New here......very desperate for 9 year old
#152987 - 02/22/05 06:31 PM
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IBSx2
Reged: 02/22/05
Posts: 4
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Hello
I am 38yo female who has IBS ever since I got my gallbladder out in 1992. I deal with that, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I have learned to cope over the years by basically not eating anything in am if I have to leave the house but that is not always fool proof.
Im more concerned for my little guy who is 9. He has had IBS since he was in Kindergarten and it has progressed to a major nightmare. The doc had him on Immodium which doesnt really help. He has missed so much school I recieved a letter from the state. Now the doc writes continuous notes for him. Every morn he wakes up and literally cries in the shower afraid ot go to school. If he does go to school, he almost misses the bus everyday as he has just one more bathroom trip that is not productive. This morning he started hyperventilating because he was so upset. Went ot ped and we are goign ot try this diet for both of us. The doc talked to a specialist at the University and they said if nothing works that they end up using Prozac....I dont think so.
My major question is how in the world do we ease into this diet without causing his body to freak out more? What are the best things that we should start changing to first? What should we get rid of completely?
Please help.
Thank you
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bump
#153029 - 02/22/05 09:30 PM
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BJake66
Reged: 10/17/04
Posts: 126
Loc: PA
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Lisa
IBS-C, pain predominant
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Hi,
I'm afraid I probably won't be too much help as I don't have any experience with kids and IBS etc. I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to the both of you; I can't even imagine how terrible this would be for a child to go through!
I know that Heather's book IBS The First Year has some great sections on kids with IBS; you can buy it or get it at the library, or most chapters are available to read on this website. That might help some.
As far as easing into the diet, I think Heather talks about that bit too (?). The most people do it I think is something like this
1. Cut out triggers (red meat, egg yolks, dairy, anything high fat etc... comprehensive list of triggers here) and let him get used to that first a bit maybe
2. Then continue to cut out foods (i.e. span of a couple of days tops) until you're into the 'What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything' diet. This should not cause his body to freak out; if he really does have IBS (has he been officially diagnosed?) then his body should appreciate this. He might not like it too much as it doesn't offer much variety, but his body should be able to relax a bit on this diet because these foods are easy to digest and soothing to the system.
3. Include a soluble fiber supplement (if you're just starting one - and I don't know what the dosage would be like for a kid, sorry! - make sure you start SLOWLY). I got the imression your son was C, right? Don't stay very long on this diet then, and within a few days...
4. slowly start to reintroduce insolubles, one by one. Start with some well cooked veggies (served with lots of rice or white bread or something), soem of the quick bread like zucchini bread, smoothies etc. Try adding a bit of whole grains maybe, very slowly. This is the period where you will get an idea of what you and he can tolerate and what you can't.
If you are C it may take a few weeks to 'stablize'. Hang in there.
I'm sorry I can't be more help  Definitely check out some of those chapters of Heather's books that more specifically address the needs of children. Congrats with considering this diet though; it's been a life saver (literally) for many people here!
Anyway, best of luck, and do keep us up to date on how things are going with the two of you! HUGS for both of you
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Thanks a bunch....Going to do some more reading. He is primarily always D but just the last couple of days C so dont know what is going on there.
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Have you considered homeschooling him this year while you get him normalized? It might help him immensely to be at home and relaxed for a bit. Stress is a big problem for IBS-D (ask me how I know!!). It turns into a vicious cycle where you get stressed about leaving the house because of the D, which causes it to be worse so the next time you leave the house, you're more stressed and MORE D. At least that's how it worked for me. If you're interested in homeschooling, I can give you some resources that would help. I hope he feels better soon. There's nothing worse than being in school and having ANYTHING wrong with you. I had migraines in 6th grade and then I threw up every morning of 9th grade. They seem to think mine was all hormones...no wonder I had such horrible pregnancies!!!
Rena
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As your son is IBS-A, a SFS is very important as it works on both ends of the IBS spectrum. Does he take Immodium everyday? If he gets C, cut his dose down. If he's having a lot of D, then taking it everymorning is helpful.
I'd recommend pretty much jumping straight into the diet. The thing about the SF diet is that it's good for IBS, especially D, so there is less for his body to stress about on it, not more.
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start with the breaking the cycle info here Break the Cycle and you should get your son stabilized pretty quickly. Then you can gradually expand his diet from there.
- 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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Oh I feel for you! I know I do the same thing almost every morning before work. It never fails. I wake up, get my shower, get dressed, go downstairs and as soon as I get downstairs, I have to go to the bathroom! It never fails! Thank goodness for my husband who then can drive my boys to the bus stop. Otherwise, they'd be waiting for me to get out of the bathroom and they'd miss the bus.....I can just imagine how your child must feel and Only being 9 and stressing over it must be TOUGH
My neighbor's son who is about 9 has the same problem and I think to ease the stress of the bus, she drives him to school. I don't know if that's feasable for you but if you can it might help a little.
My heart goes out to you. I think it's bad enough having one person in the house with IBS, but having two and to have a child have it too would just break my heart!!!!
BIG< BIG HUGS to you and your son!!!!   Hang in there and keep coming to us for advice!!!!
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~~~Lisa~~~
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I read your post about your 9 yr old son. My daughter is now 12 and has endured merciless teasing from her friends and embarassing chiding from a neighbor who should know better, all because of her IBS. She has always had "accidents", but she wasn't diagnosed until almost 2 years ago.
We haven't made much progress in way of easing the accidents. We do homeschool, but combine it with a cooperative homeschool "school". Due to my husband's and my work schedules, she makes her own breakfast and lunch and we make dinner. My question is this; Does anyone have suggestions on changing the diet of a typical pre-teen who has tried the IBS diet (cutting out fried foods, soft drinks, etc) and said she hates the food on the safe list? She's okay with the pasta, but we found after a few weeks she was putting on extra weight. Are there any foods that are more mainstream, that she may be more willing to consider? We've also tried peppermint to help with bad episodes - unfortunately it makes her "gag" (her words).
On a side note, we have gently suggested she try to make a quick run to the restroom when she feels an imminent episode. She tells us that when she has the accidents she doesn't (how to say this politely?) realize they're happening. Does anyone know of other IBS children, and is this a common happening?
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"Failure is not the end. Failure is feedback."
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Big hugs to you and your son...
I don't know if I can be of any help, but just to give my two cents:
I jumped right into the what to eat when you can't eat anything list, and yes it was hard, but all I had to think about was the pain if I veered off of it. I stayed on that diet for a few days, untill I felt I was ready to eat more that a baked potato, dry ceral, etc.
from there I have been slowly trying new things. And I always eat something like a baked potato or rice before or with anything that is new. I have been on this for about two weeks now, and I feel much much better. I felt terrible before I found this web site, I felt so alone and doomed to a life of D and bloating and pain, and learning how to eat has helped alot, I have alos noticed that exercising has helped me alot, and also being aware of my anxiety (I am a stay at home mom of a 24 month old and 4 month old). Also I would try and enroll your son in a yoga for kids class or check out a video, because that will help him with his anxiety (if he has any- which I can imagine he would).
Also have you tried papayas or digestive enzyme therapy?
I wish you the best and I will be keeping you and your little man in my thoughts.
kiki
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