6 year old encopresis

[Mom12345]

My 6 year old cannot go places much, and when she does, it is hard on us. We have to clean her up constantly, because she holds in her poop and it is hard and hurts her tummy, then it just leaks out constantly. It comes out a little at a time, so her panties are almost soiled 24/7. It is so frustrating to us. She says she cannot even feel when it comes out. She walks around like she is extremely constipated and I can tell she is putting a lot of effort into holding it in.

I know a lot of it is psychological. She is so afraid to poop because it is so hard in there and really does hurt when it comes out. However, I do not want to give her constant laxatives or miralax. I also cannot get her to eat healthy foods and drink healthy liquids (like water) so that she can have softer feces. I want to teach her about healthy, high water and fiber foods in a way she can understand. I want to help her not be afraid of pooping in the potty.

Please help me find a way to teach her how to eat right, drink right, and not be afraid to poop (in the potty).

[rnra]

Have you tried Miralax?  I would start with Miralax while working with her to eat more fiber, drink water, etc.  As her diet improves, you could back off of the Miralax.  I wouldn't want Miralax as a long-term solution either, but it could be a good short-term solution and would help things to go better than they are currently.  Good luck!

[MountainMamaGC]

I have read some warnings about Miralax causing neurological issues in children with a leaky gut. So I wont use it. For my DD we do milk of magnesia. I know that you dont want to treat it but you have to. You have to allow for her colon to shrink down to a normal size in order for her to be able to feel the urges again. Also having a compacted stool puts them at risk for bladder infections as well as their bladder cant drain properly when there is pressure on it. Milk of magnesia is natural, and its gentle. You may have this problem for sometime and it wont go away over night. The only way to show her that she can have pain free BMs is to let her have pain free BMs for a long amount of time.  My DD just takes the MoM right from a spoon and then chases it with a full glass of fluids. It doesnt work without the fluids.

This article is very helpful, and there are a few protocols to choose from.

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/conditions/l/aa081200.htm

This problem may go away for awhile and then come back again. Just lather rinse and repeat. Also follow up with a doctor.

I have been dealing with this problem with my DD for over 2 years now. I know how frustrating it can be, it is a medical and psychological problem, and you cant just treat it with diet. Also can you imagine how full she feels all the time? Of course she doesnt want to try new foods, she is probably barely hungry for the foods she loves.

PM me if you have any questions.