anyone tried homeopathy for chronic constipation???

[skuzy]

My 2 year old ds has had constipation for the past six months. We have seen the GP several times, who has prescribed Lactoluse and Senna. He is also on a high fibre diet but is still suffering. I think the problem is psychological as he seems to be holding back when needing a poo and always says he's not had a poo after having one. He's now been referred to the hospital but this could take months and I would like to know if anyone has tried homeopathy to treat this problem? Or if anyone knows of any other tips/solutions?

Will ask my reflxologist sister if children this young can be treated. Get back to you soon.

Skuzy -
Hi , sorry to hear about this. My 3yo dd was hospitalised in Jan for chronic constipateion with overflow and faecal impaction. We had been to our local GP 7 times since October and whilst they are normally very good, completely failed to diagnose this. The hospital explained that chronic constipation is not uncommon but sadly nor is misdiagnosis.
We are using a sachet called MOVICOL which is brilliant. You can hide it in drinks and it just keeps your child regular.
Know what you mean about the psychological side of things - we were lucky to have the community paediatric nurses (who specialise in constipation) working with us at home for a few weeks and still "on call" if required.
I also tried cranial osteopathy but personally think that the chiropractor was better for us.
My dd is still not toilet trained so we have a way to go yet.
Hope you get some good advice and good luck!

we saw a paed privately for chronic constipation. Brilliant prescribed movicol which is fantastic stuff and also reccomended sensible doses of senna and lactulose instead of the piddly doses the GP offered. He said the whole point was making it so loose initally thta they couldn't hold onto it. He also siad it's a long process to retrain them so we will have to continue with the movicol for at least another year. We've tailed off the senna and lactulose now and are just on one sachet a day of movicol. They have to forget it hurts to go. We also tried rewarding ds with chocolate buttons when he goes which worked really well. He goes every 1-2 days now. If he hasn't gone ont he second day I give him an extra sachet and some senna also increase things if he's poorly and a bit dry. it's just trying to get out of the vicious circle.

Thanks Lio, please let me know what your sister says.

Hi spub, thanks for your message. Sorry to hear about your ds. What exactly is overflow and faecal impaction? Was she completely blocked up inside? I have been really frustrated when going to my GPs. I wonder what the hospital will say?.....
I would never have thought to go to the chiropractor.I've been to one years ago with a back problem, but had no idea that they can treat constipation.
My ds is also not fully toilet trained. He'll wee on the potty and the toilet but always wants a nappy on for a poo.
Is your ds's constipation due to a physical problem or is it psycholoigcal? Did the hospital perform any special tests?

thanks and best wishes
skuzy

And if you want to try something else, my sister says that going to a reflexologist is a "very good idea. Association of reflexologists has list of qualified practitioners so no quacks".

Good luck, hope your poor ds is on the mend soon.

thanks so much poptot (love the name)
this is really helpful and also very reassuring to read about someone else having the same problems. Perhaps the hospital will prescribe movicol for us? I know what you mean about getting over the vicious cycle and also overcoming the fear of pooing. I can't quite remember what triggered the constipation but I'm sure it must be to do with him having a very painful poo which has scared him as I know he's often frightened of it hurting. He also has an issue with it being embarrassing too. We also use chocolate as a reward after pooing, which has helped. We've also tried a star chart which helped for a few weeks, then he just get fed up with it.
Good to hear you no longer use senna and lactoluse. Can you remember the dose you were prescribed. my ds is currently on 7.5ml of lactoluse and 5ml of senna. this has just been changed and it seems to be working. I agree that he needs to be going every day or every other day to help him get over his issues. Good luck with your little one

Oh blimey ds ended up on 10ml of senna and 10ml lactulose twice a day. That's what I mean about the paed and sensible doses. that was only for the short tem but it did really help.Have to say wouldn't use the lactulose again as it did give ds horrible tummy ache in the night, didn't make the connection until we stopped it. Could you ask your GP to prescribe the movicol we had to have the paed prescribe it as ds was under 2 when he started it but over 2 I'm sure the Gp can do it. CAT me any time if you want to talk more, believe me I know how awful it is, my whole mood used to depend on whether ds had pooed or not. Dh used to say poo = happy mummy, how sad am I?

thanks again poptot
think I will ask the GP for the movicol
best wishes
skuzy

My 3 year old has the same problem. Been constipated for 1 and half months now.He also does not want me near him due to sore bum. Docs gave us lactulose and senna(not getting anywhere fast) Can anyone tell me how to get any help as doctor does not seem to care.Could i get help from the hospital and if so how do i go about getting it.I am considering going private as poor boy in so much pain.

If you saw a homeopath this could be in addition to conventional medicineit won't interfere with any medication you are given. Would recommend seeing a homeopath for a prescription rather than simply purchasing a remedy from a wholefood shop. DS was v constipated, yet refused to talk about what was wrong; he was treated with a homeopathic dose of sulphur. I didn't tell him what the medicine was for. Within 5 mins he was drawing a picture of a pooand v shortly afterwards he went to the loo and produced the real thing!

something else I try when I can see dd1 may be heading that way is a gloop which I water down so she gets extra fluid...

3 pitted prunes
1 ripe pear peeled and diced
1 tsp brown sugar

a little water

stew it up and then I blend it to a liquid. Sugar makes it sweet and just add cold water - give it as juice. Dd1 drinks it no probs.

Hi

I'm a reflexologist and their treatments do work. I work on an autistic boy who had severe constipation and from the day I after the first treatment he has been to the toilet everyday. Now nearly 4 weeks ago. Find a reflexologist and give them a try.

Where abouts are youin the country?

Good luck

PS. The child treat was on Lactoluse and Senna and that made no difference to him either.

Another vote for a reflexologist here

Mine sorts me out so fast - that if I suspect a problem I make an apointment

Skuzy, my DD suffered from holding on to her poos - so past the constipation stage.

I eventually got her some Sodium Docusate, which is foul, but fine when mixed in with milk.

This did the trick, I think it just makes the poo easier to pass. then they start to go & then the bowel has to shrink back to normal size. We potty trained Dd around the same time & I think by DD sitting on the loo for poos & the medicine, helped everything along.

I insisted on seeing a private paediatrition, who was great & said that once the cycle is broken, it does improve quickly - he was right !