Ds 7 soiling himself every day

[Throughautomaticdoors]

The last week or so there have been probably four occasions where ds hasn't made it to the toilet on time. With varying degrees of disgustingness.
He previously has done similar on occasion as he tends to wait and wait and wait if he's doing something he likes and can't be bothered to go to the toilet.
Tonight it's just happened again. He was outside playing football and then came racing past me and I could smell that he was dirty. His stomach isn't upset. He isn't constipated. He doesn't have a history of stomach problems.
Anyway I'm really cross I'm having to throw clothes away and it's disgusting as he tends to put his hands in and then he's fucking covered in it. He's now saying 'he doesn't know when he needs to go.' Could this just suddenly happen? As I said previously we've had occasions where basically he can't be bothered to go to the toilet until it's too late and he's either wet or dirty. I know I sound harsh but I'm sick of wiping shit up from everywhere and washing clothes all the time. However if he can't help it then that's different. He's not bothered by it in the slightest.
Should I take him to the GP?

[juneau]

If he can't explain it and neither can you and this issue has had a sudden onset, then yes I'd go to the GP. You may need to take a stool sample (shouldn't be too hard to achieve, from what you've described).

Does he have any SEN? The not being bothered and getting it all over himself sounds unusual.

[Throughautomaticdoors]

He doesn't have aby diagnosed SEN but I'm awaiting a referral for a dyspraxia assessment and I strongly suspect he has ASD too.
However he's been toilet trained since he was 2 and a half. The issue with getting it all over himself is basically he can't stand still so he touches everything. It's not intentional. It's driving me mad though. He must know he needs to go to a degree because he runs to the toilet and does go once there. If he was just leaking he wouldn't would he? This is a delightful topic.

[juneau]

Yes, its a lovely topic! One I sadly have some experience of as DS1 was a withholder at one point. From that joyous experience I can tell you that having poo accidents doesn't rule out constipation. However, I would just advise you to see your GP asap and get this sorted. We tried to fix it ourselves for months and ultimately we needed help and all we'd done is waste time and it was really ruddy miserable for everyone. I'm not suggesting your DS is a withholder, but I'd get this checked out. He's school age so has it happened at school, or is it just at home?

[cudbywestrangers]

I would take him to your gp sooner rather than later. My ds is younger than yours (only 3) but started having accidents due to withholding poo which caused constipation then leaking. He's now been on movicol for about 6 months and combined with making sure he goes to the toilet every day is pretty much sorted. Good luck... I know how grim all the soiled clothes are

[squeezed]

Are there bits of undigested food in it? DD gets this with toddler's diarrhoea when she eats food that's too sweet, including too much fruit. She tends to have accidents when she has wind. He might be a bit old for that though as they tend to grow out of it. I do feel for you because it is really frustrating.

[Throughautomaticdoors]

No it's just um, normal poo. He's been at school and made it ok albeit he didn't wipe himself afterwards as he 'forgot'
I suppose I'd be surprised if he was constipated as he's never had that problem before and always goes every day but I know this problem can be caused by that.
I could live with the clothes, it's the touching everything that's driving me mental.

[AnyTheWiser]

This sounds like classic long term constipation. The can't keep still.
The horrible smell. The not being able to tell he needs to go.

He needs his bowel resetting!
Does he drink plenty of water? Does he go for five a day?
It will take a while for the impacted poo to come out, I'm afraid, but healthy eating / loo visiting habits will sort that.

Also, check for/treat any worms.