Tantrums, Unexplained Weight Gain, Skin Issues, Constipation-what's Happening?

I have to say my first thought was some type of a food allergy, possibly glueten or celiac disease. I think it's time to find another pediatrician and find someone who will actually listen to you. good luck!

I feel as though I'm in your skin! in many ways, we went through the same. please, please try going gluten-free - it might change your life. Our son has had GI issues since 6 months- severe constipation (still on miralax) we did everything, went to every doctor (four hospitals) did the barrium enema etc.- all of this made him more active/hyper and NO sleep... finally we went to a pediatric holistic chiropracter (love ours in NBPT) and this absolutely helped his behaviour and digestion and then it was recommended to us to put him on a gluten-free diet even though he didn't test positve for celiac in his blood test. We then got a dieticien and now Benjamin is on low-sugar, low-dairy, gluten-free and our lives have dramatically improved- he still has belly issues- but they are so much more reduced and he actually sleeps through the night half the week- if he goes off diet his behaviour is immediately affected and he writhes all night long, waking up. He finally seems alert and undrestands his "allergies" as we call them- our dietician has been wonderful and the docs gave us no answers until we went for our last visit to Children's who said the only thing the recommend is to take him off of additives and preservatives- what a difference! It is a very expensive diet but it works for us. He is three and he has mild sensory processing issues but between ear tubes/adnoid surgery and this very strict diet and now we'll start OT for sensory- he is a wonderfully improving, much happier- mostly pain-free boy! At first, no doc thought gluten-free was warranted but with all his diet items I was willing to try anything and lal the suggestions just proved to make him better. The diet takes at least 6 weeks to really show improvement, but within a week or two we started seeing things that made it worth keeping on the diet. Eczema is one of the primary signs of food allergies- what our son has is sensitivies- and gluten can cause depression in gluten-sensitive people (myself included) and since it is n't an allergy, the only way to find out what is tolerated is the elimination diet. We also find out that soy is highly toxic to him- and he had been drinking soy milk for about six months! I can recommend our docs to you if needed- its worth a try, but don't give up- give it 8 weeks. it's so hard, but it might change her life. It sounds like she either has celiac, food intolerances, or food allergies

Hi T.,
I understand how you may feel. My sister-in-law always struggled with very similiar situations growing up. She was always very sensitive to anything not going her way(like the toothpaste thing you mentioned). She would very quickly change moods and always seemed upset about anything. She too gained a lot of weight and had random spurts of excema and rashes. She also always seems very tired and for a child her age (she should not have been sleeping all night and all day whenever she could). Her doctor thought that she was going through a growth spurt and that it was nothing also, but being so determined knowing that something was wrong she saw every specialist possible, even if her primary care doctor did not agree.
Finally years later and after seeing an allergy specialist, they did determine that she had tons of allergies and sensitivities to foods that she was eating on a daily basis. Some of these things you could never imagine being allergic too it is so rare. She is allergic to rice, wheat, oatmeal, dairy, lots of fruits, beef, chocolate, eggs, gluten and much more. Some of these foods would cause constipation, stomach upset and diarrhea. Some food sensitivities she had would cause mood changes and depression too. This explained a lot of her behaviors. Now that she knows the things she cannot eat, she is feelnig much better and actually smiles a lot more. The little things don't bother her anymore and she seems to enjoy life again.
I am telling you all of this not to scare you, but because doctors don't know you and your child as well as you do. It could be allergies or something else. Go with your gut! If you feel there is something wrong, there is no reason not to get other opinions and try other doctors. If they all find nothing...then good! At least if you try, they may find something as simple as an allergy to a common food she is eating.
I wish you the best of luck;)
C.

T.,

What you are describing in appearance and behavior really seems like an allergic reaction to something she is eating. I would have her tested. Has her dr tested her? If not, you might want to try a new dr. Things even just as simple as food coloring and high fructose corn syrup can cause major mood swings and skin issues.

After having written this, I just noticed that you mentioned she was born with constipation. Not sure what that would mean, but maybe you were eating foods or taking medicine that she is allergic to when you were pregnant.

Just some thoughts to consider...

It could possibly be an allergy or intolerance to dairy/milk? Also have you looked into celiac disease?
I know too much dairy can cause constipation and an allergy can cause eczema. My son has many food allergies and had terrible eczema. Once i eliminated the allergens from his diet, his skin cleared dramatically.

i think it is important to be your daughter's advocate. I also think her pedi should be more supportive of your research and not feel threatened by it. Perhaps you could get a second opinion/change doctors.

My mom always tells me how, when I was a toddler, I was similar to your daughter. She cut out all artifical ingredients (Google the Feingold Diet) and I did a 180. It doesn't work for everyone, but with the skin issues and emotional issues I would definately give it a shot. Nothing to lose, right?

doctor Saryan (sp) over at Children's and Lahey sees our kids. I give my kids a liquid magnesium/calcium supplement that takes care of the constipation. One of the biggest misconceptions about constipation is that if you eat more vegetables it takes care of the constipation. This is a falsehood. If you eat more vegetables high in magnesium (and flax seeds or some sort of EFAs) it takes care of the constipation. Otherwise roughage just blocks you up.

Also allergies affect sleep which affects mood.

Best.

Because you have already done a lot of research on your own, and through your doctors to rule out other issues- I think it would be a good idea to do food sensitivity testing (should include milk/dairy- which may involve casein or lactose intolerance, peanuts, soy, eggs, wheat, corn, and basic glutein). You can contact me directly about ordering these tests- I am a naturopath. There is also a condition called celiac disease which has its own blood tests- about 3 of them. Ask your doctor to do this if it has not been done already.

Good luck to you and your daughter- you may possibly see momentous changes by identifying and avoiding an offending food.

You are a paying customer and you are allowed to go to any doctor you want. If your doctor doesn't like you doing your own research, it's only because you might challenge him and make him think a little! Find a new one. A naturopath is more likely to be able to help with these kinds of issues anyway.

Have you looked at possible gluten and/or casein intolerance? I would STRONGLY recommend trying a period of elimination of those two foods and see how she does. I have seen it completely change children's personalities and health, along with removing junk like artificial colors and corn syrup.

I wish I had some answers. I feel like I have just a few possibilities but nothing concrete.

My first thought is some sort of food response to me--milk (eczema) or something else. There are blood tests for all sorts of allergies these days. It could be a relatively easy way to rule out some possibilities.

Some kids deal with stress by not pooping. They hold it. However, the longer the BM's are in their bodies, the more moisture is absorbed, making them harder to eliminate. Does she have a regular pattern for eliminating? Although if she has had this since birth, stress may not be the answer.

This is sort of a long-shot, but do you have any history of depression or ADD/ADHD in your family? Our son is on the borderline of ADD (not medicated) and my sisters and I all take medication for depression. His response to things makes me wonder if he'll be heading down that path as he gets older. It is truly just part of him from the get-go. (I used to think it was something I was doing, but I have become aware that some aspects of kids' personalities are just hard-wired from the beginning.)

Lastly, do you have other options for pediatricians? It's important for you to be an informed consumer. And if being an informed consumer threatens your doc, it sounds like it is time to change to someone else. You should be a team with him or her in finding some answers, not at odds with each other.

Good luck! And keep seeking answers.

I would strongly suggest you have her thyroid checked - it is a simple blood test - if it is not functioning correctly it can be managed with medication.

I do not have any advice for the specific issues you mentioned, but the last couple lines of your post really got me. If your doctor does not support your researching issues on your own and is unwilling to consider options you bring to him/her, then it is time for a second opinion. I know it is hard, but I would be finding a new doctor who is willing to explore issues besides diet and exercise. What you have described is not normal and it must break your heart to watch. Good luck.

I am so sorry to hear you and your daughter are going through this, and while i don't have any answers, I can relate. My daughter will be 4 on the 23rd of this month and has had many of the same issues. Dramatic weight gain, skin problems, and some tantrums. Like your daughter, we have had her thyroid, and in our case, her glucose tested..both came back normal! Nutritionist says she is eating how she should be as well. She did have constipation issues as an infant, but grew out of the regularity of the bouts, and now only has trouble going once in a great while. I too have been searching for answers, and while i don't have any right now, I just thought it would be nice to have someone to connect to as we strive to find some relief for our daughters. We can keep each other posted with any new information we might find.

T.~
It looks like you have gotten a lot of good responses on your post. I agree with everyone’s thoughts on food and finding a doctor that will work with you to improve your daughters overall health. I think it is important to note that while doctors do a wonderful job at keeping our children well, they have little to no nutritional training. The latest research suggests that 40% of doctors take a nutrition course, so it seems strange that we are conditioned to seek their advice when it comes to nutrition. Most illness that can not be linked to a direct cause is a result of diet. Your daughter’s symptoms all point to diet.

I am a health counselor and in my experience, skin issues, constipation are both a symptom of a food allergy/intolerance. I agree with an earlier post suggesting removing all additives and chemicals from your daughter's diet. Some children are extremely sensitive to these substances. You should also consider doing a rotation diet with your daughter and eliminate the biggest allergens-wheat, dairy, soy, corn and citrus. You can take each one out one at a time for 7 days. After the seven days introduce the food back in. If the reintroduction of the food causes a the symptoms to flare up you have your answer. If not, remove the next one and follow the same process. You may find several of the foods cause a reaction, which would mean she has an allergy/sensitivity to more than one. This is the best way to determine a food allergy. Often we try to determine food allergies by blood tests and skin testing. This process only considers one type of allergic reaction. The rotation diet works and there is never a false +/-.
If you want more information on this process feel free to contact me. The most important thing for you to do is trust your intuition, you know your daughter better than any nutritionist or doctor.
www.nourishingthepeasandthepod.com

T., I am so sorry for you and you little girl. When I started reading your post the first thing I thought was DAIRY!! I'm no expert, but I've also done a lot of research on food sensitivities and how the effect our health. I have not met a doctor yet who gives much support to it, (although I am sure there must be some) but keep going in that direction. Gluten and sugar are other big culprits!I would suggest looking at the Morter healthcare website: http://www.morter.com/to see if there is a B.E.S.T. practitioner in your area. They can do food sensitivity testing through muscle response and can evaluate what is stressing your child's system non-invasively!! My kids actually think it's fun, and they feel better in the end! This is not a quick fix, but It sounds like you nay be oon the right road. Keep at it!! I pray she is well soon!

Hi T.
I read your profile and relate to your Relay for Life passion. My mom died of lung cancer at 65 yrs old. That's way too young!
I too was constipated as a child into adulthood. I started taking Reliv nutritional supplement and it is gone. If I stop taking my shakes-it comes back. I also have friends you can connect with that have had great results with their children and several different issues. I can hear your frustration when the medical community fails to answer our questions.
They often do not include nutrition in our solutions.
GO figure!
J. H

My first thought is also possible food allergies as well as celiac disease. Has she ever been tested for food allergies? The eczema is a big red flag for allergies. The constipation as well. While her diet might seem OK, it could be full of foods that she is sensitive to. Food allergies can cause all sorts of negative behaviors as well- little bodies can't deal with the internal upset and discomfort and children act out, become irrational, and more.

If I were you, I would see a pediatric allergist immediately. Request a full panel of testing as well as the bloodwork for celiac disease.

Second, get a new primary care physician- either a new ped or a new family practice doc. Caring for children is a partnership between doctor and parent/child. It is not a dictatorial and disrespectul relationship. GET OUT if it is. You and your daughter do not deserve that treatment. Run, don't walk, away. If you are open to seeing a doc other than a ped, try a family practice doc and/or a naturopath. In my experience, they are usually alot more open minded than pediatricians.

If you still have behavioral concerns (the crying/meltdowns) you could take her to a developmental pediatrician for an evaluation. We have seen quite a few with my son and the visits are really enlightening regarding behaviors and why they happen for each child. Another thought I had was that possibly your daughter has some sensory processing issues and is having trouble regulating herself- hence the meltdowns when things aren't "just so". It can be very common for sensory issues and allergies/celiac to go hand in hand.

I am sorry you are dealing with unsupportive docs and all of this frustrating. I hope you can find some better answers soon... you and your daughter sure do deserve better treatment. {Hugs}

C.

As a child I always was very constipated! I tried everything as I grew into a adult! A friend of mine had some one tell them to try this simple supplement! I thought what the heck I have tried every thing else!! I tried it and it worked! Here what you need to try!! Go to the drugstore and buy Magnesium make sure it doesn't have calcium with it! Then buy B6! Go online and do a google search on children taking magnesium and it should tell you what dosage amount! I have been taking this for over a year now and feel great!! I go every day or every other and it doesn't hurt like all the rest of the stuff I tried!! It should improve her weight and skin problems and her moodiness!! Good luck! Let me know how it helps her!!

yes, it is all related to a food sensitivity: sounds like gluten intolerance.
take her to a naturopath or nutritionist that specializes in food sensitivities, they can do specific tests to determine if your daughter is sensitive(not necessarily allergic) to some foods. Wheat, gluten(in many grains), dairy and sugar are all culprits. Most doctors do not know anything about this. This definitely sounds like a classic case of a food sensitivity. I am a health counselor who has personal experience with this. you can start with an elimination diet: you take out certain foods for a couple of weeks and see if you notice any difference. start with wheat and gluten containing foods, dairy and sugar. get the book digestive wellness for kids by elizabeth lipski. let me know if i can help further.

Try to get an appointment with Dr. Timothy Buie at Mass General. He is a gastroenterologist who has helped our son a lot with similar issues. He does not push drugs unless warranted, uses a common sense approach that's medically sound. If Dr. Buie is booked, get an appt with one of his associates - they consult with him and will get you in to see him if necessary. Good luck!