So my 3 year old has had trouble with BMs since she was in infant, she was on soy formula as a baby and transitioned to cows milk just fine, since then she has had milk every day with no issues I thought. Her pediatrician has had her on Miralax every day this whole time, and the majority of the time, she will go every other day at best. For about 6 months we had no issues at all. She is completely potty trained and will often go without me even promtping her, but for the last month now I'm lucky if she has a BM once a week. When she is ready to go, she will sit on the potty and shake, and then scream bloody muder, the nieghbors probably think that I am hurting her. I feel so helpless, I don't know what to do, I have had her to the pediatrican, and the ER and they all seem to be lloking passed the fact that she isn't going to the bathroom like a regular person, and are not concerned. As a mother of a child that screams and cries and refuses to poo because its so painful I'm super concerned. Any advise would be greatly appriciated!
At this point there may be some emotional fallout from the initial problem, but what caused that? And is her poop very large hard balls? My children had these issues and it took us years (yes, YEARS) before we discovered they had issues with gluten, dairy and soy. And I didn't know a kid could go every day and still be constipated with lots more that still needs to come out - but they are so backed up.
My son had that problem. Going every other day is pretty good. My son was not going for 10 days sometimes. The Miralax did help him ... but he was on it for a very long time ... many months, if not a year. So, even when it seemed he was better - it was recommended that he stay on the Miralax another few months. It took even longer for the psychological issues. They become afraid. So, I gave him incentive ... 3 jellybeans every time he went (only reserve this whatever type of treat for this only). Even now at 7 he can slip a little into not going if a lot is going on ... travel etc. ... he will not go at school. We have to stay on it.
Good luck with it. I know how hard it can be on you when they are screaming in pain!
Yes! Look up Encropresis and then see a Dr. familiar with the problem. My daughter was seen from about 2yrs of age - 5yrs of age from her reg. ped and an ER visit (no poop for 18 days) both my ped and the ER didn't diagnosis her correctly. I searched and searched, found Encopresis, got super lucky with a Dr. recommendation from my daughters preschool/kinder and 5 days later she was a brand new kid. I only wish she could have gotten the help she needed sooner. That said, we still give her Miralax. Not every day but when she says she needs it (she is almost 9). We haven't had a poop problem since that 5 day cleanout back in Dec of 06. Sorry you and your daughter are going through this :-(
Give her grapes or some juice and maybe it will soften the BM?
I totally understand where you are! I also agree with the previous answer about encopresis. I finally did my own research, came across information on this condition and knew that was what was going on with my daughter so I printed it out and took it to the ped to show them (because they kept telling me she would outgrow it). Our pediatrician told us to first do a clean out of her system with milk of magnesia and once we did that we continued with the regular doses of miralax, tried to up her fiber as much as possible including giving fiber gummies every day, cut down on her dairy (my daughter LOVES cheese and milk but I have cut down the cheese to once a week and just 1.5 glasses of milk per day) and she was doing so much better within a week. We also have an appointment with a GI specialist which I am not sure we need given her turnaround but it takes so long to get the appointment that I think we will keep it just in case.
There is hope, I never thought she would get to a somewhat normal place after struggling for so long but it is no longer something that consumes my every thought!
Good Luck!
I agree that you should see a gastro dr. In the meantime, I have had really good luck with glycerin supossitories. I'm so sorry for you two. Don't give up!!
ask her ped for a referral to a gastrointeroligist... that is if you need a referral with your insurance if you dont then just make the app and go.
Sounds like encopresis which can be due to chronic constipation. I know of one mom who resolved this with her son, who had been on medication for this for years, by giving him an omega-3 supplement. She used a liquid one that comes in different flavors - Efalex. Chronic consitpation can be a sign of an omega-3 deficiency.
I know another mom who resolved it in her son with more fiber - grapes, apples, even a little juice, helps.
Good luck.
Sounds like she's constipated or holding it in purposely. Make sure she's getting plenty of fiber in her diet. You might also try plum smart juice (it tastes better than prune juice).
