Can anyone help me?? My 6 year old has Encopresis...?

Question

My daughter is almost 6 years old and has suffered from encopresis for nearly 3 years now. I have tried EVERYTHING and I mean everything!! She recently was seen by a doctor that put her on lactulose to soften her stools. The problem is that she knows how to p**p in the potty, she just wont do it!! She contstanly has accidents and doesnt really realize that she has done it. I am trying the "potty seating" method after every meal and in between meals, but with no success yet. I have tried rewards, stickers, potty parties and much praise....still nothing. I am completely out of options. I know that it is something that she cannot help and it is a medical conditon. I dont punish or scold her because it just makes matters worse. Is there anyone that has dealt with this and had any success??? I am desperate and in need of Help!! If you have any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them!! Thanks so much in advance!!

Answer 1

My son has the same problem with Encopresis. (he is 12 and has high functioning autism). He has been on several medications for constipation over the past few years that had no effect. Recently, his GI doctor sent him for an anal manometry (where they inflate a small balloon in the r****m) to check to see if his rectal muscles worked properly (if he could feel the urge to go, etc) With him, it was discovered that he COULD feel it (because it showed his muscles tighten on the computer screen) but he did not know that he felt it. His brain did not know what he was feeling. The tech worked with him moving the balloon around, blowing it up and releasing it, etc and then having him try to expel it from his r****m.  Telling him to "concentrate on his butt". Since that day, he has been able to tell when he needs to go to the bathroom. He says that it feels like "the outside of my butt itches but I can't scratch it" but as long as he feels something and knows to go. They have also now given him Amitiza (a new medication for constipation) because he didn't like the Miralax powder he was on and it all seems to be working.

Answer 2

Do you sit in the bathroom with her while she is trying to pottie? She could have stage fright, so to speak, just point her in the right direction and see if she will do her own thing. That might not be the problem but, it couldn't hurt to try. Good luck

Answer 3

A child rearing columnist in our local newspaper addressed this problem once.  Although, he didn't address any medical problems, he did say to put the child on the toilet completely naked and leave him/her there until he/she produces.  It was in response to a parent whose child would potty but would never go number 2 on the toilet and had been otherwise potty trained for more than a year.  Best regards!

Answer 4

My son had an issue with encopresis about a year ago. I happened to mention the soiling of the underwear to his pediatrician, and he felt his abdomen and could feel a large ball of stool. He prescribed daily Fleets enemas for 3 days, then daily Dulcolax suppositories for 3 days. Let me tell you, it wasn't fun!  He's been doing fine ever since. Sometimes I give him Mira lax if he tells me he's having trouble going poo.  His wasn't a chronic condition, though. Good luck!