Children’s continence problems. Please help!

[User14789011]

My 5yo has been dry through the day since he was 2, hardly any accidents at nursery. He’s in reception now and last term he started having occasional accidents. This has escalated. He’s now coming home from school wet every single day. He’s had 3 accidents this evening, including 1 poo.
There’s no UTI, he’s been referred to the children’s continence service but I assume there will be an 18 week wait and I really need some help now. Is it possible to pay to see a continence nurse privately?
Can anyone give any advice on what to do while we wait for the referral?

Have you studied the ERIC website and googled the poo nurses?
These are the best sources of information IMO.

No. I had never heard of either. Have just googled. Thank you!

You are welcome.
You may find you get some really good ideas there.
Sometimes GPs are not really up to speed with continence issues and things may get worse before you get to your appointment.
Good luck.

One thought (DS had problems bed wetting so we used eneursis clinc) wetting can be due to constipation, and poo accidents can be "overflow" diarrhea around constipation

Constipation, first thing they will check. Can cause wee accidents and then poo accidents, they can be constipated and still be passing bowel movements- its about frequency, type etc - look up bristol stool chart , and you can also google children's continence care pathways

the gp recommended monitoring his poo but he goes 1-3 times a day and it was 4, 5 or 6 on the Bristol chart. But he avoids the toilet, sometimes does really big poos and obviously the soiling. I think these are signs of constipation (from what I’ve just read on the Eric website) but can he be constipated if he’s pooing regularly and normally?

The soft poo may be getting round a blockage.

Yes he might be constipated still unfortunately. In my experience gps aren't great at identifying chronic constipation



This might hive you more help / info too

https://www.bristolccg.nhs.uk/media/medialibrary/2015/09/FOI14155257ModellofContinenceeChildrenFINALLAugust_2010.pdf

Another bet for him being constipated. There's only space inside his rectum to hold those really big poos if it's been stretched up by him being constipated. Please go back, and ask about being treated for constipation. Because in 18 weeks he could get a lot more constipated, and thus take a lot longer to turn things round.

While you wait you could try to give him lactulose, daily. You can get OTC. It's vile levels of sweet though.

Movicol is much better than lactulose.

Movicol is better yes, but you need a prescription. Lactulose is OTC so could be used whilst she waits for her appointment.