4yr old DS constipation ?

MKDee

My DS1 has a history of constipation issues. We had a lot of luck with miralax for the last two years or so. In the last six months, he's finally eating more fruits and veggies, and we've been able to back off of the miralax. In fact, we stopped it completely in September, and all appeared to be fine. Two weeks ago, however, he had a really hard time going, and when he wiped, there was some red blood. We immediately put him back miralax and all was fine for two weeks. We backed it off again this week, and tonight he had a normal bowel movement, but there was blood again when he wiped. Less than last time, but it was definitely there. I'm calling the doctor in the a.m., but I'm hoping someone out there has had a similar situation and can offer reassurance. Anyone else deal with this and have all turn out fine? DS is otherwise completely fine--no tummy ache, no symptoms of illness, etc.

groovygrl

So sorry to hear that . Assuming the blood is external/only on TP/not in his stool, it is probably fine I would think and clearly is connected to the hard stool since that is the only time you have seen it. Maybe he was dehydrated those times it happened or less active than usual and stuff didn't get moving?? 
My DS also has a lot of constipation and has developed some mild encopresis over the last year and what I have learned is that even with pushing fruits and other fiber-ful foods, I can't back off the MIralax for awhile b/c it comes back... But I know your question would be but WHEN can you? I don't know the answer to that, hopefully your pedi has better answers though I'm not too sure how much they really know beyond the basics so it might be worth a call to a pediatric GI specialist to find out what to expect?
Another idea might be to try something like Benefiber in his food if you want to forgo Miralax, maybe the extra fiber will help more than just fruits/veggies.

GL!!!!

ppants

DS is on miralax and has been for years and I don't see being able to take him off of it.  Is there a reason he needs to be off of it?

LoCarb

DD had the same issue and we had to keep her on a stool softener for a while. If it's only a little blood I wouldn't be too worried. At least my dr assured me of this. GL!

LSU628

DD also struggles with constipation. In fact, I got a little lax this summer with the Miralax and she got so constipated she became impacted. Not good at all! Now we do 1/2 a cap of Miralax, fiber gummies, and lots of water and high fiber foods. If I miss a day or two of Mirlax I can instantly tell the change in her stomach hurting and bowel frequency and consistancy.

MKDee

Thanks all. As you all suggested, the pediatrician suggested that it is likely just constipation-related. We're to do the miralax comsistently for several more weeks, even if he seems to not need it. I don't mind keeping him on it indefinitely, but I would eventually love for him not to need it. I thought maybe he had outgrown it this summer, but obviously not!

ILoveBoys

My DS was put on Miralax when he was 3 bc he was completely impacted. We used it for 4 years on and off, but mostly on. Then last year we noticed he was having wetting accidents and took him in, he was again completely impacted and it was causing bladder spasms. He's been back on Miralax since. 

We don't use it everyday. We use it combined with fiber powder (mixed in applesauce, etc), tons of fiberous foods and 100% applejuice sometimes. Pedi said he has slow motility which is why he gets backed up so easily. She said some people can go everyday and still get constipated, and they need something everyday just to keep them regular. Good luck!

kmh2201

My DS also has had constipation/hard stool (with blood) issues.  He's great about eating fruit, and will eat broccoli, but we give him miralax at least once (usually twice) a day.  Our pedi said to keep him on it and we can discuss any changes at his checkups.