Those who've done an enema for their child: how bad is it for the kid? Been there done that stories would be so helpful.

Agreed that enema, as terrible as it appears at the outright, is probably safest.
Would also have a full physical done. Things like hypothyroidism, mega colon, and improper innervation of the colon can cause that kind of constipation. Has he had this problem before?

Enema. Followed by a regimen of Miralax. We had to give DD Miralax for 6 months post-enema.

Start with suppositories to "uncork" the worst of it, and go from there.

Milk of magnesia

Thanks everyone. We will be speaking with the pediatrician tomorrow. The radiologist just showed us how bad it was.

Anonymous wrote:Well, the x-ray was presumably read by a doctor. Didn't he or she make recommendations?

Doesn't a radiologist read the x-rays but it's the specialist (whomever sent you there) who tells you how to treat it??

Suppository to clear him out.

On a day to day basis, lots of water. Go everywhere with a water bottle.

My kid doesn't like prune juice but he does like fig newtons.

I had tried all kinds of laxatives without any success except for Senakot (the natural kind). Take two, and a normal poop should follow by 10AM-ish the next day.

FYI, fiber backs you up worse unless you drink tons of water. That's what my butt doctor told me.

Anonymous wrote:Well, the x-ray was presumably read by a doctor. Didn't he or she make recommendations?

+1 that this is very odd, but perhaps consider caffeine (even for a kid) or a suppository laxative.

Try the book "Cure your child with food". There's a chapter on digestive health and constipation.

My DS is much younger (2) but I have to rotate a couple of things.

1) a daily probiotic has drastically improved his condition (has to be a good one that's kept in the fridge - we use Udo's Choice).

2) A large cup of prune or pear juice daily

3) Yes, evaluate the diet and be sure it's balanced w/ high fiber foods - though this isn't always the problem/solution

4) I don't like it as a permanent solution but if things start to get clogged (ie: no bowel movement in the usual amount of time) I give a small amount of stool softener that does the trick. I only have to use this about 1x/2-3 weeks at this point...but the key is to not let things get too backed up.

They will probably want to first totally clear his colon of all the excess excriment then go from there.

I hope things get better for him!

Something that works well if he isn't already impacted is warm milk with blackstrap molasses in it. Great natural laxative.

When my kid has this, we give Epsom salts in water. It moves it all out.

Well, the x-ray was presumably read by a doctor. Didn't he or she make recommendations?

My 10 year old has extreme constipation. An x-ray showed poop throughout his colon. Cannot reach the pediatrician tonight. If you have any experience with this, please send advice both natural and medical. I got the message loud and clear that this extent of constipation would require medical methods - a high fiber diet alone won't do it. It also can't hurt. Thanks for any thoughts.