Holding poo sorry might be TMI!

[CormacksGirl]

Hi guys I haven't posted in here before, but I really need some advice!

My five year old son was diagnosed with autism back in Dec 2019! He was fully potty trained by the age of three, he would pee and poo in the toilet no problem! Then he went through a stage of holding his poo when he was at nursery which resulted in messy underwear and the occasionally major accident mostly whilst sleeping ( due to his body being relaxed) it resolved itself during the first lockdown and he started school with no problems! However since going back to school in March this year the problems have began again, resulting in numerous changes of underwear a day at school and at home!

Any one any ideas how to help him I'm fed up of washing underwear and bedding!

 

[Bevziibubble]

my daughter went through exactly the same. She would hold it in for up to ten days at a time and would then be in so much pain. It took over her life. When it did come out it would be huge and would hurt, so that would scare her from doing a poo when she got the urge next time. Maybe your son is scared of the pain.
My daughter used to leak poop when she had been holding it in for ages and we had so many underwear changes.
The doctor prescribed Movicol in case she was constipated. It helped a bit but mainly it just made her work harder to hold the poo in.
We got referred to a paediatrician who came out to the house to do occupational therapy with her about the importance of letting poo out, read stories about it and make it seem a positive experience. It helped in the end but I think age was the thing that helped in the end because she understood the more she held it in the worse it would be when it did come out.
It's horrible and she went through it for years. I hope your son is better soon

 

[CormacksGirl]

my daughter went through exactly the same. She would hold it in for up to ten days at a time and would then be in so much pain. It took over her life. When it did come out it would be huge and would hurt, so that would scare her from doing a poo when she got the urge next time. Maybe your son is scared of the pain.
My daughter used to leak poop when she had been holding it in for ages and we had so many underwear changes.
The doctor prescribed Movicol in case she was constipated. It helped a bit but mainly it just made her work harder to hold the poo in.
We got referred to a paediatrician who came out to the house to do occupational therapy with her about the importance of letting poo out, read stories about it and make it seem a positive experience. It helped in the end but I think age was the thing that helped in the end because she understood the more she held it in the worse it would be when it did come out.
It's horrible and she went through it for years. I hope your son is better soon

Thank you for replying!

 

[DobbyForever]

Ditto! My doctor has me giving him miralax. It’s been tough finding the right dose, and we’re still struggling. but it is less of a fight