We just saw the paediatrician this morning and the decision was made to refer P the Younger for a surgical consult as his bowel problems aren’t settling and as the paed so delicately put it ‘his bowel is stretched to buggery’.
I’m a bit shocked as while I knew things weren’t settling I was drifting along on this little happy cloud where one day the Bowel Fairy would visit us and things would be just dandy. I’m sad to hear that the reality is different and I can’t put off having my poor darling investigated. I’m think I’m more heartbroken by the idea of colonoscopies and the like than I am by the idea of surgery.
But we need to address it as he’s going to school next year and the way things are, he would need to be homeschooled. I really could do with things being simple with my kids just once.
I don’t have any advice or wisdom to offer, Primaflora, but I do want you to know that you and li’l P are in my thoughts.
Maybe your paed could put you in contact with some other parents who have kids with similar issues? Or maybe yahoogroups (or something similar) would have an email list…seems like there’s a list out there for everyone.
My nephew did when he was about 2. He was diagnosed with “Hirschsprungs syndrome.” Basically, the end of his large intestine was sorta ballooned and he was often constipated as it would fill in, but his body didn’t properly get the message to “dump.”
Earl I’m suspecting Hirschsprung’s syndrome is present. I think because of P the Y’s autism, a lot of stuff’s been put down to behavioural issues (and parenting of course ::roll eyes:: ) when actually it’s been a physical cause. But I’m pleased to hear your nephew’s outcome. I’ve got a slight case of the catastrophes over and feeling like whatever can go wrong will go wrong.
As the less-that-thrilled survivor of 25+colonoscopies, I will tell you that they CAN just put P the Y into a light snooze early on, and then proceed. Find out if doctors there use Ativan and Demerol, or some other combination, and ask for plenty, thanks.
The prep is not pleasant, but there are several kinds now, including a course of pills and the use of magnesium citrate, instead of the litres and litres of CoLyte or similar.
Colonoscopies DO NOT have to be big, bad and scarier than necessary. Make sure that the gastro doctor is aware of the necessity to treat your child with autism in a more gentle manner than usual. (It’s not his specialty, he’s not well prepared on the subject.) Just from my limited experience, he’ll get better test results and you’ll have a happier child on your hands if the doctor is well prepared.
Thinking of you and the family at this time, and for the future.
