Painful stools

[ThomCat]

Not a very pleasant subject so sorry about that but just want some advice from you girls if poss.

Due to the low muscle tone in children with Down's Syndrome going to the toilet can be a difficult process.
Charlotte passes a stool about twice a week - ish.

Anyway I had her at work with me yesterday and she started to make her 'oh no I'm having a poo' cry - an unmistakable cry that tears at my heart. Anyway it took about 10 minutes to come out - I had her over my shoulder with one leg bent right up and I had to really help her get it out - and it made her bleed. Ugghhh, sorry - pause while my stomach unknots. It's so distressing for us both.

Anyway what I want to ask is - apart from the high fibre stuff - all bran, prunes etc - what can I do to SOFTEN her stools to make them less painful to pass? I know about lactulose but she is a nightmare to give medicine to - a REAL nightmare - it just goes everywhere and you end up having to give her 3 baths a day as it's like glue and gets everywhere including her hair so it's a really messy job.

Any other ideas girls - please???

I'm going to post this in health too for those mums who may have an idea but don't always visit this thread.

Thomcat xx

lou your ds sounds a bit like my dd, she is getting so fed up of appointments - started to misbehave after them aswell which is really out of charachter for her.

Don't want to belittle TC's problem, but love this thread! Sunchowder, yes it was bifidus! I've heard of Michael Gershon before, probably in relation to the book you mention. I certainly know a few people whose brain cells are in their a#+holes funnily enough they seem to be attracted to jobs at LEAs

I loved sunchowders thread it was so sensible and then she wrote a--hole at the end, hilarious sunchowder

Hiya

Caroline - well I did try diluting the lactulose but if I put it in a little amount of water she just won't drink it and if I dilute it too much it has no effect (according to a GP I spoke to about it). Maybe I'll just do it anyway and hope that it has some effect eventually.

Davros - you really made me laugh by saying you love this thread - i think that's great and really funny - you mad woman

Sunchgowder - hello my love! Yes please get one set of brain cells (bum or brain!!) and remember the name of that stool softener - xx