Son 13 years with IBS, need advice

[vickygerz]

Hi

My 13 year old son has been diagnosed with IBS, he is on 3 satchets of Movicol and 2 satchets of fybogel per day, Some days he literally cannot get off the toilet, it starts with cramps about half hour of getting up and then he is on the toilet sometimes passes small hard stool after 2 hours, other times soft stools. He misses a lot of school as he is on the toilet, school have given him a toilet pass so he can go when he needs but he finds it embarrassing having to go out of class so often. Some days he doesn't even make it to school or sets off and then has to come back, he says he always feels like he needs to go. This is really taking it's toll on him and he is very upset, also his dad thinks he is exaggerating and doesn't understand why he can't get off the toilet. I really want to help him as at them moment life is passing him by.

Does anyone have any advice, how can i get his dad to understand this condition, any advice regarding school etc, would be much appreciated.

From a worried mum.

[b1b1b1]

Does your son see a gastroenterologist; there are also pediatric gastroenterologists. I also wonder if seeing a psychiatrist might help your son. He has a lot to deal with and a psychiatrist may be able to help him to better deal with the emotions surrounding his constipation issues.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, I really feel for you, somehow it is always worse when your kids are ill more then it is when you're ill yourself. When I get down with my ibs I always try to tell myself that I would rather have it than for my son to have it (he's 25 now). I am afraid I have no advice regarding school, I'm sorry. But regarding his dad, and I don't know if I should say this but will anyway, perhaps you could put some movicol in a cup or tea or coffee for him. Perhaps he might be a bit more understanding then! Maureen.

[Eucalyptus]

I had this growing up. My GP (first GP told my mum I was making it up and it took a second GP to tell my mum I was severely constipated hence the pain) wanted my mum to give me enemas! I was maybe 10! I think they called it 'Lazy Bowels' in those days. Instead we switched all of our bread to high fibre (I was not popular with my siblings) and I had ready-break twice a day with extra bran. I weirdly developed a taste for it! I think looking back (it was the 70s) I think that relaxation exercises would have helped - you can have talking/guided meditations on CD that will teach you how to relax your body before you sleep. Someone suggested counselling for your son and he might find that useful. For your husband I suggest directing him to this website - let him read some of the case studies. The NHS has a reasonably good page on IBS. Get your son to draw a picture of how this makes him feel! For some people illness is meaningless to them if they have never suffered themselves. Maybe also ask the IBS Network if they have a 'Dealing with IBS in kids' section - or perhaps they could look into that for you/with you.

[drumore]

Hello Vicky, I can sympathise with you about your son. I too started having real trouble at about the same age. It could well be an underlying anxiety that is causing it. It could be anything that is causing stress. I am now 78 years of age, born during an air raid in 1940 ! and grew up with IBS all my life until about four years ago. I was always a worrier as I was a loner and my Mum suffered from poor health and although I was unaware, it turned out that ,( after Mum passed away and with help of regression from a local private psychiatrist ) we realised I had been suffering from an anxiety neurosis all my life, probably from birth. During my 20s I had three days in hospital with four specialists, trying to find out why I was having pain backouts every month. They could only say they thought it was abdominal migraine. It improved over time with only occasional bouts of pain , constipation or loose bowels.

More recently, I had a Gout attack ( easily cured ) so my wonderful doctor arranged a blood sample. It turned out that I was Borderline Diabetic ( now well under control ) and to counter this I put myself on a diet cutting out all sugars and WHITE foods ( mashed potato, white bread, pastries, pies, pizsas etc: ) Try brown seeded breads/ buns and increase the veggies and fruit. !

Amazingly I have not had IBS since. ----

I Cut out the packet cereals too, they are full of sugar ! I now have porridge ( good roughage ) every morning, made with water, with fresh rasps or blueberries in top. I know the change of diet is difficult, especially for a young person but it is well worth a try !

Good luck and God Bless.