N.S. asks from Fennimore, WI on February 18, 2007
Need Some Answers on Child Having No Control over Pooping
My five year old has this problem where he cant control his own poop. he is mostly potty trained. But when it comes to pooping its another story. its all water, Taking him to the doc. they give him fiber and then tells me take him home and give him ednmas and lactaxes.. SO did that it didnt clean him out it made him worse. HE dont feel the stomach cramps like you and I do. HE dont know its comming until its to late and its all the time all day and all night. I am not putting him on a toliet all day and night. I am worried about him cause he has lost so much weight and when he goes alot he looses color and he is a lazy child.. He gets cramps in his legs all the time. HE has been tested for cf, cancer, diabetes, celiac deiease. HE has been through so much, I have asked over and over again cant they clean him out... They said its all in his head. I dont think it is I think there is something seriously wrong with him... PLease any advice would be great...
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J.S. answers from Omaha on February 19, 2007
Has he been tested for Hirschprung's Disease?? That is what my daughter has. But hers caused constipation. We were told all the problems were in her head too. They were wrong. We found a new doctor and she was diagnosed with Hirschprung's Disease. She, at times still has difficulty controlling her bowel movements, but it has gotten much better. She is almost 11 now. We started dealing with this when she was 2. Do some reading on Hirschprung's Disease on the internet. Part of the reason HD kids have trouble controlling their bowels is because there are not ganglion cells in their rectum that send a message to the brain they need to poop. Therefore, when they do need to eliminate it starts to come out on it's own and they don't feel it until it is already on it's way. Let me know if you need any more info.
J.
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P.F. answers from Sioux Falls on February 19, 2007
I would be very worried about that as well. I would definitely get a second opinion because it is one thing for a child to have accidents but it sounds worse then that. He could get to the point of getting dehydrated with having so many lose bowels. I am suprised the are having you give him laxative with him having diarrea. You might want to check web md they might give some other ideas. I wish i could help you more. HUGS for you and your family! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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J.P. answers from Waterloo on February 19, 2007
I had a similar problem with my little girl not to long ago. But after all I went through, it was our water! Its a simple thing to get checked out, so its wrth a try if you are at the end of your rope!
I have some medical background, and with him having diarreah, a laxative/enema is the last thing you should give him. Make sure he gets lots of veggies, pasta, bread. These will make his stool "formed". Stay away form juice, pop, most fruits. (apples and pears are good) Before we found out our water was the problem, our daughter was on a diet of pedialyte, water, cereal, pasta and veggies.
I had to potty train her all over again too. What worked for me was to put regular underwear on her and to take her potty OFTEN!
I really hope you find out some answers quick and you lil man starts feeling better! Good Luck!
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E.S. answers from Boise on February 19, 2007
When your son is getting pale and "lazy" he's anemic. If he's losing weight at 5, take him to the hospital. Get him admitted. Yell, scream, throw a tantrum, if you have to. And then, when he's all better, or at least is receiving satisfactory care, call and report that doctor. I can't believe he didn't take you seriously and allowed your child to go on that way. UNACCEPTABLE!
On another note, try cutting sweets and sodas out of his diet. A lot of kids have trouble with refined sugar. Maybe stick with a natural diet. Meat, bread, vegetable/friut. Hopefully that'll help.
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T.Z. answers from Des Moines on February 19, 2007
Nicky-
Get him to a Gastroenterologist! I realize he has seen the doctor, but he should probably see a specialist. I have Crohn's disease and was diagnosed with it 10 years ago at the age of 22. Crohn's disease can be a tricky one to diagnose, but you have to see a doctor who will catch it. It could also be Ulcerative Colitis.
Please don't freak out about it. Once you have it under control, you can live with it. I have very similar problems that your son has. I can't hold it and sometimes I have no idea I have to go until it suddenly hits me. When I was first diagnosed I also had a huge weight loss.
Crohn's and UC are known as young person’s disease. Although I was diagnosed at 22 yrs, it is usually diagnosed at much earlier ages.
Let me know if you have other questions.
~T.
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M.H. answers from Lincoln on February 20, 2007
I agree with Tricia. It sounds like the symptoms of Crohn's disease with the constant stools and weight loss. A gastroenterologist would most likely be able to pinpoint the problem quickly. Leg cramps can be a sign of low potassium as well.
My mother's cousin died in her 20's due to Crohn's being diagnosed too late (and changing doctors too late!). She had gotten quite thin and I suspect was dehydrated and malnourished due to constant stools.
Do get him in to a gastroentrologist as soon as possible to see if they know what is going on. These symptoms are not something to just brush aside as "in his head."
M.
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J.S. answers from Omaha on February 19, 2007
Has he been tested for Hirschprung's Disease?? That is what my daughter has. But hers caused constipation. We were told all the problems were in her head too. They were wrong. We found a new doctor and she was diagnosed with Hirschprung's Disease. She, at times still has difficulty controlling her bowel movements, but it has gotten much better. She is almost 11 now. We started dealing with this when she was 2. Do some reading on Hirschprung's Disease on the internet. Part of the reason HD kids have trouble controlling their bowels is because there are not ganglion cells in their rectum that send a message to the brain they need to poop. Therefore, when they do need to eliminate it starts to come out on it's own and they don't feel it until it is already on it's way. Let me know if you need any more info.
J.
1 mom found this helpful
J.W. answers from Boise on February 20, 2007
Nicky,
My kids had a bit of the same problem. We started giving them 1-2 Activia yogurts every day and that seemed to really help their poop habits. Please, if you dont agree with the doctors- keep pushing them or get another doc. Watery poop can not be in someone's head- it's a physical symptom. I hope this helps!
J.
L.M. answers from Boise on February 20, 2007
Oh my!! If it was my child I would go to another Doctor, even try a holostic Doctor -- (a Dr. like Patch Adams) -- I don't know of one here, but something needs to be done for you child. I don't think it is in his head either, try some outside sources and do whatever you can to get him well. He needs and deserves to have regular poops.
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