encopresis and miralax

[yogamama64]

Hi,

I just wrote the thread about my daughter who has encopresis and possible tethered cord symptoms. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with encopresis and miralax, or just miralax. Several people have mentioned that maybe the miralax is causing her to continue to have encopresis but we are afraid to take her off of it because we don't want her to get constipated. But I'm at the point where I'm willing to try to see if it is the miralax. Our dog has been on miralax recently (long story) and I've noticed that he seems to have poop leaking when he has too much of it.

Please, does anyone have any advice/experience?

[heatherdeg]

I think I would post that to the Ask The Experts forums here--where you can have an actual doctor give you some input, too (since nobody responded here yet and I have nothing to offer in experience--but didn't want you to go without a response!).

You can choose the kind of specialist you prefer or feel more comfortable with.  Here's the forum:

http://www.mothering.com/community/f/16907/ask-the-experts

[yogamama64]

Thanks for the info!

[velveeta]

Oh, encopresis! Had to reply, bc I know how awful this is!!

My 6 yo went through this for about a year when he was four. We also tried miralax at first. Gave it a six week trial and really no improvement.

What did work was children's culturelle (in individual packets). In the beginning, he used 6-8 packets per day. Now, he is down to 2.

Also, we did a GF/CF diet then. Don't panic. You can probably just start with culturelle. We just wanted to try everything.

Wanted to let you know I've been there and I know how hard it is.

The root of my son's problem was candida, which is well addressed by culturelle.

Note: we use many probiotics and cultured foods. Culturelle is superior and the best choice(IMO) for children. Plus, it is tasty.

[Mom12345]

Thanks, Velveeta! I will try Culturelle for my daughter.

[melissa17s]

My daughter had this and we found that some foods were particular problems for her.  She avoids cooked carrots (can eat some just not a lot), bananas, and dairy.  She also has to have foods foods high in water and hydrating, like grapes, apple, oatmeal, and digestive biscuits.  We tried miralax once after seeing the dr. a couple of years ago, and it was horrid.  She could not control her bowels even with the smallest dose.  Will not give it to her again.  

[yogamama64]

Originally Posted by velveeta 

Oh, encopresis! Had to reply, bc I know how awful this is!!
My 6 yo went through this for about a year when he was four. We also tried miralax at first. Gave it a six week trial and really no improvement.
What did work was children's culturelle (in individual packets). In the beginning, he used 6-8 packets per day. Now, he is down to 2.
Also, we did a GF/CF diet then. Don't panic. You can probably just start with culturelle. We just wanted to try everything.
Wanted to let you know I've been there and I know how hard it is.
The root of my son's problem was candida, which is well addressed by culturelle.
Note: we use many probiotics and cultured foods. Culturelle is superior and the best choice(IMO) for children. Plus, it is tasty.

Hi Velveeta,

Thanks for the feedback. I have not heard of using culturelle. How did you find out that your son's problem was candida? How did you know how much culturelle to use? We are seeing the naturopath tomorrow and I will ask her too for any information on this. Thanks so much for replying. it really helps to know that other moms have gone/are going through this.

[yogamama64]

Originally Posted by melissa17s 

My daughter had this and we found that some foods were particular problems for her.  She avoids cooked carrots (can eat some just not a lot), bananas, and dairy.  She also has to have foods foods high in water and hydrating, like grapes, apple, oatmeal, and digestive biscuits.  We tried miralax once after seeing the dr. a couple of years ago, and it was horrid.  She could not control her bowels even with the smallest dose.  Will not give it to her again.  

Hi and thanks for the feedback! I'm wondering how you found out which foods were causing it. I'm not sure what to do about the miralax. The doctors keep telling us not to take her off of it because she will get constipated again, which presumably caused all of this in the first place????

Thanks again for ANY input you might have! Or anyone else???

[jtbuko]

My dd has struggled with this for YEARS. We have worked with a specialist for 6 months and seen very little improvement. I recently read the book, "It's no accident" and found it to be more helpful than other books I'd looked at over the years. There is a yahoo group for parents of children with encopresis that I have found helpful. A lot of folks on there end up traveling to the Cinncinnatti Colorectal Center if when other options do not lead to improvement. Good luck!