soiling underwear(long)

amother

Wed, Jun 16 2010, 4:47 pm

My dd aged 9 has had this problem starting when she was around 3 1/2. She would come home with dirty underwear, sometimes just a bit and sometimes much more. At that time, I would talk to her, get upset, and she said that she didn´t feel it. I spoke to my doctor(homeopathic) and he recommended she eat more fiber and also gave a homeopathic remedy. It wasn´t improving and when she was 5 I took her to a psychologist. After having therapy for a while, she stopped soiling. She stopped the therapy because she didn´t wan´t to continue and the psychologist didn´t think we should push her. She didn´t discover anything major. She said that it seems she doesn´t want to grow up, wants to stay "baby". The soiling had started around the birth of a sibling. l was happy that it improved.

At one point I was so frustrated with the cleaning and th smell and I did a little research on this problem and found out that it´s connected with constipation. The child doesn´t want to feel the pain of pushing hard stool so they hold it in until they can´t anymore and they leak, the soiling. They really don´t feel it coming. That helped me to react more calmly.

After her improvement, there were relapses. Never as bad as in the beginning, but she is now 9 and still sometimes soils her underwear. I want to help her. Any advice? Anyone heard of this?

bobeli

Wed, Jun 16 2010, 5:50 pm

I don't have info on this specific, but you mention constipation and that I know some about.
Prune juice works wonders! half a cup daily is enough, it takes a few hours to work so time it so she won't be in school. it tastes better very cold and for some ppl with water.
you should increase the fiber in her diet too.
hope it helps

cuties' mom

Wed, Jun 16 2010, 9:06 pm

What kind of bread do you use? What cereals if any?
My 3-year-old tends to get constipated and won't do #2 in the bathroom for that reason. (He asks for a pull-up when he needs to go.) We only use whole wheat bread, brown rice, and raisin bran for cereal. We also use whole wheat crackers. You probably won't want to try this, but whenever ds eats chocolate, he has massive diarreah. I don't think that's common though.

sneakermom

Wed, Jun 16 2010, 9:56 pm

The fact that it got better when she went for therapy makes me think it is more psychological than not. I would try to get her to go back for therapy.

If the therapist is good, and allows free expression and play it might help relax her, and allow her to work through what is causing the soiling. Good luck.

life'sgreat

Thu, Jun 17 2010, 1:37 am

Has she been checked by a pediatric gastroenterologist? How often does she still soil?

Do you live in NY, or is NY accessible to you? Check out Dr Fred Daum in Long Island. He has had success in very difficult cases with this issue. Also, you can google encopresis.

life'sgreat

Thu, Jun 17 2010, 1:41 am

Also, please don't give her prune juice if you aren't sure that constipation is her issue. It should also be given only at times when you know you'll be home and be ready to deal with the mess (and yes, it will be a mess). It is unfair to send her to school if you know she might have to use the bathroom after having taken the prune juice. Their bowel movements (if that's the issue) are rather foul smelling (way more than usual) and it can be painful for them. It should preferably be done with a specialist after they rule out any other issues.

amother

Thu, Jun 17 2010, 12:47 pm

life'sgreat wrote:

She wasn´t checked by a gastroenterologist. She´s soiling a few times a week.

I don´t live in NY. I did google encopresis in the past. It sounds like her problem.

amother

Thu, Jun 17 2010, 12:49 pm

life'sgreat wrote:

Her bowel movement smells bad and really bothers me.
What would a specialist do? What´s treatment for this?

life'sgreat

Thu, Jun 17 2010, 2:53 pm

amother wrote:

life'sgreat wrote:

She wasn´t checked by a gastroenterologist. She´s soiling a few times a week.

I don´t live in NY. I did google encopresis in the past. It sounds like her problem.

She should be. You need to rule out other stuff. I am not sure if it's possible, but google hirschprung's disease (not sure how it's spelled) as well.

A gastro will rule out any physical issues that could be creating this situation.

A few times a week is a lot for a child this age. I would suggest you try calling Dr Daum and see what he says.