Seeking Advice for Chronic Diarrhea

Updated on March 10, 2007
K. asks from Ypsilanti, MI
17 answers

My 23 month old daughter has had diarrhea since Dec. 31st. It began right after a bout of stomach flu. It sometimes gets thicker and she's had a total of maybe 5 regular solid bowel movements sporaticaly in the past 2 months but other than that it's been very runny and messy. She had an ova and parasite culture taken that came back normal, I don't give her juice other than very diluted white grape juice, I switched her to rice milk, and she's taking powdered culture bacteria like is found in yogurt. The doctor ordered a parasite medicine for her (because it is not always detected in the culture) which did not help. Has anyone ever had anything like this happen? Could it mean an allergy has suddenly developed?

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So What Happened?

I'm sorry this has taken me so long to reply - I really appreciate all the responses and thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. I tried taking Miya off the juice but she wouldn't drink water and she was so cranky because she really is used to juice first thing in the morning. So I just diluted it down even more and added the acidopholus powder to it and that worked fine, I also tried even harder to follow the BRAT diet. In talking with her doctor again, he said it was more of "loose Stool" than diarrhea, and she definitely was not having any dehydration issues. Well in the last couple weeks it just has gotten better - she no longer leaks through the diapers, and she had 3 days in a row of solid stools. Now it's loose again, but not so bad that it leaks. So it seems to be better!
Thanks again, K.

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L.M.

answers from Detroit on

As far s I know K. this is called toddler diarrhea, this happen to my neice and to be honest it regulated itself the older she got. It did go on for 8 to 10 weeks. It is not an allergy. So i would stick to normal diet like usual. The more you change her diet it might delay the regulation. I know that it is messy clean up , but it is only tempory. maybe more protien. that should bind her a bit more. but stay as normal as possiable. and look up toddler diareaha on the internet. good luck, L.

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R.W.

answers from Jackson on

if the Acidopholis isn't working, I would wager that she need to see a GI Doc. There may be something more going on than a simple inbalance of her intestinal flora

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J.N.

answers from Detroit on

K.. I work at Children's Hospital in Pediatric Surgery. Her chronic diarrhea is a concern and should be looked at as soon as possible considering this has been going on since December. If you would like, please email me your phone # and I can get you in with one of our surgeons so that they can take a look at her. My email is ____@____.com Thanks. J.

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P.R.

answers from Detroit on

When my niece had a very simular illness. The doctor put her on soy formula. She had milk alergies. She regained her health.

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K.K.

answers from Detroit on

Was your daughter ever checked for Rotovirus? My daughter just had a very severe case of the "stomach flu" and I had to take her to the emergency room twice, and once she was admitted to the hospital. I believe the official diagnosis was gastroenteritis. She tested negative for Rotovirus, but that was a huge concern. Kids who have Roto can be sick for weeks and sometimes months. When she was released from the hospital, they told me that she could still vomit or have diarrhea for a couple of weeks after that, and as long as she was drinking and eating more than she was vomiting, there was no need for concern. She did still have diarrhea for a while afterwards, but I believe that it was at least somewhat helped by the fact that she drinks a lot of soymilk. She is severely allergic to milk, so she has had soy since she was a baby. Soy formula can be very constipating, so I assume the same goes for soymilk, only maybe not quite as bad. Maybe a switch from ricemilk to soymilk would help your daughter. Most importantly, keep offering her water. The only reason my daughter was admitted to the hospital was dehydration. They did not treat her diarrhea, vomiting, or give her antibiotics of any kind. I was being very diligent in my efforts to keep her hydrated, but she would just refuse to drink sometimes. We found that the Pedialyte popsicles work wonders. Also, you may be interested to know that my mom, dad, brother, sister, sister's boyfriend, my friend, his mom, grandma, and grandpa, and my daughter and I all got this nasty stomach flu, and we all had problems with diarrhea for what seemed like months afterwards. My sister says she "still isn't right" and we got sick in the beginning of December. So, I do not believe that your daughter has developed an allergy. I wouldn't rule it out completely, but it sounds like she got the same bug that my whole family got. I hope that helps!

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M.

answers from Saginaw on

K., I do think you need to go to a specialist. My son had the same thing. It was right after he had been on a strong antibiotic. We used the poweredd bacteria too it seemed to haelp a little. I had to put him on a diet no juice at all. Again lots of cooked brown rice. He would not drink pediasure so we diluted gatorade. It was about three or four months and he eventually grew out of it. But its nothing to mess with because they can get dehydriated so fast. Push to see someone. My son is ten now and doing great he hasnt had a big issue unless he gets nervous about something or is on an antibiotic. Hang in there I know what its like. M. D.

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K.R.

answers from Grand Rapids on

hi kare, when my son was little, 6 mon ths to 2years he had chronic diarrhea about every week or 2 for that year and a hlaf. when the doctor finally listened to me and did a culture he found nothing and dropped it. seems like diahrea stopped then too. i wish i would have pursued it earlier and more til the doctor had to keep doing tests... i never did figure out why he kept having that. atleast he was in diapers.. jusst keep bugging the doctors... eventually they will find something.

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D.W.

answers from Detroit on

The same thing happend to my nephew when he was just about 2 years old. The doctor discovered he has Lactose intolerance. There are chewable tablets out on the market over the counter that my nephew takes now. They have cleared up the problem and he is able to eat all dairy now, just not over-do it. I hope this helps...sorry I can't remember the name of the pills, but if you ask a pharmacist, I am sure they will be able to help you!

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A.

answers from Detroit on

I would ask my Dr. for a referral to a GI specialist for kids. Someone who specializes in gastrointestinal problems. Who knows what it could be from allergy, sensitivity to certain foods to something more serious like Chron's disease. I would keep a journal of what she eats and her BM's to see if you can figure it out until you see a specialist. Try giving her flavored water instead of juice.

Just my opinion. Good Luck
A.

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C.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

After dealing with six children and varying forms of diarrhea, I finally landed on the best solution with #7 -- blended cooked carrots. There is something very soothing about them. I started her on them when she was just three weeks old and nursing, and PRESTO -- no more diarrhea. If you use organic carrots, that's even better, but I think even baby carrots in a jar would do some good. Also, blended cooked brown rice has worked well -- the kind you cook from scratch according to the package directions. Another thing that helps with good nutrition in general is to use unrefined sea salt in place of regular table salt -- it has trace elements that are missing in regular salt. Health food stores carry it. Good luck!

C. in Grand Rapids.

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N.G.

answers from Kalamazoo on

have you tried goat's milk? it's got more nutrients in it...my son's allergic to cow's milk and soy...he does both rice and goat's milk...i was also thinking...have you tried her on a simple B.R.A.T diet? Bananas, Rice/oatmeal, applesauce, and toast?? all of these things fight diarrhea and work GREAT together...just dont feed her anything but what's on this diet for a few days...i usually give the toast w/ a very thin layer of peanut butter, for protein...i'd also stay FAR FAR FAR away from juice, i'd give her some pedialite , watered down...let me know if it helps...

good luck! that's a tough one...N.

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M.O.

answers from Detroit on

Sounds like Lactos eIntolerance to me that how I found out my daughter was. Months of diarrhea.

M.
www.M..fourpointmoms.com

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P.F.

answers from Detroit on

K.,

From what I have read, keep away from juice that has Sorbitol and grape juice contains Sorbitol. Although it is a trace amount, it maybe stimulating her digestive track.

Other question, did you take her to the pediatrician only? Has there been a gastroentrologist involved?

A little about me:

I am a first time mom at 40, my son is 5 months old. I have been a registered nurse for 19 years in the adult ICU environment.

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S.M.

answers from Jackson on

HI K., I don't have any advice as to what to do. But my grandson is having the same thing. His pediatrician told my daughter he has a virus and it will run its coarse. Its been a long time and his poor little bottom is raw. He cries as soon as he sees us coming with a diaper. Good luck to you and your little one. Sue

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A.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi K.:
I'm sorry your little girl is having that problem so young, I hope this information can help you. Go to www.naturalcures.com and search the topic Diarrhea I have found this site to provide an abundance of helpful information.
I hope she gets better soon.

A.

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B.L.

answers from Detroit on

Hi K. - My son had the same problem when he was about 9 months old. He had an ear infection and the ped that I was seeing at the time switched his antibiotic too many times trying to cure the infection. What resulted was chronic diarrhea, me finding a new pediatrician, stool samples, blood test and the result of malabsorption due to the different antibiotics. He was cured in a matter of days and I am still seeing the same doctor 16 years later (OMG has it been that long?) I would advise that you find answers even if it means finding a new doctor. Good Luck!

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J.N.

answers from Detroit on

Hi K.

Wow, your poor thing and your daughter to. Have you tried the BRAT diet to see if it would help to thicken it up? It is Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce and Toast. It is really bland. The few times my kids have had diarrhea I have used this diet and it seem to help. Hope this helps for you best of luck.

You have gotten a lot of response and help with this. Hope something works.

J.

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