Ilium Atresia and Constipation - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Miranda's Mom · 07-22-2004, 10:45 PM

I have a 3 year old little girl who had an ilium atresia and an appendectomy within hours of being born. We have had problems with reflux and the motility of her bowels all her life. The reflux resolved itself once she was introduced to "real" foods; however, she constantly battles constipation. The GI's have her on MiraLax but I'm concerned that her bowels will become dependent on the meds. She is in agony after she gets her MiraLax because her stomach begins to convulse yet the GI's say she needs the pain. I don't agree in the least. Within the last couple of months, we have found that without the meds, she isn't stooling. To top it off, she has begun spitting up mouthfuls of food. It is more common when it's been a couple of days since her last BM. I've voiced my concerns to the GI that I fear that the adhesions are beginning to cause problems but no tests have been done since she was only months old. I was hoping that there is someone that would possibly be able to shed some light on the situation. We have increased the fiber in her diet but promptly removed it because she stopped stooling all together with or without her meds. We are talking about a little girl who lives off of fresh fruits and vegis. I am very blessed because she chooses the healthy foods that would give the normal person diahrrea but doesn't affect her at all. Has anyone been on MiraLax for chronic constipation? Has anyone else had problems with adhesions due to the surgery? Any information is greatly appreciated. I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out what we should do next. We have our follow up on August 5 and I want to go to that visit with questions and suggestions in tow.

Thank you in advance for any information that you may provide.

Miranda's Mom

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Harry · 07-24-2004, 11:22 PM

Hey M's Mom,
I am extremely sorry about your daughter's problems -- I know it is very frustating.
Some things come to mind and I have been on this board probably longer than most and read almost all the posts for the past 5 years. THe reason member don't answer is they don't know about this condition and I don't either but I have read it daily since you wrote and I wanted you to know we really care.

As you already know being on laxatives for long periods makes any person lose muscle tone in their intestines so when they stop they are unable to have a BM because their bowels have become lazy and just don't contract properly. Combine that with possible adhesions and you just have a lot of discomfort, pain caused by spasms and cramping. Heat should help some with the cramping.

I assume the section of the illium that was causing problems was surgically removed at birth so the other sections of the small intestines and colon should be functional. So, for intestines to properly function--- your daughter just has to take fiber and she needs both soluble and insoluble types. Most fruit and veggies provide insoluble fiber but she also needs soluble fiber that to bulk up her stools. Insoluble fiber passes almost unchanged but the soluble fiber expands to fill up the intestines. Soluble fiber is most grains like rice, oats(meal) and corn( grits), beans and peas, potatoes and most root veggies. And of course there is Psyllium cookies by Metamucil.

A problem that I am sure you are aware of is malabsorption of vital nutrients and minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. And blood test should tell if she lacks these but what it doesn't tell is what is at the cellular level. Every cell in her body need these to function. There are vitamins and minerals that are absorbed in the mouth thereby bypassing the GI absorption.

If you live in an area that has a Natruapathic Doctor that uses Homeopathy--- I suggest she be seen by one.
An outstanding homeopathic remedy for muscle cramps and spasms is Magnesia Phos and it is safe to give a small child because it is very--very small doses and absorbed by mouth. BMs should not be painful-- I agree with you. I have been using homeopathic remedies for about 30 years and they work!!!

I have lost 2 daughters 5 and 15 and I know the feeling of a stressed life and a broken heart.

God Bless YOU---Harry

dlamb7877 · 07-24-2004, 11:28 PM

Would something like glycerin suppositories work for your child? I know that's what we were told to use when our children were babies and were constipated, so it must be milder than using Miralax? Also, get another medical opinion. Perhaps there's options for a better quality of life for your child. God bless and keep you strong.

Miranda's Mom · 07-25-2004, 10:18 PM

Harry,

Sorry about the loss of your children. Thank you so much for response. At this point, I'm reaching for anything that could possibly help. You mentioned that the fiber would "bulk" up her stools which concerns me. The only time that she doesn't strain is when she has diahrrea. It can take her upwards of 30 minutes to pass a "normal" BM. I noticed also that a while ago, she was beginning to get hemrroids. There are times when all she does is cry as she's straining to go to the bathroom. I just don't understand how they expect a child to want to stool when it hurts them so bad.

From the discharge notes that I just reviewed again, they removed the upper portion of her ileum. They said that the reason she had reflux early on was because everything was going into the large intestine fine but it went straight from the large intestine into the small intestine removing the "middle" portion.

I'm just so concerned about the fiber since it completely stopped her up. And when she finally did stool after 2 days of her MiraLax, it was like paste. Is it normal for the additional fiber do something like that? I'm so at a loss that I don't know what to do. I'm trying to get all of my ducks in a row before the appointment on the 5th. We are seeing the NP but we can request to see the dr. I think that something has got to give. I cannot handle her hurting all of the time. The MiraLax causes extreme discomfort and having her on Benadryll to help the cramps works but it is just a "quick fix."

Again, thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

Harry · 07-25-2004, 10:38 PM

It sounds like you are in the Canadian Health System and from what I have read it is not the best. I certainly agree your daughter needs to see a Gastro Specialist -- she just cannot continue to have diarrhea and taking laxatives!!
Our intestines are suppose to function with fiber.
She is so young to have to put up with what she is going through.

God Bless---Harry