Witholding poo child

[MrsMappers]

Hi, I’ve just this minute joined in seek of help/advice. My 4yr old is witholding again to the point of screaming, doing his poo dance etc. He’s refused his movicol all week and even now, I’ve given him a low dose of Dulcolax as he was quite ill the last time on 5mls. Is his screaming and poo dance normal in a child witholding? Or should I push harder with the consultants to scan him or offer him counselling? Thank you

[squizita]

Mine didn't end up screaming but in "the ins and outs of poop" (book on the matter) they do mention it can get that bad. That book suggests exposure therapy ie making the poo very soft for ages. Seems to have had some good effects with my child but she was never so bad as to scream. Eventually her bum would admit defeat and shed release- so I guess she's an easier case.

[Hidden]

I know this may sound gross but has he ever seen you sit on the toilet? He may feel it is unfair but if he sees adults do it regularly then he'll know he's not being 'picked on.' Just a thought.

[MrsMappers in reply to Hidden]

Yea, I go toilet in front of him and tell him before I go just so he sees it as normal. He was constipated from a few months old and then had a really bad bowel movement and we’ve been stuck in this cycle ever since x

[Ayshayasmin]

Hi I've just joined this Heath app my 4yr old has chronic constipation it started about 8 months ago he's been subscribed Movicol from the GP an i took him back to the doctors because i thought it gave him diarrhoea GP explained its overflow so they told me to stop it completely an now they have prescribed it him again he had a rock soiled poo on Saturday an that had blood in it which is the best thing to use to soften my sons stools thankyou

[MrsMappers in reply to Ayshayasmin]

I’ve no idea which is the best, we are trialing and error at the moment. Movicol is fab IF I can get him to take it but he’s refusing point blank now 😔 so we are giving lactulose a try. Dulcolax he’s not getting along with so we are trying senna. Thing is with my son it’s all coming from not liking the feeling of going poo. I need to look into this talking therapy I’ve heard about. Have you spoken to your dr since the blood in his poo? X

[caz205]

Yes the poo dance is normal, its fear of the pain they are terrified of the poo coming out its awful to watch. MY daughter walks on tip toes, wiggles her legs constantly when sitting, sits on back of heels, sits on the edge of the sofa, walks round the room pretending to do something else then says she's 'just dancing' anything to get the poo to go back in! She won't tell us what she's doing but we know!

If its not treated, softened to come out then it causes pain moving along the bowel etc its a nightmare! He may have bad cramps from the dulcolax, especially if his poos hard?

[MrsMappers in reply to caz205]

He hates the feeling of needing and going poo. He’s refusing movicol for over a week. After speaking to his paediatricians secretary I’ve bought lactulose and senna to try, (the dr wouldn’t give a prescription without them sending a letter over which is fair enough)maybe the Dulcolax isn’t suited to him. I’m hearing lactulose doesn’t work and doesn’t soften. I’m at a lost on what to do, he’s so stubborn and refuses all medications calpol etc when he’s ill too x