Chronic constipation

[yellowystars]

My 12 year old is suffering from chronic constipation, it's been a very difficult time.
He's missed so much school and the laxatives, while working, have horrible side effects and it's looking likely he'll be on them for a while.
In the meantime his school are not very understanding about how things actually are for him. They think it's psychological and in his head. They are pushing for him to return and implying it's more of a behavioural/anxiety issue. Even though they've seen the medical letters. (Previous to the illness he was happy and did well at school no anxiety issues) I'm getting letters from the LA due to his non attendance.
It's causing my son anxiety. He's suffered a lot with pain and embarrassment, and been bullied at school due to the effects of the laxatives. Also an issue in discussion with the school. I'm sure he will get better in the long run he's on the road to recovery but it's such a long process and I feel so unsupported and alone in this. He's pretty much been discharged from the paediatrician because he's been diagnosed and treated but the recovery process is difficult.
We just have to get on with it and work out what's best for him in terms of dosage. Not easy and he's relapsed a couple of times.
Does anyone have any experience of this too?

"Pretty much discharged by his paediatrician" - so is he not quite discharged? Because if I were told that a school was telling a child that his problem was psychological when I had actually diagnosed a physical problem, that needed appropriate medical management that they were undermining, I'd be pretty livid. I'd actually quite enjoy writing that letter to the school (with mum's permission of course). If he is still sort of under someone, it might be worth you ringing his/her secretary. It might not be a rapid turnaround, as it's not clinically urgent, but I would consider it well worth my time. Sorting out constipation with soiling in teenagers is life changingly important.

Has he tried cutting any foods? Dairy allergy is a very likely culprit, he would have to cut all dairy including hidden dairy for a few months but could be worth it.