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Children's health

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Original poster

IBS advice in children please

11 replies

SingleMum01 · 11/01/2010 20:46

I think my DS has IBS. I suffer from it and he gets similar symptoms of constipation followed by diarrhoea. It used to be occasional bouts and the doctor gave him some medicine, however, my DS refuses to take any medicine. Its occurring more often now, almost every other day and I'm looking to change his diet as something must be triggering it off. He seems happy enough in himself and not under any stress (he's 7). Its been happening over xmas so its not school related.

He has weetabix for breakfast. He also has lots and lots of milk - he will only drink milk or water. He also eats quite a lot of bacon and tinned spaghetti. I'm not sure if the weetabix and tinned spaghetti are good or bad as they're fibre food which I thought was supposed to be good.

I'm going to start a food diary to see which foods trigger it off but wondered if anyone has any experience of it.

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Original poster

SingleMum01 · 11/01/2010 21:07

anyone help?

OP posts:

navyeyelasH · 11/01/2010 21:09

I personally would see your GP first as it may be something else - like an allergy. The only thing yo can do really is a food diary - tedious but the best option.

Good Luck!

foxinsocks · 11/01/2010 21:10

if he is getting diarrhoea that often, I would think about taking him back to the GP tbh but always worth doing a food diary anyway.

What about fruit and veg?

Meglet · 11/01/2010 21:12

Not all IBS can be eased by more fibre. My type of IBS is made worse by fibre. Don't tweak his diet without seeing your GP though there may be an underlying intolerance to certain foods. I was referred to an NHS dietician who helped me alot.

I hope you get it sorted, its a PITA.

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 11/01/2010 21:16

Thanks for your replies. Fruit and veg - he hardly eats any, won't eat fruit at all. Will eat some veg if pushed to. Not for the want of trying on my side! To be honest he hasn't got the greatest of diets but he's a very fussy eater so I generally stick with what he likes.

OP posts:

Dillie · 14/01/2010 00:04

I have IBS, so I sympathise.

In my experience weetabix,fruit (except melon and banana), some cereals, green veg and "normal" milk are a no go for me. It kills my insides! I found that milk was my biggest problem, but soya just gave me pain and gas.

Maybe try a less fibrous breakfast, although keep away from rice krispies .. there is something in them that doesnt seem to agree with some ibs

Have you seen Lactofree milk? Its a god send for me, and since I have been on it, other than the odd bout my stomach has settled down.

It doesnt taste any different, maybe a touch sweeter, but since your ds drinks alot of it then that could be why he gets pain.

Does he have alot of gas too?

I would get him to the doc tho to get him "officially" diagnosed

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 14/01/2010 11:34

Thanks Dillie, he hasn't had weetabix for 3 days but was begging for them for breakfast this morning. I wondered about trying that milk. Will see if I can get it as he can get through 6 pints in a couple of days.

He's not particularly gassy, he just gets pains in his tum, then has to dash to the toilet and does a poo - its not diarrhoea runny but its usually paler and not as solid as usual (sorry if thats too much info!)

I took him to the docs about 6 mths ago and he gave him some medicine for it but my DS won't take the medicine! And it seems to be worse lately.

OP posts:

Dillie · 14/01/2010 20:10

Pale poos, can mean a whole host of things, so definately get him checked out. Could be from what he is eating to something like celiac (sp?)

Has he been eating much xmas food? I know that xmas is a dodgy time for dodgy tums :p Could be a result from too much rich/high fat stuff and may take a few weeks to work through his system if his insides are irritated

Try stripping his diet down to basics then gradually add things in over 2-3 months. I dont envy you on that task tho lol!!!! i had to do that, but it took a long time and alot of experimentation.

I did have a food intolerance test done at holland and barratt a few years ago, which is how i know dairy is not a good thing for me. I must admit, I was very sceptical when they did the tests but in all honesty once I cut out what flagged up my stomach did seem to settle down.

Have a look on the IBS help pages on google. They have all sorts there and helping techniques plus breathing exercises when the pain gets really bad.

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 21/01/2010 10:26

Dillie - I've put him on the lactofree milk for a week now and the change is amazing! Been none for 5 days now. Thanks for your advice and fingers x'd it keeps working.

OP posts:

nightcat · 21/01/2010 14:30

watch the wheat also, why not try a cooked breakfast, far healthier than wheat + dairy (both are known to cause IBS)

becstarlitsea · 21/01/2010 14:35

I was diagnosed with IBS, as was my Mum and my sister - turns out we all had celiac (gluten intolerance) and not IBS at all. None of us have ever had an IBS symptom since going gluten-free, and we've all tested positive for celiac. Since then my niece has been tested positive as well. I can't tolerate dairy either, and dairy + wheat = really bad IBS-type symptoms for me. Might be worth both of you trying gluten + dairy free for a while - it was a revelation for our family!

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