Please help, My 8yr old son is incontinent

patchwork_cat

You need a referral to a specialist. I did discover a website dealing with this, but unfortunatley I can't find it now. http://www.continence-uk.com/essentials_2008/Continence_Essentials_2008_Childhood_Faecal_Incontinence.pdf Google encopresis children.

Alleycat

It might still be worth getting one the pants just to see what he thinks as at first my daughter was adamant that she would not wear them, especially after she had seen the samples disposable ones from tena. But these are amazingly discreet and slimline and I would assume with the ones for soiling they would hardly need to have any padding at all as they do not need to soak up any quantity of liquid.

WestonDave

Not a medical opinion, but is it worth seeing if a specialist or a physio can suggest the relevant equivalent to pelvic floor type exercises to try and strengthen the relevant muscles. If he had a bit more strength there, it might be enough to buy him some time - even something simple like if he makes it to the toilet and is ready to "go", he then tries to hold it for the count of five (maybe increasing if he starts finding that easier) before letting it out. I'd be wanting to keep that under sensible limits for fear of bringing the constipation back in by "ignoring the urge" but it might be worth a try or at least discussing with the medics.

pinkclouds

Alleycat wrote: »

Here's the link to the boys ones http://www.pshealthcare.co.uk/incontinence/index.asp?section=boys_incontinence_products_43

No experience of this, sorry. It must be really distressing for the poor lad.

I have to say the underpants in the link above look pretty much like regular pants to me. Or, if you wanted disposables, would he consider the Pampers UnderJams? As they are for older kids, you can clearly see pictures of older kids on the packets so it might be reassuring that similar ages wear them?

I don't know if this is a daft suggestion but has he tried to form a habit? I mean by going to the toilet every hour or every two hours and just sitting there for 5 minutes. If he doesn't "go" then it's no problem and it's him in control, rather than waiting for an accident. And also it's more toilet visits that are "successful" (even if nothing comes out) than fewer toilet trips with a higher percentage of "failure". Would that help with the esteem boosting?

((hugs)) to both of you.

sock-knitter

no advice to offer, but just wanted to add, one of my sons had the same problem, and would soil even in high school, he grew out of it aged around 13