Downs syndrome and constipation - any advice?

[doesmybumlookbiginthis]

My son is 7 and has always suffered from constipation - uses laxatives twice per week and has never had a bowel movement without taking them.
His diet is really attrocious - will not touch most foods and drinks a lot of milk which I know is not good for him but wont really drink water or any other fluids.
Have been looking on internet and have found sites in USA where parents are recommending NutriVene D as a vitamin supplement which has helped their child.
Has anyone tried this or have any other tips that they could give me?
New Years resolution is to get this sorted!

Not used that.

My dd1(who has down syndrome) was not a big water drinker but she did like her juice and squash. So I started with full strength apple and pear juice and slowly watered it down bit by bit - now she has about 20 - 25% juice and the rest water. I think keeping the water up made a big difference - the other thing I noticed the more active and mobile she is the better it is.

The other thing I have tried with her is Paralx/Parachoc which is a laxative but can be given daily and it assists with bowel movements.

Another thing I tried was gloop - hidden in yoghurt.

1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and sliced 3 pitted prunes 1 teaspoon dark brown or Muscovado sugar Stew gently, in a saucepan until soft. Cool, then liquidise until smooth. Larger quantities can be made up and frozen in ice trays or small baby food jars. Babies seem to love it straight off the spoon, older kids like it with yoghurt, ice cream or on breakfast cereal. Might be worth a try.

I reckon its his diet coupled with the low tone of DS. dd has cerebral palsy and is prone to constipation cos she can't move but we keep her reg'lar with a diet which is only fruit and vegetables. She doesn't drink liquids at all.
About once a month we use a suppositry as that doesn't cause tummy ache like the oral laxatives but I imgaine it wont be a barrel of fun inserting one of those in a mobile child!

Thanks Eidsvold. Can you get Parachoc at chemist or do you need prescription?
Needmorecoffee - i know it is his diet but he really wont touch much - have even tried if he wont eat it he wont get anything else but his staying power is better than mine!

you have my sympathy. My son with ASD lives on white pasta and ketchup. He freaks if he sees other food. And then complains about he 'can't go'
He's now 14....

bump

My DD is 6 and has DS. We have been fairly lucky and have never really needed medication...as of yet! She did go through a bad stage last year where she struggled to go to toilet for days the had a bout of diarohhea.(sp?) Eventually we saw a dietician and kept a food diary which really highlighted that the mainissue was not the food she ate (she does have a quite varied diet) but the amount of fluid she took a day. The main problem was that some days at school she had hardly any fluid at all as she was in mainstream school with no support and no statement- there was no one to prompt or encourage her to do so!
We were advised to aim for at least 2ltrs of fluid a day, which was really hard. Upping her soya milk on her cereal, blackmailing her to have a mouthful of juice for each hula hoop (lol.she will do anything for a hula hoop).......etc.
Eventually we cut back to 1ltr a day and thankfully her problems are nowhere near as bad now, but she still needs lots of encouragement to drink!
Good luck and sorry I cannot be of any use re; medication!

Thanks Dingle. Have already started diluting fresh orange juice with water and he has had 2 cups today.
He has also had 2 enemas today and 2 movicols - and still nothing! I think the earth really will move when his bowels move!
Am beginning to really worry but nurse said she thought he might go in middle of night when his relaxed - hope so.

Sorry am in Aus and not sure if you can get parachoc or paralax - it is an oily substance which ( from poor memory) also coats the bowel etc and helps the poo come out - too much - very oily poo - too little and constipation.

YOu start on 15 mls a day and then when things get moving - you can decrease to 5 mls a day.

What about fish oils - tried them - we found them helpful for lots of reasons.

sorry parachoc is available from chemist shelves - no need here for prescription.

good all-natural home remedy is flaxseeds, you can use them ground in preety much anything as they have no taste, you could add them to sauces or soups (tho they don't need cooking)
Flaxseeds also have omega 3 fatty acids, beneficial to brain, skin and overall health
you need to increase liquid intake as they absorb quite a lot of it (that's why best added to liquid dishes after cooking)

I have used flax seed oil with DD for about a year now...I pop a spoonful on her weetabix of a morning and disguise it with honey!!!