Constipation

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Thanks for the great info! Yesterday I put two of the fruit gels into the

kids smoothies. Of course my liguid in the smoothie is papaya nectar along

with frozen mango, blueberries,strawberries, blackberries and an occassional

over ripe bananna! I am going to head out to get some pear juice just to

give the kids a change in taste and mix them together. We have the Looza

brand also.

I could not get my kids to drink papaya juice plain at first then one day I

had a little left over koolaide and mixed the juice in. Suddenly green

papaya juice was good. I then added a package of the koolaide to the juice

and WOW it good to them!? It's amazing what a little color adds! If I get

really desperate for a change I do that. I am not thrilled about artificial

color so I keep it to a minimal.

I do have to keep up with the children daily to make sure they are going.

Your dr. is right I do not go anywhere over night without MOM. I can not

wait until the kids can read there own bodies and know what they need!

I wasnt aware of strawberry flavored MOM. My children ,except , like

the cherry. Well like maybe too stong of a word but atleast they will take

it!

Thanks again and I hope you are having a great holiday!

ong of a word but Co-founder CHERAB of OHIO

hugheslke@...

For more information visit our web site

www.cherabofohio.org

or e-mail info@...

>From: " kiddietalk " <kiddietalk@...>

>Reply-

>

>CC: hugheslke@...

>Subject: [ ] Re: constipation

>Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 16:32:26 -0000

>

>Hi !

>

>

>Tanner is tired of the gels too. But I was told by Dr. that

>we need to keep him on a daily regimen of going every day for at

>least a few months to have the best possible chance of getting him

>regular. Like Tanner -your children are old enough to have this

>explained to them. So like it or not -Tanner is forced to drink the

>nectars and eat the gel -and not just once a day either. He needs

>nectar at least two to three times a day for it to work -and it's

>working (so worth it).

>

>Dr. told me " at some point you will get lax about it -and

>he'll get constipated again -and once he does -it will start all

>over. I'm just warning you because I see it happen. " ...

[Guest guest]

You can now get the Kern's nectar's in the little juice boxes to add

to their lunch boxes. has always had problems with

constipation, but he likes to drink Apricot nectar and he likes to

eat raisins and apricots. Now, I just pack the Apricot nectar in

his lunch box, and that really helps him.

As far as what the nectars have in them that the juices don't. I

think the nectars might actually have some of the fiber that the

juices don't. I think juices are really filtered.

> Wow thanks for this comprehensive lesson about the gut!

>

> I just wanted to add that in a nutshell -out of our couple of hour

> appointment with pediatric gastroenterologist Lawrence MD

from

> Palm Beach Florida, we covered much of what you talked about.

>

> I just want to clarify that Dr. did not recommend juice, and

> that I can tell you that for Tanner juice did not work. Dr.

> recommended the nectars -specifically papaya, pear, apricot etc.

>

> > Here is a brief summery from the prescription he gave me:

> >

> > Diet: Nectars (fruit juices) Papaya, pear, apricot (if he can

> > stand it -can mix with others but try plain nectar first)

> > * prune juice -can be mixed with orange juice (since most kids

> don't

> > like it)

> >

> > exotic fruits- figs, dates, apricot, papaya (papaya underlined

> > twice) (if he can stand it -like the nectars -these work wonders

> he

> > said)

> >

> > limit -banana, apple, rice, dairy

> >

> > Milk of Magnesia 2-3 tablespoons with glass of water any time he

> > skips 1 day. Works 4-8 hours.

> >

> > Behavior Modification -10 minutes daily -no distractions. Use

> > calendar stickers -every week reward for amount of BMs

> > 2/ week something small

> > 3-4 medium

> > 5-7 large reward

>

> About the brain play (or lack of)to this, I was talking to Sallie

> Bernard who was talking to pediatric neurologist Xue Ming MD PhD

> about this too common problem in our population of children for

some

> reason -who believes that with autistic (and apraxic) children

> it 'may' be a brain signaling problem. I'm still in the school of

> thought that we don't really know the brain enough to know all

that

> it's capable of doing or not doing. So I wouldn't disagree with

the

> theory that this has nothing to do with the brain -however I feel

> more uncomfortable agreeing this has nothing to do with the brain

based on the fact that autism and

> apraxia are on the rise in this country as specific multifaceted

> communication impairments -and both are neurologically based- I

> would just say let's stay open in theory still.

>

> About the diet alone theory, good points but that I don't agree

> with. I have about a zillion friends who have kids who eat all

> kinds of crap. To them meat and potatoes? Potato chips and beef

> jerky. Fruit means fruit flavored Hawaiian Punch (just kidding

but

> you get the point) and...none of my friend's kids have problems

with

> constipation, especially constipation that is ongoing for years!

Just Tanner who eats

> what...healthy food and takes fish oil each day? So yes diet is

> important -but it's not the main factor or we would be seeing

> epidemics of constipation in the normal pediatric population as

well.

> (or more than 3%!)

> " Constipation is the chief complaint in 3 percent of pediatric

outpatient visits "

> http://www.healthscout.com/news/402/515479/main.html

>

> About magnesia -as I have above -big time agree and found this

> works. We however only use this on days that we don't get enough

> nectar into Tanner. Dr. has us give Tanner Milk of

Magnesia

> (3 tablespoons) any time Tanner " misses " a day. I do notice that

> Tanner will miss a day if he doesn't drink enough papaya and pear

> nectar the day before. So to the mom that brought up the papaya

and

> jell bowls from Dole -they are not the most important, the nectar

is.

>

> Not sure about other kids, however I also now do in my gut believe

> that there are psychological aspects (psychological meaning fear)

at

> play in Tanner's case which played together with the underlying

> problem. He had trouble going, so by the time he did go it was

> painful (understatement -the last time I was ready to call 911 -

and

> not kidding about that. If you have a child that suffers from

this

> you know what I mean how horrible this is!!) Each time Tanner had

> to go to the bathroom (he would sit down and then stand up and say

> he couldn't go as you know for years) he actually had a look of

> utter fear and horror when " it's coming! " and the screams and

> tears. I joked and compared it to giving birth when I explained

it

> to Dr. . That was a cue to Dr. that there are fear

> factors at play as well.

> and...may want to read this whole article:

> " Children with functional constipation experience much more

anxiety about toileting behavior than other children, but don't

display significant general anxiety. "

> http://www.healthscout.com/news/402/515479/main.html

>

> So in other words -this is apparently triggered by 'something',

but

> then it is made worse of a problem due to fear of the pain of

going.

>

> On our last visit Dr. checked Tanner's award sticker

calendar

> (he got a sticker each time he went over a 2 month period) and let

> us know there was no reason to see him again -all looked good and

> Tanner does not need medication, surgery -or even any further

> tests. He did warn us that at some point we will get lax about

the

> nectar and that Tanner will have a relapse of constipation and

that

> it will all start again -and he will start to withhold due to the

> pain. He told me that psychological factors are one of the

largest

> things at play in children.

>

> The fact that Tanner has cleared up and is going so regular on the

> nectar tells me that there is something in the nectar that he

> needs. I know that is obvious -but we need to know...what does

the

> papaya and pear nectars offer that the juice does not?

>

> We use a mixture of pear, papaya and mango nectar -heavy on the

> pear. Here is a bit about each:

> " Fresh papaya is probably the finest healing food in the world. It

> is anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, has enzymes which can decompose

> toxic matter, and help digest foods eaten so as to get more

> nutrients out of them for feeding the cells of the body. It is

> literally the finest anti aging food known and can even help

prevent

> wrinkles...

> The second most healing food is the mango. Although it does not

have

> the enzyme structure as the papaya, it still has remarkable

healing

> and detoxifying capabilities...

> Pear nectar flushes the liver gallbladder, removes gout and other

> acid accumulation and prevents constipation. Two 6 oz glasses a

day

> between meals is the appropriate amount for most individuals. "

> http://www.timeforhealth.com/foods.html

>

> And one last thing -I believe it's really wonderful that Karyn is

> offering the Benefiber samples for free -and it is a really cool

> powder that disappears -however a head's up to anyone who has a

> child that does well and needs the EFAs. Tanner regressed on the

> addition of any fiber supplements enough that my husband Glenn

(who

> is not always as observant as me) called it " scary " Dr.

when

> I spoke to him about this said that he is not sure why -but that

> it's interesting and that it's possible that the long chain fatty

> acids are being short chained in the gut.

>

> So if you try fiber supplements and notice a regression -don't be

> surprised.

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

Cher,

Doesn't this tea have Ephedra in it?

Jan

> Hi All,

>

> I keep seeing reports of constipation, of which has always been an

> issue for me. I would like to share one product that really

helps.

> Super Dieter's Tea. I drink one cup at night as needed (no more

than

> once a week). It works wonders. (My husband who does not have

this

> condition, tried it once and it did nothing for him.) Anyway, if

you

> are looking for some relief and want a gentle approach this seems

to

> be the best.

[Guest guest]

No, it has natural selena??? in it (have to look at home). That is

it. Have tried the over-the-counter laxatives and softners but they

do not work the same. I buy this at the health food store and it is

ideal.

I have tried the fiber approach, nothing. Live on low carb and high-

fiber so shouldn't have any problems but do. I know we do advise

using such products, but if you are in need, this is one I

recommend.

I try to stay away from ephedra only because it makes me tired. I

yawn constantly if I take metabolife with it. It seems to have the

opposite effect that others experience. It does not increase BP or

anything, weird. Anyway, there is absolutely no reason for me to

want to use it.

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I keep seeing reports of constipation, of which has always been

an

> > issue for me. I would like to share one product that really

> helps.

> > Super Dieter's Tea. I drink one cup at night as needed (no more

> than

> > once a week). It works wonders. (My husband who does not have

> this

> > condition, tried it once and it did nothing for him.) Anyway, if

> you

> > are looking for some relief and want a gentle approach this seems

> to

> > be the best.

[Guest guest]

Oh ! I'm so sorry to hear about this! I don't know of anyone

who has gone through this-- have you done a group search to see

if there are any online groups? I hope you can find a family to

communicate with. One thing I just did was go onto pubmed and just

see what type of information they had-- typed in pseudo-obstructive

syndrome and children in the same line. This one article stood out

to me in that it sounds like, in this article, that they are talking

about eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis (whoo that's a mouthful!)

could be a possibility to investigate because if it turned out to be

a factor, then the last line says it (the eo.my.gan.) is amenable to

anti-inflammatory treatments. (vs. the surgeries).

Also, even though this sounds like an absolutely wonderful and

thorough doctor, after watching that Oprah show on medical mistakes,

I would seriously consider getting a second opinion to confirm the

diagnosis only because some of the stories on that show featured

people who were under the best of care, and still, there were

misdiagnoses and these people underwent treatments and surgeries

needlessly. So just as a precaution, if you can seek out a second

opinion, I would do so. Just to make sure. Surgery is so " final " .

{{{Hugs to you and }}}

W

Here's the article from pubmed:

Eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis is associated with functional

intestinal obstruction.

Schappi MG, VV, Milla PJ, Lindley KJ.

Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Child Health and Great

Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.

The diagnostic features and clinical course of three children (aged 1

month to 15 years) with severe functional intestinal obstruction and

inflammation of the colonic lamina propria and myenteric plexus are

described. The myenteric inflammatory infiltrate was eosinophil

predominant with none of the immunological characteristics of

lymphocytic ganglionitis. Neurones in the myenteric ganglia expressed

the potent eosinophil chemoattractant interleukin 5. None responded

to dietary exclusion but all three responded symptomatically to

immunosuppression/anti-inflammatory treatments. Eosinophilic

ganglionitis is associated with a pseudo-obstructive syndrome which

is amenable to anti-inflammatory treatment.

Publication Types:

Case Reports

PMID: 12692064 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

> > My son was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with Pseudo

Obstruction

> Syndrome. Basically, none of the nerves & muscles in his colon

that are

> supposed to work together to move the stool through are working.

He has

> zero motility in his colon.

[Guest guest]

-I'm so sorry to hear about this too. I'm really so sorry -I

know how we've talked and compared notes along the way on our two

boys. I'm just so sorry that it's this and not something simpler

like Tanner's apparently was. I know you have had appointments up

the whazoo-but have you sought a second opinion yet? I have someone

listed below (but who knows -perhaps this is your doc?!)

I highly suspected there could be a link between why so many

children with apraxia/PDD and other multifaceted communication

impairments have constipation problems. And -so I did a search

under " intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome " and " motor "

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome in pediatric patients.

" Absent or abnormal motor migrating complex with low amplitude

contractions were demonstrated on duodeno-jejunal manometry in 12/13 "

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & dopt=Abstra\

ct & list_uids=99273660

There is a test called a antroduodenal manometry that measures and

detects abnormal motor problems. (has had this test? it's

kind of new)

" Stanghellini et al. (2000) stated that only patients who remain

undiagnosed after extensive traditional work-up and fail repeated

courses with medical therapy should be referred for the manometric

test "

" Antroduodenal manometry is a relatively new technique for the

evaluation of gastric and small intestinal motor function. "

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0616.html

" Glia and Lindberg (1998) studied the antroduodenal motor activity

in 20 patients to ascertain whether patients with slow-transit

constipation may have a generalized intestinal motor disorder. They

found a significant proportion of patients with slow-transit

constipation have manometric findings that indicate a generalized

motor disorder of the gut. However, the clinical significance of

these findings is unclear.

Byrne and Quigley (1997) concluded that in the evaluation of

suspected foregut motor dysfunction, antroduodenal manometry may

provide clinically useful information in selected patients;

information which may not be available from standard diagnostic

tests, including nuclear medicine gastric-emptying studies.

Stanghellini et al. (2000) stated that only patients who remain

undiagnosed after extensive traditional work-up and fail repeated

courses with medical therapy should be referred for the manometric

test. " http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0616.html

And since you are in MA -is this the MD that just saw?! If

not....I'd call him...like now. When you talk to him -pick his

brain. I'm sure he'll have much to share (and let us know)

(Posted March 2003)

Calling all Families: Genetic Study of Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-

obstruction Syndrome

Researchers at the Center for Human Genetics at Boston University

School of Medicine, headed by Aubrey Milunsky, M.D., D.Sc., are

engaged in a study that aims to discover the gene(s) responsible for

pseudo-obstruction. Dr. Milunsky is now requesting contact with

families who have an affected child and at least one unaffected

child. Researchers will be seeking a blood sample from both the

affected and unaffected children and both parents. Studies are aimed

at both neuropathic and myopathic forms of pseudo-obstruction.

Blood samples can easily be obtained anywhere in the nation or

abroad and sent to the Center by Federal Express (next day delivery)

for which the Center would cover the costs. The studies may

eventually lead to the discovery of the gene and eventually more

meaningful treatment. Families should contact either Dr. Aubrey or

Jeff Milunsky by telephone (617-638-7083), by fax (617-638-7092), or

by email (amilunsk@...).

Aubrey Milunsky, M.D., D.Sc.

Director, Center for Human Genetics

Boston University School of Medicine

715 Albany Street

Boston, MA 02118-2526

http://www.aboutkidsgi.org/research.html#cips

My gut on this one -don't be so quick to know for sure that is

the " right " box -whatever has -and Tanner has and ___(fill in

the hundreds of more names here) has in regards to constipation -

it's running rampant in this group -so...that tells me that like

everything else -it may not have a box yet. We need to stay outside

to make sure. So share all of the above with your new and awesome

doctor. You can't be mad at the doc in NJ until you know for sure

this one is right -and what he proposes works. In regards to

mistakes -I'd rather a doctor was wrong about telling me to give my

son too much fiber -than having my son have a colostomy. And they

all leak when they are constipated -that's part of it when it's

chronic -just like every 5 to 15 minutes feeling like they have

to " go " and running to find a bathroom while they sit there in

pain....and then nothing. Like false labor.

I know Dr. -Tanner's doctor and I talked about motor planning

possibilities -and pediatric neurologist Dr. Xue Ming from UMDNJ

also talks about this as a " possible brain stem signaling problem "

I didn't have to keep exploring tests and/or surgery with Dr.

because the nectars and all worked. I'm very happy in Tanner's case

the nectars are working (with the Milk of Magnesia co starring) My husband

Glenn -who got into all this too -just ordered a mega juicer that we

could almost juice a whole watermelon in! (remember Home

Improvement?! -So -like you we are juicing the real stuff too

now)

Point is -we don't know -and they don't know yet for sure. And

sounds like some of these tests are new -and not to long ago we were

told apraxia was rare too (remember back four years ago?) and we

found out two things -it wasn't as bad as they told us -and they

never told us about the nose blowing and constipation problems!

There has not been enough research (can I say any? Anyone? Can I

say " There has not been any research yet in this area?!) Please

keep us posted - is in my thoughts and prayers that all goes

well -no matter what.

=====

[Guest guest]

Senna is not good to take all the time either, but I've taken it when

desperate. Have you tried psyllium husks?

Jan

> > > Hi All,

> > >

> > > I keep seeing reports of constipation, of which has always been

> an

> > > issue for me. I would like to share one product that really

> > helps.

> > > Super Dieter's Tea. I drink one cup at night as needed (no

more

> > than

> > > once a week). It works wonders. (My husband who does not have

> > this

> > > condition, tried it once and it did nothing for him.) Anyway,

if

> > you

> > > are looking for some relief and want a gentle approach this

seems

> > to

> > > be the best.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jan,

Yes, the psyllium husks should work, but they don't for me. I was

taking at least 3xregular dose daily and still nothing. The fiber

wasn't the issue.

I do limit the senna and use only when absolutely needed.

> > > > Hi All,

> > > >

> > > > I keep seeing reports of constipation, of which has always

been

> > an

> > > > issue for me. I would like to share one product that really

> > > helps.

> > > > Super Dieter's Tea. I drink one cup at night as needed (no

> more

> > > than

> > > > once a week). It works wonders. (My husband who does not

have

> > > this

> > > > condition, tried it once and it did nothing for him.) Anyway,

> if

> > > you

> > > > are looking for some relief and want a gentle approach this

> seems

> > > to

> > > > be the best.

[Guest guest]

, I was thinking about your post last night at 4 a.m. and I was

remembering back to when Ethan had the reaction to Miralax and how I

was scouring the net for info on it. One thing I found was from

another mom--her letter to the FDA was posted on their website. She

described how her daughters tummy became very bloated while on

Miralax and she lost the ability to have a bowel movement. I called

her on the phone and we commiserated together. I told her how when

Ethan was on it, he too became bloated in the abdomen and about two

weeks or so into the product, he lost the ability to go. So the

woman I called sends me the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Events Reporting

System data for Miralax, and there were also other cases of children

becoming bloated on it, losing ability to " go " , having mushy stools.

So in my mind, I am kind of wondering, when did your son get this

bloating? I mean, obviously he was constipated before or he wouldn't

have been put on the Miralax, but in my mind, I am wondering if

perhaps the Miralax is causing this zero motility at this point.

Now, I know what the pamphlet says on the Miralax and I know what the

manufacturer would say--they'd say " it's not related " . However, no

product has 100% effectiveness for 100% of the population. Everyone

is unique. And it could be that your son and some of these other

children are somehow reacting to the polyethylene glycol and it is

causing the bloating and the no-motility. So I'm just posting this

to you to think back as to the time frame of events and see if you

think it might be a possibility...

Another possibility is to perhaps just go ahead and try an exclusion

diet if you haven't already--either GFCF (gluten free casein free) or

the SCD (specific carbohydrate diet that was developed for bowel

problems like IBS, Crohn's, etc.). I mean, at this point, you're

looking at surgery so it wouldn't hurt to just try and eliminate

other possibilities. Nothing to lose other than the time and effort

it takes to implement an exclusion diet.

I'll try to keep my eyes open for anything else on the obstruction,

but I agree with 's post... keep options open at this point.

Again, think back to the timeline and see if things started to take a

turn for the worse while he was on Miralax... I know things were

probably bad for him before, but still, I've seen the bloating

mentioned before on the MedWatch printout and I've seen other reports

of kids sort of " losing " their ability to go. Ethan was constipated

before Miralax...while on Miralax, things went downhill. I know they

say it's not possible, but adverse reactions are possible. Think of

ibuprofen-- why they post on the label that if someone gets a rash,

they need to stop taking the product... because somewhere along the

line someone got s s syndrome reaction from it, that's

why. Again, unique differences mean unique reactions to products

that don't seem to harm or effect others.

W

[Guest guest]

Hi -- me again. I hope you don't mind me posting on the topic

here... I'm one of those people that loves to look up info on the net

and in learning more about pseudo obstruction, I'm looking for any

signs that relate to my own dd, so bear with me as I throw

information your way--some of it may be helpful, some not.

Here is a really neat website that explains pseudo obstruction and

mentions a book on the topic. One of the things from this website is

that it discusses the treatments for psuedo obstruction... if the

doctor hasn't discussed or tried meds with your son, and is just

wanting to go straight to surgery, then I would say definitely take

time to seek a second opinion. From what I am seeing on the net, not

just on this site, but on others, is that there are some medications

to try, as well as nutritional issues to tackle before considering

surgery. Surgery is viewed more as a last resort I guess. This site

mentions propulsid and one other med. One medicine that they do not

mention is Bethanecol. I think, because it is an older medication.

When those " new kids on the block (the newer meds) come out, they

tend to say that the older meds just aren't as effective... but what

got me looking for meds and pseudo obstruction is another thought I

had-- on the autism boards, there are a lot of kids with the same

symptoms as your guy-- bloating (from bacteria overgrowth) and

constipation and these kids are responding very well to this older

med--Bethanecol. The families are very happy with it, so I am

tossing it in there as another possibility in addition to the other

two meds mentioned on this site. I will also put a link on

Bethanecol from a parkinsons website simply because they had a really

good write-up explaining what bethanecol is, how it works, etc.

Here's the pseudo-ob. website:

http://www.medfriendly.com/intestinalpseudoobstruction.html#types

Here's the bethanecol info:

http://www.parkinsons-information-exchange-network-

online.com/drugdb/016.html

Here are two more pseudo-obstruction websites that I found that

looked helpful, and I think both mentioned the use of meds/nutrition

first:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/byname/intestinal-pseudo-obstruction--

surgical-perspective.htm

http://www.rosemont.com.au/pseudo-obstruction.htm

Also, keep in mind that who you choose to go to, in part, determines

the type of treatment they will do. That is, when Ethan was having

some eye troubles, we chose to take him to the one kind of eye doctor

that does not do surgery rather than the kind that does. Because

we " knew " that if we went to the other, then the recommendation would

be " surgery " . So we went to the other kind and got his eye problem

treated in a different way. So it sounds like you have found a top

notch doctor who knows the diagnosis very well, however, keep in mind

that he may be used to doing " surgeries " . See if you can find

someone else who is just as knowledgeable about pseudo-obstruction,

but is used to doing " treatments " .

I do not know if this person below is experienced with pseudo-

obstruction, but I know he is very good. Worth a phone call to at

least ask him if he has treated psuedo obstruction cases before.

Arthur Krigsman, M.D., Pediatric Gastrointestinal Consultant, Lenox

Hill Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of

Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New

York.

(516) 921-9000 or (516) 921-3113 (one, or both, of the numbers

is to his office in Woodbury, NY)

Again, you and are in my thoughts!

W

[Guest guest]

Actually, the prescribing information for Miralax says, " Safety and

effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established. "

Peace,

Kathy E.

On Dec 16, 2003, at 1:12 PM, merrywbee@... wrote:

[Guest guest]

The manufacturer has sponsored some small studies using miralax in

kids in the past. The first study was for under two weeks with gosh,

probably about 20 kids if my memory serves me correctly...other

studies have also involved small number of kids, under two weeks

time. I know there was talk that they were going to do a larger

study and extend it beyond the two weeks that is suggested on their

dosing for adults, but I haven't read anything about whether it was

completed or not.

W

[Guest guest]

Kathy

Funny you should pick that up......I';ve never known that to have a pediatric

indication.....hmmmmmm.......

~K

Re: [ ] Re: constipation

Actually, the prescribing information for Miralax says, " Safety and

effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established. "

Peace,

Kathy E.

On Dec 16, 2003, at 1:12 PM, merrywbee@... wrote:

[Guest guest]

Oh, I meant to add that yes as Kathy writes below from the

prescribing info, technically this is considered " off label " use in

kids.

W

[Guest guest]

Oh, when I was having my thyroid crash, I also totally did laxatives.

But I think that unless you have other health problems, once you are

on enough thyroid meds you should not be constipated anymore.

Jan

> Thanks Jan,

>

> Yes, the psyllium husks should work, but they don't for me. I was

> taking at least 3xregular dose daily and still nothing. The fiber

> wasn't the issue.

>

> I do limit the senna and use only when absolutely needed.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kari,

I've been constipated most of my life, averaging 1 movement per week. I used

to have the 'rabbit pellets' too. After trying several different stool

softeners, I no longer had the rabbit pellets, but very soft stool. However, I

was

still going only once a week! So to me, that's not eliminating the constipation,

just the rabbit pellets.

I don't have any problem with Prune juice, but sometimes I have to drink so

much that it's easier to use psyllium capsules periodically.

Chris

[Guest guest]

Hi

After 2 days of magic with the prunes, I wish I could use them. But believe

they led to melt downs at night. However we are doing a lot of different things

right now. I was thinking of trying prunes again with a particular enzyme for

fruit that might help. Do you have any problem with prune juice? Maybe I

should try the juice form if I'm not successful with the prunes. However I did

load her up with magnesium today so we'll see.

What is the difference between constipation and not having soft stools? I guess

I would have thought soft stools would mean no constipation. For my daughter,

she goes almost every day just rabbit pellet types.

Thanks,

Kari

Re: Constipation - Kari

I've tried several different things for stool softening, to no avail. While

they did soften the stools, they had no affect on constipation. For me, things

like psyllium or prune juice worked better to move the stuff out, regardless

of how soft things became. But I realize everyone is different.

Chris

[Guest guest]

In relation to this thread, I was thinking about this just today. If

you look around, and can afford it, would it be helpful to make

homemade juices/nectars using a cheap juicing machine? I got one for

my hubby for Valentine's Day for $20 at Macy's, and it's been working

wonderfully. We just throw in whatever fruits we want, and we've

used oranges, mangos, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries,

raspberries, carrots,...the list goes on and on. It produces a juice

combination (no matter what you put in, at least from our fruit

experience) that is to die for taste wise (YUM is an understatement)

and is the consistency of a fruit smoothie. Even with the strainer,

there is still some fiber left that I could see how it might be

helpful to get some fiber and still get some healthy liquid in your

child as well.

(No, I'm not into juicing diets or anything---we were just looking at

alternative ways to get various healthy foods into our picky eater!

Adding the carrots to the fruit juice blend is a great way to get at

least 1 veggie into him!)

Just a suggestion/idea I thought I'd pass along while I was thinking

about it...

le (SAHM to Drew, 2.8 years, apraxia, DSI and hypotonia)

> gave me a tip a month or so ago and it really worked for us

so I

> wanted to pass it along. She suggested for contipation to

use " nectars "

> instead of " juice. " We have been doing prune juice since

was very

> young. Anway- I had never paid attention to " nectars " but they

sell them by

> the juice in the grocery store and sure enough it works like a

charm! The

> apricot doesn't work really well for us but has issues w/

apricots.

> Mango was really tasty. Anyway- if your child (or you:)) have

consiptation

> issues try nectars. (I didn't find too many w/o high fructose corn

syrup

> but there were a few at Whole Foods. Most at the grocery did have

it.)

>

> Amy in Mich

[Guest guest]

I was in my doctors office just a little while ago and the nurse,

( Who used to work in a nursing home) mentioned if you warmed the

prune juice before you drank it, it would work better. So I imagine

it would work better with the other nectar also.

Alison

--- In , " Amy Lapain " <lapain.amy@s...>

wrote:

> gave me a tip a month or so ago and it really worked for us so I

> wanted to pass it along. She suggested for contipation to use " nectars "

> instead of " juice. " We have been doing prune juice since was very

> young. Anway- I had never paid attention to " nectars " but they sell them by

> the juice in the grocery store and sure enough it works like a charm! The

> apricot doesn't work really well for us but has issues w/ apricots.

> Mango was really tasty. Anyway- if your child (or you:)) have consiptation

> issues try nectars. (I didn't find too many w/o high fructose corn syrup

> but there were a few at Whole Foods. Most at the grocery did have it.)

>

> Amy in Mich

[Guest guest]

This is SO funny because my father in law said to feed warm

applesauce when he is constipated. Applesauce is suppose to be

constipating. I pretty much poo pooed the idea...but maybe it has some

validity. He is over 80...maybe I should listen to the old and wise!

Amy

[ ] Re: constipation

> I was in my doctors office just a little while ago and the nurse,

> ( Who used to work in a nursing home) mentioned if you warmed the

> prune juice before you drank it, it would work better. So I imagine

> it would work better with the other nectar also.

>

> Alison

>

> --- In , " Amy Lapain " <lapain.amy@s...>

wrote:

> > gave me a tip a month or so ago and it really worked for us so I

> > wanted to pass it along. She suggested for contipation to use " nectars "

> > instead of " juice. " We have been doing prune juice since was

very

> > young. Anway- I had never paid attention to " nectars " but they sell

them by

> > the juice in the grocery store and sure enough it works like a charm!

The

> > apricot doesn't work really well for us but has issues w/

apricots.

> > Mango was really tasty. Anyway- if your child (or you:)) have

consiptation

> > issues try nectars. (I didn't find too many w/o high fructose corn

syrup

> > but there were a few at Whole Foods. Most at the grocery did have it.)

> >

> > Amy in Mich

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

How much magnesium are you giving a day? Magnesium deficiency is

common with neurological problems in general, and being GFCF may

exasperate it. Are you saying constipation was not a problem before

the diet, but now it is? Are you giving a calcium supplement to make

up for no dairy? If so, then I would look at low magnesium as a

possibility. Here is some more on that:

http://www.enzymestuff.com/magnesium.htm

Also, if the constipation has been really consistent for a while, he

might have developed encopresis. This was a big problem with one of

my sons. Here is what to do about encopresis. Not expensive, just

needs some management.

http://www.enzymestuff.com/rtencopresis.htm

We did the encopresis schedule with my son and it took a good 4-5

months as indicated. But his problem had been going for years. My son

takes about 400-500 mg of soluble magnesium a day and this keeps him

regular.

.

[Guest guest]

Give him sulphur homeopathically.

[Guest guest]

>>Anyhow, right now my son is having a

> terrible time with chronic constipation. He has been on the GF/CF

> diet since January. Since then he has had a problem with

> constipation.

Rice is very constipating. Try removing that, or add Zyme Prime, and

see if that helps.

Other constipation ideas on my page here

http://www.danasview.net/constip.htm

Dana

[Guest guest]

constipation

Hello y'all. I've increased my son's(JD) magnesium to 500 mg, his

Benefiber to 4 1/2 Tbs and I'm giving him 3 tsp of mineral oil a

day. STILL NO SUCCESS!!

Are you giving your son calcium supplements? They can be very constipating.

[Guest guest]

> Hello y'all. I've increased my son's(JD) magnesium to 500 mg, his

> Benefiber to 4 1/2 Tbs and I'm giving him 3 tsp of mineral oil a

> day. STILL NO SUCCESS!!

My constipation ideas

http://www.danasview.net/constip.htm

>>The yeast has become a problem

> again.

Yeast can be constipating.

> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to fight off the

> yeast. We've been using Oil of Oregano. It seemed to be working -

> but then a relapse. I cut back on JD's fruit and that seems to help

> some.

I use GSE. More ideas here

http://www.danasview.net/yeast.htm

Dana