Withholding poo 💩

[Mimihand]

Hi,

My son holds in his poo. He is on 4 movicol (he is 5 yo) but it makes no difference. He keeps holding it in. His stools are not hard or dry, it is mushy.

He had an impaction last year that required hospitalisation. I am terrified it will happen again, or that he will slacken/stretch his bowels muscles if he continually holds. I sometimes give him glycerol suppository, a few times a weeks, to make sure he doesn't build up. I would love advice to get him to go without suppository.

[Yaleamanda]

Add a stimulant to the regime.

[Mimihand in reply to Yaleamanda]

Thank you

[Le15]

3 things I would try…

1. Add some senna. It will stimulate the bowel to get things going

2. ‘Toilet time’ after breakfast for 20 mins with the iPad and feet on a stool

3. Pants off whenever at home. My son will happily poo in pants / trousers but not on the floor

We also let him poo in a potty if that’s more comfortable even though he is 5. The book attached really helped me.

Best of luck!

Constipation

[Mimihand in reply to Le15]

Thank you. I will try. I forgot to say that my boy has severe ID, rare genetic disorder and severe autism. Thanks for you reply