Are there any moms out there who have had success at ending this issue? We have been troubled by this never ending cycle for more than 7 years and nothing that I try seems to help. We have tried diet changes, laxative therapy, and behavior modification. Help!
Thank you to all who responded. Miralax is the laxative therapy we have been on for about 5 years. We have had some success with this-softer bowel movements and more frequent. The issue seems to be that she is holding in the movement until she is very bloated and uncomfortable. And due to the fact that she won't try to go, her sphincter muscles have weakened and we have leakage. It is very frustrating to wash poopie panties from a 10 year old! We also tried probiotics and diet changes- adding fruit and fiber and limiting cheese and peanut products.
As for the behavior modification, we have tried the reward system and even tried taking away priviledges to try to motivate her. Constantly reminding her to use the potty and even setting a timer for her. I have spent time with her, reading to her while she sits and have let her take a book or video game in with her. But nothing seems to get through.
My worry is that she will leak at school and be the object of ridicule from her classmates.She would be mortified and the humiliation would be traumatic. I have spoken with her about this and she does seem to get through school without a problem, leading me to believe she has more control than she lets on. So, is this in part laziness? Or does she relax when she gets home and then release her control? I don't know, but I am trying to be patient and hope that she will grow out of this as her doctor assures me she will.
Again, thanks for the advice and any additional responses would be greatly appreciated.
My almost 4yr. old daughter has had constipation issues since age 6mths. The only thing that works for her is Miralax which her gastroenterologist has us use. Miralax is now sold over the counter and you just add it to their juice, water or milk. We had tried the foods, juices, oral laxatives with no luck. Miralax has worked great for her and she no longer cries with bowel movements.
My daughter has been having many bowek movement issues, and is being seen by specialists for it. But she too will have constipation (went 7 days once). Now she is on Miralax daily, and has been for the past 6 months. It has helped a lot. That is the only thing we have found. I also give her benefiber as well, buy things with extra fiber in them. For instance, instead of pop-tarts..we switched to fiber one pop-tarts. Things like that. In August we will be attempting to wean her from the miralax...I am hoping she will do good.
I've read your original request, the various responses that you received, and your follow up note.
At first, I thought your child was a victim of constipation. If that is the case, I recommend Omega-3 oil (in liquid not capsule form). My son has slow bowls and this helps a lot (it also tastes like lemons so it's not as bad as castor oil).
Your second note leads me to believe that it's not a biological thing, but rather a control issue on your daughter's part. We realized that my son (who was 2, 3, and 4 at the time) actually did hold his bowels. He did so, because it was painful and he was afraid of having bowel movements. When we got him to understand that it only hurts because he waited so long, things got a lot better for him. And now the omega-3's and lots of water keep him almost normal.
Now for your daughter, she's much older and at 10 she has a much broader understanding. Now, if you daughter has deeper psychological issues, I am going to apologize for what I am about to suggest. If she doesn't, you just might get her to start using the bathroom on her own. My suggestion: Let her wash her own poopy panties. She's 10. She's old enough and since she is choosing to do this (for whatever reason) she should deal with the consequences of her behavior. I feel confident (although I could be wrong) that cleaning poopy panties a couple of times will encourage her to get her butt to the bathroom when she needs to go.
Again, if you think I'm harsh, I apologize. But, I see your daughter as a full human being who is making a choice. It's her body, so you can't MAKE her do anything with it (the power is hers). But, you can make this a learning experience for her. Let her deal with the tangible effects of her behavior (poopy panties - the biological implications are meaningless to a 10 year old) and she may be motivated to change her behavior.
Hope this helps.
T.
You may be beyond this helping but it can't hurt. My niece has a lot of problems with constipation. She eats prunes every morning. My SIL buys the orange or cherry essence so the flavor is good. Works like a charm for her so long as she eats a few every single day. Also, you could bake some brownies or something and use baby food prunes in place of some/all of the oil. Although I recognize that can't be everyday!
Wow..7 years is a long time! You tried a lot of different things, which is great. All those things can be helpful in some instances. Two thoughts..
1. I would look into chiropractic. Although most people thing it is about pain, it is really about the health of the nervous system which controls everything. If the spine is not aligned correctly (can happen due to anything from the birth process to slips and fall, to just daily activity) it affects the nerves. If the nerves are affected than what they control may not work correctly. Kids are great to work. I'm a chiropractor and they respond really well. The treatment is very safe. Although I am not currently adjusting patients, I recommend Dr. Marina Alterman, who I see for my own needs and she and both treat my little 4 month old. She's been getting adjusted (the chiropractic treatment) since one week old and is doing great. See www.icpa4kids.com for info on chiropractic and kids.
2. I've found that there are often very safe alternatives to medical therapies that are also very effective in helping the body to heal and work correctly. I wish I could tell you exactly what your child needs, but each person is an individual and there is not a one size fits all therapy. I can test the body to see what the patient is needing and if there is anything else in the diet that maybe a problem (although it sounds like this part of the approach you've tried). If you are interested, I'd be willing to do a free consult and evaluation. My goal is to help as many people as possible achieve health through safe means. If you have any questions please feel free to email or call me.
Dr. M. Bunker
###-###-####
____@____.com
Hi, K. - Many children and adults have been helped by Florify, by Melaleuca. Being in the health & fitness industry, what this company has to offer would probably make a lot of sense to you. I'm in the industry also, and was impressed with the science behind their products. Good luck!
my much younger daughter was on a maintenance regiment of lactulose. it was very effective for us and we hardly ever use it anymore. however, with your daughter being so much older and holding it on purpose which is a control thing, it makes me think maybe she needs to see a therapist. a relative of mine had chronic constipation to the point of vomiting which think might have been stress induced. she wasn't under abnormal amounts of stress but it was a lot for her and her personality. she is a very well-adjusted person now, btw. anyway, just a thought. when i think of other behaviours girls engage in to feel control and we absolutely send kids to counseling for that so why not this? good luck, it's hard to watch your baby hurt herself (no matter how old).
I suggest Miralax. This is what my son is on, he also has bad constipation issues. I also give him prunes, they are a great source for constipation as well. Good luck!
I always suggest removing all sources of bleached flour from your child's diet. It is not a cure-all, but it worked like a miracle with my son where all other changes/medications failed. It's worth a try.
I have seen this listed many times on the Internet. No one is sure what is different about bleached flour, but it can cause extreme constipation in some children. My son is now 25 and can tolerate bleached flour now, but for many years it helped him a lot.
My 4 year old was put on Miralax, a truly tasteless powder that goes into his morning juice. He never knows it's there and he's VERY particular. This has helped tremendously and he has a bowel movement every day now that is soft and easy for him to pass. Our doctor says it's non addictive so giving it to him every day is fine. I hope you find what works. I know this can be frustrating and upsetting for both mother and child. C.
