Fiber supplements and children
#10697 - 06/04/03 11:39 AM
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Gretchen
Reged: 05/30/03
Posts: 45
Loc: Muncy, PA, USA
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My 8 year old daughter has suffered from constipation forever. I do not know if she has IBS or not. She gets horrible belly aches when she hasn't had a BM in a few days and has even thrown up from the pain, but unlike me she does not get D following the C. Her gastroenterologist has of course recommended a high fiber diet, supplemented with Citrucel (one rounded scoop in 8 ounces of water) once a day. She doesn't really like the Citrucel (unless I make it with lemonade), plus it doesn't seem to soften her very large, hard stools. So my question is: Is it safe for children to try other fiber supps, like Benefiber? Also, does anyone know the appropriate dose for children?
I have asked the doctor these questions, but he doesn't really answer. He just starts talking about giving her Milk of Mag, or mineral oil. (She hates both - don't blame her, frankly!) We are in an HMO, so I can't really pick and choose a new doctor. Plus, he feels that at this point we have the "tools" necesary for handling her constipation on our own. 
I feel that Heather's eating guidelines will certainly benefit my daughter's digestion as well as mine. I think the first place to start is adding the appropriate fiber supplements. Second, it seemed as if soluble fiber (potatoes, pasta, oatmeal, etc.) bound her up, so we had basically eliminated them from all of our diets. I have since introduced them again. I know now that it was not the soluble fiber, it was not drinking enough to let them work that was the problem!
So, anybody know what supps are okay for kids and how much children should take?
Gretchen
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I purchased some Benefiber last night and the back of the bottle had directions for children.
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Laurie 
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Hi - Laurie's right, check the bottles for dosages for children. Any of the supplements should be fine - if your daughter prefers pills to powders try Equalactin (which are chewable) or Fibercon or Citrucel tablets. And definitely keep her water intake high (and have her avoid soft drinks altogether).
Has her doctor referred her to a pediatric gastroenterologist for diagnostic tests? Chronic constipation is not necessarily caused by IBS - she should have a diagnosis based on something other than her family doc just deciding she has IBS, and refusing to investigate further.
I was in an HMO when I developed IBS at age 9, and my pediatrician refused to help me or refer me to someone who could, so my heart really goes out to you. I'd urge you to do everything you can to get around your daughter's current doc. Switch to another primary provider, pediatrician, clinic, anything. Or just absolutely insist that her current doc refer her to a specialist. If you make a big enough fuss you might get somewhere.
Best,
Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Gretchen, Just to let ya know, I go to a pediatric Gastro,(because im 17 and not 18) Anyway, when my pediatric told me to take a fiber supplement, she gave me sample of benefiber. She had loads of them there and gives benefiber to all her patients who need Xtra fiber. SO, I suppose benefiber is okay for children (Afterall, she treats babies and toddlers too)
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-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name 
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She has been seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist. She was 5 years old when we first saw the gastro. He did not re-run tests because she had the full range (top to bottom)done when she was an infant. Her gastro said the films showed no irregularities. (She had the g.i. series done because I had noticed blood in her diaper when she was only 6 weeks old. She was constipated, in my opinion, even then, but her pediatrician at that time (different health plan, different state) said that she wasn't C. His reason was that some babies only poo once a week!  ). It took several years of her belly aches before I got a pediatrician to acknowledge that she had a problem, and finally at that point was given a referral to the ped gastro. Of course by then her bad bowel habits were very well established, and her little brain was conditioned that going to the bathroom was a bad experience.  Since then the referral ran out. Pity taking care of our little ones has to be such a trying experience.
Her actual diagnoses is "encopresis", which is a constipation related problem. In a nutshell, babies and toddlers will refuse to poop because it hurts, due to constipation. This in turn causes more constipation, and the bowel doesn't recognize that it is full because it becomes stretched out routinely, and therefore the braindoes not send the "go" signal. Sorry for the details.
Even if she does not have IBS, I think a similar diet can only help her. I would really like to help her become regular. I will see if she'll take the Benefiber. If not, I will try Equilactin or the tablets. She does take pills well.
Thanks to everyone for the advice!
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Hi Gretchen - Thanks for the info. I do think the diet info will help her, and the soluble fiber info as well.
I'd suggest that you check out the hypnotherapy board. There are tapes made for IBS, that address all symptoms including constipation, and they're safe for children. This approach might really work well to "re-train" her mind about bowel habits, overcome the ingrained experiences she's had that associate bowel movements with pain, and also help address the underlying physical problem and actually alleviate the constipation. I would really look into this - there's tons of info on the hypno board and you can ask questions too.
- H
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Hadn't considered using the tapes for children. That's a great idea. She is so young, I bet they would help alot.
Gretchen
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My daughter who is 9 was recently diagnosed with ibs after about a year of bloating, and diarrhea which became more frequent. Our docter prescribed soluble fiber and also suggested peppermint oil capsules if the fiber alone doesn't do it. She has improved with the fiber, and is gradually realising that she will feel better if she doesn't eat certain foods she loves. I find it a bit sad that she has to deal with things like this at her age, but I figure it leads to healthy eating anyway on this diet, so hopefully it will encourage her to eat healthily all her life
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Sarah
Looking for inspiration...
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