Re: large bowel movements

My 11-year-old son has very large bowel movements. I started searching online for answers because I have asked two different pediatricians, and they both seem unconcerned. Our toilet gets clogged every time he goes which is about every three days. One doc said he needs to eat more fruits and vegies and drink more water. So we tried this, and it doesn't help. He used to have the added component of constipation before I put him on a gluten free diet. I am thinking about maybe taking away dairy as well and seeing if that will help. I have read where a gluten intollerance and a dairy intollerance can go hand in hand because of one damaging the villi in the intestines (making absorption of nutrients of the other difficult as well). Kind of goes along with what another person said about nutrients not being absorbed. Hmmm...

The second doctor suggested, as someone else on this forum did, to stop and flush half way through. Well, I don't know how he can since it is just one big piece. I could see if it was a bunch of smaller pieces, and you can take a break between urges and flush but it is not. The doctor just said, "it's not a problem." I said, "but plugging the toilet every time IS a problem." I don't see how this can be normal. We try not to make a big deal out of it and certainly don't make our son feel badly for something he can't help. However, I am here searching to see how we can help him since the doctors don't seem to be able to help and it can be an issue for him when away from home.

As far as the amount of food eaten, my son is not an overeater. He is not overweight. On the contrary, he is 4'9" and weighs 83 pounds. He is quite slim. He eats GF toast & peanut butter for breakfast, a serving of fruit for a mid-morning snack, a corn tortilla quesadilla or leftovers for lunch, popcorn or similar snack in the afternoon, dinner with the family (rarely has seconds) and an evening snack. He doesn't eat any more than my other three children did at the same age, and they do not have the same bowel movements as the youngest. We too keep a chopstick in the bathroom.

We will try the suggestions of flaxseed and lemon water since we have tried everything else including daily dried fruits. I don't think constipation is the issue. I am concerned about the thought of nutrients possibly not being absorbed though. We are going to the University doc tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what this doc has to say.