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Behaviour/development

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Painful poos

2 replies

parched · 18/06/2012 13:14

DS is 2.6 and is writhing in agony every time he does a poo. It all started 4 weeks ago when he was ill and didn't eat for a few days. After he was better he did an enormous poo which I think hurt him and we're now in a vicious cycle of him holding the poo in because he thinks it will hurt. He's been having Lactulose for the past 3 weeks and his poos are soft, so he's not constipated.

When he gets the urge he tenses up, writhes around, starts crying (today he's been almost screaming) and finally passes a tiny poo. When I change his nappy I can see that he hasn't completely emptied his bowels and half an hour later we go through the same thing again. I've been trying to explain that if he does a big poo he'll feel better, but he's just relieving the immediate pressure.

I'm getting really stressed and it's horrible to see him in pain. I don't know whether to take him to our GP (who is usually very dissmissive) since it seems to be a behaviourial thing rather than medical. Is this a phase that will pass or should I be seeking professional help? :(

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TheSmallPrint · 18/06/2012 16:08

My 4yo son had this, I think he got a fissure when he did a big poo and then would tense up and cry and hold the poos in. Then he would become constipated which would make it all worse.

I gave him some lactulose (very small amount) just to try and help get things moving and would try distraction techniques such as playig with his toys, cuddling him (bit awkward on the loo) and eventually letting him play on the DS which, while not very hygenic, was sucessful!

Maybe try the lactulose BUT don't over do it and if things don't improve then see the GP - it really is a common problem.

Good luck.

TheSmallPrint · 18/06/2012 16:08

Sorry I totally missed the lactulose bit!! Blush

Try the toys and games?

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