Extreme Regularity

I've avoided posting about this following issue we've been battling for 7 weeks now, for obvious reasons. It's about Reece's bowels, and it's just not a topic I imagine friends and family wanting to read about. Well, I think we've made it to the point, I need to get it out. Maybe even to just have it documented.

The weekend before Halloween, Reece started using the restroom more frequently than normal. He had been on a sugar diet, as most kids are this time of year. His cousins had just gotten over a stomach bug, and we had been hanging out with them that weekend when we had the birthday party at my sister's house. I didn't think much of it, he wasn't complaining much at all. Monday night, is when I was fully aware that things might be getting bad. He had 3 explosive diarrhea episodes right before bed. Yuck! The next day, he seemed fine, I sent him to school and when he came home he told me he used the restroom 8 times at school. What? Sometimes diarrhea, sometimes not. It continued all night. You would have never guessed this kids was having any issues, as he was his usual hyper, bouncing off the walls self. Just needed to pause often to run to the bathroom. This night, we start treating him with Immodium. It worked great! Well, maybe too great.... it turned into constipation with just one dose a day. The constipation was so bad it hurt him, and we ended up keeping him home on the Thursday and Friday, just after Halloween. I was just sure he got a bug and it would run it's course over the weekend.... I was working in Wichita on the weekends, so I warned my parents about his need to be near the restroom and we packed the Immodium, just in case. Things didn't get better. We couldn't even make the 50 minute drive to Wichita without stopping at the halfway point to relieve himself. I emailed his teacher to let her know what was happening, and to please be patient with us. She put in a plan that Reece could get up at any time and leave the room. She is constantly reassuring me that she totally trusts Reece, and things are fine.

The next Wednesday, I got Reece in with the doctor. He thought what started as a bug, left us with some lingering side effects. He was sure that the bug wiped all the bacteria from his intestines...including the good bacteria. His plan was to stay away from cheese and milk, but eat a lot of yogurt to get that good bacteria back in there. He also recommended a salty diet. This was so his body would retain some water in his intestines too. We also added a Probiotic to his vitamin regimen, to help with the digestion process. Pretty easy, so I was relieved. Well, things didn't get better. Every time I told myself I was going to call the doctor, he would have a random "good" day. Funny how that happens, huh? They never stayed good. I continuously emailed his teacher, saying "sorry" or "thanks for all your patience." Eventually, we decided to take ALL dairy away. Milk, cheese, AND yogurt. We added almond milk to his diet. No change. It got so bad we had to buy the poor kids wet wipes to save his poor rear.

 About two weeks ago, we made it back in to the doctor. He was stumped this time. He ordered blood and stool tests. Stool test was easy to get, the blood was a challenge. Reece hates needles.... this macho kid is a big weenie when it comes to this aspect of life. To make things worse, we got a phone call the next day, to find out they didn't get enough blood the first time for the test they needed to run. Overall, Reece got poked three times, and each one worse than the last one.

The tests came back looking good. They even tested for a gluten allergy, which was negative. I was quite relieved, but at the same time we were back to square one. This time the doctor order a 30 day "Dairy Free" diet. Well, since we've done the obvious no dairy (milk, cheese and yogurt) diet, I decided we needed to take this seriously, and find all of the hidden dairy....which is in everything! The nurse did say we could still use Lactaid if he wanted a cheese pizza or something else we can't resist. I'm so bummed about this.... I struggle in the kitchen anyways, but having to think and shop differently will be tough. So far he has had two pretty good days and one rough day. I am trying to take this seriously, and we are logging everything he takes in. If we do this for 30 days and don't see a change, we will be referred to a gastrointestinal specialist. Yikes! Wish us luck!

I'm so confused about this dairy thing. I'm actually still in denial about this dairy thing. How does a kid who lived on milk, cheese and yogurt, up until 7 weeks ago, suddenly not tolerate it anymore? It doesn't add up to me. I'm bummed because it's Christmas, and there are so many treats we eat as a tradition, that I know I will not be able to deny him. Guess I will need to stock up on the Lactaid... Well, we are only on day 3 of 30, so time will tell.