I took a deep dive into answering the question so many of us, who have been given Miralax as a solution for IBS, are asking, “What is Miralax?”
I posted this on the A Gutsy Girl Instagram yesterday,
I did several stories on our morning yesterday as well. You can view them under the highlight reel, “Gutsy Children” for further reference.
Isaiah’s Gut Issues
If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you will remember when I addressed Isaiah and a toddler’s gut long ago. It was November 21, 2017 when I wrote Toddler Gut Issues. You can read the full post HERE.
Since then, I feel like so much and yet absolutely nothing has been accomplished.
The reason is that I have learned even more about the gut and journey towards true healing for myself, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that without getting to the absolute root of a problem there is no use in doing all the things.
After I posted Isaiah’s stuff yesterday, people, because they actually do care, were saying all sorts of things like, “Probiotics, enzymes, the FODMAP diet, etc. etc.”
As the original A Gutsy Girl of course I know all the things. In fact, I did so many of them back in 2017 and Isaiah started feeling so much better. It was incredible!
But here’s the thing, doing all of that is incredibly difficult and challenging for a 3-year-old and all caregivers (teachers, grandparents, daycare, everyone) involved.
That said, if doing all the things would heal Isaiah forever because that’s “all” we had to do, I’d do it.
I know better.
We TEST, and we don’t GUESS, diagnose, and do all the things when we don’t truly know what’s wrong. Why? Because that’s damaging for anyone in the long run, much less a 3-year-old who is just starting their life’s journey.
Children’s GI Doctor
I started this process with Isaiah in October. He got a recommendation to “the best” children’s GI doctor in our area. I was excited! I put aside my thoughts, research, and ideas for that appointment so I could be present with her thoughts and ideas.
“Based on everything,” she said, “He’s severely backed up and needs to get his system flushed out.” “But,” she said, “I want to do an X-Ray to confirm. If my suspicions are correct, I’ll call you and you’ll start the protocol.”
“The protocol?” I asked. “What is it?” She responded,
Miralax.
I did a an eye roll internally, but kept on her path. I asked her what was actually wrong, though, and she didn’t seem to know nor did she think it was anything but “being backed up.”
Not correct, but again, I just kept going with it because, “She’s the doctor.”
She also told us that if the X-Ray showed that he was backed up, we should not force potty training on him because he needed to re-wire his gut and brain. And this I could get behind. And yet still my question remained, “But why? What’s wrong with him?”
Later that day, I got a call that he was extremely backed up. The doctor’s nurse said, “Please go ahead with the protocol the doctor gave to you.”
What is MiraLax
Click HERE to save this information for later.
I didn’t want to do it. At all. Not even a little bit. But I am constantly second-guessing myself and saying, “Well she’s the doctor; I am the Gutsy Mother.”
We have been giving Isaiah MiraLax off an on for about a month. (Which, by the way, clearly has not worked.)
MiraLax is the brand name for the generic drug polyethylene glycol 3350, a laxative used to treat occasional constipation.
Okay, that’s all nice and fancy, but then what is polyethylene glycol 3350?
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a petroleum-derivative compound that is made from ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol), the main ingredient in antifreeze. PEG can be found in a number of other products, including skin creams and personal lubricants, and as a food additive for anti-foaming purposes. Additionally, PEG is the active ingredient in a number of medications prescribed for treating constipation.
Despite this, sources say both that it is safe for children, and that children should never use it.
So which is it?
Sorry, but upon this research and THIS investigative research, I refuse to give Isaiah another dose of MiraLax. We have almost an entire bottle. The stuff is not cheap, especially since it’s just absolute crap. I’m tossing it today.
So Then What Next for Isaiah?
He’s not getting any better. In fact, he’s getting worse. His face gets rashy. He threw up the other night. And then in his sleep at night. A couple weeks ago, he threw up in his sleep at night, too. Daily, he complains that his tummy hurts. Not just daily, constantly daily.
And his behavior cycles with it all, too. Obviously.
Gut. Skin. Brain.
We have a follow up with incredible MiraLax children’s GI doctor. I’m cancelling it.
I have to cancel it or we will find ourselves on the exact same path I started over 10 years ago with a Colitis diagnosis and Canasa solution.
And I refuse to have Isaiah go through that mess for years upon years. I’ll find him a functional doctor that works with children. In fact, I already emailed my functional doctor to see if he would take him, and if not, who he recommends.
We will get Isaiah properly diagnosed. And then, I will know exactly how to help him heal. Because that’s what I do. Not only do I have the Mother’s instinct here, but I have over 10 years of Gutsy research and practical application on my side.
There is no fancy GI doctor out there who has that combination for Isaiah.
Xox,
SKH
You will heal. I will help.
wow…this post hits HOME. Serafina has been on Miralax for years…I am cringing.
My dad repeatedly said, “I don’t have an M.D. behind my name” when I would question his doctor’s diagnosis (lots of pills, no true tests.) Many months and no better later, he saw a different doctor who told him, “You’ve had enough antibiotics to kill you.” Never stop being the Gusty Mama, Sarah!
Thank you for sharing, Kathy!
Has anyone read the articles that Miralax causes psychiatric issues in children? This is what made me stop using it on myself!
https://www.parents.com/health/parents-news-now/is-miralax-the-cause-of-horrifying-changes-parents-are-seeing-in-their-kids/
Just a suggestion, but you could try putting him on Restore. It’s worked well for me and my daughter. She took several drops a day when she was only a month old and was screaming at every feeding and exactly 10 days later she was a different baby.
LOVE Restore! I used it personally 🙂
Love this! Love that Isaiah is right where he needs to be, with a Gutsy Mom advocating for him.
Thanks, mama! Xox