Severe, chronic constipation - success stories needed

[~*Niadalla*~]

Hi,
Ds (nearly 11 months) has been suffering severe, chronic constipation for 5-6 months ( yes, THAT long, as noone would listen to me, and people kept telling me it wasn't 'true' constipation)

Anyway, we finally go my GP to listen after he witnessed DS doin his 'thing' at the GP's surgery.
We were reffered to a pead, who we saw yesterday, and who has placed DS on a dairy free diet. Soy formula, and wants him to have a probiotic like Yakult ( as he thinks that due to DS being comp fed around 3-4 mnths of age, and then back to full time breastfeeding, that he has a bacterial imbalance in his bowel.)
So, we are hoping that doing the dairy free diet, will help his gut heal, and he will hopefully be back to normal within 2 months.

If this diet doesn't work, its then onto laxatives, to try and treat DS' anxiety.

So, I was wondering if there were any parents here that had/have/are going through something similar, and was wondering of the outcomes?

Do you know what the 'cause' was? Has it been treated? if so, how was it treated?

Did they just grow out of it?

I would really appreciate responses, as I am feeling very guilty due to the fact that I felt I HAD to comp feed with formula when he was 3-4 months of age, and now I feel that if I had just trusted in myself, that I wouldn't have had to do that, and we wouldn't be in this.

Thanks in advance.

[Ellibam]

this isnt an answer to your question but did the doctor say put him on a soy formula? or lactose free formula(yes there is a difference) cos every thing i have read has recommended not giving soy esp to boys.
are you still breast feeding him at all?? did the doctor say any thing about you also avoiding dairyif you are??
dont feel bad about giving formula when you did, i wouldnt think that was the issue. but giving him the probiotic should help lots any way.

hope it sorts out soon for your little man

[~*Niadalla*~]

Yeah the pead specifically said SOY formula.
I didn't know any different, but have heard a few thigns since.
Is it a huge problem? I am thinking it probably won't really cause any extra issues.... nothing worse than where we are at now anyway.
Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it

[~*Niadalla*~]

Anyone?

[BhoysGirl]

Nicky - thank goodness that they've finally believed you. Well done to Lach for timing his performance in front of the dr, clever little man!

I know nothing about any of this, but did want to say that you should flush any guilty feelings you might have right down the toilet to where the belong - you are an ACE mum, as evidenced by the fact that you've known for months that Lach had a problem. And heaps of people comp feed without any of the problems you've had, so there is no way you could have known that it would cause problems.

[~*Niadalla*~]

Thanks Jan. I know it's not technically my fault, but I really can't help but feel a bit of guilt.
Poor little man is in such agony.... It brings me to tears everytime.

[MrsFabuloso]

I also don't have experience with severe prolonged constipation, though DD has gone through having constipation whe she went from comp. bf to full ff.
I agree with the pp that you shouldn't be feeling guilty, though I do totally understand it, mummy guilt sucks!!
Have you tried a naturopath, maybe they could help out with his diet?

[~*Niadalla*~]

I didn't even think about a natropath. I will see how this diet change goes over the next few weeks, and then it may be an option. I am not keen on giving DS laxatives for extended periods of time, but I really want him to be able to poo without screaming and bleeding

Thanks for your reply xxoo