Upset, concerned...and a bit weepy

[KatieMac]

My DD (7) has now had diahorrea for nearly 9 weeks. She has had samples (urine & stool) the Dr has ruled out infection and an ?inpacted faeces?

I'm going back on Tuesday am - as I'm so concerned

She is pooping her pants, she poops in the bath.

She is pale and lifeless...not the bouncing child I normally have to tie down.

School say she is doing great - no bullying as far as they can tell (only 65 in school - so they would probably know)

I'm really upset by it and my mind is galloping away with what could be wrong.

Reassure me....please

[zippy539]

Sorry you're feeling so upset, KatieMac. Don't have any advice, but I'd def take her back to the docs and sit there until you some reassurance. Hoping all will be well soon.

[misdee]

food allergy/intolernce springs to my mind.

hope you get some answers ASAP.

[jampots]

Katie - sorry your dd isnt well and i can imagine your fretting - I know I would be (but probably without cause too).

I think Nutty's dd had similar (or at least was lifeless and pale). She's not on MSN atm but when she crops up I'll send her this link and see if she can help.

Have you ruled out food allergies though? My friend's ds didnt so much have diahorrea but more sloppy unformed stools and he had a dairy allergy.

Insist on all kinds of testing and retesting if necessary

[KatieMac]

Could she develop a food allergy/intolerance at 7? She has always been able to eat anything....has a cast iron tummy like her dad. Should I try to cut anything out - or wait to see GP?

It's that horrid 'shiney' poo (IYKWIM)

She is so embarassed

[LittleRedRidingHood]

KatieMAc - Im astonished!!! 9 weeks wow thats ages - DOes she drink cows milk - It sounds just like lactose intolerance to me - Lactose is the milk sugar - My gp said 1 in 10 children can develop an intolerance to lactose following a tummy bug

DS had the same problem as your dd for 5 weeks when he was 13 months old - He is now three and still only has soya milk instead of cows milk - Otherwise he still gets yucky poo - It smells disgusting doesnt it!!

BTW My gp said the test they can do at a hospital is unreliable

If you think it might be lactose intolerance - and you would like more of my drivel on the subject do CAT me - ITs one of my hobby horses cos of ds

[KatieMac]

LRRH - thanks, I might CAT you. I'm really concerned about it and DD practically lives on milk,(drinks it,milkshakes,yoghurts, cheese etc)

What else can it be hidden in?

I make my own bread and that has loads of milk in it.

I've been giving her lots of milk (& stuff) to build her up ( what if I've been making things worse)

Do I suggest it to the GP?

[LittleRedRidingHood]

I would hazard a guess that your dd is lactose intolerant - which would mean you have been unintentionally making it worse yes!!

Im really surprised the gp hasnt suggested this already - thought it was fairly common textbook problem

Its not a mega serious problem but it does need dealing with otherwise its obviously going to affect her development

THe standard treatment is to withold all products with lactose for 3 days - then reintroduce to see if an improvement- If not then no lactose for 8 weeks to allow the stomach to readjust - then reintroduce - It may be that she will be fine - or like my ds will only be able to tolerate a certain amount

FWIW - I think this is more common in preschoolers - and can resolve itself by the age of 5-7 but i dont see why a 7 couldnt be affected - but then im rubbish at science - LOL!

[Flossam]

There are condition that may cause this. Samples have been taken, no infection but was anything else noted (mucous, blood etc). Definately go back, this is not right. Conditions such as ulcerative colitus and crohns are unlikely but possible. Mention these to your GP to find out what they have done or what they will do to rule out these conditions. Also ask about allergy testing they can carry out. Good luck.

[KatieMac]

Thanks everyone

I think we might minimised milk (& products ) for the next few days and see if anything improves.

I don't think it would do any harm to be without milk for such a short time - does anyone think?

[LittleRedRidingHood]

Flossam is right - I know nothing about the conditions she mentions!!! Definitely think you need to get more help for your dd before she gets worse {{{{{{{{Eva!}}}}}}}

[LittleRedRidingHood]

Oooooops EVa is the name of a dd on another thread!!! Anyway I would still gladly hug your dd cos continuous runny poo is horrible!

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[yoyo]

If it proves not to be a lactose intolerance have you considered that she might have a problem going to the toilet at school? When my daughter was slightly younger than yours she would not use the toilet all day and ended up soiling herself slightly. This then led to a degree of constipation with these sudden "leaks" (sorry if you've just eaten). Baths relaxed her and so it happened then too. I was called into school once as she really did dirty herself. We instigated a programme of going to the toilet before school (slightly Pavlovian I know) and within about a month the problem had sorted itself out. That was a few years ago and she still has her morning routine but it works fine for her.

[Flossam]

Both can cause diarrhea, lack of control of bowels and feeling unwell. It is important that they are ruled out, they can cause damage and may be controlled with medication. Don't worry about this, I am only mentioning it because I think it should be considered and eliminated. As your DD sounds so poorly with it I think allergy testing should be used, then an immediate answer could be found rather than taking out foods on a trial and error basis. I hope you get on ok.

[jampots]

Katie - Ive just found Im dairy intolerant and use Alpro soya milk now - and really it is nice

I was diagnosed by a kinesiologist using muscle resistance testing - can thoroughly recommend it

[Flossam]

Thats really interesting Yoyo. She does sound poorly though, unless it is the worry about her bowels that is making her miserable....

[nutcracker]

Hiya Katie, jampots is half right, i did have probs with my dd last year when she was very pale and lethargic but she didn't have diahorrea at all.
Her prob turned out to be post viral fatigue and she is now fine.

I agree with everyone else that it does sound like it good be some sort of intolerance and tbh I would suggest this to your g.p straight away and insist that they take action, ie tests or whatever.

Hope you get some aswers soon, and don't take no for an answer from the g.p, insist that 9 weeks of this is just too much and you want it sorted.
Am surprised really that your g.p hasn't reffered her to a pead if they don't know what is wrong.
I think i would ask to be reffered now.

[TiredBunny]

My dd has had diarhoea for near enough all her life.... no major allergies but an aversion to anything with fibre in it..... just whizzes straight through her. We had tests for lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, etc etc etc but to no avail.... I wouldnt worry.... if she is going to docs they will sort it out. My dd also had a bacterial infection which wasnt nice but she was ok. Just make sure she drinks a lot so she doesnt dehydrate and try stay calm about it (easier said than done I know!)

[TiredBunny]

Just read a bit more of this thread...... make them do tests...... you have a right to insist this is not normal. My docs were great thankfully but that was down to my constant pestering. In the meantime try looking at her diet..... does she drink lots of sugary drinks, eat lots of rich food, lots of fibre rich food etc....

[yoyo]

Flossam - yes , my daughter was also very tired and listless which we eventually put down to anxiety. Once her routine was sorted everything else improved too (thankfully).

[KatieMac]

Thanks everyone,

She definately isn't "not going" and having leaks the GP checked - that was his first diagnosis but he actually apologised to me and said he was wrong - when does that ever happen?

I don't think cutting out milk (or at least reducing it) for a few days will hurt

I am returning to the GP's on Tuesday and I'm asking to be referred unless he has anything definate to say.

She is fine for ages then goes all white (looks very odd as she mixed race) and limp - very post viral fatigue....I know I've got ME (CFS) but the fact that I have IBS also worries me......I'm like your dd and keep well away from fruit & veg, brown bread/flour/rice etc

Thanks for your positive and helpful thoughts peeps....I'm not feeling quite so down today - she has not had milk all day is is still bouncing NOW (she should have been in bed at 7 - but I let her stay up for Dr Who - she was not impressed...I was)