Monday, March 16, 2009
Potty Trouble
I won't go into the nitty gritty for obvious reasons, but Ben is having a rough time with bowel movements lately. I just can't figure it out and I feel so bad for him that we don't know what else to do. We give daily laxative and have increased the dose. We've also had to rely on enemas every few weeks to get a movement but then the cycle starts all over again. Sometimes we think this is what causes his retching/vomiting episodes. The strange thing is when he does go, there doesn't seem to be any reason why he would have trouble passing it (very loose). I'm hoping a blog reader out there can shed some light? I'm worried because the research I've done implies it could be related to a spinal cord problem. But I don't want to jump to conclusions yet... things in CHARGEland never end up being what they seem.
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4 comments:
I wish I had some advice for you, but I hope Ben feels better soon and you get some answers soon also.
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva
Hmmm...you've got me stumped. What do his doctors say? And have you posted this yet on the listserv?
So frustrating indeed...keep us posted.
Amy,
What kind of diet is Ben on...? Formula only...? Just curious. Certain formulas are famous for causing the "loose" stools.
As for the "constipation" with loose activity afterward (along with retching, gagging and intolerance to feeds), you've described Gracie at Ben's age. Have they done a Gastric Emptying Study (with small bowel follow through) on Ben? Gracie's has historically shown that she's slow to empty in her stomach, but even more significant, she's slow to digest through her very narrow and smaller than normal intestinal tract.
Her GI (lumping GI, neuro and nervous system together) issues are complicated... and often the "neuro" piece has been blamed since they cannot find another explanation. I think it's all intertwined and each system relies on and plays off the others. I could go on for days and days on this topic.
Anyway, I would be curious, since Ben also has the "neuro" piece with the CP diagnosis, if that has something to do with his issues. Constipation (not necessarily "blockage) and motility issues are huge with kids with "brain anomalies."
Does he have the cyclical vomiting (or retching with the attempt to vomit) like so many kids do?
My other question would be whether you are giving him more Ibuprofen or Tylenol than you normally do since he's been sick? Sometimes that, alone, causes more bowel issues.
I wish you (and Mr. Ben, of course) luck... and if you want to chat about this further, post me a note and we can connect :).
Big hugs your way,
Kristi
Oh my gosh, Luke has the exact same problem. Doesn't go for almost a week... more benefiber... myralax... then the enema. When he does finally go he is loose as a goose (even without the enema), which makes no sense to me. My only guess is that he fights the pooping (which he does seem to do) for some reason and then he gets backed up. Sorry I can't offer some advice, but if you find any great answers to this problem, please let me know.
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