Need constipation help

[greypup]

M was doing fine up until this past month. She started to have low level abdominal pain. Last week GI doc started her on 150 mg Imuran.

Two days later she had severe pain so we went to the ER. They gave her IV fluids and morphine and sent her home to wait it out.

I thought maybe she was in her first flare.

Four days later she pooped. It's very unusual for M to be constipated. I have called the GI office three times. They told me that constipation doesn't mean a flare and as long as she doesn't have diarrhea, vomiting and fever that they want to give this time to work itself out. I've been instructed to keep her on miralax twice daily.

So for three days she has been taking miralax. She's had another poop...it's hard and causes bleeding most likely b/c she has anal fissures.

She is very tired and now doesn't want to eat or drink much.

Of course, I'm concerned. Please advise...

 

[my little penguin]

Ok first just a mom not a doc
So check with your Gi

Miralax takes three days to start working
So don't change dose or amount more than every three days.
It softens the stool so the hard stuff was what may have been blocking things.
Add in morphine ( opioids in general) can cause constipation so that didn't help.

Most kids with Ibd do not have constipation as a flare .
DS does but that is how he has always presented .
We know how well meds are working by how much or how little miralax he needs.

That said each kiddo is different .
Once the soft stool you created gets to the end then she should feel better.
Ask the Gi for instructions on when to stop the miralax since you want to keep ahead of the constipation .

Good luck

 

[my little penguin]

Oh and for miralax to work you usually need lots of fluids
Our Gi had DS drink 30 to 40 oz a day.
We also added p fruits /juice
They help
Pears
Plums
Pruned
Peaches

DS was willing to eat pears

 

[Brian'sMom]

I totally don't know if this is right thing to do...but back in sept ds was having some poo's that hurt. We gave him Dulcolax. The GI didn't prescribe it nor Miralax. But was ok with us giving it.

 

[Farmwife]

Grace was up to 3 capful of Miralax a DAY!
It didn't always work.
We're finally taking a combination of one capful of miralax and a capsule of Mag. Cal.

That works better for now.

 

[greypup]

Thanks for all the quick responses!!! I had no idea it takes up to three days for the miralax to start working. I appreciate all of your help SO much.

 

[Maya142]

My daughter takes one and a half capfuls of Miralax a day. For her constipation = flare. We've found that she gets really backed up if she's flaring even if she seems to be going to the bathroom 1-3 times a day. Then we have to increase the Miralax or add another laxative. It took us a while to figure this out and find doses that work for her.
Good luck!

 

[greypup]

The GI thinks that upping the flagyl to twice daily from once, might have slowed M's motility and created the constipation.

Last night we skipped the second dose. I'm hoping this is our answer!

 

[Farmwife]

I hope that's the reason.

Is she doing any better?

 

[greypup]

She is feeling better. Not as much pain. She's able to go once a day, if I ask her to sit down and try ;-) Definitely not back to her norm.