Slow Transit Constipation

I know, I know... kind of a random and awkward title for a post, right? Well, ordinarily I wouldn't use such a graphic title, but it is a Monday and I'm sleep-deprived which means I have zero imagination or creativity at this point. So, cutting right to the chase, I just so aptly titled this post with the formal "diagnosis" I was given for Jaxson's latest medical issue.

Over the past few months, Jaxson has had major issues with constipation. With him being so young, we really didn't know what to do. At first we thought it was a couple random, isolated incidents, but once we realized that it was happening on a recurring basis we knew there was something we were missing. At first we thought that maybe it was just an "allergic" reaction of some sort. That maybe there was a certain food he couldn't process. So in an attempt to quell any future episodes, we postponed the introduction of new baby foods/baby cereal...in fact we cut it out altogether. Then we thought since that didn't fix it that maybe he was lactose intolerant since Aaron was (and apparently I found out that I was on soy formula as a baby too although I have no intolerances or allergies whatsoever). So we switched him to lactose-sensitive formula (and that didn't work) so we went to soy... still constipated.

We tried all the suggestions we were given: prune juice, Karo syrup, mineral oil, rubbing his belly, glycerin suppositories, apple juice, adding fruits and veggies to his diet, adding more fiber... and nothing. He's had at least 4 episodes in the last 3-ish months where he's not pooped for anywhere from 4-8 days. Then, once he finally does go he's so bloated, his belly is rock hard as are his stools, and he strains because he's in pain. And he's like that for at least 2 days while his body finally pushes out everything that's stuck in there. He doesn't sleep because he cries out in pain everytime he has to go because it burns and because the bowels are too hard and bigger than the place they have to come out. His bottom rashes, breaks out into sores, and bleeds from all the bowels and the acidity. He breaks out into a fever and becomes lethargic. And the worst part about it?? There's absolutely nothing I can do to make it better...and as a mom that's the WORST feeling ever knowing that your child is in pain and you are completely helpless to stop it.

I finally broke down and called the doctor on Friday after his latest episode. I told them, "I need answers". All these quick fixes and old wives' remedies were not working. My son can't poop and he's suffering and obviously something was missed since this happens at least once a month. It's not just something random and I need to do something, ANYTHING to help my kid so they told me to bring him in first thing Saturday morning to be seen. Luckily for Jaxson, the worst was over by then as he spent Friday pooping his brains out (and luckily this was a "minor" case compared to some of the others he's had) and by the time we saw the doctor he was on his way back to normal.

Doctor said that there's not much to be concerned about and he's seen this a fair amount over his 20+ years in the profession. He diagnosed Jaxson with "slow transit constipation" meaning his body has a tendency to be delayed in processing the contents of his diet through his bowels. We should expect him to have episodes in the future, but that we can help him by going back to the Karo syrup (which is apparently a natural "laxative"), but we have to use the organic, dark kind. We are supposed to put a tablespoon a day in his bottle and if that doesn't work then we need to switch to Miralax, which is an adult laxative that we can turn into a child's dose. We need to increase the grains in his diet (which has been a challenge because Jaxson is averse to eating baby food and baby cereal--- he'll eat "adult food" but he hates the texture of the jarred foods, even the organic ones I make) and stay away from certain foods like: bananas (one of Jaxson's favorites) and soy---so we have to switch his formula yet again.

So, basically he has to have a specialized diet and we need to watch him carefully. Dr. P said that it's quite possible that he will struggle with this for life---maybe not to this extent, but he will be more prone to being constipated than the average person. Where one person may become mildly constipated, Jaxson will more than likely have a more aggressive case. Some kids may grow out of it, so it's possible he could as well once his diet improves and he's introduced to more foods, but he will always want to stay away from the foods that are more likely to cause constipation at least until his problem is under control. Right now we are in a waiting period... I'm hoping that the Karo syrup (which was actually originally my mom's suggestion since she said she used it on us kids when we were stopped up---guess those old fashioned remedies aren't complete crap, huh?) will help with his problem now that we are using it on a daily basis. Guess it's just trial and error though. We won't really know until he has another episode.

All I know is that I really want my baby to be better. These last few months, moreso the last month, has been hell for Jaxson. Jayden's been sick too but Jaxson's had a rough time lately. Hopefully things will be looking up. Next step is to get more grains into his diet. I think I'm going to start making him oatmeal. The real stuff...not the baby crap. I have found out through all of this that he loves french fries, melon, gravy, Cheerios, and Ritz crackers though! :)

Please keep my baby in your thoughts and prayers that his episodes stay to a minimum. Seeing your child in duress is the worst... Fingers crossed that these new implementations work!!