Constipation in 4-year-old

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Okay so I'm an idiot but it has taken me 4 weeks to realize that Katy has been moving away from extreme regularity towards a kind of chronic constipation. She used to have one or two BM episodes a day, and got lots of business done each time. Now we are seeing more frequent trips with just a little bit of volume each time. And recently she has been complaining that her tummy hurts.

I am assuming this is constipation; we have never had these issues before. Is a dose of Miralax or something similar going to result in an explosive type of BM? Isn't it bad to use laxatives all the time? Would probiotics help? What other things should we do? And finally, is there a chance at all that this is due to too many enzymes? Help! Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Okay so I'm an idiot but it has taken me 4 weeks to realize that Katy has been moving away from extreme regularity towards a kind of chronic constipation. She used to have one or two BM episodes a day, and got lots of business done each time. Now we are seeing more frequent trips with just a little bit of volume each time. And recently she has been complaining that her tummy hurts.

I am assuming this is constipation; we have never had these issues before. Is a dose of Miralax or something similar going to result in an explosive type of BM? Isn't it bad to use laxatives all the time? Would probiotics help? What other things should we do? And finally, is there a chance at all that this is due to too many enzymes? Help! Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Okay so I'm an idiot but it has taken me 4 weeks to realize that Katy has been moving away from extreme regularity towards a kind of chronic constipation. She used to have one or two BM episodes a day, and got lots of business done each time. Now we are seeing more frequent trips with just a little bit of volume each time. And recently she has been complaining that her tummy hurts.

I am assuming this is constipation; we have never had these issues before. Is a dose of Miralax or something similar going to result in an explosive type of BM? Isn't it bad to use laxatives all the time? Would probiotics help? What other things should we do? And finally, is there a chance at all that this is due to too many enzymes? Help! Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Okay so I'm an idiot but it has taken me 4 weeks to realize that Katy has been moving away from extreme regularity towards a kind of chronic constipation. She used to have one or two BM episodes a day, and got lots of business done each time. Now we are seeing more frequent trips with just a little bit of volume each time. And recently she has been complaining that her tummy hurts.

I am assuming this is constipation; we have never had these issues before. Is a dose of Miralax or something similar going to result in an explosive type of BM? Isn't it bad to use laxatives all the time? Would probiotics help? What other things should we do? And finally, is there a chance at all that this is due to too many enzymes? Help! Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Okay so I'm an idiot but it has taken me 4 weeks to realize that Katy has been moving away from extreme regularity towards a kind of chronic constipation. She used to have one or two BM episodes a day, and got lots of business done each time. Now we are seeing more frequent trips with just a little bit of volume each time. And recently she has been complaining that her tummy hurts.

I am assuming this is constipation; we have never had these issues before. Is a dose of Miralax or something similar going to result in an explosive type of BM? Isn't it bad to use laxatives all the time? Would probiotics help? What other things should we do? And finally, is there a chance at all that this is due to too many enzymes? Help! Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008

Ok, first off, my disclaimer

My kids are pancreatic sufficient so we have not dealt with enzymes. But my son has been on Miralax for some time and I am considering putting him back on it, so I do have some experience there -- the rest I have gained from reading other posts on this site.....

1) assuming it's constipation.... I would call the doctor on call and ask if you should just give her some Miralax for a couple of days and see what happens or if since you now think it has been happening over a period of one month, she should be seen right away in case this is a blockage.

2) no, I don't think Miralax will cause explosive bm and you can now get it over the counter.

3) laxative use all the time.... perhaps it is, but Miralax works differently and I believe I was told long term use is just fine if needed. Also I wouldn't worry about it quite yet as the priority is to get things moving again for her.... this wouldn't necessarily be "all the time" yet anyway.

4) would probiotics help -- yes, they might but again I think you need to sort that out later -- if she has a blockage right now you will want to get that resolved first and then worry about use of probiotics later to help prevent it from happening again.

5) other things to do -- call the doctor now.

6) too many enzymes? sure, I think it's possible. Again something to be figured out after you determine if she has a blockage that needs to be dealt with, or just constipation.

Overall, my thoughts would be if it's just constipation I would grab the Miralax for 2-3 days and not worry about it. If it is a blockage, she needs to be seen right away.

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008

Ok, first off, my disclaimer

My kids are pancreatic sufficient so we have not dealt with enzymes. But my son has been on Miralax for some time and I am considering putting him back on it, so I do have some experience there -- the rest I have gained from reading other posts on this site.....

1) assuming it's constipation.... I would call the doctor on call and ask if you should just give her some Miralax for a couple of days and see what happens or if since you now think it has been happening over a period of one month, she should be seen right away in case this is a blockage.

2) no, I don't think Miralax will cause explosive bm and you can now get it over the counter.

3) laxative use all the time.... perhaps it is, but Miralax works differently and I believe I was told long term use is just fine if needed. Also I wouldn't worry about it quite yet as the priority is to get things moving again for her.... this wouldn't necessarily be "all the time" yet anyway.

4) would probiotics help -- yes, they might but again I think you need to sort that out later -- if she has a blockage right now you will want to get that resolved first and then worry about use of probiotics later to help prevent it from happening again.

5) other things to do -- call the doctor now.

6) too many enzymes? sure, I think it's possible. Again something to be figured out after you determine if she has a blockage that needs to be dealt with, or just constipation.

Overall, my thoughts would be if it's just constipation I would grab the Miralax for 2-3 days and not worry about it. If it is a blockage, she needs to be seen right away.

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008

Ok, first off, my disclaimer

My kids are pancreatic sufficient so we have not dealt with enzymes. But my son has been on Miralax for some time and I am considering putting him back on it, so I do have some experience there -- the rest I have gained from reading other posts on this site.....

1) assuming it's constipation.... I would call the doctor on call and ask if you should just give her some Miralax for a couple of days and see what happens or if since you now think it has been happening over a period of one month, she should be seen right away in case this is a blockage.

2) no, I don't think Miralax will cause explosive bm and you can now get it over the counter.

3) laxative use all the time.... perhaps it is, but Miralax works differently and I believe I was told long term use is just fine if needed. Also I wouldn't worry about it quite yet as the priority is to get things moving again for her.... this wouldn't necessarily be "all the time" yet anyway.

4) would probiotics help -- yes, they might but again I think you need to sort that out later -- if she has a blockage right now you will want to get that resolved first and then worry about use of probiotics later to help prevent it from happening again.

5) other things to do -- call the doctor now.

6) too many enzymes? sure, I think it's possible. Again something to be figured out after you determine if she has a blockage that needs to be dealt with, or just constipation.

Overall, my thoughts would be if it's just constipation I would grab the Miralax for 2-3 days and not worry about it. If it is a blockage, she needs to be seen right away.

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008

Ok, first off, my disclaimer

My kids are pancreatic sufficient so we have not dealt with enzymes. But my son has been on Miralax for some time and I am considering putting him back on it, so I do have some experience there -- the rest I have gained from reading other posts on this site.....

1) assuming it's constipation.... I would call the doctor on call and ask if you should just give her some Miralax for a couple of days and see what happens or if since you now think it has been happening over a period of one month, she should be seen right away in case this is a blockage.

2) no, I don't think Miralax will cause explosive bm and you can now get it over the counter.

3) laxative use all the time.... perhaps it is, but Miralax works differently and I believe I was told long term use is just fine if needed. Also I wouldn't worry about it quite yet as the priority is to get things moving again for her.... this wouldn't necessarily be "all the time" yet anyway.

4) would probiotics help -- yes, they might but again I think you need to sort that out later -- if she has a blockage right now you will want to get that resolved first and then worry about use of probiotics later to help prevent it from happening again.

5) other things to do -- call the doctor now.

6) too many enzymes? sure, I think it's possible. Again something to be figured out after you determine if she has a blockage that needs to be dealt with, or just constipation.

Overall, my thoughts would be if it's just constipation I would grab the Miralax for 2-3 days and not worry about it. If it is a blockage, she needs to be seen right away.

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008

Ok, first off, my disclaimer

My kids are pancreatic sufficient so we have not dealt with enzymes. But my son has been on Miralax for some time and I am considering putting him back on it, so I do have some experience there -- the rest I have gained from reading other posts on this site.....

1) assuming it's constipation.... I would call the doctor on call and ask if you should just give her some Miralax for a couple of days and see what happens or if since you now think it has been happening over a period of one month, she should be seen right away in case this is a blockage.

2) no, I don't think Miralax will cause explosive bm and you can now get it over the counter.

3) laxative use all the time.... perhaps it is, but Miralax works differently and I believe I was told long term use is just fine if needed. Also I wouldn't worry about it quite yet as the priority is to get things moving again for her.... this wouldn't necessarily be "all the time" yet anyway.

4) would probiotics help -- yes, they might but again I think you need to sort that out later -- if she has a blockage right now you will want to get that resolved first and then worry about use of probiotics later to help prevent it from happening again.

5) other things to do -- call the doctor now.

6) too many enzymes? sure, I think it's possible. Again something to be figured out after you determine if she has a blockage that needs to be dealt with, or just constipation.

Overall, my thoughts would be if it's just constipation I would grab the Miralax for 2-3 days and not worry about it. If it is a blockage, she needs to be seen right away.

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you Alyssa for all of your insight. I wanted to jump back on and reassure you that she does indeed have massive bm's (just had one, in fact!) but these are interspersed with a day or two of the lesser volume ones. So I don't think we are or have been in an emergency blockage situation but it is good to know what to look for and think about.

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you Alyssa for all of your insight. I wanted to jump back on and reassure you that she does indeed have massive bm's (just had one, in fact!) but these are interspersed with a day or two of the lesser volume ones. So I don't think we are or have been in an emergency blockage situation but it is good to know what to look for and think about.

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you Alyssa for all of your insight. I wanted to jump back on and reassure you that she does indeed have massive bm's (just had one, in fact!) but these are interspersed with a day or two of the lesser volume ones. So I don't think we are or have been in an emergency blockage situation but it is good to know what to look for and think about.

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you Alyssa for all of your insight. I wanted to jump back on and reassure you that she does indeed have massive bm's (just had one, in fact!) but these are interspersed with a day or two of the lesser volume ones. So I don't think we are or have been in an emergency blockage situation but it is good to know what to look for and think about.

ktsmom · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you Alyssa for all of your insight. I wanted to jump back on and reassure you that she does indeed have massive bm's (just had one, in fact!) but these are interspersed with a day or two of the lesser volume ones. So I don't think we are or have been in an emergency blockage situation but it is good to know what to look for and think about.

Alyssa · Jan 27, 2008