Does enzymes cause constipation? My daughter recently had bowel resection surgery and has chronic constipation. She is still dependent on laxatives to have a bm. I'm worried about starting enzymes. Has anyone had probs with them causing constipation? She is FTT so I do want to try them to see if they help her gain weight but scared they might cause her constipation to be worse.
Does enzymes cause constipation?
- Thread starter Mistyjo
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Does enzymes cause constipation? My daughter recently had bowel resection surgery and has chronic constipation. She is still dependent on laxatives to have a bm. I'm worried about starting enzymes. Has anyone had probs with them causing constipation? She is FTT so I do want to try them to see if they help her gain weight but scared they might cause her constipation to be worse.
<BR>Does enzymes cause constipation? My daughter recently had bowel resection surgery and has chronic constipation. She is still dependent on laxatives to have a bm. I'm worried about starting enzymes. Has anyone had probs with them causing constipation? She is FTT so I do want to try them to see if they help her gain weight but scared they might cause her constipation to be worse.
What is she on? When it comes to the stimulant laxatives, you can run into problems with dependance w/long term use and even damage to the intestine if too much is used over time. Various tool softeners (i.e. Miralax, etc) are often used long-term for our kids as they draw water to the colon to make the stool easier to pass, and can have a beneficial effect with cf kids in helping thin the thick mucus that can build up in their GI tract. Anything to help in this area needs to be taken with a LOT of clear fluids to get the most benefit.
Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
What is she on? When it comes to the stimulant laxatives, you can run into problems with dependance w/long term use and even damage to the intestine if too much is used over time. Various tool softeners (i.e. Miralax, etc) are often used long-term for our kids as they draw water to the colon to make the stool easier to pass, and can have a beneficial effect with cf kids in helping thin the thick mucus that can build up in their GI tract. Anything to help in this area needs to be taken with a LOT of clear fluids to get the most benefit.
Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
What is she on? When it comes to the stimulant laxatives, you can run into problems with dependance w/long term use and even damage to the intestine if too much is used over time. Various tool softeners (i.e. Miralax, etc) are often used long-term for our kids as they draw water to the colon to make the stool easier to pass, and can have a beneficial effect with cf kids in helping thin the thick mucus that can build up in their GI tract. Anything to help in this area needs to be taken with a LOT of clear fluids to get the most benefit.
<br />
<br />Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
<br />
<br />Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
<br />
<br />I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
<br />
<br />Re. the enzymes~ taken when there is a need for them, they should not cause constipation. When taken in excess they can, but there are guidelines for dosage that the dr and dietician use.
<br />
<br />Malabsorbing itself can cause such bulky stools that going can be difficult, and muscle tone to the colon and rectum can be affected by long-time unusually bulky stool (this happened with Emily and eventually resulted in problems with rectal prolapse.) At any rate, without good muscle control in that area, coordinating everything to 'go' when needed can be affected, or having a long hx of bulky stools can result in hemorrhoids or fissures which can also make going painful (also an issue for Emily at times, even when stool is not overly hard and resulted in her holding it at times until she was desperate to go.)
<br />
<br />I know this got long... just wanted to let you know Emily has had assorted gi issues as well, and if anything could help i wanted to share it.
Thank you for responding!! Jasey was on miralax since infancy and it didn't work. She was getting impacted even on high doses of it. She is now dependent on ex-lax. She's had 28inches of her colon removed and still has to have ex-lax to have one bm a day. She can't go at all on miralax. She has to have the stimulant with stool being soft. Even on that dose of ex-lax it takes her 30 - 45 min to have a bm even though its fluffy/soft.
Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
Thank you for responding!! Jasey was on miralax since infancy and it didn't work. She was getting impacted even on high doses of it. She is now dependent on ex-lax. She's had 28inches of her colon removed and still has to have ex-lax to have one bm a day. She can't go at all on miralax. She has to have the stimulant with stool being soft. Even on that dose of ex-lax it takes her 30 - 45 min to have a bm even though its fluffy/soft.
Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
Thank you for responding!! Jasey was on miralax since infancy and it didn't work. She was getting impacted even on high doses of it. She is now dependent on ex-lax. She's had 28inches of her colon removed and still has to have ex-lax to have one bm a day. She can't go at all on miralax. She has to have the stimulant with stool being soft. Even on that dose of ex-lax it takes her 30 - 45 min to have a bm even though its fluffy/soft.
<br />Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
<br />Is Emily 10yo? Has the constipation gotten worse with age? I'm glad to hear the enzymes will not make it worse!
IMO, you're describing the way DS' stools USED to be like prior to getting his digestive issues figured out. He had adhesions from his original surgery as newborn which slowed down his digestive process, so his enzymes weren't working properly. Stools were very fluffy, light in color. The kid never ever had a normal looking stools until two years ago when he had surgery which removed the adhesions (scar tissue), which caused his intestines to narrow in an area.
He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
IMO, you're describing the way DS' stools USED to be like prior to getting his digestive issues figured out. He had adhesions from his original surgery as newborn which slowed down his digestive process, so his enzymes weren't working properly. Stools were very fluffy, light in color. The kid never ever had a normal looking stools until two years ago when he had surgery which removed the adhesions (scar tissue), which caused his intestines to narrow in an area.
He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
IMO, you're describing the way DS' stools USED to be like prior to getting his digestive issues figured out. He had adhesions from his original surgery as newborn which slowed down his digestive process, so his enzymes weren't working properly. Stools were very fluffy, light in color. The kid never ever had a normal looking stools until two years ago when he had surgery which removed the adhesions (scar tissue), which caused his intestines to narrow in an area.
<br />
<br />He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
<br />
<br />He now has normal looking, normal colored stools -- unless he eats something requiring a few more enzymes.
Given stool is soft and fluffy looking - it sounds like she does need enzymes.
Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
Given stool is soft and fluffy looking - it sounds like she does need enzymes.
Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
Given stool is soft and fluffy looking - it sounds like she does need enzymes.
<br />
<br />Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
<br />
<br />Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
<br />
<br />Also given how soft and fluffy it is- it sounds more like she needs the exlax because of dependency than anything else. Now that all that excess colon has been removed, she may still need to regain muscle control in certain areas, and after relying on the stimulant for SO long to go- the muscles in the colon/rectum may have to 'relearn' how to do it on their own. I'd talk to her dr about it, to see what can be done to try and help her in that area and hopefully get her off it over time, but that is just me.
<br />
<br />Yes, Emily is 10... when she was dx'ed at 7 she was pooping in enormous proportions every day (due to absorbing so little of what she was eating) and some of it would be soft-formed but much of it would look like clouds of cotton candy in the water. She was also in severe growth failure at the time. The rectal prolapse was due to the hx of bulky stool stretching everything out and loosening muscle tone for so long. Fortunately once she started enzymes things improved dramatically~ stools started looking much more 'normal' and prolapse improved as well and the surgeon decided she didn't need the procedure they do for that. She started needing Miralax when we ran into issues with obstructions farther up her gi tract that would take days to resolve- xray would show nothing backing up in the lower colon/rectum but an obstruction up high. When one didn't clear after massive amounts of miralax, milk of mag, enema, mag citrate she ended up needing a golytely cleanout. So we started a maintainance dose of miralax at that point to help keep things moving and increase it at the slightest sign of obstruction. In her case she's never had garden variety constipation (very hard stool) but needs the 'stool softener' anyway. If obstructions become an increasingly bad issue (at this time, better at discerning the signs early on things are good) we discussed using Lactulose and mucomyst.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
My daughter is marginally pancreatic sufficient, but takes enzymes and it does not cause constipation. She's on a much lower dose than other kids her age (creon 6,000 three will meals, two with snacks) though.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
My daughter is marginally pancreatic sufficient, but takes enzymes and it does not cause constipation. She's on a much lower dose than other kids her age (creon 6,000 three will meals, two with snacks) though.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
My daughter is marginally pancreatic sufficient, but takes enzymes and it does not cause constipation. She's on a much lower dose than other kids her age (creon 6,000 three will meals, two with snacks) though.
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It sounds like she probably needs the enzymes and they might even help with the chronic constipation. Thanks so much for responding. I will probably have lots more questions once she can start them. The cf specialist wanted to give her colon a lot of time to heal before starting the enzymes.
It sounds like she probably needs the enzymes and they might even help with the chronic constipation. Thanks so much for responding. I will probably have lots more questions once she can start them. The cf specialist wanted to give her colon a lot of time to heal before starting the enzymes.