My son is 6 1/2 years old and his peditrician diagnosed him with chronic constipation. He told me to give him an enema and gave me the "recipe" to mix our own. He told us it should only take one to clear him up. I gave him the emema and a suppository. He is still have problems, so I called the dr. back and he said I need to give him 5 enemas, 2 hours apart. We did this and he went to the potty a little bit but he is still not going to the potty. He will go days without going. We are trying to get him into the gastrenology (sp) at Children's Hospital but it is taking forever for them to call me back. Has anybody else ever dealed with this problem with their little one? Its just very stressful because we do what the dr. says but nothing seems to be working for him.

Hi ruddfan,

How much water is your son drinking during the day? If he's used to holding back, it'll take a few more tries for the enema to work. Have you tried brownies with prunes in them? They worked wonders for our little girl.

I know he probably don't drink too much water when he is at school but once he gets home thats all he gets. A few nights a week we crush some ice up in a blender and add mineral oil and juice to it and he drinks that. The dr recommened it because I guess it will help loosen up the stool at night while he is sleeping and should be able to go the next day which he don't. They gave us a list of foods that we should be giving him like grapes and apples, and he eats a lot of grapes. We have been holding back the milk and chesse. But I should try the brownies, he might like that. Can you taste the prunes in them? And how do you make em with the prunes in it?

This may not help you much but I thought I would write anyway. My name is Josh and I'm 18. I have chronic constipation and I have been this way for as long as I remember. I have been to many doctors who all came up with different reasons why. My mom is a nurse and knows how to treat it, and she has all kinds of inside medical "connections" which is good. I guess the problem is that I don't know what a normal bm is supposed to be like. I'm healthy other than that. I do sports at school and I eat alot but always seem to stay small, which is good for track and soccer but bad for anything else http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
I guess the best advice is to be patient with your son and not freak out or anything. There are a lot of reasons why I get constipated and why all this started. I can tell you about them if you want me to, it's kind of a long story, but talking about it helps me deal with it (I wish I was more talkative about it in the past). I've looked and there are so many things on the internet that can help. You and your son are not alone!

Josh

My son is almost 4 and has been dealing with the same problem since birth. I have begged his dr for help. All they did was put him on Lactoluse sp? and that didnt work so they doubled the does then tripled the dose and still no change so I gave up on that. His bowel movements take days to finally come out. He is in such pain and he just pushes his little heart out! It's so sad to see him suffer. Sometimes he can't even sit on his butt. When they finally do come out they are so large it's unbelievable. Stops up the toliet every single time. Sorry to be so graphic but you would not believe the size of these things. I have tried prune juice, bran muffins etc. Nothing seems to work. After a few days, I finally have to hold him down and give him Babylax supposatories. There are days when he will spend most of his time in the bathroom trying to go. Allthough things seem to be getting better with age, it's still pretty rough on him. I know he with holds and I have tried explaining to him but at the same time, I can't blame him. It hurts him and its a natural response. How many 3 and a half year olds walk around telling people that he sees eating chocolate and cheese products that they shouldnt eat it because its very binding..lol..He actually asks for prune juice!! Who ever posted the brownies with prune juice, please post your recipe. Thanks!!!

I took my son back to the doctor today and they told me to give him milk of magnesia (sp), once a day in the evening before bed time. They I have to give him citrucil 1 tsp twice a day. Then every night I have to give him a drink with mineral oil and juice in it. You blend some ice up in a blender add some mineral oil and his favorite juice and that works to lubricate the stool at night. They told me to do this for a week then call them back and let them know how hes doing.

The PRUNES have it! It worked wonders for my infant and he actually liked the taste!! Good luck!

Rud, Please read my post scroll down to "Nephew's Potty Training Problem". My nephew has been through an onslaught of similar problems. He is almost 5 and still wearing diapers. I had some people give me some negative replies. Like I was wrong to be concerned.

I wonder about Iritable Bowel Syndrome.