8 year old wetting herself

[Workitbabe]

I am so worried, as this is now affecting dd's confidence and had a nightmare getting her to school today.

She suffers on and off with constipation and so I give her Movicol a couple of times a week. I am also desperately trying to increase fibre in her diet. She drinks lots of water (doesn't like anything other than water or milk) and eats a good amount of fruit.

Anyway, she has now developed smelly urine - not a urine smell though, almost like eggs. She is also wetting herself - not completely, but just some. When I ask her, she says she didn't feel like she needed a wee and it just happened.

I am not sure if the 2 are linked - the bowel putting pressure on the bladder. I have been trying to get a urine sample to the GP the last 2 mornings but she hasn't needed a wee. Going to try again later. Not convinced its an infection though as no pain on weeing, no temp etc.

Any thoughts, help, experience gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

[anadinextra]

A couple of sachets of movicol a week wont clear an impaction if that is what is pressing on the bladder and causing wetting. It would need a full clear out which might be starting at 2 per day up to 12 per day. It sounds more likely to be the constipation than a uti. Some fibres can make it worse ie bran was making my child worse and milk of course makes it worse too.

[Workitbabe]

Thank for replying. I think I need to up the Movicol then.
Do you have any tips on what is the best fibre in this instance by any chance?

Many thanks

[CaptainZoot]

Adding more fibre might actually make the constipation worse. It will bulk up the stool too much and make it difficult to pass. Is she afraid to pass stool? Some children become fearful and store it causing large painful stools.

Constipation is sometimes a sign of a gut flora imbalance, maybe a probiotic might help? The smelly leaking urine is a little worrying. Would your doctor look at doing a kidney function test? The urine issue might be a sign that the natural detoxification system in her body isn't functioning optimally.

This might sound a little 'off the wall' bit have you considered a home enema? Not chemicals or suppositories or anything like that but a home enema kit which basically is just a bag and a funnel. Fill with warm filtered water and have her lien down on her side for 15-20 mins. It's very safe for children and adults and works very very well for constipation!

I hope she feels better soon.

[Workitbabe]

Thanks for your message CaptainZoot. I don't think she is afraid to pass stool as such, she just doesn't seem to get the urge to go very often. I will try a probiotic - do you mean something like actimel?

Not considered a home enema kit no - not that far down the line I don't think.

Will ask about the kidney function test for sure. Really don't think its a uti. She had uti's a couple of times when she was younger and I know that she was in pain weeing and the urine was cloudy.

[CaptainZoot]

I'd ask the doctor to do a full blood test just to rule out anything major. Liver and kidney function is particularly important So if they won't do a full blood count insist on these. Personally I think the constipation is causing the problem with her weeing herself. I read a study recently discussing how stool left in the rectum can put pressure on the bladder and cause toilet trained children to wee themselves.

I think your daughter might also have compacted feaces in her intestines which can cause a nasty backlog. If you have no luck with the medicine then I really would give the water enema a go. It's 100% natural, free and very effective vs. Over the counter drugs.

Most children should be passing stool once a day at least! Otherwise nasty toxins start to build up.

Does she have any food allergies?

[CaptainZoot]

Ooops and the probiotic. Not a yogurt one. Too sugary and not enough active bacteria.

The probiotic I use with my son is called Optibac. It's tasteless and disolves in water!

[Workitbabe]

Thanks again. No food allergies no.

Pretty sure its the constipation. I don't get it. She has a pretty balanced diet. Eats a good amount of fruit and been eating raisins. Has shredded wheat for breakfast. I think she needs more veg probably.

Find it so stressful and hate the thought of her being upset.