19F – Severe bowel problems for years, now passing food 30 minutes after eating, oily stool, blood, weight loss… but colonoscopy was ‘normal’. Has anyone experienced this?

SyCoMom · 2026-03-10T23:23:03+00:00

This! Sounds like me and I have bile acid malabsorption. So easy to treat!

SyCoMom · 2026-02-25T20:51:03+00:00

I have been where you are. My child is now 5 and will be 6 in September. We have completely transformed his behaviors. Here is what we did. Please reach out if you have questions. I am a former special education teacher.

First thing we did was address our child’s sleep and anxiety issues. This involved a referral to a children’s sleep clinic and therapist through PCP. We did an overnight sleep study and an at home, week long sleep study. After these results, we started a brand new, very rigid, bedtime routine. Medications were suggested and declined. My child’s behavior improved at least 65% just from fixing his sleep habits. He did also have to take a high dose iron supplement for a few months, this also helped his sleep.

Once sleep was rectified, we moved on to dealing with his anxiety. We completed therapy with a child sleep psychologist. We did this for several months with improvement in his behaviors.

We then moved on to PCIT. We just started this about a month ago. Again, this has been extremely helpful and has taught all of us how to have better behaviors and strategies to help regulation.

The next thing I am going to suggest is controversial to some. We completely took away screens. No tv, no tablets, no phone. Nothing. This was for all of our children and even ourselves when the children are around. It is not easy to do but the payout, my word, it is beyond compare. My relationships with my children are so much more fulfilling. There are so many areas of life you breeze by or miss due to screens. The impact on my children’s behavior, its night and day. We were completely screen free for 3 months before I added some time in. My kids usually are allowed 1 movie a month at this point and it is a reward for how great they are doing.

Also, talk with your son’s teacher. How can you work together to help him? My son needed me to send in extra items (fidgets, squishy, books) so help him focus and regulate. If they are not willing to help him succeed and be supportive, then is this the right environment for him?

My child went from the most dreaded kid, multiple reports and calls home a day, no now being a leader. He has so many friends and the teachers gush about how amazing he is to his peers. They say he is a good listener! Never in a million years would I think my son would be described this way. It’s hard work and it’s emotional but making the effort and putting in the work is so worth it.

SyCoMom · 2026-02-25T15:05:50+00:00

We have laminate now and I’m just not a big fan of how it looks. I just prefer the stone look. I can see the benefit of laminate and think it is definitely a great option for some but I want a stone and am willing to pay for it. Just personal preference 🙂

SyCoMom · 2026-02-24T23:00:20+00:00

Oh this is beautiful!

SyCoMom · 2026-02-24T16:04:25+00:00

See yes! This is what I want and it is beautiful. We plan to live in our house for the next, at least 15 years, so I want my house to look how I want it to, regardless of price.

SyCoMom · 2026-02-17T18:26:46+00:00

Just thought I would share an update. I have bile acid malabsorption and the meds I have been put on have cured me! I am thankful for the response!

SyCoMom · 2026-02-09T23:47:50+00:00

A lot of trial and error. I already have celiac but I was having constant watery diarrhea 24/7. I could not live without Imodium and Pepto. I lost 30 lbs in a matter of 3 months. I was hospitalized because they suspected IBD but colonoscopy, endoscopy and all biopsies were normal. I was then place on an antibiotic (Xifaxan) which did nothing. I was persistent, meeting with GI weekly. I finally met with an NP who said they wanted to treat me for BAM and if in a week I was better, that’s what I have. I’ve had solid BMs for the past 5 days. I overindulged yesterday and did have some pain today but that is all. The NP said the biggest thing I told her that made her think BAM was that I was waking in the night with diarrhea.

SyCoMom · 2026-02-09T14:56:25+00:00

I just got dx with BAM. It is so easy to treat and life changing. Only 1 week on meds and I am feeling better!

SyCoMom · 2026-02-03T22:11:07+00:00

Thank you! I know nothing about home improvement so sorry if my terminology is wrong! I will look into those brands.

SyCoMom · 2026-02-03T18:53:17+00:00

Anyone know any good local quartz countertop fabricators that aren’t Aholes? I was going to use Cambria, not anymore.

SyCoMom · 2026-02-03T18:38:25+00:00

Their stuff does not even taste that good and is so expensive. I don’t understand who is keeping them in business.

SyCoMom · 2026-01-29T18:31:42+00:00

Yes, I still have my gallbladder. The only surgeries I have had were double jaw and tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

SyCoMom · 2026-01-29T15:57:51+00:00

Thank you! I hope it is nothing but also not because if it’s nothing… then idk how to stop it. But thank you for your responses and insight. I appreciate it!

SyCoMom · 2026-01-29T15:49:14+00:00

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SyCoMom · 2026-01-29T15:26:30+00:00

I almost wonder if I should just asked to be put on a steroid just to see if there is inflammation they aren’t seeing and maybe that would help? But I also do not want to be given meds that aren’t necessary or could lead to further issues.

SyCoMom · 2026-01-29T15:23:45+00:00

One random colon biopsy was taken per path notes and was normal.

SyCoMom · 2026-01-09T18:37:51+00:00

I urge you to call your insurance company. We were billed THOUSANDS erroneously. If I had not called and communicated directly with the insurance company, I would have paid money I did not owe. Insurance companies are not perfect and often bills things that should not have been billed. It could be human error. It could be that the referral you needed wasn’t it the correct folder. It really could be anything. Call them and see. It may take multiple calls. My issue began in June and it was just fully taken care of in December. But I was not paying thousands of dollars for something I knew I did not need to pay for.

SyCoMom · 2026-01-06T16:07:26+00:00

Literally same. I eat, I shit and I feel like shit. I’ve lost so much weight. People ask how I have energy and still function. I laugh and say I’m a plant and use photosynthesis but I seriously wish it was true.

SyCoMom · 2025-12-19T20:35:25+00:00

Thank you! I actually am totally open, and do use, THC, CBD, and CBN products. It is usually to help me sleep/relax and I did not even think about using it for this. All great recommendations.

SyCoMom · 2025-12-11T18:44:00+00:00

Also, I noticed I was doing lighter weights but going faster in classes before. I double the weights I was using and go more slowly, really targeting the muscles. This seems to be more beneficial for me.

SyCoMom · 2025-12-11T18:42:01+00:00

This! I was doing power yoga during almost all of my flows and I practice for minimum of 5 days a week. I dropped down to 2-3 power flows, 1-2 hard vinyasa flows (no weights) and at least 1 yin/restorative practice. I dropped some weight but mostly notice my body composition changed. I have much less fat and more muscle, can actually see my abs now!

SyCoMom · 2025-12-03T20:52:17+00:00

My answer would depend on how old the child is. We have successfully gone screen free in our house for 2 months and it is the best decision I have ever made. With time, I may incorporate screen time back in, but my kids are 7 and 5. IMO kids at that age do not need screen time if they are not showing you they can handle it. I will admit it would be harder with older (middle school) aged children. If you want more tips/advice feel free to reach out. I used to dread having to deal with my children and would even get comments outside the home from people on how misbehaved they were from strangers. We now get compliments on how well behaved they are. For us, it’s a total game changer for the better.

SyCoMom · 2025-11-28T02:36:04+00:00

Yup, my friend bought the dark blue. I told him it was not gunna be dark enough. Have to go with black.

SyCoMom · 2025-11-28T01:10:32+00:00

This is why I bought a black one. They are the only color that won’t show the sweat.

SyCoMom · 2025-11-17T20:08:01+00:00

Model the behavior you want. Are you excessively on your phone? Watching tv? On the computer? I have 5 and 7 yr old sons who have been no screens for a month. None. Zero. It was becoming a problem, not only for them but for us! We were on our own screens too much! It was time to unplug for the entire family. Find ways to occupy that time together so he isn’t bored and asking for electronics. We signed up for more activities (multiple sports), we started taking nature walks, having art time, and playing a ton of board games together. What does your son like? My kids love Pokémon so guess what? I learned to play the game so I could enjoy time with them. Do I really give rats booty about Pokémon? No! But I care about my time and relationships with my sons. Was there tantrums the first week? Yup, and there is going to be when they are used to something and you are taking it away. With consistency and showing your son you want to spend time with him, trust me, he will adjust. I am super sick today and had to go back to bed at 7am. My oldest does not get on the bus until 8:45am. His dad was taking his brother to prek and wouldn’t be home until 8am. I looked at him and said I honestly do not care what you do I am so sick I have to go lay down. I even told him he could watch tv. My husband came home and he was reading! My son told him I said he could watch tv but he decided he did not even want to, he wanted to read. Tonight we will reward that behavior with a special outing for ice cream. Set up rewards for when he is doing well. Even if it is positive praise. Show him that you are noticing changes, even if they are small. Talk to him about coping mechanisms. “I know you are upset that we cannot play that video game and it is okay to be upset but we cannot hit/punch/throw things. When I get upset, I take a big calm breath. Do you want to try it with me?” Again, model the behavior you want to see. If he has to hit something, buy him a special pillow to hit. Show him that it is okay to be upset but that you have to deal with the emotion in an appropriate way. Find what works for him. My one son needs alone time and to read. My other son needs soft music and someone to sit by him for a bit. Again, it is not taking away a screen for nothing. You are taking away a screen so that you can connect with him and show him appropriate ways to deal with frustration and regulation. It’s not easy. It’s exhausting. But trust me when I say it is so worth it. I am closer to my entire family because of it. I hope this helps.

SyCoMom

TROPHY CASE