours. At around age 2 1/2 my oldest daughter (now 10) started having horrible stomach pains. She would double over and scream out in pain. We started with our pediatrician then moved on to GI doctor and went through 18 months of hell trying to get someone to diagnose her problem. We tried all sorts of meds, mineral oil. Milk of Magnesia, etc. Nothing worked. She ended up in the hospital three times because her bowel was inpacted. Those were horrible experiences. :( Finally the GI doctor that we saw here said there was nothing more they could do but referred us to a doctor in Pittsburgh at the Children's Hospital there. He is a world reknowned doctor for the treatment of motility disorders. In fact, our doctor here called him the "world's leading authority" of bowel problems in children. So we went to see him and my daughter was diagnosed with what is called Hirschprung's Disease. She has the most rare form, but also the least severe form, which is called Ultra Short Segment Hirschprung's Disease. As far as treatment goes she has had a variety of treatments. She has had botox injections to her sphincter muscle, she has had a rectal myotomy, and currently takes two medication for her disease. She takes Mirilax as you mentioned your child does, but about a year and 1/2 ago is when we saw a HUGE difference when Zelnorm was added. We have been dealing with her bowel issues now for almost 9 years. We have to monitor her closely to make sure she is going regularly, and keep on top of her to take her meds. If you would like me to elaborate more on Hirschprung's Disease is there anyway you could e-mail me directly?? I would be more than happy to share more with you. Your situation sounds so similar to ours that I would be glad to try to help you out. We went through alot and if I can help someone else have not such a rough time I would be happy to do it. :)
M.,
My 5 year old daughter and I have been through the exact everything that you are going through now. Of course, unless you have EXACTLY been through it...the sugestions or ideas aren't very helpful. My daughter started at 15 months, and continued full force until she was 4 and a half. I have some questions for you before I want to get long winded on you. How old was she started this and how old was she when she had the barium enema? I am about 100% sure her problem is psychological...which is harder to treat, but I will certainly be available to help you help her. I wished I had known about this site then or had someone who had been through it to talk with. What you didn't mention is how terrible it is for her. The absolutely horrifing screams out of your poor baby that others cannot identify with or swear something else could be going on. The bleeding due to tearing, inside and out. It is completely unbearable to watch...but you have to support that child and get her through. I anxiously await a bit more info. Also, I joined this group only after my daughter and I had gotten through it...and the only reason I did, is so that maybe one day I could assist someone (YOU) in this. I will be checking my email again on Friday morning about 8am...and will write more if you respond.
A.
You daughter now, could be making the problem worse. If it is painful for her when she does have to go, she might be scared and now be holding it in. That will make to problem worse. There are lots of rememdies though. My daughter gets constipated because of the iron in her formula. Her doc said to giver DARK Karo syrup and that helps sometimes. Also prunes or prune juice or apple and grape juice can help. I found some baby laxative drops at wal-mart They are called little tummies...they work very well. I gave hannah the minimum dose and she had a b.m. about an hour later. Does she eat a lot of cheese? it can be very binding. Has she ever been tested for lactose intolerance? Most people can get diarhea, but I've know a few people that it causes constipation instead.
Hi, M.. First I would have her seen by a doctor who can check to make sure there are no blockages or growths in her bowels and intestines, other than the long colon, you know to make sure the plumbing isn't clogged or blocked. They could be missing something and the only way they can find any of this is to do a colonoscopy.
There are also some very good herbal remedies and formulas on the market. I would contact an herbalist, check the internet and get some books on herbs and their uses. I am not sure but I am sure there is some kind of herbs that can help this situation. I also would look at all the vegetables and fruits, organic of course, to see which ones help promote bowel movements. I also would cut sugar from her diet and push more fluids.
I believe that some of the products we find on our store shelves are so over processed and so many additives that they are causing harmful side effects on our systems.
Hope some of this is useful. Good luck.
my daugther had/has similiar constipation issues...my 3 1/2 yr old is on organic soy milk and does really good with it. I also try to stay away from white bread..white bread is very constipating. When she does seem to have some constipation issue i use super seed. Its made of grains that consist of fiber and to help the bowel movements. It works pretty fast. i just mix it in a sippy or mix it in the peanut butter when i make b&j's. its a powder. when i dont use that i also use primal defence which is a probiotic. it puts good bacteria that the body needs into their system and it helps with regular bowel movement and helps keep the GI tract clean which is important for anyone. if u want anymore info...let me know..hope this helps
Trying giving her unsweetened, pure apple juice. My son used to have awful constipation, and our doctor suggested apple juice. It works great and taste a lot better than the prune juice my mom used to make me drink.
Well I was born with a bad stomach. So was my brother. I now have a slew of problems in that department that have a name. Always have really. I have IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. Causes me to constantly be constipated and fighting with it. Makes bowle movements very hard and not very often. My husband has the same condition ironically enough and his is different. So IBS has many faces. I also have a condition called GP or gastroparesis that contributes to it. I have low to no mobility in my stomach. Meaning it doesn't like to digest anything. Makes my bowels even slower. I have and always have had lots of pain in the entire system. So does my hubby. So I would go to a gastrointerologist. I know there are good ped ones. They can offer better meds and some relief to your poor child! I suffered with this my entire life. I can't eat like everyone else and as I got older it got more upseting. So I suggest you pursue this so that he will have an understandng as to what is wrong and will be use to it from a very young age.
My 2 year old has the same issue. She also has been on miralax and is on one capful once daily. It works when she takes it regularly, but if she even misses a day, she is constipated again and I have to giver her a fleet enema. I have made her an app with a gastro dr to see if there is a medical condition. There are things that I dont give her now because it contributes to the constipation like chocolate, whole milk, cheese, corn...things like that. Also applesauce, which i didnt know. I am just concerened about her being on a laxative everyday, that cant be great for her.
M. I have had this same issue with both of my kids, now 3 and 19mo. When my oldest was born it was bad but when she got alittle older it was worse!!! We tried everything high fiber, no dairy, enema, prune juice. And my mother-in-law had my daughter one day when she was going to the chiropractor and she was telling the dr about everything and he felt her back and said that on of her vertabre was twisted and that was causing it. We went a few times in a row then every month and now it seems to be good. Now if she has a really bad fall we ahve to go again but it's so much better. My youngest went 2 times and had never had to go again. I know it doesn't seem like a good fix and I was very nervous, but our dr is great and I will trust my life with him. If you are interested in knowing more let me know I will be Happy to help!! A.
Sounds like she may have an irratable bowl. Yes it can happen at an early age. Watch her dairy products, you may even want to try her on soy for a carton or two to see how she responds. Make sure she is getting a good intake of juice like apple or even cranberry or the cranapple. Make sure she's getting a good amont for fruit AND veggies and cut down on the dairy a little. Things like oat bread, oatmeal, raisins, cranberry treats can help. I've seen this way too many times with the kids I worked with and it usually end up like a dairy issue. You can always try a non dairy diet for a few days and replace it with soy or goats milk to see if that dosen't help. Average amounts of prune juice can help also but do it in moderation, the results can be nasty.
Hope this was of some help.
Hi M.! I would definitely think ths needed medical attention. It's not healthy to not be able to rid your body of waste. One of my daughters experienced this as well. Fiber, childrens laxatives would not help. First, a doctor should determine WHY? Then combat the problem! The Dr. had my daughter taking doses of mineral oil to allow her stool to pass easily BUT do not do this unless your Dr. recommends it. But please let the Dr. determine what is causing this constipation. It's nothing to play around with.
have her checked for lactose intolerance. my son had that probmle when he was 2 weeks old .nothing the doctors said worked so i changed his milk form good start to similac lactose free and now he if fine and use the bathroom 3or4 times a day instead of 1or2 a week. good luck
Is your daughter anxious at all? I think we underestimate the havocs stress does on our body, even younglings...Water is the best thing i can think of that you haven't mentioned, I know that I noticed that too much iron in my diet can cause the horible pains, and such you have described..hve you tried keeping a diet/emotional journal for your child to see if there are ties between the bowel mmovements and things going on in her diet/life?
