5 year old poo accidents turned out to be a symptom of coeliacs

[alannacityofzorn]

my daughter never quite got the hang of pooing in the loo. we tried everything, praise, showing how upset it made us, reward charts, books, singing, blowing (apparently relaxes spincter muscles). In the NICE guidelines for idiopathic (no known cause) constipation it mentions ruling out coeliac disease. The first doctor said she couldn't possibly have it and sent us away with vague description of how to administer Movicol. I got stroppy at next doctors visit so he agreed for a blood test which showed she was highly positive for coeliacs.
Further testing has showed dad and sister also have it. It affects 1 in 100 of the population but most don't know. Coeliacs cant eat wheat, rye, barley or oats as they contain gluten.
Since going gluten free (1 month), she has made great progress. Before I think she couldn't feel the need to poo or wee as her stomach hurt from the food.
The movicol- I was wary of using as I didn't want her to have diarrohea at school- worked well once I understood it softened her poos not liquefied !
best of luck to others going through poo accidents, it is wearing and I hope you find some answers.

[alannacityofzorn]

It makes you wonder how many kids there are struggling and how important it is to get stropey as a parent. I only went to the doctors initially as I had been called in to see the headmistress and been told politely but firmly to get it sorted.

[notapizzaeater]

I think any child struggling with poo issues should be tested - my son was 7 when he got diagnosed and wed been sing a paed for 2 years being fobbed off and told stupid things. Only when I threw my toys out did they agree to test and lo and behold he is coeliac !