won't attempt potty training

February 20, 2005

Hi, I'm new. My son is 3.5 years old and has been constipated almost

since starting solids. He has a few food allergies (moderate

according to his rast test) and only reacts to egg foods and large

amounts of corn or corn syrup. He has cramps and (explosive) diarrhea

from those foods, and maybe that's what started his withholding

problem. He's been withholding bowel movements for 1.5 years. We

tried dietary changes for almost a year, then tried milk of magnesia

for a while, and now he's on miralax, 17 g in divided doses. He's

been taking it for about 7 weeks and it doesn't even work. We've

tried every reward we can think of for pooping in his diaper, but he

still holds it in. Giving suppositories is extremely painful for all

of us. Little Tummies senna laxative drops really work, but

pharmacist said they were not a good choice. One ped. doc said to use

mineral oil, but I'm really afraid of the danger of aspirating it into

his lungs which can be fatal. He does tend to choke easily due to

allergies and post-nasal drip. My complaints to the doc are falling

on deaf ears. I'm calling frequently and they just tell me to give a

suppository. I feel that it makes the behavioral problem of

withholding worse.

He won't even sit on a toilet or little potty without a fight and has

never actually peed or pooped in the potty. Doc says back off and try

again later. He'll be 4 in July and I don't see a light at the end of

the tunnel. I want to put him in preschool in Sept. but I know he

can't go in diapers. We're even offering a trip to Disneyland for his

Birthday. Nothing motivates him. I feel that if we could just get

the constipation problem fixed, then potty training will come

naturally. At least that is what I'm praying for.

K

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