Constant soiling 4 year old

[RJEH]

Hi, my son is 4 and was suffering with constipation where he would only do a poo about once a week or so. We were given laxido which worked but then we would start again on a vicious cycle. We were referred to paediatrics who told us it's psychological and have referred us to CAMHS and we are on a long waiting list. More recently,, and now due to a low dose of laxido daily he soils himself all the time (up to 8 times a day) to the point where he has to wear nappies because it's so bad. He now doesn't tell us when it happens and we either smell it or find it all dried on him. I wondered if anyone has any advice at all because we don't know what to do and it's been going on so long now. Thank you.

[Alicass]

I would disimpact with the Laxido and then find his maintenance dose. He could be constipated again. If it is psychological then you'll know.

I would put a good toilet routine in place too. Sit him on the toilet for 4 minutes, 20 minutes after each meal - feet on a still so his muscles are relaxed Give him something to entertain him. You could try bubbles, whistles as they help to take their mind off the toilet and help to push the poo out. You're looking for daily poos type 4/5 on the Bristol Stool Chart.

You can disimpact often. We used to do it every school holiday as 'housekeeping' so we knew my son was poo free. The regular disimpactions and toilet sits definitely helped my youngest son.

Good luck.

[RJEH in reply to Alicass]

Thank you that's really helpful, we are picking up a new box of laxido this evening so will do it tomorrow xx

[Bambie83 in reply to RJEH]

Get the GP to get you a few on prescription - you’ll need at least a box to do the disimpaction and then he’ll be on quite a high maintenance dose for a week or so afterwards.

Just so you don't have to run out to get some later.

[RJEH in reply to Bambie83]

Thank you, our GP gives them on repeat prescription but only a box at a time which doesn't last long! We've got a telephone call appointment Thursday so will hopefully get more. Thank you for the info xx

[Aoifedearg]

This is very similar to our situation but we started disimpacting three days ago. Oh my god the amount of poo so far, my poor child having all that stuck in him. We're currently on 6 sachets a day and will increase to eight tomorrow. He had his first dry night last night which just confirmed to me how blocked up he was. You increase by two sachets each day so 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8 and stays at highest dose until he's doing rusty watery poos and then v slowly reduce by one sachet every three days until you find your maintenance. It is intense but its also so draining to be dealing with constant soiling all day long. Good luck

[RJEH in reply to Aoifedearg]

Oh wow yes sounds very similar to our situation, we are on 6 sachets a day now but there's still not much coming out which is a concern..... Hopefully 8 a day will get him completely moving. Thank you! Xx