We saw the continence nurse and her basic response was "just keep doing what you're doing". *sigh* She did try to put it down to a fibre issue until I went through what he eats in detail and she quickly changed her mind. She also wants us to put him on the toilet half hour after eating if possible...
So nothing new.
We are now awaiting the paediatrician.
I also went through our diary of DS and he has has issues since he started solids pretty much so thats over 2 and half years, not all of those medically treated. It seems endless for him.
I totally understand what you are going through as I have issues with my (almost) 10yo. One of the ways I was able to get through to him was talking about how it hurts but it hurts more in the tummy if he holds on, and that once he's done it he will feel much better when it's out. But not when he's upset because they are not in a good place to discuss stuff then We had problems with DS1 until he was about 5 and still do if he has a gastro bug that upsets his system.
He has Aspergers and apparently it is common for them to have slower digestive systems, but I think his troubles started after a dose of antibiotics for a chest infection left him terribly constipated
I really think addressing the issue by acknowledging it hurts, but he will feel better one it's done was the best way. I tried bribing and yelling (not my proudest moment) without success. 3-4 yo's are shockingly stubborn too so if you can ride it out till he's a little older and able to be reasoned with. Our paed says that kids can be on parachoc for years if they need to be because it's not going to make the bowel lazy by chemically stimulating it like a laxative does
I've found with other things too that using the be brave approach works well. Recently C needed to get stitches in his chin and was terrified so I used this tactic and it helped somewhat.
Ive been there I think we both get as frustrated about it all as each other which in turn doesnt help either of us.
Paed appointment is slowly drawing closer. We have a few other issues going on 'down there' at the moment that I want the paed to double check also.
Ive tried the 'it will tickle' and ' it will be uncomfortable but it wont hurt unless you hold on' approach which have both worked to various degrees. But they obviously arent for the 'ive been holding for days and its going to be a whopper' ones.
Its been a while since Ive been back in this thread and I thought I might update you all with how we are going. The verdict is we are going really well *touch wood*.
We saw the paed and his response was to change from parachoc to movicol and start a new toilet regime. I asked about if allergies or intolerance could cause the issue and was told that it would be like looking for a needle in the haystack and we would go down that path if the movicol didnt work. We had to go above recommended dose (on Paed supervision) to get things going and within two weeks DS was voluntarily sitting on the toilet to poo. The only issue being we once again couldnt reduce dosages after being on the movicol for a while.
After dealing with this issue so long I took DS to the dietitian basically with the viewpoint of "well its been this long even if they have nothing new it cant hurt". She was of the view that it was a fibre issue! So I humoured her and even created a spread sheet calculating the fibre vs water intake and she also concluded its not a fibre issue. We then eliminated the known allergens from his diet (we had been told previous to keep him exposed to build a tolerance to them by the allergist) and lo and behold he is on a significantly reduced dose of movicol. He willingly goes to the toilet now. And he doesnt scream to do so. He eats more, is happier and is like a new little boy.
Recently he was reintroduced to an allergen and the next day was back to his worst, screaming and in distress and pain like nothing before. So I think that is an unfortunate way to discover it, but reasonably conclusive indicator to keep doing what we are. We are also doing elimination diets to see if we can get him fully unmedicated. But honestly, I never ever EVER thought I would see my child go to the toilet willingly and without pain.
Thank you all so much for listening to my tears of frustration and concern for my boy. We're getting somewhere now
Oh, I am so thrilled for you, AND for your little boy.
Well done you for continuing to look for answers, for helping him and for finding the solution. You must be so relieved and so happy to have an answer.
Yay yay yay for pooing!!!
I hope that you keep working in the right direction.
It seems endless for him.
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We had problems with DS1 until he was about 5 and still do if he has a gastro bug that upsets his system.
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