I gave Bethany yet another enema yesterday, per GI's instructions b/c she hasn't had a BM in several days--even when given suppositories.

I stayed with the in-laws last night (see post in chatter for that story!) and M-I-L helped me administer said enema yesterday evening. Usually, they work pretty quickly, within a few minutes; however, last night, Bethany cried, wiggled, grunted, strained, etc. for a few hours, then fell asleep for the night. No poop. There is no after-hours # for the GI, so I called the local ER just to make sure it was okay that 1.) she didn't poop and 2.) to let her sleep (wasn't sure if I needed to keep her awake to check for symptoms?) ER nurse spent more time asking questions about GERD and why it was that my kid won't eat/sleep/poop...however, did tell me not to worry about not pooping--just told me to call GI in the am.

Fast fwd to today. Bethany started pooping (if you could call it that) 15 hours after the enema--she screamed and strained but only managed to eek out what amounted to a brown stain with a little bit of mucous each time. I called the GI and found out that she's out w/ the flu.

Anyone have this happen? Should I be worried? :dontknow: :shock:

Poor Bethany! I hope that she passes that BM soon! Sorry I can't offer any ideas.

Poor thing! :( Can you speak to another doctor in your GI's office?

How is she feeling today? (Bethany...not your GI)

Poor thing! :( Can you speak to another doctor in your GI's office?

How is she feeling today? (Bethany...not your GI)

:-) I do hope my GI is feeling much better!

I left a message for the other doctor in the office, but never heard back.

Meanwhile, to update this story, Bethany has been a crabby-appleton all day/evening. Later this evening, approx. 24 hours after the initial enema, she screamed like I've never heard, then passed the largest, hardest stool I've ever seen. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I have no idea how on earth this boulder fit through such a small opening! This was followed a little later by a sticky "meatloaf" BM. She is still cranky and will not sleep tonight (hence the fact that it's almost 11pm and I'm on the boards...she's strapped into her FP chair sitting beside me!) Her tummy is really, really rumbly and I think all that straining is making her reflux worse. :?

Yes, the straining and being blocked up makes reflux much worse. When kidlets are really blocked, GIs seem to reccommend a series of enemas, as in 4 days worth as was suggested with Curran. Often the first enema does little or nothing, the next one may get some of the "overflow" stool out, and hopefully the third and fourth will actually get to the blockage. That would be the boulder you found. :cry: If she is still unhappy, I bet she has another one just like it in there. The "sticky" meatloaf stool is OLD stool as well. Believe me, we see them all the time. We get grains of sticky "rice" quite a bit, too. Smells really bad. :shock:

It is good that she passed it, as uncomfortable as it was. {{{hugs to Bethany}}} I would make sure that she is comfortable and smear lots of creme on her little butt (and I do mean the opening, ok?) so that it can help to lubricate and heal any fissures or tears that may have occured from passing such a huge stool. Also, ask about using some epsom salts in her bath to help heal and to increase blood flow. It is really relaxing for them.

Now, if it is all passed, she needs to stay on something to keep the stool soft and to keep the area lubricated and promote healing.

She is still cranky and will not sleep tonight (hence the fact that it's almost 11pm and I'm on the boards...she's strapped into her FP chair sitting beside me!) Her tummy is really, really rumbly and I think all that straining is making her reflux worse. :?

Poor baby! That just makes me want to cry to hear that she went through all that.

It makes me worry about Emma, too. I think her poops are mainly run-off as well. Scary to think there's all this poop inside these kids. :shock:

I wonder why Emma's GI doesn't want us to use suppositories/enemas?

I wonder why Emma's GI doesn't want us to use suppositories/enemas?

Most try to use diet for regulation first, some are old school and go for increase of fluids and natural laxatives like prune juice, or move to lactulose, etc. Enemas and suppositories can become habit forming if needed on a regular basis. The bowels have to re-learn how to work again if they become dependant on them. Mind you, it can be said of the lactulose, etc. too.

Thanks, Leigh. :D You're right...they can be habit-forming. It would just be nice for Emma to be able to get it all out and start with a set of clean intestines. Is it too much for a mother to ask!?!?! :lol:

Sorry....I'm so worried about Emma's poop that I actually picture her bowels lined with poop and hard stools throughout. It even gives me this "heart-pounding-anxious-feeling" when I think about it. :?

She also has grainy bits that are mixed in sometimes, (sorry...TMI), but they are very dark. I assume it means they have been in there for some time. I can never tell if what's coming out is from the day before, or months ago. :(

Imagine my surprise when our GI (the mineral oil king) said that Curran has stool that is over a YEAR old! :shock: **gag** Nice to know that it can perculate for years. Ick. The dark and sticky grains we see is old stool. Smells real ripe, too.

The new stool should be the applesauce you are looking for. The more broken down the stool, the longer it has been in there. The liquid stuff is overflow stuffed into pockets and the hard ball or boulders are waiting to liquify and stuff themselves into those pockets. Bear in mind how hard it must be for new stuff to get by old stuff, particularly the boulders.

How is that for TMI? :shock:

We are celebrating Curran's birthday tomorrow (his birthday is not until the end of the month, but it was a good day for get togethers for wee friends) and all I wanted was for him to have a poop this week. Nope. I am half expecting gifts of x-lax, mineral oil, lansoyl... LOL I hear you on visualizing, Amanda as I do it, too. Not always pretty, is it?

Hahaha--TMI is fine with me, you guys!

Thanks for the info...and you're right--the meatloaf-y stuff STUNK!!!

We're actually getting ready to go into the ped. today. Bethany was up until 1am :shock: fussing and just couldn't get comfortable. She slept until 3:30, then was up for the day :shock: :shock: :shock:

I'll let you know how this goes!

Hope she gets some sleep, Mary. Poor thing.

Funny how the poop board seems to have no TMI parameters :lol:

Hope she gets some sleep, Mary. Poor thing.

Funny how the poop board seems to have no TMI parameters :lol:

:lol: TMI is just fine when it comes to poop and puke!

Went to the ped and he checked her ears (since she's had a cold for over a week) and checked her belly to see if she's still constipated. Nothing--he said she is teething (4 molars and 2 canines coming all at once!) and he feels this, coupled with the enema trauma is making for a fussy Bethany. He said that after the record-breaking boulder she passed she's probably feeling uncomfortable and that her straining has worsened her reflux. I think I knew this, but it's nice to have a doctor's reassurance.

I can't say enough how much I LOVE my ped!

BTW--we got home this afternoon and she passed another HUGE meatloaf-y poo. Dh almost lost his lunch, as it smelled pretty awful! Anyway, we were so happy, as this was the first stool she's passed on her own (without the aid of enema or suppository) in many, many weeks! Woo Hoo!

Oh, poor Bethany.. this pooping business is just not fun at all for these littlies. I had to laugh at your DH comment... my hubby is always gaggin when he smells their butts!! ANd that's through the nappy. He's always saying "he's ripe" as he hands him over!!! :shock: :shock: Matthew has dreadfully meatloafy poop.. but I'd take that to the rabbit bullet poop he used to have anyday.
There is no TMI parameters on this board. Could you IMAGINE discussing this at playgroup?????? :shock: :shock: I don't think so!!!! SO, just as well can talk about it here!! :D :D

Anyway, we were so happy, as this was the first stool she's passed on her own (without the aid of enema or suppository) in many, many weeks! Woo Hoo!

:cheers:

I hope she starts feeling better! :D

I'm glad the Bethany finally passed one on her own. I hope she feels better soon, too.

Oh, talking about DH's and their reactions to poop, my DH has to change at least one a week...that's it...one. That one poopy diaper he has to change is such a production. He gags every time. For goodness sake! Personally, I think it's hilarious! Shhhh! Don't tell my DH. Cady thinks it's pretty funny, too!

My DH does not have a keen sense of smell, but he can smell how ripe Curran is at times. For that matter, I think the neighbours can, too. Ick.

Terrific that she has passed one on her own! Yippee! All your hard work is paying off. :wink:

As far as being told she was not constipated and having a meatloaf poop, we have been told Curran is clean as a whistle and then he passes a massive stool. His belly is my indicator. If it is swollen then I know there is plenty there yet.

I wonder if doctors can only really feel compacted stool when feeling the kids' bellies? We were told Bethany didn't have anything major at the doctor's office, then she came home and gave us the meatloaf... *gags, lol*

Considering it has happened more than once for us to be told Curran is clean and then have a massive blowout later in the day or the next, I would think they can only feel the huge boulders, not the meatloaf or mushy overflow stuff. As I said, I look to Curran's huge swollen belly and the way he is acting for clues.

I was awaken to a huge blowout this morning. Curran actually did try to clean it himself and to do some in the toilet. The result was um, not pleasant and required a shower for him, scrubbing of the toilet and bathroom in general, and I am thinking of burning his pjs. On the plus side, he is seemingly feeling better. **retch**

:(

Poor Curran and poor pjs! :(