And our poo dramas continue

[Taurean]

I posted last month about my DD's battle with constipation. Under doctors orders, she's on a daily dose of Parachoc (stool softener) for 1-2 months to help alleviate her fear of pooing

I thought we were making some progress but she had yet another grunting, pushing, sweating session this morning all for nothing - she still hasn't done a poo. Admittedly, it's only been a few days and her last poo was firm but soft, IYKWIM, but it's all the grunting and straining which really worries me. We've had a few nights recently where it's kept her up at night too (a few nappy changes but only a tiny smear each time)

I think it's time we got a referral to her Paed. Its breaking my heart Number 2's just shouldn't be such a drama.

Thanks for reading. Any advice welcome (again)

[MummaSue]

No advice hun but just wanted to give you and DD a huge

[onthefly]

Poor little thing.
How long has she been on the parachoc? You say you seem to be making progress - maybe just a bad few days? No harm getting second opinion anyway

[sloane]

your poor little girl. big and i agree with madb - no harm in getting a second opinion.

[Queen]

Aww hun What about benefibre stuff? Could that help?
I hope you get some answers

[Taurean]

Thanks so much for your words of support and wisdom girls

DD ended up bleeding yesterday It was only a small graze but it was horrible - for both of us. And the poo wasn't even hard, it shouldn't have happened. So it's clear that it's all psychological and all the straining is actually her avoiding pooing. Oh my poor little girl

Her diet is really good but she is very fussy these days and the amount she eats varies a lot. She tends to graze more these days (the doctor assured me that is very normal for a toddler though) and although she's doesn't eat a lot of vegies (I try and try but she just isn't that keen!), she does very well with fruit. That was another thing that worried me but the doctor said that is also fine. Her fluid intake is good, diet is pretty good and she does poo eventually so it does appear to just be pure fear from a bout of constipation a few months back now.

I've got her into our GP to get a referral to her Paed. He was brilliant with her when treating her silent reflux so I'm sure he'll get things happening quickly (pardon the pun) this time too. I did miss a day of her Parachoc recently but didn't realise just one missed day can take you back to square one so that must be the issue. Thanks Jackrose for bringing that to my attention

[diva det]

my DS had chronic constipation since birth- he is now 8 years old and still gets it bad unless i give him fibre every day and parachoc if he hasnt do a poo for a couple of days.
when he was a baby he would go over 2 weeks without a poo and it was take him screaming and struggling to get it out. it stunk like stagnant water when it eventaully happened.
things that worked for us
- lots of fruit to eat
-we actually had DS bum stretched under GA- he was in for another procedure so the did this as well- he was a prem and his bum was also too small for the poo to come out of
- putting him in jolly jumper often would help get a poo out for him- it would keep him upright and the pressure on his tummy really helped
-lots of massage and warm baths- esp when he was in pain
- prunes and prune juice
- heaps of liquid- we used to give DS watered down juice to get him to drink more- even now if he doesnt drink enough he constipates really quickly so we have to be extra careful in summer
we didnt go onto parachoc until he was 5 years old but we did try lactulose and it did bugger all.
hugs hun constipation in toddlers is hard

[jackrose]

I went through a chronic constipation problem with my toddler at about the same age as your DD and was also advised to try daily parachoc. It was the only thing that worked in the end, giving daily parachoc for about 7 months to allow her to get over her fear of #2s and completely forget about the pain psychophysiologically. It was a pead who eventually helped us after 6 months of back and forth advice from doctors, nutritionists etc that got us nowhere.

My advice would be to go to see the pead so you can get a proper bit of advice and set your mind at ease and to keep up the daily dose.

Are you giving it to her every day? If you miss even one dose when you are trying to 'retrain' her poo habits it can set you right back to the start. If she gets that pain and fear again, she reconfirms in her mind that poo=pain, holds on, makes it worse and confirms again poo=pain. Self perpetuating. You have to be really diligent about the daily dose for months to allow that cycle to break in her mind. Also, I was advised to give above the recommended dose. It was all about making sure that the poo was as soft as possible to pass. The pead explained all of this to me really well - so this is what I mean by going to see a pead to set your mind at ease.

A bit more of my story here, and a bit more expanded advise if you are interested. (I'm bf-ing and typing one hand at moment ) My DD has been completely constipation free since we finished our 7 months of parachoc. I can't tell you the relief and I understand your distress completely

[Early Kids]

I think it is worth a second opinion.

I have no other advice as we are at the opposite end of the scale, sore bum from runny stools

[Taurean]

Poor little thing.
How long has she been on the parachoc? You say you seem to be making progress - maybe just a bad few days? No harm getting second opinion anyway

She's been on the Parachoc daily for a month now (besides the day I missed last week, whoops). The doctor did say a month or two so I may be counting my chickens before they've hatched but I just can't see her in any more pain. Yeah, I think the second opinion will be good

[jackrose]

Sounds like you are absolutely on the right track. Her diet sounds absolutely fine (as was my DDs) but it doesn't stop you questioning everything you do in regards to their food/fluid intake. I was so confused about it all with my DD as her diet was fine and I felt such immense relief when I realised it was nothing to do with what I was feeding her.

it is amazing how sensitive they are to the fear and missing one day can make an impact. Once I understood that I was absolutely regimented in giving DD her parachoc where before I had been a little bit reluctant and hit and miss with it. I just didn't understand the whole psychological component. Sounds like you have an absolutely fantastic GP who has led you down the right path and you get it, so have faith and give daily and you will both be fine in a few months!

...also, when you are coming off the parachoc, reduce the daily dose by a few mls ever other day. If your DD shows any signs of issues coming back during the weaning off time, up the dose straight away to avoid going down the fear path. Slowly slowly is the way

[Taurean]

Thanks again Jackrose

Well we had a good day yesterday. Two poos, both firm but soft and no real dramas getting them out It was such a huge relief for both of us

So what changed? I visited the Parachoc website and read that you can add the Parachoc to drinks or meals providing they are cold. I had been adding it to DD's warm bottles so *maybe* that was stopping it from working

I've cancelled the GP appointment as I feel a little more in control again now. Daily doses and added to cold food or drinks only. I'll give it another week and reassess.

Your support has been great girls, thanks so much