Encopresis

A doctor never hurts -- I know that in almost all cases, encopresis comes from the result of long-standing constipation. But sometimes the constipation was so long ago that you can't even recall it.

If this has been going on so long that your sister warned you, then approaching the subject could be a relief that there's an option to solve it. UCanPoop works for kids in elementary and middle school too, so if it is encopresis it saves so much frustration by approaching it sooner rather than later.

What an interesting website mommieme, thanks!

His parents are back and I don't really know how to approach the topic since I'm not sure if he is still doing it or not. Does any type of soiling count as encopresis in a fully potty trained child or does it have to be diagnosed?

Hey Marijke,

I guess your sister is coming back soon, but if this continues being an issue UCanPoopToo.com could be helpful to start! It addresses the behavioral and physical elements of encopresis -- it can be hard to adjust his behavior alone when he doesn't seem to realize he's having the accident.

I like UCanPoop because it's an online program that works with the adult and the child through education and games. It's also discreet and 3x more effective than standard medical care, done through research by pediatric gastroenterology experts.

Good luck in the meanwhile!

Shame Marijke!!

The washing of underwear is still fresh in my mind....I have the deepest sympathy!
Not fun.

If it is a longstanding problem like you have said I wouldn't personally start major home treatment myself but maybe giving a very mild laxative can help. I know my Urologist suggested Lacson. Since this seems to be a medical problem I would suggest your sister take him to a doctor when she comes back. I can imagine the accidents are not very good for his self-esteem. Shame, poor boy!

I wouldn't reward him for going because if it is truly encropesis he can't control it therefore it is cruel in my opinion to treat him as if he can help it. Perhaps you could ask him to just try to go to toilet after a meal?

Perhaps the change in routine with his parents away worsened the situation emotionally as well.

I thought this article summed it pretty well:

kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/encopresis.html#


Good luck...sounds like a difficult time ahead for you...

Hi,

It's my sisters son. He turns 7 in Sep. He is very shy and attended Grade R last year where the toilets are open, he still goes there for after school. Now my sister has said that he's been pooping in his pants often but the severity never hit any of us, or we never gave it much attention. Now my sister and her husband are in China for 2 weeks and I'm washing my ass off.

I don't know if he is constipated, I wouldn't even know if my almost 4 year old is constipated, they go to the toilet and wipe and flush on their own. We had an accident during the weekend and he genuinely doesn't know what's going on, so it starts itching (I guess) then he feels around with his fingers and - long story short, loads of sh*t everywhere. And it smells, you can smell him a mile away but he seems unaware.

So there's a long weekend coming up and I'm wondering if I should just laxative him so we can start a process of rewarding him for going, or at least encouraging him

Hi Marijke!

Hope you are doing well.

Could you perhaps give more detail - are you referring to a child who has been fully pottytrained and now has bowel movement accidents or a child who is keeping bowel movements in? Is the child constipated? Has the child been to a doctor to treat possible constipation. I have read that in 90% encopresis is linked to constipation and not to behavioral problems. Don't know if this is true.

Does anyone have experience with Encopresis?

How you went about treating it and long term options with regards to perhaps rewards or just positive re-enforcement