Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request. ### Instruction: 5.5 Year Old Severe ConstipationTLDR: 5.5 year old is severely constipated, complaining of major stomach pain, trouble swallowing, and nausea. Shes waking up through the night coughing and crying in pain. Doctors are suggesting 5 cap fulls of miralax and 2 ex-lax a day - Im concerned this is not good for her. Thoughts?Hello! I feel like Im new to the constipation world, but weve honestly dealt with it for awhile now without me knowing how bad this is. My daughter is now 5.5 and we are about 5 months into a severe constipation epsiode. Its taken doctors awhile to help figure out how bad this is, but here we are. Shes struggled with constipation on and off ever since she was born (at 4 months old she would pass stool the size of hard boiled eggs), but I didnt know how bad it truly is. She has always pooped once or twice a day for most of her life, its just the consistency and size of the stool that I was ill-informed about. Here is where we are at now: Since November, she has been complaining that as soon as she eats or drinks, her throat feels tight, feels that shes going to throw up, and her stomach hurts so bad. Ive taken her to the ER twice, doctors at least once a week, and have had multiple X-rays. The X-rays consistently show tons of stool. We officially started doing a clean out method about 2.5 weeks ago doing mirilax, milk of magnesia, and ex-lax. Shes been pooping 5 or more times a day, passing lots of ribbon size or huge logs. But her complaints are continuing and shes eating less and less. She is not afraid of pooping and has no problem making it to the bathroom which is good. Weve missed a lot of school (kindergarten) for this and shes only 35 poundsI cant imagine what this is doing to her long term. The X-ray 2 days ago showed that shes still completely backed up right at the exit of her stomach, her stomach isnt digesting her food well, and her stomach is extended. The pediatric GI suggested to do 5 mirilax cap fulls a day and 2 ex-lax still, for up to 3 months. I just dont feel like this is safe for her, how little she is, how little shes eating, and how much pain this is causing her. Im no doctor, which is why Im turning here. Of course the stomach aches are now worse and shes in tears on and off all day. I, personally, have IBS with diarrhea so I have no experience on how to deal with this and asking for all the tips. We have been dairy free for a month, and Im not yet going to try gluten free because I do want her tested. We have only been talking to a pediatric GI on the phone through our regular doctor because her appointment is still a month and a half away (we had to wait almost 2.5 months to get in), so further testing hasnt started yet as to why we are in this mess.. ### Response: I would agree 100% with the pediatric GI given what you say here. Long-term constipation like this causes her bowels to dilate (become larger) at baseline. That distension causes her to have less sensation of when she needs to go. Those nerves in her gut can retrain themselves, but it takes months, so it's important that she get fully cleaned out and stay that way while the retraining happens.If the dairy-free diet is helping, you can continue, but if you don't see a huge difference, it's fine to re-introduce dairy. Most pediatric constipation isn't due to a food intolerance.https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Constipation.aspx.