Parents of Constipated/Bowel issues kids tribe - Page 2

[cdahlgrd]

This is such a miserable experience! My oldest has these issues and we fought the good fight with tons of fiber, liquids, prunes, etc.

Finally, we resorted to meds. After a full year on Miralax, he finally healed and/or forgot to hold it and he is going mostly on his own. He is 8. I WISH I had put him on Miralax at 2!!!!! I thought I could fix it naturally. . . . not. The amount of fighting, pain, frustration, laundry, etc. was just beyond belief for someone not in this!

SO s to all of you in this!

[SAHDS]

I'm here for support!

DS had a horrid time with his bowels from about 6+ months to until maybe 1/1.5 years ago. I know how awful, painful, sad, messy it is to deal with, Sometimes feeling so helpless. GI visists, milk/molasses enemas, x-rays, endless appointments. Oh, it was so awful for quite a while.

Let's see, we were BIG on green veggies, tons and tons of water, ground flax seed on everything (from yogurt to oatmeal), mineral oil. Beans are very high in fiber, as is bran.

So much didn't work, but those worked pretty well for us.

About the gaining weight, is this an issue? Our DS is super-tiny too, it was a big issue years ago too. Avocado is perfect - high fats and oils (albeit good ones) and really high in fiber (maybe black beans and guac wrapped in a corn tortilla?). Berry smoothies?

[babygrant]

Subbing to this thread.

Don't have a whole lot of time to write now but it's my 3 year old son who has the issues with constipation. When he was a baby it would alternate between constipation and diarrhea. Since he was 1 we have dealt mostly with constipation. Past 3 days he has sat on the potty at LEAST 10 times a day saying he needs to poop but all that comes out is a tiny bit of runny poop. *sigh* I think we need to go back to a dairy, egg, wheat free diet (it helped before) but I can barely afford to buy groceries as it is.....the whole dairy/egg/wheat free thing just makes it 1000 times worse.

Wil write more later.

[KatWrangler]

Angela,

You can have diarrhea and still be constipated.

[babygrant]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Angela,

You can have diarrhea and still be constipated.

I know. I think he's oozing around a plug. It's happened before.

[KatWrangler]

Same here. Even with Miralax and glycerine enemas.

[IloveAllMyBabies]

i have IBS with consipation and well soo i eat alot of high fiber foods and lots of veggies

well i had my son and he seemed to have my same bowl problems soo i kept him only on breastmilk for a full yr cause everytime i tried solids he would get consipated

soo finially we just keep him on high fiber breads but then he got to be a very picky eater soo i had to add powered fiber to his v8 juice he loves to drink

it is just too sad to see him in soo much pain from trying to poop and the other day it was really bad and it made his butt bleed from trying to poop i just keep adding fiber to him juices and that helps most of the time

[leila1213]

I don't have time to read all the posts or to get into our story right now, but we definitely belong in this tribe.

Only trouble is, I have to say WOW about how everyone is on the high fiber bandwagon! I really truly believe this is the OPPOSITE course of action we should be taking!

I will be back to explain more, but for now, please everyone have a look at www.fibermenace.com and see if your eyes don't bug out of your head.

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Here is a great fact sheet on Bowel Continence as it relates to Spina Bifida:

http://www.asbha.org.au/BowelContinence.htm

OMG I have never seen anything like this before! DD doesn't have spina bifida, but she has a pilonidal dimple, which I guess is basically the smallest spina bifida-type defect. I have never been told that it could cause or contribute to the constipation issue!! It never even occurred to me!

Now I feel terrible because I am soooo bad at being consistent with the potty-sitting times. I definitely need to do this on a regular basis. Ugh.

Breathe in. Breathe out. We can do this.

OK, per above I am totally convinced that high fiber does nothing but exacerbate this problem (well, it does give the illusion that it helps, but not for long). Chicken soup has been one of the best things I've found so far. And I know I need to give her fatty foods and probiotics, but she's just not cooperating with any supplements or eating any of the foods I want her to.

But this puts a whole new twist in the plot. I'll have to look into it more. Have to go to bed right now.

[pumpkinhead]

Originally Posted by leila1213

I don't have time to read all the posts or to get into our story right now, but we definitely belong in this tribe.

Only trouble is, I have to say WOW about how everyone is on the high fiber bandwagon! I really truly believe this is the OPPOSITE course of action we should be taking!

I will be back to explain more, but for now, please everyone have a look at www.fibermenace.com and see if your eyes don't bug out of your head.

I don't think it's a bandwagon, I think it's common sense. Fibre adds bulk and liquid to stool (provided fluid intake is good as well) making it easier to pass. Snacks high in liquid and fibre are healthier than those high in starch and sugar and refined carbohydrates. When my son eats a diet high in fruit, whole grains and non-starchy vegetables, he has less trouble with stool with holding.

It's reasonable to presume that some of the outrageous claims about the health benefits of fibre might be true. WE're not talking about outrageous health claims though. Just simple mechanics.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by leila1213

OMG I have never seen anything like this before! DD doesn't have spina bifida, but she has a pilonidal dimple, which I guess is basically the smallest spina bifida-type defect. I have never been told that it could cause or contribute to the constipation issue!! It never even occurred to me!

Now I feel terrible because I am soooo bad at being consistent with the potty-sitting times. I definitely need to do this on a regular basis. Ugh.

Breathe in. Breathe out. We can do this.

OK, per above I am totally convinced that high fiber does nothing but exacerbate this problem (well, it does give the illusion that it helps, but not for long). Chicken soup has been one of the best things I've found so far. And I know I need to give her fatty foods and probiotics, but she's just not cooperating with any supplements or eating any of the foods I want her to.

But this puts a whole new twist in the plot. I'll have to look into it more. Have to go to bed right now.

What my daughter has is a form of spina bifida (lipomyelomeningocele...along with Tethered Spinal Cord, Neurogenic Bladder and Neurogenic Bowel) . The nerves are damaged from her spinal cord to her bladder, bowels, lower body. Some work, some don't. For example her right leg is fine, but in her left leg she has not movement or feeling below the knee and wears a KAFO brace.

I haven't viewed your link yet. However, the Spinal Defects Clinic told me not to bulk up on fiber too fast and to make sure she is getting enough liquid (water mostly) in. If she gets too much fiber it will make the situation worse.

I talked with the nutritionist for the Clinic yesterday. She gave me some numbers on liquid/fiber. She also suggested Benefiber powder. But to wait till we start the cone enemas and get her cleaned out first. Adding too much fiber when she is already impacted is not good.

In regards to my daughter needing to gain weight, she said lets worry about that later. Lets get her cleaned out first. If she is less than 22 pounds she is in the less than 3% for her age.

Yes, its hard to wrap my head around all this sometimes.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by pumpkinhead

I don't think it's a bandwagon, I think it's common sense. Fibre adds bulk and liquid to stool (provided fluid intake is good as well) making it easier to pass. Snacks high in liquid and fibre are healthier than those high in starch and sugar and refined carbohydrates. When my son eats a diet high in fruit, whole grains and non-starchy vegetables, he has less trouble with stool with holding.

It's reasonable to presume that some of the outrageous claims about the health benefits of fibre might be true. WE're not talking about outrageous health claims though. Just simple mechanics.

I agree, its common sense eating well. Whole grains, whole fruits and veggies. Cut out refined foods and high animal fat foods. Get in the good fats like olive oil, nut butters.

[babygrant]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

I agree, its common sense eating well. Whole grains, whole fruits and veggies. Cut out refined foods and high animal fat foods. Get in the good fats like olive oil, nut butters.

What about a child who will barely eat anything....let alone veggies and stuff. My son seriously barely eats. He loooooves to drink so he gets a lot of smoothies...but as for eating...it's so hard. Like yesterday....for breakfast he had a small bowl of rice krispies with rice milk, lunch was a hot dog in a bun with veggies and dip (he pulled the hot dog out of the bun and ate half of it then drank a big glass of fruit/veggie juice), then he fell asleep at 4 pm and slept till 7, woke up and wanted some toast with margarine so he ate 1 1/2 pieces of bread with lactose free margarine and went to bed at 7:30. So yesterday all he ate was rice krispies, 1/2 hot dog and a piece of toast. He drank a lot. Probably 10 glasses of water/juice/soy milk. He gags on most textures. If he even gets a tiny little piece of rice in his mouth, he gags and pukes.

[2bluefish]

Originally Posted by SAHDS

About the gaining weight, is this an issue? Our DS is super-tiny too, it was a big issue years ago too.

Juju is in the less than 3% - our other kids were too at his age though. Keeping him moving definately impacts his eating. We're doing pretty good with Miralax so far, knock on wood. He recently started taking 6-8 oz bottles instead of 4 which is AWESOME!

[leila1213]

Please everyone read the Fiber Menace link before you jump to conclusions. Also here is another (shorter) explanation on why the "simple mechanics" we have been brainwashed into believing just don't make sense. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/u...-fore-and-aft/ The original idea for bulking up stools with fiber came from Kellogg and Graham, who were more interested in reducing libidos than keeping us healthy.

Animal fats are super important.

And on the subject of the spina bifida link: Thank you KatWrangler! What a lightbulb moment! I am guessing that I will never have proof of the connection in my daughter, since her defect is so minor, but today was a beautiful day!

After reading that link, I decided I was going to be more consistent with longer potty sits for DD. Usually she just pees, feels a little "urge" and gets down from the toilet. Getting her to sit longer usually involves books and I give up at the end of a long day. But today I decided to set her on a little potty in front of the TV and "ignore" her. She does so much better when I'm not looking, for some reason! A watched pot never boils, I guess!

Anyway, it took almost AN HOUR, but my sweet little trooper sat and sat. I could see shivers going over her, basically like labor contractions, time after time. But still no poop! We were babysitting and the little boy's dad came home. She was still sitting there and was getting so close! Luckily he was very patient and told us no rush. DD was determined to get it out, and she did! :

I am a little sad wondering how many opportunities like this I didn't let happen or thwarted somehow, or just neglected. But I'm so encouraged to have another avenue to go down wrt to this issue. I know I need to keep her stool soft to help her, but I think the whole "undeveloped nerve endings" image is helping my perspective. What a relief!

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by leila1213

Please everyone read the Fiber Menace link before you jump to conclusions. Also here is another (shorter) explanation on why the "simple mechanics" we have been brainwashed into believing just don't make sense. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/u...-fore-and-aft/ The original idea for bulking up stools with fiber came from Kellogg and Graham, who were more interested in reducing libidos than keeping us healthy.

Animal fats are super important.

And on the subject of the spina bifida link: Thank you KatWrangler! What a lightbulb moment! I am guessing that I will never have proof of the connection in my daughter, since her defect is so minor, but today was a beautiful day!

After reading that link, I decided I was going to be more consistent with longer potty sits for DD. Usually she just pees, feels a little "urge" and gets down from the toilet. Getting her to sit longer usually involves books and I give up at the end of a long day. But today I decided to set her on a little potty in front of the TV and "ignore" her. She does so much better when I'm not looking, for some reason! A watched pot never boils, I guess!

Anyway, it took almost AN HOUR, but my sweet little trooper sat and sat. I could see shivers going over her, basically like labor contractions, time after time. But still no poop! We were babysitting and the little boy's dad came home. She was still sitting there and was getting so close! Luckily he was very patient and told us no rush. DD was determined to get it out, and she did! :

I am a little sad wondering how many opportunities like this I didn't let happen or thwarted somehow, or just neglected. But I'm so encouraged to have another avenue to go down wrt to this issue. I know I need to keep her stool soft to help her, but I think the whole "undeveloped nerve endings" image is helping my perspective. What a relief!

The mildest from of Spina Bifida is Spina Bifida Occulta. If you child does have SBO, then constipation can be a big part of it. Here is another great fact sheet.

http://www.asbha.org.au/Occulta.htm

[pumpkinhead]

I still don't feel that I have been brainwashed . Perhaps the pharmaceutical industry/big business has gone too far in terms of pushing high fibre cereals and fibre supplements. That's not really where I'm at in terms of my child though.

The truth of the matter is that we live in a society where constipation is rampant. Our diets consist primarily of refined carbohydrates and fat. This is not healthy. This leads to constipation. Kids eat Campbell's chicken noodle soup, gold fish crackers and mac and cheese and are on Miralax and we wonder why. It's common sense to me.

Does this mean we all need Benefibre and Metamucil? No, I agree with you there. The pushing of fibre supplements instead of eating a balanced diet is pretty ridiculous, but the whole simple mechanics of fibre adding bulk and liquid to stool isn't. If my son eats crackers and nothing else for 3 days, he doesn't poop. That's how we got here in the first place. He has always had poor bowel motility even as a tiny infant. He got sick and refused to eat anything but crackers and water for 3 days. He got horribly constipated. It hurt him to poop and now he's withholding. Making the stool as soft as possible and essentially forcing him to go is the only solution right now. It's mind numbingly frustrating and I can't tell you how physically and emotionally devastating it is to sit there and hold a stiff, screaming, child in your arms who is in complete agony, doing everything in his power to keep himself from having a bowel movement while you beg him just to relax and poop. His record is 30 minutes. 30 minutes of non-stop screaming and crying and there is absolutely nothing I can do to help him at that point but hold him. I want to scream and cry myself. I want to just leave the damn house to get away. I want to yell at him just to f&^%ing poop alread and hide under my bedcovers with my fingers in my ears to make it stop. But I don't. I hold him when he'll let me, comfort him with my words when he won't and I'm just there for him until he finally relaxes and poops. Miralx and Benefibre make it so that neither of us has to endure this. I don't need a book to tell me the difference. I've lived it. I've witnessed the difference that diet and added dietary fibre make. I don't mean supplements, I mean whole foods. Perhaps that's the difference.

There are children and adults who, despite a good diet with a good balance, have bowel issues. There are also children and adults with sensory issues or other conditions that make eating the foods they should very difficult. If I allowed my son to eat just what he wanted to and only that, he'd be in agony. We've been down that road and I don't ever care to go there again. He responds well to increased fibre and a diet rich in fresh, whole fruits, vegetables and grains but right now we still need Miralax.

I've read the blog and the links. I tend to shut down in terms of respect/interest when I start reading lots of conspiracy theories, quotes reinterpreted and taken out of context, and strange analogies. Perhaps that's a failing on my part. Some of what he's saying makes sense. Thank you for the links.

[leila1213]

I will definitely give you that refined carbs (ie no fiber) are not good for constipation. But "adding bulk" just is totally counterintuitive. Bigger poops are harder to pass, are they not? Fats and protein produce smaller, easier to pass poops.

And yes, I have been there in terms of screaming, withholding, g*ddammit just f'ing poop already. It is so frustrating and heartbreaking.

I understand if you can't absorb information from sources that talk about conspiracy theories. Thanks for at least looking at the links. I tend to shut down when I hear the old mantras repeated without any science to back them up, especially when they DON'T WORK for my DD.

What works for her is bone broths, probiotics, and low carb/fiber. We especially need to avoid the BRAT foods: bananas, rice, apples, toast (hmmm, high fiber theme there???)

Some other ideas that won't have us choking each other over the fiber thing:

Epsom salt baths - magnesium is absorbed better through the skin, and helps relax and coordinate involuntary muscles.

Natural Calm/Baby Calm - highly absorbable magnesium supplement with vit C, both are good at adding liquid to the stool and making the urge to go more noticeable. I have been taking this myself and notice a HUGE difference! (DD won't take it because it has a strong lemony flavor, thus the epsom salt baths for her.)

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

The mildest from of Spina Bifida is Spina Bifida Occulta. If you child does have SBO, then constipation can be a big part of it. Here is another great fact sheet.

http://www.asbha.org.au/Occulta.htm

Thanks for that. I am definitely going to talk to her dr about where to go from here. I have noticed her walking on her toes some lately, and she has had peeing accidents, which I just attributed to her withholding poop and not wanting to sit on the potty.

[pumpkinhead]

Originally Posted by leila1213

I will definitely give you that refined carbs (ie no fiber) are not good for constipation. But "adding bulk" just is totally counterintuitive. Bigger poops are harder to pass, are they not? Fats and protein produce smaller, easier to pass poops.

And yes, I have been there in terms of screaming, withholding, g*ddammit just f'ing poop already. It is so frustrating and heartbreaking.

I understand if you can't absorb information from sources that talk about conspiracy theories. Thanks for at least looking at the links. I tend to shut down when I hear the old mantras repeated without any science to back them up, especially when they DON'T WORK for my DD.

What works for her is bone broths, probiotics, and low carb/fiber. We especially need to avoid the BRAT foods: bananas, rice, apples, toast (hmmm, high fiber theme there???)

Some other ideas that won't have us choking each other over the fiber thing:

Epsom salt baths - magnesium is absorbed better through the skin, and helps relax and coordinate involuntary muscles.

Natural Calm/Baby Calm - highly absorbable magnesium supplement with vit C, both are good at adding liquid to the stool and making the urge to go more noticeable. I have been taking this myself and notice a HUGE difference! (DD won't take it because it has a strong lemony flavor, thus the epsom salt baths for her.)

I do think that there is no "one size fits all" approach here. It sounds like my son's problems stem from a different source than your dd's. As a tiny baby, he would poop once every 10-14 days. This was a big day for him and he was clearly agitated and uncomfortable. He wasn't constipated but the stools were very pastey and difficult for him to pass. He also had reflux.

Things actually got better for him when he started willingly taking solids. Having more bulk in his stool seemed to help him. My own theory is that more bulk puts more pressure on the sphincter/rectum and gives him the urge to go. This is also part of the theory as to why some breastfed babies have a difficult time passing soft breast milk stools and strain and cry to pass them. They just don't put as much pressure on the rectum and are harder to pass. This is also the theory as to why it is sometimes easier to birth a bigger baby than a smaller one. A more intense urge to push. It's about pressure. It makes sense to me. A bulkier stool puts more pressure on the rectum, but if it is bulky but still soft, it is still easily passed. FTR, this isn't something I have been told over and over. This is my own theory which has been supported by the research I have done and the people I have sought advice from.

I do believe that this is the case with ds. I don't think this is the case for every adult and child who suffers with bowel issues. I am glad you have found what works for your girl .

I don't use stimulant laxatives at all. I hope we don't ever have to go there, no pun intended .