I feel so helpless I'm not sure what to do. My dd is4 and had problems with constipation to the point where she started going in her pants a few months ago. The doctor told me about encompressis(sp?) it wasn't a behavioral issue, no blood in stool and to change her diet, laxative occassionally.It was then an on again off again problem. A few weeks later she started wetting her pants all the time and I thought maybe she had a bladder infection. The dr. said it was probably due to constipation, (negative for bladder infection) and gave me a presciption stool softener and that made her just leak out into her clothes and made the problem worse. The research I've done so far hasn't yielded any results and now the dr. won't be back until monday. I feel so bad for her and she is so embarrassed. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I quit giving her the prescpription in case it was too much but its still a problem.Do you know of a good medical question site? Any help is greatly appreciated.

By Emily7 on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

I like this site Kids Health

I have no advice, hopefully this site will offer you something.

By Kate on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 04:05 pm:

Did he give her Miralax? Or Glycol (generic Miralax)? Just halve the dosage if she's leaking. A teaspoon or two of Milk of Magnesia works, too. It sounds like she really does need something, though; I wouldn't stop giving her anything at all cold turkey like that. She might get so backed up you'll need an enema.

Also, if she's leaking so much, it may not be that the prescription dose is too high, but that she's still constipated and the NEW stool that is formed daily is getting softened and leaking out around the old, compacted stool. Classic encopresis. Actually, it sounds like she might need an enema right now, to clear her out...Miralax really doesn't tend to turn it to liquid...

My advice would be the enema (you can buy pediatric ones, just ask the pharmacy if you can't find one) and keep on with the prescription. The more I think about it the more it sounds like she has old stool in there that won't budge. You need to get that out so she can go potty like normal.

Good luck.

By Debbie on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 05:48 pm:

My ds suffered from encopresis. I agree with Kate, if your dd is not cleaned out, she will leak. Did your doctor do a cleanout?? They have children's enemas that you can use. It will get her completely cleaned out and then you can start the maintance medication. What medication were you given? My ds was on Miralax. He needed a full dose in the beginning. But, after awhile it was too strong and we gradually lowered the dose.

By Rayelle on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:52 pm:

Yes it is Miralax. I think today some old stool may have finally budged. I'm going to give her less of the Miralax than what I did. The doctor didn't do a clean out, but she said she could feel where she was constipated. I worry also about her not really feeling the need to go since bm's haven't been normal for her for a while and I've read that could happen. I hope it's better soon I feel so bad for her having to go through this. Thanks for the advice.

By Lauram on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 07:30 pm:

We're dealing with this right now with our three year old. Not fun....

By Amecmom on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 08:53 pm:

Rayelle, have you tried adding more fiber to her diet? I give my son a combination of Bebefiber, prune juice apple juice and water every morning. I've also started giving him only whole grains (nutrigrain waffles, whole grain bread). When that's not enough, I give him a little Kondremul a few times a day. He seems to be just right, now.
Good luck with her. This is not easy.
Ame

By Hollydollyc on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 05:21 pm:

We have dealt with this problem with our 4 yr old daughter for a long time. She finally seems to be doing better. It just took a while to figure out the right dose of Miralax for her. I usually give her a half dose every other day and this seems to help. Alot of her problem was that it would hurt to go so she would hold it then get constipated so it would hurt...She finally seems to be doing much better.

By Frasersmama on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 01:05 pm:

I don't know a lot about miralax, but if it is a stimulant laxative, you need to be very careful about regular use (like every other day) Chronic use of stimulant laxatives can lead to a decrease in normal peristalsis so the user becomes dependent on laxatives. It is fine for occasional use, but you definately need to do more investigation on why your child is chronically constipated (which it sounds like you are doing) and ensure they are getting enough fluids and bulk fibre in their diet, and maybe some relaxation and toileting habits so BMs don't become infrequent and painful.

By Debbie on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 02:02 pm:

Miralax is not a stimulant laxative, neither is Milk of Magnesia. My ds was on Miralax for 2 years and M.O.M. for a year. Just last year we weaned him off all medication. He is fine now.

Yes, it is good to find out if there is a physical problem behind the constipation. With my ds it had nothing to do with physical problems. He became constipated on our first vacation after potty training. He didn't want to go anywhere but home. He then started a cycle of withholding because he was scared that it would hurt. My ds also seemed to withhold as a control issue when he felt things were out of control around him.

Rayelle, how is your dd doing now?