Cramps

Hi, I am hoping you can help me with some advice. My daughter who just turned 6 is lactose intolerant.  She was diagnosed at 4 as she complained of severe stomach cramps to the point where I was worried it was her appendix and called an amublance.  After chest exrays and ultrasound they could not come up with anything. My family doctor suggested taking her off dairy and it helped. However over the years she sometimes complains of stomach cramps.  Generally these are alleviated after a bowel movement.

Three weeks ago she had an episode of diarreah (diarrhea) (after having a dessert of jello and cool whip).  After that she has been suffering with ongoing stomach cramps - she had cramps and then a loose bowel movements for a few days and then it seemed to switch to her having cramps and no bowel movement.  My doctor suggested I giver her 1 tsp of Senokot (a natural laxative) at night.  I was concerned that it would trigger diarreah (diarrhea) again and he said this dosage would not. Sure enough, the next morning she had a fairly substantial bowel movement but then loose ones - all with cramps.  I took her off of it for a day and then gave her half a dosage the following day.  She went without a bowel movement for two days. So last night I went back to giving her a teaspoon of the Senokot. She had a bowel movement this am after cramps and then another loose one a few hours later (with cramps as well).  I am feeling at a loss on how to help her and I am concerned I am making things worse. I have increased her fiber (not too much as I did not want to make any drastic changes to her diet) and have increased her water and juice intake.  She has missed 5 days of school over the past three weeks as a result as she gets the cramps at school and becomes scared.  
I am wondering if I should try lansoyl or stool softeners instead of Senokot.  I am finding the Senokot is causing cramps.  
I have an appointment to see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist on February 8, 2008 - that is the earliest I could get in.  She is starting to not want to eat as she is associating eating with the cramps - sometimes they happen after she eats but not always.  My doctor mentioned IBS however she generally can eat all the trigger foods without any problem -
Sorry for the long winded letter however I just wanted to try to provide as much detail as possible.
Feeling helpless - Jayne

[jmd07]

hi i know where your coming from my niece has ibs there are two differant kinds people that cant go to the bathroom and people that go to much if your doctor hasnt been much of a help and your daughter is still having problems you might want to consider a new doctor for her. someone who specilizes in ibs.good luck i know what your going through you will get threw it

[jmd07]

hi i know where your coming from my niece has ibs there are two differant kinds people that cant go to the bathroom and people that go to much if your doctor hasnt been much of a help and your daughter is still having problems you might want to consider a new doctor for her. someone who specilizes in ibs.good luck i know what your going through you will get threw it

[Tia Lucila]

Your daughter is lactose intolerant, and she might also have other food allergies that haven't been diagnosed.  Also, sometimes children have diarrhea when they are actually constipated.  This is because they have a blockage in the intestine of stools and only the more liquid portion of stool leaks by the blockage.  It's kind of strange but it's something to keep in mind when treating her. It sounds like you are doing a good job.  Good luck.  

[JayneH]

Thanks for your comments. I will have her tested for other food allergies.  It does seem like that is what what was happening when she had her first bout of diarrhea..  I thought she was going but it was just leaking.  I am going to push this week to have her appointment moved up.  

[JayneH]

If my family doctor is not able to push up her appointment with a specialist then I am going to see another doctor.  Thanks for the advice.