Published on 12, July, 2020
My son is 10 and has been diagnosed with ASD and motor/vocal tics. He has been suffering from bowel issues for about 3/4 years but only recently did I realise there is a link between ASD and the gut so his psychologist has only been focusing on the ASD and we have been seeing a paediatrician about is stomach. He suffers from chronic loose stools and can spend hours on the loo with an upset tummy. We are currently under the hospital but I'm getting frustrated that the consultants seem to dismiss the issue as trivial. We last had an app in Feb and the next one isn't until May! Has anyone else had issues with the NHS taking the bowel issues seriously? I'm definitely going to mention the ASD next time we go. I'm starting to lose faith in the NHS as it's been three years since I first raised it with my Dr and they have only carried out a handful of minor tests in all that time. They seem to think that because he's growing and putting on weight he's fine
Tics are associated with electrolyte imbalance, which can be caused by diarrhoea. I have had similar gut problems for years and get a lot of muscle cramps, and find electrolyte supplements helpful. My problems were dismissed as IBS/psychological despite a family history of bowel cancer, but was eventually diagnosed with this:
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Bile-acid-diarrhoea-For-40-years-doctors-said-I-IBS-In-fact-hormone-problem-cured-simple-pill.html
www.theibsnetwork.org/.../bile.pdf
I knew that going to the GP with a self-diagnosis from the daily mail website was not a good plan, so asked first for a referral to a dietician for eating problems, who wrote to the GP advising a referral to a gastroenterologist, suggesting this specific test. Dieticians tend to be more open minded and knowledgeable (in my experience) but they cannot make referrals for tests directly.
Doctors are very helpful now I have been diagnosed with something, but it took a lot of hassle. I ask for copies of all test results/letters, and communicate mainly by email, rather than saving it up for the appointments, when I can get stressed or forget things.
I don't believe gut problems are the "cause" of autism, but there is growing evidence that the health of the gut affects the whole body including the brain, and the ignorance of some medics is astounding.
I recommend these websites
www.treatingautism.co.ukwww.espa-research.org.ukquestioning-answers.blogspot.co.uk
good luck!