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You need to see a pediatric gastro. I recently did this with my son, and low and behold, he had a blockage. He had been at the pediatrician and he checked and said no blockage, but i am convinced he would have found it if my son had been cooperative.

She prescribed a clean out plan (magnesium sulfate as a drink) and then miralax to regulate.

Is she pooping big pieces? I know that sounds like that means she is going, but it could be a sign of a blockage.

@Bao: Our gastro said the toilet clogging poops are a sign that there might be a blockage. I thought it meant he was regular, lol.

We also go to the bathroom after every meal. That's when they tend to be able to have a bowel movement.

I don't know if I'd get a second opinion right away. Sounds like a waste of a visit, but maybe you can try some other stuff at home first and then if the problem isn't getting better, see someone else.

Fibre is important for constipation, but too much fibre can actually cause more problems. Healthy fats are also really helpful for constipation. Maybe putting some coconut oil in a high fibre smoothie with some high fibre berries, flax & chia seeds and probiotic yogurt would help.

@Bao: I know that feeling! And on top of it, my son had constantly soiled underwear because he was leaking and couldn't feel it because of the blockage.

I think you need to see if there is a blockage, honestly. No amount of maintenance type stuff will address it long term until the bowels and rectum are clear.

@Bao: Seriously, make an appt with a gastro. That is exactly what happened with my son. Did the ped get a good feel around the stomach area to check?

We did a clean out with magnesium sulfate and that chocolate laxative, I can not recall the name now. He had to drink it twice and then basically, the poop turns to liquid. He needed to be in pull ups to deal with it but he was back to normal in 2 days, meaning, no liquid poops.

@Bao: That's frustrating. I went back and read the original post, and it seems to me that she thinks there is a blockage...that's why she said to give laxatives until it turns liquid. But she should have given you an actual plan, with dosages and timing.

I would feel uncomfortable with that advice too!

@Bao: as an adult who has needed a GI doctor, I really don't think "regular" doctors know much at all about issues like this, and I would definitely get a second opinion asap.

Sounds like she's backed up. The laxative until past diarrhea is to clean her out. Because when they are that backed up, the poop will become liquid and go around the hard part until it all gets broken up and comes out. I would definitely start that even if you want to seek a second opinion. Just an FYI, kids get admitted to the hospital for this and the treatment is basically a more intense version of this, but since they usually can't drink that much, they get an nasogastric tube placed. I would definitely do everything you can to avoid that, sounds like your daughters situation is more acute than the long term solutions of diet changes. Water will help though, the doctor is right. Good luck and sorry she and you are going through this

The leaking would be a huge concern to me and
I would definitely get another opinion!

Tell her pediatrician's office (don't ask them) that you feel it's serious and want an immediate referral to pediatric GI. This is a large part of the caseload at pediatric GI; they will know how to deal with it best.

Have you tried ruling out Celiac? Try cutting out all dairy and gluten for two weeks. It sounds like the symptoms I had with celiac

I would try to get a second opinion from a pediatric GI. Good luck.

I actually wouldn't do the enema...our pedi gastro advised against it and that it doesn't actually break up the blockage. It just creates cramps in the rectum, which may not release all of the dried stool...this is of course, assuming it's this.

Have you had any luck getting her in today as an emergency case?

@junebugsmama: I understand...but our pedi gastro is against them, just passing that along.

I have tried giving my son enemas and it never solved the actual problem. It seems like it did, but the hard stool never came out, just the softer, newer stuff.

@Bao: I would absolutely not do what the doctor said. I would get another opinion. I mean why did the doctor even need to research that?
My personaly suggestion would be to really revamp your childs diet, starting with tons of pears, prunes and prune juice. I used to make prune juice ice pops for my LO who also suffered wth bad constipation and she would love them because she thought they were a treat. In your case you could try blending it into a smoothie maybe? and really cut out white bread, apple sauce and any other major constipation causing foods for now

I feel so bad for you! I definitely echo all the pp about getting in with a ped GI specialist asap.