Treating the Current Symptoms

Upon meeting Dr. Semancik, Grace's new Pediatric Gastroenterologist, I think I expected him to be more kid-friendly since he specializes with children; but he was extremely helpful and informative.  Once we met with the doctor we spent about 45 minutes with him explaining Grace's many symptoms since birth, but more importantly her current symptoms of cycles of diarrhea and constipation.  He ended up giving Grace a rectal exam to check the muscles that allow her to go to the bathroom and he could tell that she was extremely backed up.  Also, MAJOR UPDATE, she may or may not have Celiac Disease, we will find out for sure in July when she has an endoscopy and they take a biopsy to make an official diagnosis.  Although, her blood levels indicated she may have Celiac's, these levels could also indicate other issues; such as allergies or insensitives to certain foods.  So to treat the current symptoms her prescribed, Mirolax, a stool softener that she takes in a dissolvable powder form mixed in liquid every day.  He said she she has had these issues for so long she will probably have to be on this medication for at least 2 years to be completely regular.  Since being on these new meds she has been feeling soooo much better.  The first week was hot or miss, but now she is consistently going 1-2 times daily and hardly getting any stomach aches. Dr. Semacik also said to keep her on a gluten-free and limited dairy diet.  So now we have to follow up with the doctor in mid-May to update his office and possibly decide how we are going to move forward for the appointment in July.  In order to determine if she has Celiac's she has to be back on gluten for at least 2 weeks prior to having the endoscopy, so we have decided to gradually start reintroducing gluten once school gets out at the end of May.  We are thinking it is more of a digestion/food insensitivity issue rather than Celiac's because of how well this new medicine is working.  So now it's another waiting game...