Re: Is there a link between Constipation and Apraxia?

[Guest guest]

I know it is common with kids with hypotonia. And it seems like many

hypotonia kids have apraxia. Actually it is very common with many

special needs children. My son struggles with it also, you don't even

want to hear our 2.5 year long horror stories and he is 3 now. We've

finally got it under control also but with script meds daily

(Miralax). I hear fish oil is supposed to help but my child couldn't

tollerate the texture of it.

good luck!

Janel

>

> My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

> had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

> But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

> symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

> be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

> started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

>

> Crystal

> Catey 2 yrs today

>

[Guest guest]

I know it is common with kids with hypotonia. And it seems like many

hypotonia kids have apraxia. Actually it is very common with many

special needs children. My son struggles with it also, you don't even

want to hear our 2.5 year long horror stories and he is 3 now. We've

finally got it under control also but with script meds daily

(Miralax). I hear fish oil is supposed to help but my child couldn't

tollerate the texture of it.

good luck!

Janel

>

> My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

> had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

> But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

> symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

> be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

> started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

>

> Crystal

> Catey 2 yrs today

>

[Guest guest]

Crystal-

struggles with minor constipation, mostly because her diet is

very self-restricted. Like many apraxic children, she shuns anything

that is too sticky or chewy; clearly she has oral motor sensory issues.

Hence, her diet consists of a lot of dairy, which we all know tends to

" bind us up. " So, I would not call constipation a symptom, but rather,

a common co-occurence.

I hope that helps!

Warm regards,

******************

(Rochester, NY)

Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia

& , 1 year

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Crystal

Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 10:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Is there a link between Constipation and

Apraxia?

My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

Crystal

Catey 2 yrs today

[Guest guest]

It seems like it is a common problem. My son was on Miralax for 18

months before I finally found what works for us -- Magnesium and

Vitamin C -- about 1000 mg both spread throughout the day. I found

help and suggestions on the Enzymesandautism board. There are

several

people that swear by oxypowder.

Here's why I wanted him off Miralax. Many kids with constipation

have

leaky guy syndrome -- which means that large molocules escape out of

the digestive track without being broken down properly. The logic on

Miralax being safe is that the polyetholene glycol molocule is too

large to be assimilated by the body. Do you see a problem here? I

certainly did -- and tried to get him off of it as soon as I could.

Feel free to email me if you want more info.

>

> My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

> had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

> But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

> symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

> be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

> started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

>

> Crystal

> Catey 2 yrs today

>

[Guest guest]

Nobody knows why children with apraxia...and other communication

impaired children today such as those with autism today, appear to

also have constipation issues. Could be from the low tone, motor

planning aspects, brain stem signaling problems, gut issues -nobody

knows for sure...but there is help no matter what causes it. As

Tanner's doc Dr. said " I can't help with motor planning but

can help with the constipation " And the man did it!

Tanner today drinks POM each day -but it didn't start there -below

is more. Be careful of high fiber or constipation meds because they

appear to compromise the EFAs -but other than that know that there

is hope for this too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~start of archives

Re: please help with bowel movement issues!

Dana I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I'm

hoping that the constipation issue for this time is resolved.

What said about the fear compounding the constipation is very

true. There could be physical reasons why a child may be prone to

constipation -such as low tone, and/or possibly motor planning. But

once a child has pain in moving their bowels, they may create a

secondary problem in regards to constipation.

Did he ever suffer from constipation while he was still in pull

ups? If so did he complain then of his breath hurting from

pushing? I'm guessing not.

From what you are saying he has the motor planning ability (and

gravity?) to push successfully while he is standing up. Until you

can get him to a pediatric gastroenterologist perhaps go back to the

pull ups just so that he is able to prevent further constipation

issues. With time and by removing pressure -I'm sure he'll figure

out how to go on the toilet. Once you get past the initial

constipation issue -work on him using the pull ups while squatting -

then sitting.

As far as the thing you can purchase to put under the feet while

he's sitting on the toilet to make it easier to push...you can just

turn his waste paper basket upside down (or use a step stool etc.)

The pediatric gastroenterologist will be able to rule out any

obvious physical reasons for the difficulties he is currently

having. I'd take to this doctor the information/advice I have posted

here

from Tanner's pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. . Some may be

quick to prescribe medications, and with preschool children that is

not the best idea for many reasons, especially when less invasive

methods may

work.

Here's where you can search for a local pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoc

tor.asp

On a side note...it is interesting that our children complain of

their " breath hurting " them. Isn't it? (awhile back I posted about

a doctor friend who himself had surgery on his vocal cords -he had

to whisper for quite awhile and relearn to talk. He told me in no

uncertain terms that he relates to the " breath hurting " And he's an

adult -and an internist MD)

=====

[Guest guest]

Whoops didn't realize this didn't have the Pom info in it -so here

it is as well as the link again for where you can search for a local

pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp:

Re: -constipation remedy besides POM?

Pom Wonderful is about $3.99 in both our local supermarket as well

as our local Wal-Mart -but I'm actually paying more than the $9.99.

From what I've found online at Amazon you are probably looking at

the 46 oz glass bottle of the pure Pomegranate juice. I buy Tanner

the slightly more expensive 16 oz. plastic bottles because in

addition to the pure Pomegranate, the small bottles also come in 4

other flavors. Tanner likes the flavored Pom juices, especially the

grape and cherry-and I mix them with the Pom wonderful (pure)

Pomegranate trying to gradually add more and more to get him used to

the taste of pure Pomegranate. (so far however he still hates the

pure Pom)

I've noticed other less expensive brands out there including one I

picked up at BJs (for those that don't know -a discount store where

you buy stuff in bulk)....but I never used them with Tanner, and

nobody else drank them. So those bottles just sat in our extra

fridge till one day months later I figured they probably expired and

threw them away. Horrible I know. You see, even though they were

cheaper, I don't know if they work the same as Pom Wonderful, don't

know 'why' the Pom Wonderful is working, or why Tanner got

constipated again when he didn't drink it for a few days after not

being constipated for so many months. I just decided it wasn't

worth it -or that Pom Wonderful 'was' worth it. And.. he doesn't

drink that much each day of it -maybe just a 1/4 of a glass? I

can't tell you how terrified I am of going back to where we were

prior to Pom Wonderful which is the easiest thing ever that works

and is not harmful for Tanner! (but if you read the archives and my

911 moment of panic you have an idea!)

It tastes pretty good too -did any of you ever try it? (and no -I

have nothing to do with the company Pom Wonderful but wish I did!

http://www.pomwonderful.com

" My theory is that our children are late to potty train as a group

due to low tone issues, but many deal with constipation due to motor

planning issues that create the initial problem of " going " on

command. Then they get constipated and when they do go it hurts -

lots. Then they not only are dealing with the physiological aspects

of motor planning, but they are compounded with the psychological

fears from the pain of going. Following this theory it would make

sense that your child prefers to have a diaper on because it

eliminates the pressure of the " on command " because no matter when

it comes out it doesn't matter. It's probably better to be dealing

with this than the constipation I can tell you that -but being aware

that the constipation typically starts when the potty training is

over perhaps you newbies can eliminate this stage by being aware.

(and teach to use the toilet in spite of motor planning issues)

My theory is based on my own son Tanner, as well as some very long

conversations with his pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence

from Palm Beach Florida. Tanner I would say is " cured " at

this point of any constipation issues 2 years +! We only had to use

Milk of

Magnesia one time when we flew to NJ/NY for the Holidays for a long

weekend over the Holidays and didn't give him any POM juice which he

drinks a small amount of each day now.

What I do find strange is that many times we have to tell Tanner to

sit on the toilet, and then he does " go " , rather than going

himself to the bathroom as most of us do. If that makes any sense -

because it doesn't to me! Not that he never goes on his own -but

I'd prefer if he always did.

My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

there instead.

" Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

(wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

out of

your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

amount of pressure it should work.

Below I have an archive on what initially worked for Tanner -but

again today all we use is Pom Wonderful http://www.pomwonderful.com

And once more I want to do a HUGE big THANK YOU to Dr. Lawrence

-thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

(unless you deal with the horror of constipation in a young child

you have no idea how bad it really is) Please feel free to share

this information with anyone that it may help "

=====

[Guest guest]

Third time's a charm

....the link, again, for where you can search for a local

pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp

=====

[Guest guest]

Crystal-

struggles with minor constipation, mostly because her diet is

very self-restricted. Like many apraxic children, she shuns anything

that is too sticky or chewy; clearly she has oral motor sensory issues.

Hence, her diet consists of a lot of dairy, which we all know tends to

" bind us up. " So, I would not call constipation a symptom, but rather,

a common co-occurence.

I hope that helps!

Warm regards,

******************

(Rochester, NY)

Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia

& , 1 year

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Crystal

Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 10:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Is there a link between Constipation and

Apraxia?

My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

Crystal

Catey 2 yrs today

[Guest guest]

IMO -- pediatric gatroenterologists are not worth the copay. We saw

2 and NEITHER connected the dots with speech delay, possible ASD,

etc. They just wanted to write the prescription and move on to the

next one. Naturopaths did connect the brain-gut and possible toxin

connection.

Think back -- when did the constipation start. My son's started

immediately after his 2 month shots -- he received a total of 5 shots

in 2 weeks! I kick myself every time I think of this.

>

> Third time's a charm

>

> ...the link, again, for where you can search for a local

> pediatric gastroenterologist

>

>

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoct

or.asp

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

It seems like it is a common problem. My son was on Miralax for 18

months before I finally found what works for us -- Magnesium and

Vitamin C -- about 1000 mg both spread throughout the day. I found

help and suggestions on the Enzymesandautism board. There are

several

people that swear by oxypowder.

Here's why I wanted him off Miralax. Many kids with constipation

have

leaky guy syndrome -- which means that large molocules escape out of

the digestive track without being broken down properly. The logic on

Miralax being safe is that the polyetholene glycol molocule is too

large to be assimilated by the body. Do you see a problem here? I

certainly did -- and tried to get him off of it as soon as I could.

Feel free to email me if you want more info.

>

> My daughter really struggled with constipation as a baby, but we've

> had it fixed for well over a year (thanks I think to chiropractic).

> But recently she's been struggling with it again. Is constipation a

> symptom of Apraxia? Or just something that, at this point, seems to

> be a common thread? Does the fish oil help by any chance? We just

> started the ProEFA today!! Thanks!

>

> Crystal

> Catey 2 yrs today

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry you didn't have a good experience -but Tanner's pediatric

gastroenterologist Dr. is on this search list.

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp

As always there is good and bad in every profession and you can't

rule out an entire profession because one has bad experiences with

two pediatric gastroenterologists. Hopefully my email will give

others a head's up of what to look for in a pediatric

gastroenterologist. As much as you hated your experience is as much

as I loved ours -Dr. is a hero to me. Also, if you have a

child with constipation and it's severe you really should rule out

any physical reasons for it. As always just make sure it's a

competent professional who doesn't 'just' write prescriptions.

To be honest at the point we brought Tanner to Dr. I was ready

to go the medication route...and for those that know me I always

look first for other ways... but was that desperate and afraid of

what was going on with Tanner (not sure if you read the whole

message about how I had the phone in my hand to call 911 and kept

calling and hanging up...not knowing what to do as Tanner was

screaming and crying in pain)

I remember asking Dr. why other pediatric gastroenterologists

didn't recommend the same " prescription " as he did...and he

said " And how long did I spend with you? " True...he spent

hours...and you can tell he really cared. I'm sure to write a regular

prescription would have taken all of the 15 minutes insurance

companies feel is the time necessary for all MDs for everyone today.

Below is Dr. Adam's " prescription " for Tanner...and it's not

medication other than the Milk of Magnesia....since then till today

Tanner's been regular. Dr. told me that at some point we

would get lax and Tanner would become constipated again and it would

start the entire cycle again....Never happened because I made sure

we didn't get lax like most others. (I believed him)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~start of archive

" This also may have to do with some signaling problem or motor

planning aspect. Not sure -but who cares when anyone just about

anywhere can pick up pear nectar or Dole papaya fruit and gel

bowls! This works -and we love Dr. !! So much that if you have

to fly to Palm Beach Florida to see him -I'd say he's worth it!

(but there's got to be at least one other as good you'd think

right?!)

> Today I took Tanner to see pediatric gastroenterologist Lawrence

> MD from Palm Beach Florida for Tanner's problem with

> constipation which we have been trying to help him with now for

the

> past 5 years or more with various MDs (Tanner is now 7) Up till

now

> nobody has wanted to put Tanner on medications -and since we've

> moved we haven't taken Tanner to see his NJ/NY MDs. I highly

> recommend Dr. if you are in Florida in that he took over an

> hour with us -was excellent with Tanner (very funny) and was very

> open to discussing off the wall theories on constipation in

apraxic

> children -a best kept secret even though it's known for autism.

Dr.

> has many patients with special needs -some with severe CP

> whose parents have to blend fruits for their constipation that

they

> can put through their feeding tube.

>

> Here is a brief summery from the prescription he gave me:

>

> Diet: Nectars (fruit juices) Papaya, pear, apricot (if he can

> stand it -can mix with others but try plain nectar first)

> * prune juice -can be mixed with orange juice (since most kids

don't

> like it)

>

> exotic fruits- figs, dates, apricot, papaya (papaya underlined

> twice) (if he can stand it -like the nectars -these work wonders

he

> said)

>

> limit -banana, apple, rice, dairy

>

> Milk of Magnesia 2-3 tablespoons with glass of water any time he

> skips 1 day. Works 4-8 hours.

>

> Behavior Modification -10 minutes daily -no distractions. Use

> calendar stickers -every week reward for amount of BMs

> 2/ week something small

> 3-4 medium

> 5-7 large reward

>

> Dr. said that there is a chance that the problem could be

> motor planning -but he can't fix that -his goal is to get Tanner

on

> a schedule for a long period of time so that he starts going

> automatically. He doesn't want me to use the Nature's Tea due to

> the senna in it -said it can cause dependence in long term use,

and

> said that due to what I reported with Tanner's regression with too

> much fiber not to use high fiber either. He said it is possible

> that the fiber is cutting short the fatty acids in the gut. "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~end of archive

Today again all we use is the Pom Wonderful each day

http://www.pomwonderful.com

=====

[Guest guest]

Nobody knows why children with apraxia...and other communication

impaired children today such as those with autism today, appear to

also have constipation issues. Could be from the low tone, motor

planning aspects, brain stem signaling problems, gut issues -nobody

knows for sure...but there is help no matter what causes it. As

Tanner's doc Dr. said " I can't help with motor planning but

can help with the constipation " And the man did it!

Tanner today drinks POM each day -but it didn't start there -below

is more. Be careful of high fiber or constipation meds because they

appear to compromise the EFAs -but other than that know that there

is hope for this too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~start of archives

Re: please help with bowel movement issues!

Dana I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I'm

hoping that the constipation issue for this time is resolved.

What said about the fear compounding the constipation is very

true. There could be physical reasons why a child may be prone to

constipation -such as low tone, and/or possibly motor planning. But

once a child has pain in moving their bowels, they may create a

secondary problem in regards to constipation.

Did he ever suffer from constipation while he was still in pull

ups? If so did he complain then of his breath hurting from

pushing? I'm guessing not.

From what you are saying he has the motor planning ability (and

gravity?) to push successfully while he is standing up. Until you

can get him to a pediatric gastroenterologist perhaps go back to the

pull ups just so that he is able to prevent further constipation

issues. With time and by removing pressure -I'm sure he'll figure

out how to go on the toilet. Once you get past the initial

constipation issue -work on him using the pull ups while squatting -

then sitting.

As far as the thing you can purchase to put under the feet while

he's sitting on the toilet to make it easier to push...you can just

turn his waste paper basket upside down (or use a step stool etc.)

The pediatric gastroenterologist will be able to rule out any

obvious physical reasons for the difficulties he is currently

having. I'd take to this doctor the information/advice I have posted

here

from Tanner's pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. . Some may be

quick to prescribe medications, and with preschool children that is

not the best idea for many reasons, especially when less invasive

methods may

work.

Here's where you can search for a local pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoc

tor.asp

On a side note...it is interesting that our children complain of

their " breath hurting " them. Isn't it? (awhile back I posted about

a doctor friend who himself had surgery on his vocal cords -he had

to whisper for quite awhile and relearn to talk. He told me in no

uncertain terms that he relates to the " breath hurting " And he's an

adult -and an internist MD)

=====

[Guest guest]

I just checked your old posts and your child is 4 too -- would you mind

connecting via email and comparing notes on vaccines?

Thanks

> IMO -- pediatric gatroenterologists are not worth the

copay. We saw

> 2 and NEITHER connected the dots with speech delay, possible ASD,

> etc. They just wanted to write the prescription and move on to the

> next one. Naturopaths did connect the brain-gut and possible toxin

> connection.

> Think back -- when did the constipation start. My son's started

> immediately after his 2 month shots -- he received a total of 5 shots

> in 2 weeks! I kick myself every time I think of this.

>

[Guest guest]

Whoops didn't realize this didn't have the Pom info in it -so here

it is as well as the link again for where you can search for a local

pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp:

Re: -constipation remedy besides POM?

Pom Wonderful is about $3.99 in both our local supermarket as well

as our local Wal-Mart -but I'm actually paying more than the $9.99.

From what I've found online at Amazon you are probably looking at

the 46 oz glass bottle of the pure Pomegranate juice. I buy Tanner

the slightly more expensive 16 oz. plastic bottles because in

addition to the pure Pomegranate, the small bottles also come in 4

other flavors. Tanner likes the flavored Pom juices, especially the

grape and cherry-and I mix them with the Pom wonderful (pure)

Pomegranate trying to gradually add more and more to get him used to

the taste of pure Pomegranate. (so far however he still hates the

pure Pom)

I've noticed other less expensive brands out there including one I

picked up at BJs (for those that don't know -a discount store where

you buy stuff in bulk)....but I never used them with Tanner, and

nobody else drank them. So those bottles just sat in our extra

fridge till one day months later I figured they probably expired and

threw them away. Horrible I know. You see, even though they were

cheaper, I don't know if they work the same as Pom Wonderful, don't

know 'why' the Pom Wonderful is working, or why Tanner got

constipated again when he didn't drink it for a few days after not

being constipated for so many months. I just decided it wasn't

worth it -or that Pom Wonderful 'was' worth it. And.. he doesn't

drink that much each day of it -maybe just a 1/4 of a glass? I

can't tell you how terrified I am of going back to where we were

prior to Pom Wonderful which is the easiest thing ever that works

and is not harmful for Tanner! (but if you read the archives and my

911 moment of panic you have an idea!)

It tastes pretty good too -did any of you ever try it? (and no -I

have nothing to do with the company Pom Wonderful but wish I did!

http://www.pomwonderful.com

" My theory is that our children are late to potty train as a group

due to low tone issues, but many deal with constipation due to motor

planning issues that create the initial problem of " going " on

command. Then they get constipated and when they do go it hurts -

lots. Then they not only are dealing with the physiological aspects

of motor planning, but they are compounded with the psychological

fears from the pain of going. Following this theory it would make

sense that your child prefers to have a diaper on because it

eliminates the pressure of the " on command " because no matter when

it comes out it doesn't matter. It's probably better to be dealing

with this than the constipation I can tell you that -but being aware

that the constipation typically starts when the potty training is

over perhaps you newbies can eliminate this stage by being aware.

(and teach to use the toilet in spite of motor planning issues)

My theory is based on my own son Tanner, as well as some very long

conversations with his pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence

from Palm Beach Florida. Tanner I would say is " cured " at

this point of any constipation issues 2 years +! We only had to use

Milk of

Magnesia one time when we flew to NJ/NY for the Holidays for a long

weekend over the Holidays and didn't give him any POM juice which he

drinks a small amount of each day now.

What I do find strange is that many times we have to tell Tanner to

sit on the toilet, and then he does " go " , rather than going

himself to the bathroom as most of us do. If that makes any sense -

because it doesn't to me! Not that he never goes on his own -but

I'd prefer if he always did.

My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

there instead.

" Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

(wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

out of

your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

amount of pressure it should work.

Below I have an archive on what initially worked for Tanner -but

again today all we use is Pom Wonderful http://www.pomwonderful.com

And once more I want to do a HUGE big THANK YOU to Dr. Lawrence

-thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

(unless you deal with the horror of constipation in a young child

you have no idea how bad it really is) Please feel free to share

this information with anyone that it may help "

=====

[Guest guest]

Third time's a charm

....the link, again, for where you can search for a local

pediatric gastroenterologist

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp

=====

[Guest guest]

IMO -- pediatric gatroenterologists are not worth the copay. We saw

2 and NEITHER connected the dots with speech delay, possible ASD,

etc. They just wanted to write the prescription and move on to the

next one. Naturopaths did connect the brain-gut and possible toxin

connection.

Think back -- when did the constipation start. My son's started

immediately after his 2 month shots -- he received a total of 5 shots

in 2 weeks! I kick myself every time I think of this.

>

> Third time's a charm

>

> ...the link, again, for where you can search for a local

> pediatric gastroenterologist

>

>

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoct

or.asp

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry you didn't have a good experience -but Tanner's pediatric

gastroenterologist Dr. is on this search list.

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoctor.asp

As always there is good and bad in every profession and you can't

rule out an entire profession because one has bad experiences with

two pediatric gastroenterologists. Hopefully my email will give

others a head's up of what to look for in a pediatric

gastroenterologist. As much as you hated your experience is as much

as I loved ours -Dr. is a hero to me. Also, if you have a

child with constipation and it's severe you really should rule out

any physical reasons for it. As always just make sure it's a

competent professional who doesn't 'just' write prescriptions.

To be honest at the point we brought Tanner to Dr. I was ready

to go the medication route...and for those that know me I always

look first for other ways... but was that desperate and afraid of

what was going on with Tanner (not sure if you read the whole

message about how I had the phone in my hand to call 911 and kept

calling and hanging up...not knowing what to do as Tanner was

screaming and crying in pain)

I remember asking Dr. why other pediatric gastroenterologists

didn't recommend the same " prescription " as he did...and he

said " And how long did I spend with you? " True...he spent

hours...and you can tell he really cared. I'm sure to write a regular

prescription would have taken all of the 15 minutes insurance

companies feel is the time necessary for all MDs for everyone today.

Below is Dr. Adam's " prescription " for Tanner...and it's not

medication other than the Milk of Magnesia....since then till today

Tanner's been regular. Dr. told me that at some point we

would get lax and Tanner would become constipated again and it would

start the entire cycle again....Never happened because I made sure

we didn't get lax like most others. (I believed him)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~start of archive

" This also may have to do with some signaling problem or motor

planning aspect. Not sure -but who cares when anyone just about

anywhere can pick up pear nectar or Dole papaya fruit and gel

bowls! This works -and we love Dr. !! So much that if you have

to fly to Palm Beach Florida to see him -I'd say he's worth it!

(but there's got to be at least one other as good you'd think

right?!)

> Today I took Tanner to see pediatric gastroenterologist Lawrence

> MD from Palm Beach Florida for Tanner's problem with

> constipation which we have been trying to help him with now for

the

> past 5 years or more with various MDs (Tanner is now 7) Up till

now

> nobody has wanted to put Tanner on medications -and since we've

> moved we haven't taken Tanner to see his NJ/NY MDs. I highly

> recommend Dr. if you are in Florida in that he took over an

> hour with us -was excellent with Tanner (very funny) and was very

> open to discussing off the wall theories on constipation in

apraxic

> children -a best kept secret even though it's known for autism.

Dr.

> has many patients with special needs -some with severe CP

> whose parents have to blend fruits for their constipation that

they

> can put through their feeding tube.

>

> Here is a brief summery from the prescription he gave me:

>

> Diet: Nectars (fruit juices) Papaya, pear, apricot (if he can

> stand it -can mix with others but try plain nectar first)

> * prune juice -can be mixed with orange juice (since most kids

don't

> like it)

>

> exotic fruits- figs, dates, apricot, papaya (papaya underlined

> twice) (if he can stand it -like the nectars -these work wonders

he

> said)

>

> limit -banana, apple, rice, dairy

>

> Milk of Magnesia 2-3 tablespoons with glass of water any time he

> skips 1 day. Works 4-8 hours.

>

> Behavior Modification -10 minutes daily -no distractions. Use

> calendar stickers -every week reward for amount of BMs

> 2/ week something small

> 3-4 medium

> 5-7 large reward

>

> Dr. said that there is a chance that the problem could be

> motor planning -but he can't fix that -his goal is to get Tanner

on

> a schedule for a long period of time so that he starts going

> automatically. He doesn't want me to use the Nature's Tea due to

> the senna in it -said it can cause dependence in long term use,

and

> said that due to what I reported with Tanner's regression with too

> much fiber not to use high fiber either. He said it is possible

> that the fiber is cutting short the fatty acids in the gut. "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~end of archive

Today again all we use is the Pom Wonderful each day

http://www.pomwonderful.com

=====

[Guest guest]

I just checked your old posts and your child is 4 too -- would you mind

connecting via email and comparing notes on vaccines?

Thanks

> IMO -- pediatric gatroenterologists are not worth the

copay. We saw

> 2 and NEITHER connected the dots with speech delay, possible ASD,

> etc. They just wanted to write the prescription and move on to the

> next one. Naturopaths did connect the brain-gut and possible toxin

> connection.

> Think back -- when did the constipation start. My son's started

> immediately after his 2 month shots -- he received a total of 5 shots

> in 2 weeks! I kick myself every time I think of this.

>

[Guest guest]

Really? I don't think that a sampling of 2 of one field is an

appropriate ratio to write off the whole field.

> >

> > Third time's a charm

> >

> > ...the link, again, for where you can search for a local

> > pediatric gastroenterologist

> >

> >

>

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoc

t

> or.asp

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

Since Marina posted this message and I got to read this

again....Actually since I was reading the archives (memory of exact

dates years later isn't reliable) Tanner's constipation started when

we started to try to potty train him in the 2s. Tanner regressed at

11 months old after 2 weeks of high fevers after his 3rd Hep shot.

Back in 1996 there still was thermerasol in the children's vaccines -

but for those with 2 year olds today it's highly unlikely that's the

reason. I mean granted we all live on planet Earth and it's hard to

avoid exposure to mercury -to get anything 100% mercury free today

http://www.drgreene.com/21_1834.html

Now that the archives jogged my memory however to me it makes more

sense that there is some physical reason for the constipation such

as the low tone or motor planning issue...but once a child is

constipated - and it hurts, lots -then the behavioral aspects compound

the problem. This is why a dietary and behavioral approach together for

constipation works better than either approach alone.

Children with apraxia have trouble doing things on command. As I

said in the archives I just posted:

My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

there instead.

" Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

(wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

out of

your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

amount of pressure it should work. "

Not that I don't believe that toxins are the reason for much of what

we are seeing today, but once damage is done you don't only want to

know how to " remove toxins " but you want to know how to best help.

Some of the simple things we've done for Tanner have helped to rid

his body of toxins I'm sure -even the EFAs over time. If your child

is apraxic you need to deal with the motor planning aspect...not

just the toxin aspect. If it was just a toxin aspect his

constipation would have started at 11 months...and it didn't -and

that's when he regressed clearly in photos and in reality.

For this reason, I'm only letting you know what we did that seemed

to help bring my son back to as close to normal as normal...whatever

that is. (because not for nothing but all life on Earth lives on

the same planet! What works for your child -you should try too as

the parent...I do, drink POM and take EFAs and I'm not autistic or

apraxic.)

=====

[Guest guest]

Please don't assume that I am going by memory. I am using my child's

medical records. WRITTEN reports. He went 10 days without a BM after

his shots. His constipation started immediately after his 8 week shots.

Of course -- I was extremely busy at the time and didn't connect the

dots myself until much later. But the evidence is there. I am

researching the possiblity that it was the virus itself that attacked

the instestinal track. Recent research about the measles virus is

interesting. Mega doses of Vitamin A being used is a little scary

though.

And in reponse to the Marina -- I can't afford the luxury of time or

money for Doctor shopping -- and I consider a bad experience with 2 of 2

(of the " best " in an area of over 1 million!) to be rather damning --

don't you? I am not a SAHM -- so a 1/2 day off to visit a Doctor is a

luxury -- and one that needs to be productive!

I agree - I am also taking most of the supplements I am giving my son.

I am also getting myself tested to see if I may have had a high enough

toxic load that I may have passed to my son. I have a mouth full of

fillings. And the ADA and AMA are very similar -- the power at the top

is not very enlightened!

>

> Since Marina posted this message and I got to read this

> again....Actually since I was reading the archives (memory of exact

> dates years later isn't reliable) Tanner's constipation started when

> we started to try to potty train him in the 2s. Tanner regressed at

> 11 months old after 2 weeks of high fevers after his 3rd Hep shot.

> Back in 1996 there still was thermerasol in the children's vaccines -

> but for those with 2 year olds today it's highly unlikely that's the

> reason. I mean granted we all live on planet Earth and it's hard to

> avoid exposure to mercury -to get anything 100% mercury free today

> http://www.drgreene.com/21_1834.html

>

> Now that the archives jogged my memory however to me it makes more

> sense that there is some physical reason for the constipation such

> as the low tone or motor planning issue...but once a child is

> constipated - and it hurts, lots -then the behavioral aspects compound

> the problem. This is why a dietary and behavioral approach together

for

> constipation works better than either approach alone.

>

> Children with apraxia have trouble doing things on command. As I

> said in the archives I just posted:

>

> My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

> can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

> there instead.

>

> " Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

> (wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

> out of

> your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

> there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

> remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

> trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

> blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

> it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

> muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

> And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

> theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

> amount of pressure it should work. "

>

> Not that I don't believe that toxins are the reason for much of what

> we are seeing today, but once damage is done you don't only want to

> know how to " remove toxins " but you want to know how to best help.

> Some of the simple things we've done for Tanner have helped to rid

> his body of toxins I'm sure -even the EFAs over time. If your child

> is apraxic you need to deal with the motor planning aspect...not

> just the toxin aspect. If it was just a toxin aspect his

> constipation would have started at 11 months...and it didn't -and

> that's when he regressed clearly in photos and in reality.

>

> For this reason, I'm only letting you know what we did that seemed

> to help bring my son back to as close to normal as normal...whatever

> that is. (because not for nothing but all life on Earth lives on

> the same planet! What works for your child -you should try too as

> the parent...I do, drink POM and take EFAs and I'm not autistic or

> apraxic.)

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry you misunderstood -my child is 10 years old now and I was

referring to myself. 'I' don't go by memory alone at this point -

and anyone out there can research just about anything I say from

recent till back when this group started in 1999 -I do.

I notice that some people do forget stuff once their child is doing

well. I guess because they are on to normal stuff -this group

provides the ability to know the past -kind of like we each are

writing our own history book -those that post anyway. The only

reason I know people forget stuff is because I try to find messages

to create a " memory road " for those who want to celebrate when their

child is doing well. When you post their first message and a few in-

between up till recent it shows how far the child has come -how

they've come through fear, anger, frustration...to a child that has

a voice! Success. But many times in addition to learning how far

they have come, parents will comment on how they forgot things they

had posted before. In my observation I do notice most at some point

who have children that surged on EFAs forget to mention them for

some reason -guess they don't seem that important when all is 'said

and done' literally and figuratively speaking.

And...back to our current topic - in memory and in archives -my son

didn't become constipated until we started to try to potty train

him. He didn't potty train until around 4 years old but like most

we started trying to train him at 2.

(but again that's my son Tanner -I can't speak for your child)

Just one other thought. Based on your theory, your child is very

fortunate that your SLP experience has been good. Some of us as

you'll find in the archives had to go through a few before finding a

gem. You had a great experience with a naturopath -but not all do.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturop

athy.html

Granted I know some of you don't care for this MD's views -but

everyone's got an opinion.

And if in fact your child (God forbid) had any physical reason for

the constipation I personally don't know if your naturopath would

know to refer you to a medical doctor..like a pediatric

gastroenterologist ...perhaps s/he would.

But again in checking the archives we have children in this group

dealing with serious issues of the gut that need more than EFAs and

ridding the body of toxins...one of them is 's son ...and

thank goodness for her son that she didn't give up on MDs -because

if she did her son wouldn't be here.

And sadly there are those law suits out there on the net -one

doesn't have to search much -here's just a two.

http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0523/050608_news_naturopath.php

http://www.courttv.com/trials/oconnell/012606_ctv.html

But to bring it back home here...yes was probably affected by

toxins...but needed more than just to rid his body of toxins -

the child flat lined in his gut. I for one am thankful that

sought out the best medical care to help this sweet little boy that

Tanner at one point went to preschool with. I know you are

still out there...and we are all still here for you!

Here's a clip from an archive:

I can easily find the other links about the " toxic ooze " if anyone

in NJ is interested. The only reason anyone even noticed the black

ooze was because birds started dropping dead in it and some

environmentalists noticed. (they notice the birds...what about the

children?)

Scientists from Rutgers and UMDNJ have looked into it and one quote

was that the children around that area should be studied. I know

one of the children who lived right next to that park from this

group. R.'s son who's story is in The Late Talker

book. Her son not only is apraxic with hypotonia and sensory

integration dysfunction -but like many went through constipation.

Since back then parents of apraxic children on one particular

apraxia grouplist were not allowed to bring up " off topic " posts,

none of us knew that 's constipation was probably also due to

whatever caused the apraxia. (just as an aside of this: or what the

listowner personally viewed as [OFF TOPIC] which is the way it

is/was written in by the moderators of that group when you posted

something about EFAs or whatever. Or they won't post it at all)

Danger of this? developed the most severe issue of

constipation

I've ever heard of. After years of harsh medications- he flatlined

in the gut. Poor little guy has not a cecostomy - a hole

in his stomach that has to pour water into to help him move

his bowels. I always write this with tears in my eyes for poor

.

Perhaps if we knew then what we know today things would be different.

message from

/message/26771

Message from me about

/message/26398

So when some of you wonder why I'm so passionate about sticking

around to help new parents and make sure they get the right

info...it's because of my son, and the many like them...and

the rampant misinformation out there that still exists in our

society -not just one profession. Ruling out an entire profession

due to one or two bad experiences is your choice...but not a good

one in my opinion...just my opinion however -and we all have that

right to have one.

=====

[Guest guest]

Really? I don't think that a sampling of 2 of one field is an

appropriate ratio to write off the whole field.

> >

> > Third time's a charm

> >

> > ...the link, again, for where you can search for a local

> > pediatric gastroenterologist

> >

> >

>

http://www.naspghan.org/aspModules/PublicLocateDoctor/PublicLocateDoc

t

> or.asp

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

Since Marina posted this message and I got to read this

again....Actually since I was reading the archives (memory of exact

dates years later isn't reliable) Tanner's constipation started when

we started to try to potty train him in the 2s. Tanner regressed at

11 months old after 2 weeks of high fevers after his 3rd Hep shot.

Back in 1996 there still was thermerasol in the children's vaccines -

but for those with 2 year olds today it's highly unlikely that's the

reason. I mean granted we all live on planet Earth and it's hard to

avoid exposure to mercury -to get anything 100% mercury free today

http://www.drgreene.com/21_1834.html

Now that the archives jogged my memory however to me it makes more

sense that there is some physical reason for the constipation such

as the low tone or motor planning issue...but once a child is

constipated - and it hurts, lots -then the behavioral aspects compound

the problem. This is why a dietary and behavioral approach together for

constipation works better than either approach alone.

Children with apraxia have trouble doing things on command. As I

said in the archives I just posted:

My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

there instead.

" Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

(wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

out of

your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

amount of pressure it should work. "

Not that I don't believe that toxins are the reason for much of what

we are seeing today, but once damage is done you don't only want to

know how to " remove toxins " but you want to know how to best help.

Some of the simple things we've done for Tanner have helped to rid

his body of toxins I'm sure -even the EFAs over time. If your child

is apraxic you need to deal with the motor planning aspect...not

just the toxin aspect. If it was just a toxin aspect his

constipation would have started at 11 months...and it didn't -and

that's when he regressed clearly in photos and in reality.

For this reason, I'm only letting you know what we did that seemed

to help bring my son back to as close to normal as normal...whatever

that is. (because not for nothing but all life on Earth lives on

the same planet! What works for your child -you should try too as

the parent...I do, drink POM and take EFAs and I'm not autistic or

apraxic.)

=====

[Guest guest]

Please don't assume that I am going by memory. I am using my child's

medical records. WRITTEN reports. He went 10 days without a BM after

his shots. His constipation started immediately after his 8 week shots.

Of course -- I was extremely busy at the time and didn't connect the

dots myself until much later. But the evidence is there. I am

researching the possiblity that it was the virus itself that attacked

the instestinal track. Recent research about the measles virus is

interesting. Mega doses of Vitamin A being used is a little scary

though.

And in reponse to the Marina -- I can't afford the luxury of time or

money for Doctor shopping -- and I consider a bad experience with 2 of 2

(of the " best " in an area of over 1 million!) to be rather damning --

don't you? I am not a SAHM -- so a 1/2 day off to visit a Doctor is a

luxury -- and one that needs to be productive!

I agree - I am also taking most of the supplements I am giving my son.

I am also getting myself tested to see if I may have had a high enough

toxic load that I may have passed to my son. I have a mouth full of

fillings. And the ADA and AMA are very similar -- the power at the top

is not very enlightened!

>

> Since Marina posted this message and I got to read this

> again....Actually since I was reading the archives (memory of exact

> dates years later isn't reliable) Tanner's constipation started when

> we started to try to potty train him in the 2s. Tanner regressed at

> 11 months old after 2 weeks of high fevers after his 3rd Hep shot.

> Back in 1996 there still was thermerasol in the children's vaccines -

> but for those with 2 year olds today it's highly unlikely that's the

> reason. I mean granted we all live on planet Earth and it's hard to

> avoid exposure to mercury -to get anything 100% mercury free today

> http://www.drgreene.com/21_1834.html

>

> Now that the archives jogged my memory however to me it makes more

> sense that there is some physical reason for the constipation such

> as the low tone or motor planning issue...but once a child is

> constipated - and it hurts, lots -then the behavioral aspects compound

> the problem. This is why a dietary and behavioral approach together

for

> constipation works better than either approach alone.

>

> Children with apraxia have trouble doing things on command. As I

> said in the archives I just posted:

>

> My suggestion is to say the following which worked for Tanner if you

> can get your child to try to sit on the potty to go to the bathroom

> there instead.

>

> " Take a deep breath, really really deep as deep as you can in "

> (wait till they breathe in) " OK, now try really hard to blow the air

> out of

> your belly button " One parent here said " My child is apraxic so

> there is no way he would be able to understand how to do that " Just

> remember apraxia doesn't always make sense and you at times have to

> trick the brain. We don't want (God Forbid) your child to 'really'

> blow air out of his or her belly button -but right now try to do

> it. No matter how you try to do it -you will be using the right

> muscles to push (without getting graphic if you know what I mean)

> And my kid is as apraxic at the next and it worked for him! My

> theory on that is that when you bring in that much air and apply any

> amount of pressure it should work. "

>

> Not that I don't believe that toxins are the reason for much of what

> we are seeing today, but once damage is done you don't only want to

> know how to " remove toxins " but you want to know how to best help.

> Some of the simple things we've done for Tanner have helped to rid

> his body of toxins I'm sure -even the EFAs over time. If your child

> is apraxic you need to deal with the motor planning aspect...not

> just the toxin aspect. If it was just a toxin aspect his

> constipation would have started at 11 months...and it didn't -and

> that's when he regressed clearly in photos and in reality.

>

> For this reason, I'm only letting you know what we did that seemed

> to help bring my son back to as close to normal as normal...whatever

> that is. (because not for nothing but all life on Earth lives on

> the same planet! What works for your child -you should try too as

> the parent...I do, drink POM and take EFAs and I'm not autistic or

> apraxic.)

>

> =====

>