Constipation or Diarreah - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Tamaralynn · 08-19-2005, 08:33 AM

My 4 year old has had constipation trouble ever since he was an infant... And I mean SERIOUS constipation trouble... I've used stool softeners (as per doctors advice) until his body became used to it...

My son is so supremely picky he refuses to eat anything with lots of fiber.... I can sneak some into his diet at times, but it's hard to...

He refused "pooping" on the potty because it became painful... so would hold it in even longer... He will go to the potty now... but It's heartbreaking to hear the poor guy grunting and pushing (does NOT like me in the bathroom when he's going poop)

I finally started working mineral oil into his diet, but then he would get diarreah, so I would bump down the dosage... and he would get constipated again!!

I'm so frustrated, is anyone else having this problem??

D & K's Mom · 08-19-2005, 10:39 AM

YES! my youngest has major potty problems just as you are describing. When he was an infant I had to use suppositories for him. He is always bound up. What I am currently doing is giving him fiber capsules. I am fortunate that at 6 years old, he can choke down that horse pill. But he knows that it will help him to go, and he hates the stuff that you add to water and he has to drink. ( I even tried to add it to jello) But to teach him to swallow a pill, I started with skittles. I gave him a skittle, and told him to just gulp as much water as he can until it goes down. Another thing that seems to work, I make Kyle drink A LOT of water throughout the day. Water or apple juice, is all he gets to drink, ...... okay so he gets milk too, but for the most part, lots and lots of water. Hope this helped.

D & K's Mom · 08-19-2005, 10:43 AM

OH! and also, watermelon. He loves it, and it works. Just don't let him eat too much or you're back to the diarreah again.

claste · 08-19-2005, 12:50 PM

hi, i've just potty trained lace, shes 4 and diagnosed autistic, her diets not good, however, i give her magnesium supplements, 7.5 - 10ml per day, its a liquid with added fruit juices, she also likes oranges, pear juice apples and pears, she poops great! when we first started potty training she didn't want to let her poop go, hence she got a bit constipated, she was on 5ml of magnesium so i uped it and she now has no problems, hope this helps good luck.

WorriedTeenager · 08-19-2005, 09:41 PM

Hey,

I'm not quite sure but I do know that many medications have constipation as a side effect. Whether or not your son is on medication, I don't know.

You want to try and get him to take Fibercon, a fiber supplement since he doesn't want to eat food with fiber. Of course, ask a doctor first. Considering your son is obviously young, maybe he shouldn't take the whole pill, I don't know. Also make sure he drinks a lot of water.