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What is going on?

4 replies

Clove42 · 10/05/2023 06:19

My son has had chronic constipation for over a year. He is under a paediatrician who keeps giving the same advice regarding the laxatives. This is despite me expressing how concerned I am. He has a lump in his stomach that moves around that the paediatrician says is the poo but this does not feel like poo. It's not even in the area you would find poo. Its next to the belly button. The constipation has not improved and its impeding my sons ability to potty train. He either has a phobia to pooing or genuinely is constipated. It is hard to tell. On top of this he won't walk anywhere when outside. If I try to get him to walk he gets so panicked and hysterical he is screaming. He says his tummy hurts if I try to get him to walk. I am at my wits end. We have just been on holiday and I have had to either carry him or put him in the buggy if what we were doing is accessible for buggies. He is 3 and a half. Life is becoming unbearable. I spend my time changing poo smeared nappies that stink and can't be left or carrying him about. He is continuously stopping to poo or hold in the poo. I'm unsure which. He sits on the floor holding his feet and looks like he is straining but he could also be holding it. When he is on the laxatives it's continuous mash Potatoes consistency. Changing him over 10 times a day as his bum gets sore. I don't know what to do or how to sort any of this.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Geminio · 10/05/2023 07:56

I have experienced a similar problem as DD2 is a poo withholder. It started when she was 18months, she is still on laxatives aged 6. She is much better now but still won’t go to the toilet until the very last minute which is infuriating but compared to what it was like it’s amazing.

I think you need to be getting his poo much softer than mashed potato constancy. What laxatives it he taking?

Rainallnight · 10/05/2023 08:00

Chronic constipation is awful. I’ve been there and I feel your pain. Some questions -

Has he had any tests, such as an ultra sound scan or a colon transit test?

Has the doctor ever put him on a disimpaction regime? This is when he would take v high doses of laxatives in order to clear him out?

Has the doctor ever prescribed a stimulant laxative such as senna or sodium pico sulphate?

Rainallnight · 10/05/2023 08:01

I meant I’ve been there with DD! Like @Geminio, my DD is 6 and still on maintenance medication but life is SO much better than it was

mc33 · 10/05/2023 09:09

Hi, I don't have kids yet, but I wanted to post as someone who has had this most of my life (28 years). I've been on laxatives since I was 6.

I would say the lump is poo. I had this for years, and I always noticed it on my left side when lying down. My doctor always said it was poo when he examined me (he could move it).
The sitting and holding his feet, is him holding it in. I did the same. For me, it was because it was a lot to pass, it hurt, and it would happen quickly. I couldn't "control" it (especially when I started using a potty/toilet). And that was the only way I could have control. (my mum always knew this was when I needed to go, but I would hide so she didn't see).
Tests revealed part of my bowel was lazy and wouldn't do it's job properly, so I always had the lump because I wasn't fully emptying my bowels when I did go.
The right treatment was found and things have massively improved.

I hope the cause and the right treatment is found for your son

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