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Children's health

Blood in stools

26 replies

Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:03

Hi
My 3yr girl has had signs of bleeding after going to the toilet. This has been going on for over 6mnths now and so far doctors have only given stool softener medicine and did a stool test for crohns/IBD (which so far appears negative)
Now been advised to go dairy free (early days but that doesnt seem to have improved it)
Anyone any experience of a 3yr old who is otherwise healthy suddenly developing a cows milk allergy? She is also now showing signs of eczema.

I am trying to avoid the trauma of a colonoscopy but the longer this goes on, the more likely it is looking
:(

(newbie here by the way, so forgive me but i posted this twice, on this board and on the allergy board)
thanks for any responses!

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Esiotrotter · 16/05/2013 20:08

Is it fresh blood or black? Is she in pain? Is it streaks throughout her poo or only on wiping?

Does she drink lots of water, fresh fruit and veg?

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Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:18

hi
thanks for answering
it is fresh red, difficult to tell where it is but majority of time most noticeable on wiping.
has a good varied diet, doesnt seem in pain or constipated.

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Esiotrotter · 16/05/2013 20:24

My GUESS would be that if it was a serious problem with her intestines then she would have pain and the blood wouldn't be on wiping. I know of children who have had piles and anal fissures from bouts of constipation following diarrhoea - I don't think it's mega unusual but naturally worrying for you. It sounds like they're investigating it methodically.

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mikkii · 16/05/2013 20:27

My son suffered from an anal fissure. We were given fibogel that was a nightmare to get into him. Eventually it settled down. Hopefully this is all it is.

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Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:27

yes thanks, thats quite reassuring and it seems to be what they are suggesting. a fissure of some kind which may be aggravated by cows milk. its just quite frightening and has been going on for so long. i keep thinking a fissure would heal quicker than this, esp when she has been on the softener. thanks again, appreciate it.

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Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:28

mikkii - did your son's bleeding last for many months? thanks for replying

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Esiotrotter · 16/05/2013 20:36

Nooo, fissures are quite deep and because of the pressure of going to the loo and bacteria down there they can be a devil to heal. Have you tried a blob of Mercanium cream on the business area say maybe 3 times a day? That would form a protective barrier.

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KittensandKids · 16/05/2013 20:37

My DS has this he has anal fissure, he has had colonoscopy/endoscopy last year but he still has it he does have IBS so we have started a food diary, he is a bit older but has suffered since he was 4/5. Sometimes the amount of blood was quite alarming but he did develop a pile, then that went but the pic of his bottom (endoscopy) showed it all to be very red and raw for no particular reason

I was also advised to watch how often and hard he wiped his bottom but I'm thinking you will be aware if she is 3?

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Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:40

do you mean metanium? that yellow cream for nappy rash?
no havent tried but worth a shot!
there is no visible tear/fissure but as you say it could be high up/deep/internal.
think i will try and increase her fluids again too as that can only help i suppose.
many thanks

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Rosey8 · 16/05/2013 20:46

Hi kittensandkids
that sounds like you have been dealing with it a long time too then. how did they diagnose the IBS? are you following a special diet with him now?

the comforting thing at the moment is that she doesnt seem to be in any pain. if anything i have to watch she doesnt eat too much as she has a large appetite, all makes for a food and toilet diary quite time consuming, but im trying to keep track now that its been dragging on so long.

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Esiotrotter · 16/05/2013 20:48

Yes sorry, my youngest is 6 years old now so I'm starting to forget the names of all these lotions and potions! I'd say it would be worth a shot just to keep the area protected.

And yes, increasing her fluids can only help.

Chin up chuck, and good luck.

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KittensandKids · 17/05/2013 03:56

No 'set special diet' but we are having to cut more and more foods out, DS loves cottage pie but the microwave meal (been having them at my parents) that has had to stop, we've stopped most pizzas and spicy foods so far, it's trial ad error, he has an all day toilet pass for school but gets embarrassed.

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Ragusa · 17/05/2013 10:14

I think it would be quite unusual to develop an allergy to cow's milk protein at the age of 3 - did this suggestion come from a paed allergist or a general paed? Usually CMPI/A would be apparent from birth or the point of introduction of unmodified cow's milk into the diet through symptoms such as vomiting, failure to gain weight, etc.

I agree, metanium is a wonder cream.

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Ragusa · 17/05/2013 10:14

Is she otherwise completely well?

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Rosey8 · 17/05/2013 15:17

Yes otherwise well although I have noticed that bleeding coincides with days when she has more frequent stools (sometimes 4 times in a day) I agree think the allergy is unlikely to have suddenly developed but am trying dairy free for a while anyway to see if it helps. Think it's a general ped I'm seeing. All rather confusing but these gut issues usually are I think!

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Ragusa · 17/05/2013 15:19

Has she been tested for coeliac disease?

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Ragusa · 17/05/2013 15:20

Or lactose intolerance? (Which can develop after about the age of 2 and is more common in certain ethnic groups).

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Rosey8 · 17/05/2013 21:09

Only tests so far have been couple of stool tests which I believe were to look for signs of IBD. The tests came back with high result first time but lower when repeated. I suppose the docs advice to try a dairy free diet suggests they also suspect lactose intolerance. I'm slightly surprised that she had been ok with cows milk & many other dairy foods until recently. If there are specific tests that can be done for coeliac/lactose intolerance then I hope the doc will get round to offering those next. Thanks for everyone's feedback. X

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Ragusa · 17/05/2013 21:38

Yes, lactose intolerance can be diagnosed with a breath test or (I think) a stool test. Coeliac diagnosed with a blood test followed by a biopsy I think.

I hope you get some answers soon: it must be frustrating for you and your DD.

I think colitis can be caused by milk protein allergy. Was she a very vomity baby?

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Rosey8 · 17/05/2013 21:58

No actually, hardly ever vomits. Was breastfed (mixed fed) for about 6/7months. Good appetite & fairly mixed diet. As much as I dread invasive tests it will be good to get proper diagnoses one day. Thanks for info on tests. X

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Rosey8 · 20/05/2013 11:53

Was back at docs today as the eczema which has appeared since going dairy free has gotten quite bad. Got cream for it.
Doc had no further suggestions about the bleeding, however I am now slightly surprised that she has been kept on the lactulose stool softener - surely not appropriate for a dairy free diet?

Hmmmm.....

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Rosey8 · 01/08/2013 13:06

Hi not sure if anyone is still following this thread but I'm just a bit annoyed at mo as the bleeding is still continuing & we are no further forward in the reason why. Almost 10months now and tonnes of lactulose later, a non dairy diet.

Not got another doc app till end of August and think they will then suggest the dreaded endoscopy :/

Am actually gettin rather concerned about what they might find now as its all going on so long. Wonder if it will ever stop :(

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redgreenblue24 · 01/08/2013 13:35

My ds had colonoscopy and endoscopy aged 6 and still has no idea the cameras went inside him - he thought he was having a little sleep whilst they took a photo - we never mentioned it was internal. No ill effects he was up playing lego within minutes of coming round and he didn't get upset even slightly either before or after. Best to know/check.

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Rosey8 · 01/08/2013 16:43

Thanks that's reassuring, did they find anything with your son? Was it because of similar symptoms? Hope he's well now. Thanks

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redgreenblue24 · 01/08/2013 17:38

no he has never had blood. They found inflammation and mega rectum which is treated with medication. Sadly will be on daily injections at least until an adult perhaps forever but could be worse.

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