My 6 yr old suffering severe pain and constipation for 4 years

[harriedmom]

My 6 yr old suffering for 4 yrs with constipation.  Gastro folks have scoped, biopsied entire gastro tract.  All clear.

She eats and drinks well, but is underweight and small for her age.  Has just been diagnosed with food allergies to lots of food.  We have worked at elimination, not quite there yet.  Her bouts of pain come at random, no clear pattern.  On daily milk of magnesia and when have bouts, the gastros add several days of sennekot.  This past week she has been bedridden.  Gastro at a loss.  Diarrhea not a problem, unless she is on senekot.  Does suffer from mouth, gums, tongue inflammation, bullae blisters and ulcers in mouth.  Put on prednisolone to control when it is bad  Currently, she is o.k. on that front, but inflammation just begininng to return.

Is there a possible other explanation or route to explore?

[glutenfree]

Definately have this child tested for Celiac Disease. The most common symptoms In children are failure to thrive (an inability to grow and put on weight), irritability, an inability to concentrate, bloating and more. Many undiagnosed Celiacs suffer from constipation. Only after a good portion of the small intestine is affected will the patient have diahrrea.  

Here are the blood tests you should REQUEST from your Doctor. I may be incorrect but I believe the prednosolone may give a false negative to these tests. Go to my website fill out the request for information form on the WNY Celiac Group page and we will send you information about CD. It is free. We are strictly Not for Profit.

Anti-Endomysial - IgA AGA and IgA EmA
Anti- Gliadin -  IgG and IgA
Tissue Transglutaminase - tTG

Good Luck,
Mike
www.glutenfreeinwny.com

[Concerned lady]

Have you tried PRO-BIOTICS yet? It sounds like your daughter's large intestinal bacteria may be unbalanced, and lacking the necessary BENEFICIAL bacteria called PRO-BIOTICS. Antibiotics & meds can destroy the beneficial bacteria. Two types of these good bacteria are ACIDOPHILUS and BIFIDUS. These are sold in health food stores, and can often cure "simple" constipation.

I am also wondering if she might have some MALABSORPTION even though they said her intestinal biopsies looked OK. One common cause of malabsorption is CELIAC DISEASE (a type of GLUTEN INTOLERANCE), and Celiac Disease can cause EITHER diarrhea OR constipation, in some cases!

I recommend you check out some good "threads" about this, over at http://www.braintalk.org on the PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY forum.

JCC has a good "thread" called "FOOD SENSITIVITIES LEADING TO MALABSORPTION". And JCC's great "links" are also in a "thread" called "FOOD".

I will also post some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers) to give you some more "food for thought". But do look for some better EXPERTS to help you get some correct diagnoses!

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[kimbacat]

Mom, sorry to hear she is having such a rough time.  it must be so frustrating to she her that way and not be able to help her.  have they checked for pseudo-obstructive disorders?  and with mouth ulcers, I'd suspect IBD, have they ruled those out?  if the ulcers are apthous ulcers, the supplement L-lysine works very well at reducing the occurrance and severity.  the oral surgeon I went to recommended it and it has worked for me.  it doesn't eliminate them ( you have to treat the cause to do that) but it does make them more managable.  a temporary aid for her mouth might be the lidocaine rinses the doc can prescribe.  you swish and spit and it numbs your mouth.  it makes it more bearable to eat.  the only other place I could recommend for dietary help, would be the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) boards.  constipation is a big problem for most suffers and they have some pretty good ideas.  do you have a large university hospital in your area?  you might have some luck with the gi dept there, since they see a lot of different stuff.

I hope she feels better soon (and you too!)