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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone has experienced anything like this?

21 replies

cantchooseyourfamily · 07/08/2019 17:40

Hi everyone. My 9 year old son has some health issues and I literally dont know what to do now. No one seems to have any answers and I wondered if anyone else had experienced something similar and had any advice.

For the last 4 years every time he has had a bowel movement he has had an accident before (unless we preemptively send him to the bathroom to try). The first he knows of needing to go is realising that some has leaked out, he can then go to the bathroom and have a proper bowel movement. This is effecting him so badly and we just don't know what to next. We've seen countless dr's, no one has any answers, originally they thoight it was encopresis (where a child is constipated, passes a large bowel movement and damages the nerves) however it has gone on so long that it really seems this can't be the case. The last few dr's we have seen don't think it is this, but don't have any other suggestions.

He has had a colonoscopy which showed nothing untoward, he has swallowed small rubber rings and then had an xray which have shown that his digestive system is working normally. He has had stomach xrays that show he doesn't have constipation.

He was completely potty trained for almost 2 years before this started and we just don't know what to do.

He is also very small for his age, an xray a few years ago showed he had delayed bone age by about 3 years, I'm not sure if this could be related. He also has some issues with his teeth, despite having good oral hygiene and not too many sweets he has had to have 2 teeth removed because they were in such bad shape and another 3 need fillings. I'm not sure if this could all be linked.

Would appreciate any advice on where to turn next, I'm so desperate for this to be over for him.

OP posts:
Bezalelle · 07/08/2019 17:45

he has swallowed small rubber rings

I would ask for this to be investigated again, in more detail.

Original poster
cantchooseyourfamily · 07/08/2019 17:49

That was a medical test that was carried out by a dr, not accidental swallowing of them

OP posts:
AngelasAshes · 07/08/2019 17:55

My DD had impacted stool in her colon so she could not poo easily. When that happens, the body produces mucous in an effort to help pass the stool. The mucous mixes with the stool and leaks out like a bit of diarreha but it also lubricates some stool so that it can then pass (although painfully & it is bigger than normal for a kid). So you have what looks like an accident followed by a bm.
Invariably, not all the stool comes out...the impacted stool stays in and blocks new stool. The colonoscopy should have seen that though...how long ago was it done?

Golightly133 · 07/08/2019 17:57

i would remind him everyday sounds
Like this is mind over matter my daughter when she was 4 completely refused to go and then she was really constipated it was a viscous circle she wouldn’t go be cause it was painful I gave her small Doses if Califig for a month to ease it and it did. Maybe he needs to have a daily reminder so it becomes part of his routine maybe have a Reflexology treatment and see if they can pin point any isssue x x good luck

AngelasAshes · 07/08/2019 17:59

www.nhsaaa.net/media/1580/20170222faecimpac.pdf

A fact sheet.

Original poster
cantchooseyourfamily · 07/08/2019 18:01

Thank you Angela. Before the colonoscopy he had laxatives for a day to completely clear him out so would this have still shown up?

Thanks Golightly, I'm pretty sure its not psychologocal, it doesn't hurt him at all when he goes and is so embarassed this is happening, I'm totally sure its physiological. He's never suffered with constipation at all.

OP posts:
NavyBlueHue · 07/08/2019 18:02

I’ve no experience but I know Celiac Disease can affect teeth/bones as well as fecal incontinence. It might be worth ruling out.

Original poster
cantchooseyourfamily · 07/08/2019 18:04

Thank you Navy, I thought of Celiacs but it's been ruled out (or was ruled out about 3 years ago, I wonder if it would be worth retesting?).

OP posts:
NavyBlueHue · 07/08/2019 18:05

I’d certainly ask for a retest now he’s older

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 07/08/2019 18:08

Might be a silly question but has he had blood tests? A severe vitamin D deficiency can cause bone and teeth weakness and faecal incontinence

TryThis007 · 07/08/2019 18:09

Hi, have you tried removing gluten from his diet? I’m sure you’ve had him tested for Coeliac disease and it might have come back negative but something similar happened to a friend (not for four years though). Even though the coeliac test was negative, within 24 hours of removing it the child never had a problem again. Until it was reintroduced then the accidents started again. It really did seem like that was the cause. Consult your doctor as removing gluten is quite extreme but might be worth trying as you sound desperate. Poor you and your poor DS Flowers

KingCatMeowInSpace · 07/08/2019 18:24

My 12 year old is currently going through the same thing- it's terrible and I feel so sad for him about it. I'm currently half way through keeping a 2 week diary (as instructed by doctor) - I've stopped a lot of dairy so no milk in cereal, no chocolate, butter or ice cream - he has had a bm (or 2/3) every day but all have been formed and NO soiling beforehand at all- maybe just coincidence but I'm doing it for the rest of week then seeing doctor again to discuss. The other thing we've changed is reducing his fibre intake- changed from brown bread to 50/50 bread or white bagels and not had any of his usual fibre snack bar type things.

Original poster
cantchooseyourfamily · 07/08/2019 18:52

Thank you, I will look at everything.

Kingcat so sorry your son is going through it too, really hope tyou can solve it.

OP posts:
KingCatMeowInSpace · 07/08/2019 18:57

Thanks- keep posting how you do/when u get it sorted x

Mumof1andacat · 07/08/2019 18:57

There is a excellent team of gastroenterology consultants at Southampton children's hospital. They have access to a huge wealth of knowledge including psychologists and play specialists who can look at behaviour around gastroenterology issues. All do private work too. Not sure what part of the country you are in.

shellysheridan · 07/08/2019 19:00

Op. I was thinking of coeliac disease. Worth pursuing. Also could keep a food diary

MrsMozartMkII · 07/08/2019 19:00

Could there be any damage to the nerves in his spine?

I fell of my horse and had a compression fracture to L2. Since then I can have some bathroom issues.

MrsMozartMkII · 07/08/2019 19:01

*off

NeedingAdvice29 · 07/08/2019 19:04

Sorry if it’s already been suggested on thread, but have the doctors looked at Crohn’s disease? DNiece had very similar issues, took them 3years to diagnose because it’s uncommon in young children

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