Severe constipation: what to do?

docmay25

Emelia has had constipation issues since she started solid food around 7 months old.  We have always dealt with it by using Miralax.  She also eats well.  But still she has terrible consipation.  I won't go into the details, but it is the worse I have ever seen.

Lately, the only way we can get her to be able to get the poop out is by using an enema.  It has now become constipation and emotional.  She knows that it hurts, so she withholds and doesn't try to push it out.

What can we do?  Has anyone dealt with this?  I can't use enemas as the only way to get her to poop.  Doctors were never concerned, but it just started getting this bad.  I was always concerned, but the doctors tell me it is okay , just keep up with the miralax and good diet.

mrsterry

My ILs say that MH was like that and they used suppositories all of the time with him.

Alexander had started that after he was potty trained...the miralax helped him because it made things softer and helped to keep him regular.

Since you've done everything I've done (diet, miralax, suppositories/enema) the only thing I can off you is hugs and sympathy.  I hope you can get this resolved for both your sakes.  (((HUGS)))

jennmichael

try increasing her fluid intake, offer water throughout the day, juice mixed with prune juice (or prune juice alone if she will take it).

 

magnoliablossom

Do you give her the Miralax everyday?

We had to with C to get over her fear of pooping after having some severe/painful constipation.  If you are giving it to her everyday, you may need to adjust the amount up to get her applesauce like poops which our doctor told us it should be. 

Have you tried anything else like prune juice or apple juice?  In a pinch those usually work for us.

I hope she feels better soon.  Just get her regular and she should stop withholding... it may take as long as a couple of months before they aren't scared anymore. 

GL!

docmay25

I am going to try increasing the Mirlax...problem is she doesn't drink a lot.  I don't know how to get her to drink more.  I am the same way, not a big drinker.  I am going to try everything I can think of.

karen6784

Look into her having a milk protein issue.  DD had the same trouble.  It was a nightmare.  We switched her to Allimentum formula and within 3 days she was normal.  Her Dr. @ CHOP also prescribed a non stimulant stool softener.  She is 2 now and can now drink regular milk.  Good luck, I know how hard this is.

 

PS- Be careful with rice cereal, it was very hard for DD to digest.

GinandTonic

This is more common than you think.  Long story, short - go see a pediatric GI.  They'll help you with dosages and a regime to get things going again.  And, I agree - a lot of is mental, once they get to the point you've described.

jorie

We went through this right before my DD turned 3 and it was honestly the worst thing I've dealt with to date.  It went on for a few months.  It was constipation and emotional for her too.  It was just an awful cycle that perpetuated itself over and over again.  I could see her trying to hold her poop in b/c it hurt so bad.  She'd stand there frozen and just shake. 

We did Miralax, enemas, prune juice, etc.  My DD was PT'd at the time, but we encouraged her to go anytime and anywhere.  I didn't care if she pooped her pants or pooped on my floor...anything to get her to go.  I had such a hard time ignoring it so I was probably adding to her emotional distress.  I learned to just go on with what we were doing (Miralax, etc) and not talk about it at all.  We let her do it on her own terms.  It took a really long time for her to get back to normal and I was  scared something could be wrong with her, so I do feel your pain and emphathize with you:(

 Hope things get better soon!