Constipation :-(

As you know Elle's had bowel issues since she was 4mths. We've tried almost everything.

I've had her allergy tested at the docs + naturopath and intolerances / allergies showed up.

We've tried cutting out gluten for several months - no change.

We cut out dairy for several months - no change.

We tried prunes - no change and now can't get the fruit or the juice in even when disguised.

We've tried kiwifruit - same outcome as the prunes

We've tried pure apple juice - no change

We tried brown sugar water - no change

We tried herbs and acidophilus - no change.

We avoid binding foods. She has a limited diet as she is fussy eater but we do our best to get the right things in.

She has now been on a MASSIVE dose of lactulose twice daily for 3 weeks and still no change.

She does her damnest to hold onto her poos! The day she goes she will be happy. Then the next day a little grumpy, then the next day she is miserable....cries and grizzles non stop saying poo is coming but refusing to go.

If I even mention the toilet she screams furiously.

At present I am held hostage by this! When a poo finally comes, even if it is 100% mush, she takes a good hour to give in to it and I can't go near her during that time so if we have plans I have to cancel.

Today is day 4 since her last poo and she has cried from the minute she got up but refused to go.

There must be something we can do! Docs say she just has a lazy bowel which is very common and will come right once she can eat right and do deliberate exercise.

:(

When Michaela was anal retentive (the result of an anal fissure) our doc got us to give her so much lactulose and other bowel loosening tricks (prunes, kiwi crush, brown sugar water, apple juice, lots of liquids etc) until she had diarrhoea so she literally couldn't hold it in any longer.  Once she got diarrhoea we had to maintain the runny poos for several months while she got over her pooing inhibitions and then we slowly weaned her off the cocktail.  We went through a couple of huge bottles of lactulose in that time as well as 1L prune juice a week, a freezer box of kiwicrush every fortnight and an unbelievable amount of dried fruit.

 

ETA:  I agree with Andie about getting a 2nd opinion

Edited by MrsMojo

Tx for your comments.

Historically, her poos have been hard and sore more often than not. Recently they have been softer but still take a massive effort (more the effort of holding on I suspect + an intensive pushing session).

I am *delighted* (ahem) to report that today we had an epic explosion of newborn proportions....in the doctors surgery...on my knee. Her nappy and tights were filled and some even reached her top. (insert horror here). By the time I sorted it, Elle, the bathroom and I were all covered.

I guess the lactulose is doing something after all....

She's been on it for about 3 weeks now.

Turns out she had a fever of 38.5 and an ear infection today so I suspect all that has been adding to things. Ironically she didn't feel as hot at the doctors as she had yesterday and tonight so I hate to think what her temp has been getting up to! This is her first official fever.

I think I mentioned before that my DD has a similar problem and I some times have to resort to putting "cant remember the name" up her bum so that she would do it...she hates it but thats the last resort for us.

After our Fiji trip last week DD's Poo is hard again so we have been giving her Lact as well for the last 4 days....I am hoping that Today is the day when she takes it all out!! She has been waking up at night crying as her tummy hurts. And passing GAS this morning...here is hoping!!!

I know exactly what you are going thru...and I too have no idea what else to do???!!! Luckily for me DD will eat Kiwi Fruit drink prune juice etc...Kiwi fruit helps her but every thing else fails!!

I was in tears the other day with DD sitting there bowling her eyes out...I told DH if This one has the same problem I am going togo jump of a cliff....I wouldnt be able to take it!!

ITS SOOOOO HARD!!!!