4 year old with chronic constipation since birth

[mommyofoneinwv]

my daughter is 4 now, and she has been dealing with constipation since birth. she has had numerous test done, (barium enema, biopsies X2 on intestine, gi series, etc) everything has ceame back normal, except her gi series showed that she has a mega colon. she is immune to one laxative and is currently taking 2 different laxatives, which are not working for her. when i have to give her suppositories, and enemas, she usually don't have any results from that, so basically she is straining her guts out and not getting anything out. her primary gi doctor tells me she stays constipated because she has been diagnosed with a form of autism, (my opinion is she was misdiagnosed with that). anyhow i have taken her to several different doctors for 2nd and 3rd opinions and even a 4th opinion. (she has been to cincinnati children's and cloumbus children's, and i still don't get any information. the doctors tell me it is normal, but i have recently recieved information about ace malone and colostomy procedures. (from her primary gi doctor) so if this is so normal, why is she on two laxatives, that have quit working on her, and now the doctors are looking to do the ace malone or colostomy on her. our most recent visit to the er was 2 days ago, and i was looking for them to transfer her to the children's hospital, but after 3 enemas, and manual disimpaction they send her home, and now we are back to the same point. straining, and not getting nothing out! and once again, we are not having any results from the suppositories. so looks like another trip to the doctors tomorrow. this is ridicolus. she can not even attend pre school, this year is half way gone and she has been there 2 days. if anyone has any information that may help me. please, please, contact me, i am all ears. i don't mind giving her suppositories, and enemas, but when it comes to manual disimpaction, i cannot do that to her, because what if she goes to school and tells her teachers, mommy had her finger there. well i have to take a chance on getting my little angel taken from me, and it would be because i was trying to help her! something has to give. i need help, for my little girl! i will probably be in the hospital for the next week with her, so please leave me some info.

[athena55, BSN, RN]

mommyofone:

Geez, I feel for you! I remember when my first born had become constipated...I could not give him an enema, I called a friend who lived about five miles away to come over to help and support me.

So your child had a rectal biopsy and it came back negative? SO the bx showed the presence of ganglion cells? {{I ask this because another name for mega colon is Hirschspring's Disease}} And the physician mentioned surgery....Did s/he mention a "pull through" procedure?

I see that you daughter is on 2 different laxatives....Have you tried lactulose? Gee I wish I could offer you something more tangiable...some hope, but I am not a pediatric nurse. Hopefully someone will respond to you.

Blessed be,

athena

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Hirschsprung's, yup research on that....

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Hi and welcome to the site

I am so sorry your daughter is going through this but this is something we on allnurses can not help with as per terms of service by offering medical advice. I hope you finally get something sorted for her