Re: Magnesium transition - questions

[Guest guest]

we have lots of luck adding dried fruit in some form to that mix. a handful of dried cherries or a couple of prunes, etc. a day. there are some great recipes out there for a fruit paste, many that include senna, which we've never used for our son. since he eats the dried fruit okay, i haven't taken on the paste challenge.

and all the vegetables/fruit they will eat (for fiber.) That part is a challenge for us as my son has significant disabilities, and it's a miracle he can eat orally as it is....i am blessed to have made the transition when he was about three to "no dessert w/o vegetables." i just try to make that serving every night HUGE. helps to load it up with butter and garlic and salt. you have to pick your battles in my life.

We too have been VERY pleased with the natural calm. We had been using a liquid calcium with magnesium, and just switched to NAtural Calm. We are really pleased.

sharry, aidan's mom

Magnesium transition - questions

I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I am sorelieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates dumping,but he seems fine right now. However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come everyday. I'm not sure what to do. I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic NaturalsChildren DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1 TBSP) ofNatural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't seem tomake a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it alsodidn't seem to make a difference. His timeline: he's been constipated since about 1 year old. around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes because ofit) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was indeedquite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last November.Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase itout'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working. About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any adverseeffects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it. I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency ofpoops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but when itcomes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him forit, since it's quite messy). Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium formula? I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to blamefor the runniness... Thank you for any ideas you may have. a - Mom to Seb

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[Guest guest]

We, too, love NaturCalm. It totally works in so many ways.

Magnesium transition - questions

I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I am sorelieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates dumping,but he seems fine right now. However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come everyday. I'm not sure what to do. I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic NaturalsChildren DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1 TBSP) ofNatural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't seem tomake a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it alsodidn't seem to make a difference. His timeline: he's been constipated since about 1 year old. around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes because ofit) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was indeedquite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last November.Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase itout'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working. About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any adverseeffects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it. I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency ofpoops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but when itcomes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him forit, since it's quite messy). Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium formula? I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to blamefor the runniness... Thank you for any ideas you may have. a - Mom to Seb

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release Date: 5/18/2008 9:31 AM

[Guest guest]

Is there a different " kids " version of natual calm? Where do you all

buy it???

>

> We, too, love NaturCalm. It totally works in so many ways.

>

> Magnesium transition - questions

>

>

> I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I

am so

> relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates

dumping,

> but he seems fine right now.

>

> However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come

every

> day. I'm not sure what to do.

>

> I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic

Naturals

> Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1

TBSP) of

> Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't

seem to

> make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it

also

> didn't seem to make a difference.

>

> His timeline:

> he's been constipated since about 1 year old.

> around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes

because of

> it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was

indeed

> quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last

November.

> Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase

it

> out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working.

> About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any

adverse

> effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it.

>

> I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency

of

> poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but

when it

> comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him

for

> it, since it's quite messy).

>

> Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium

formula?

>

> I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to

blame

> for the runniness...

>

> Thank you for any ideas you may have.

>

> a -

> Mom to Seb

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG.

> Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release

Date: 5/18/2008 9:31 AM

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharry,

So the dried fruit would create bulk and avoid the runniness? My son

already eats a good amount of fruit and vegetables, and he would love

some dried apricots to munch on.

Right now (since the switch from Miralax) he's in this pattern of not

going for 2-3 days and then have a big bm, that is unfortunately very

runny. So not ideal for his comfort.

Would you increase the dried fruit and diminish the Natural Calm?

Thank you so much.

- , I got the kids formula through my local health food store.

You can also find it online in many places:

http://www.absolutelythepurest.com/supplements/natural-calm-kids.html

a

>

> we have lots of luck adding dried fruit in some form to that mix.

a handful of dried cherries or a couple of prunes, etc. a day. there

are some great recipes out there for a fruit paste, many that include

senna, which we've never used for our son. since he eats the dried

fruit okay, i haven't taken on the paste challenge.

>

> and all the vegetables/fruit they will eat (for fiber.) That part

is a challenge for us as my son has significant disabilities, and it's

a miracle he can eat orally as it is....i am blessed to have made the

transition when he was about three to " no dessert w/o vegetables. " i

just try to make that serving every night HUGE. helps to load it up

with butter and garlic and salt. you have to pick your battles in my

life.

>

> We too have been VERY pleased with the natural calm. We had been

using a liquid calcium with magnesium, and just switched to NAtural

Calm. We are really pleased.

>

> sharry, aidan's mom

>

>

> Magnesium transition - questions

>

>

> I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I am so

> relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates dumping,

> but he seems fine right now.

>

> However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come every

> day. I'm not sure what to do.

>

> I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic Naturals

> Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1 TBSP) of

> Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't seem to

> make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it also

> didn't seem to make a difference.

>

> His timeline:

> he's been constipated since about 1 year old.

> around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes because of

> it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was indeed

> quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last November.

> Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase it

> out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working.

> About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any adverse

> effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it.

>

> I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency of

> poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but when it

> comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him for

> it, since it's quite messy).

>

> Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium

formula?

>

> I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to blame

> for the runniness...

>

> Thank you for any ideas you may have.

>

> a -

> Mom to Seb

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG.

> Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release Date:

5/18/2008 9:31 AM

>

[Guest guest]

The runny poop may also be related to oxalates - it's kind of a

viscous circle. My guess is that your son's colon is stretched a bit

and therefore has the capacity to hold quite bit of stool before he

gets the urge. The muscles of the large intestine are being taught

how to work again and the colon will also start to shrink - but it is

a little bit of a slow process. IMO, keep dosing at the level you

are at -- you run the risk of getting backed up if not. Your goal is

a BM at least every other day. Once you start having daily BMs I'd

back off.

Dried fruit or fruit - pear, watermelon, apricots, figs, plums - all

are very effective.

BTW -- apples are a very common allergen, so you might want to try

and avoid for a few weeks and see if that makes any difference.

1 year mark = DtaP shot -- I'd bet you bucks that's what hit him.

> >

> > we have lots of luck adding dried fruit in some form to that

mix.

> a handful of dried cherries or a couple of prunes, etc. a day.

there

> are some great recipes out there for a fruit paste, many that

include

> senna, which we've never used for our son. since he eats the dried

> fruit okay, i haven't taken on the paste challenge.

> >

> > and all the vegetables/fruit they will eat (for fiber.) That

part

> is a challenge for us as my son has significant disabilities, and

it's

> a miracle he can eat orally as it is....i am blessed to have made

the

> transition when he was about three to " no dessert w/o vegetables. "

i

> just try to make that serving every night HUGE. helps to load it up

> with butter and garlic and salt. you have to pick your battles in

my

> life.

> >

> > We too have been VERY pleased with the natural calm. We had been

> using a liquid calcium with magnesium, and just switched to NAtural

> Calm. We are really pleased.

> >

> > sharry, aidan's mom

> >

> >

> > Magnesium transition - questions

> >

> >

> > I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I

am so

> > relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates

dumping,

> > but he seems fine right now.

> >

> > However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come

every

> > day. I'm not sure what to do.

> >

> > I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic

Naturals

> > Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1

TBSP) of

> > Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't

seem to

> > make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it

also

> > didn't seem to make a difference.

> >

> > His timeline:

> > he's been constipated since about 1 year old.

> > around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes

because of

> > it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was

indeed

> > quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last

November.

> > Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase

it

> > out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working.

> > About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any

adverse

> > effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it.

> >

> > I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency

of

> > poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but

when it

> > comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him

for

> > it, since it's quite messy).

> >

> > Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium

> formula?

> >

> > I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to

blame

> > for the runniness...

> >

> > Thank you for any ideas you may have.

> >

> > a -

> > Mom to Seb

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG.

> > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release

Date:

> 5/18/2008 9:31 AM

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Congrats on getting him off Miralax!

Are the loose stools voluminous or not so much? Need to make sure

he's not impacted with loose stool leaking around the blockage. If

it's truly all loose stool (e.g., no impaction), then you could

probably ease up a little on the magnesium. But, really need to be

confident of no impaction.

Also, (bear with me friends) - have you tried a gluten-free diet? If

the constipation came on by about 1 year it could be food-related -

there's typically an increase in intake of solids that occurs between

6mo - 1 yr. - esp. gluten and dairy containing foods. When you went

dairy-free did you eliminate all casein-containing foods and

food-products, or just milk? Some kids need more than one elimination

diet (e.g., gluten-free/casein-free) or no difference will be seen. In

fact, I've read at another group of a family that eliminated certain

food(s) and child became progressively worse - until they did a food

panel. It turned out that in removing one item (I think it was

gluten), they began relying more heavily on another (e.g., rice, I

think) without knowing child was also intolerant of rice. Once they

removed both, significant improvements were seen.

I agree with all the suggestions on increasing fruits - pears! plums!

peaches! prunes! watermelon! apricots! etc. etc.

Hang in there! And, IMHO, don't worry at all about the potty training

- let him go where he wants (in diaper/training pants, on potty, etc.)

- so long as he keeps going! The rest will start to fall into place

when he's ready! (I know it can get exhausting - all the clean up -

trust me - been there/done that! Just hang in there - you'll get a

balance of supplements/diet that will work!!)

HTH,

>

> I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I am so

> relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates dumping,

> but he seems fine right now.

>

> However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come every

> day. I'm not sure what to do.

>

> I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic Naturals

> Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1 TBSP) of

> Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't seem to

> make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it also

> didn't seem to make a difference.

>

> His timeline:

> he's been constipated since about 1 year old.

> around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes because of

> it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was indeed

> quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last November.

> Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase it

> out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working.

> About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any adverse

> effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it.

>

> I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency of

> poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but when it

> comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him for

> it, since it's quite messy).

>

> Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium formula?

>

> I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to blame

> for the runniness...

>

> Thank you for any ideas you may have.

>

> a -

> Mom to Seb

>

[Guest guest]

you know - we also immediately had loose stools, then reduced the magnesium, but had to increase it again fairly quicly. we are still sorting through dosing issues, etc, too. (and things get a bit complicated here for my son for reasons hard to explain that have to do with his neuromuscular disorder and the meds he's on for it. everything here is on a day to day basis rigt now unfortunately. so our experience is maybe not going to be the same as someone who doesn't have those other meds in the mix, etc.)

maybe the dried fruit isn't so great an idea for you all until things calm down. it might help improve the frequency, but i don't know how they would affect the consistency. i'd have to defer to the other ladies here too - they know a lot. personally i think you'll have to just try different things and see what happens. the gluten free diet is definitely something i might try too.

sharry

Magnesium transition - questions> > > I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I am so> relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates dumping,> but he seems fine right now. > > However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come every> day. I'm not sure what to do. > > I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic Naturals> Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1 TBSP) of> Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't seem to> make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it also> didn't seem to make a difference. > > His timeline: > he's been constipated since about 1 year old. > around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes because of> it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was indeed> quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last November.> Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase it> out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working. > About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any adverse> effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it. > > I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency of> poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but when it> comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him for> it, since it's quite messy). > > Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesiumformula? > > I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to blame> for the runniness... > > Thank you for any ideas you may have. > > a - > Mom to Seb> > > > > > >----------------------------------------------------------> > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release Date:5/18/2008 9:31 AM>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.21/1458 - Release Date: 5/21/2008 7:21 AM

[Guest guest]

I'll try easying up on the Natural Calmfor a week or two and see what

happens. His poop is semi-solid when it first comes out, then it gets

super-runny (pretty much liquid). I do agree his colon may still be

stretched out and can hold quite a bit. Once he does go, there's so

much of it, that I am pretty sure there is no impaction.

My other thinking in terms of retraining his bowels and his mind is

that it may be easier to feel that his bowels are full when the poop

is just a little more solid...

Thanks for the tip on the apples. Easy enough to cut them out this

time of the year, so I'll do that right away.

I have also read that high dose of vitamin C turns into oxalates... if

that's the case, wouldn't I be better off with a magnesium supplement

that doesn't have so much vitamin C?

My other concern about vitamin C is that personally, if I take it, I

do get diarrhea.

, yes, I did go casein free for those weeks. I cannot say I saw

a significant difference. But I need to try the wheat-free diet,

although I do find the idea very overwhelming.

Thank you for the reminder about the potty-training. I guess part of

me had already resigned to have him in diapers until he's 5, and

seeing him so eager... I just want to do everything I can to help him

out.

Does anyone know what is the reasoning behind the high dosage of Vit.

C in Natural Calm? Have people who tried other Mag. supplements

noticed the loose stools as well?

Thank you so much for all your help. I can't tell you how much it

means to have someone to bounce ideas off... Some times I feel I'm

driving myself crazy with guessing work.

Paola

> > >

> > > we have lots of luck adding dried fruit in some form to that

> mix.

> > a handful of dried cherries or a couple of prunes, etc. a day.

> there

> > are some great recipes out there for a fruit paste, many that

> include

> > senna, which we've never used for our son. since he eats the dried

> > fruit okay, i haven't taken on the paste challenge.

> > >

> > > and all the vegetables/fruit they will eat (for fiber.) That

> part

> > is a challenge for us as my son has significant disabilities, and

> it's

> > a miracle he can eat orally as it is....i am blessed to have made

> the

> > transition when he was about three to " no dessert w/o vegetables. "

> i

> > just try to make that serving every night HUGE. helps to load it up

> > with butter and garlic and salt. you have to pick your battles in

> my

> > life.

> > >

> > > We too have been VERY pleased with the natural calm. We had been

> > using a liquid calcium with magnesium, and just switched to NAtural

> > Calm. We are really pleased.

> > >

> > > sharry, aidan's mom

> > >

> > >

> > > Magnesium transition - questions

> > >

> > >

> > > I've managed to move my son from Miralax to Natural Calm and I

> am so

> > > relieved about it. We went through about 10 days of oxalates

> dumping,

> > > but he seems fine right now.

> > >

> > > However, his poops are runny and liquidy. They also do not come

> every

> > > day. I'm not sure what to do.

> > >

> > > I give him probiotics every day, plus 4 gel caps of Nordic

> Naturals

> > > Children DHA, and 1 DSSP (somewhere in between 1 TSP and 1

> TBSP) of

> > > Natural Calm Kids. I have tried to skip the DHA but it doesn't

> seem to

> > > make a difference. I have also tried a dairy free diet but it

> also

> > > didn't seem to make a difference.

> > >

> > > His timeline:

> > > he's been constipated since about 1 year old.

> > > around 2 years old, his constipation (and his mood changes

> because of

> > > it) became severe and the doctor prescribed an X-ray. He was

> indeed

> > > quite backed up and we put him on Miralax. This was last

> November.

> > > Miralax indeed cleaned him out, but I was never able to 'phase

> it

> > > out'. I'd get to a certain dose and it'd stop working.

> > > About 3 weeks ago I took him off Miralax. He never had any

> adverse

> > > effects on him, but I was getting really uncomfortable with it.

> > >

> > > I'd like to now make some progress in terms of the consistency

> of

> > > poops (he's doing great progress towards potty training, but

> when it

> > > comes to pooping he still wants a diaper and I cannot blame him

> for

> > > it, since it's quite messy).

> > >

> > > Should I decrease the Magnesium? Or try a different Magnesium

> > formula?

> > >

> > > I wonder if it's the vitamin C in the Natural Calm that is to

> blame

> > > for the runniness...

> > >

> > > Thank you for any ideas you may have.

> > >

> > > a -

> > > Mom to Seb

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > --------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> > >

> > >

> > > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > > Checked by AVG.

> > > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release

> Date:

> > 5/18/2008 9:31 AM

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Paola,

My 6-year old daughter has been on Natural Calm for approximately 4

months now (after being on Miralax for 5 years). Her poop is exactly

as you describe. She goes every 4-7 days and it is solid when it

first exits, then very runny and it completely fills the toilet. I

tried backing off the Nat. Calm, but then the first part just gets

larger and harder. It seems (from previous posts) that this is a

common problem for kids on Natural Calm. Not sure if it's the

supplement to blame, lack of motility, or a result of colon

stretching as you say. Also, other posts have made me wonder whether

it is a nerve sensitivity problem.

At least now, she does not get irritated when it's been a few days

(even a week!) nor does she stop eating. I'm just thankful she is

drug free!

Julee

>

> I'll try easying up on the Natural Calmfor a week or two and see

what

> happens. His poop is semi-solid when it first comes out, then it

gets

> super-runny (pretty much liquid). I do agree his colon may still be

> stretched out and can hold quite a bit. Once he does go, there's so

> much of it, that I am pretty sure there is no impaction.

> My other thinking in terms of retraining his bowels and his mind is

> that it may be easier to feel that his bowels are full when the poop

> is just a little more solid...

>

> Thanks for the tip on the apples. Easy enough to cut them out this

> time of the year, so I'll do that right away.

>

> I have also read that high dose of vitamin C turns into oxalates...

if

> that's the case, wouldn't I be better off with a magnesium

supplement

> that doesn't have so much vitamin C?

> My other concern about vitamin C is that personally, if I take it, I

> do get diarrhea.

>

> , yes, I did go casein free for those weeks. I cannot say I

saw

> a significant difference. But I need to try the wheat-free diet,

> although I do find the idea very overwhelming.

> Thank you for the reminder about the potty-training. I guess part of

> me had already resigned to have him in diapers until he's 5, and

> seeing him so eager... I just want to do everything I can to help

him

> out.

>

> Does anyone know what is the reasoning behind the high dosage of

Vit.

> C in Natural Calm? Have people who tried other Mag. supplements

> noticed the loose stools as well?

>

> Thank you so much for all your help. I can't tell you how much it

> means to have someone to bounce ideas off... Some times I feel I'm

> driving myself crazy with guessing work.

>

> Paola