My 4 Year Old Is Having Bowel Issues

Updated on August 27, 2008
J.M. asks from Brockton, MA
4 answers

This is going to sound sooo disgusting, but I am at my wits end and this is something we've been struggling with since May. In May my son started having several accidents a day. On the 2nd day he saw the Dr who began treating him for constipation with Mirolax. The dose of Mirolax was too high and my son was still having accidents because he couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. We followed up with Dr and he said the dose was too high. We've been checking in and changing the doses of MIrolax, every couple of weeks with the Dr and we couldn't figure out what was going on. He wasn't naturally constipated so the Mirolax was causing the accidents. It seems my son is constipating himself! When he's playing he doesn't want to stop what he's doing so he'll stick his finger in his bum to keep it from coming out. The smell is putrid, and I then tell him to go on the potty-but he can't go! So the last few days I've been giving him Mirolax after he constipates himself and today he stuck his finger in his bum again! I am so afraid of what he's touching before I realize what he's done, plus I can't figure out how to get him to stop! At this point, I'm wondering if its a compulsion! I am so frustrated! I was told to check in with his Dr on Mon, but I intend to call tomorrow. Please tell me someone else has gone thru this or has any ideas on how put an end to this.

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A.R.

answers from Boston on

Hi J., My daughter who will be 5 in Sept. Has the same issues. She was potty trained at 2.9months did perfectly fine. Then she started having accidents, only poop. I figured okay this is normal. Then she would go on the potty for a while, but then back to the pants. When I would ask her why she would say b/c it hurts. Then she would go days without going. Then she was having little drips in her underwear but no poop, so at that point I called her PC who told me she thinks she may be constipated and holding it in cause she is afraid to go. So also put her on Mirilax. I felt it helped it got it all out, and once she figured out that it did not hurt she started using the potty, all the time no problems. Well just recently she started to become constipated again, her belly was sticking out and she was in pain. So I gave her the mirilax but that takes a few days so finally she went, but would only go standing, so I put her stool near the toilet and let her stand. I really hope this is it, but who knows. This has been a constant battle for us, and I am praying it comes to a halt at some point. So hang in their, I know how frustrating it is. I am their with ya!!!!

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L.Q.

answers from Boston on

First of all I would get him off Miralax! I used that once & it was horrible & didn't even work for me. I would try something else & if your pediatrician cannot help him get a 2nd or 3rd or even a 4th opinion. Don't just settle for what his doctor is telling you, so far sounds like he is not helping you or your son. I also believe in homeopathic when regular western medicine doctors cannot help. Don't get me wrong I go to my regular doctor but when they cannot fix or find a cure I go to see my homeopathic doctor which by the way western medicine doctor find to be a joke. Check out this website & call them see what they say.
www.maxhealing.com Dr. Mark Mincolla & Associates located in Cohasset, MA. He was able to figure out why I have eczema and CURE it, western medicine had not been able to help me in 15+ years!

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L.B.

answers from Boston on

my 10 year old was having similar issues. the dr. said he has encopresis. this is when the bowel is to big and painful for the child to go. the accidents are caused by more watery bowels behind the blockage. the dr. put my son on 3 extra glasses of liquid a day then have him sit on the toilet for 10 mins after a meal 3 times a day. miralax the first day, dulcolax suppository the second day, then a fleet enema the third day. i hope this is helpful!

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J.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi there,
Oh, I feel for you. We have been having these issues really since my daughter was born, but they really flared up when she was 3 and we continue battling it now when she's 5. I hope my advice will help. We tried the Mirolax and had the same results as you. We tried changing the dosage, time given, etc. many times but it did not work. She would end up having accidents and that was very upsetting to her so we stopped it altogether. The only thing we have found to somewhat maintain her bowels is diet. We give her tons of fruits, veggies and fiber. Every morning she has Fiber One or raisin bran cereal (she isn't crazy about it but knows it helps). She'll still eat other foods too (pancakes, eggs, etc.) but we make sure to get plenty of fiber in. Fiber One also makes bars that are a good snack - and they're delicious. Lots of grapes, pineapple, corn, beans. And, unfortunately, NO CHEESE. This is a bummer but cheese is a killer. We peel the cheese off pizza and no more grilled cheese, macaroni, etc. Once in a while, we will let her have it because we feel so bad! Limited dairy items. Also, there are some fiber supplements that we also give her once per day. Lots of water as well. My aunt swears by avocados and bran muffins (she went through this with her son). I hope this will help - good luck. I know how frustrating it is!

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