I need some help with something......

[lucy]

So, my oldest is having poop problems- He's holding it in. Its like he doesn't want to go....
Now he needs to go and I think he's scared to. I'm trying to talk to him and see if something is bothering him or why else this could be going on, but he's not talking to me. My husband is able to get him to talk more, so I'm getting him to talk to him but until that can happen, I'm just so upset over this....

Have any of you had this situation? How was it resolved? I'm just so worried about my son.
I've talked to his Dr. - she basically told me to give him milk of magnesia if he hasn't gone for a couple of days- I've done that....other than that, the dr hasn't given me anything other than that.....

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Lucy

[Amanda]

Hi Lucy,

TMI- but I had similar problems when I was a kid. Not to alarm, but this can become quite serious. You have probably already tried, but try talking to him about it. You could get a picture of the inner anatomy or one of those plastic hollow "dolls" with the colored innards (do you know what I mean?) and show him how things work- that food goes in here, is changed/absorbed here, turned into energy to move, talk, etc. and let him know that it is natural, the way we are all made.... and that the poop is the waste/yucky parts that our bodies can't use for anything, and it needs to get out of our bodies. Tell hin how it will get backed up into other parts if he doesn't get it out. The milk of mag may work just to get it out of him. It may be that it hurts him because he is not getting enough water. You could try doing some sort of sticker/incentive program to get him to drink more. The more he holds it in, the more it hurts to get it out- so depending on his age, you may need to explain it to him. I would also recommend using fleet suppositories to help and/or enemas. The suppositories just lubricate the area, so it doesn't hurt so much. The enemas will get it out, but are kind of intense for younger kids,

All of this really depends on his age, I should have found that out first. The book, "Everybody Poops" is a good way to open the talking with him, too. Maybe try reading it with him if he still is not talking. You can find it at any bookstore.

I hope that this helps.