does my 10 year old poo herself because of her underactive theriod or ADD related

[KELSBELS79]

I have a 10 year old daughter who constantly poos herself numerous times a day. She suffers from ADD and underactive thyroid and was wondering if these reasons are why she does it. When she's had "an accident", she says she didn't know she had done it. My husband and I are at our witts end tbh,. She does it at school and we are worried incase she gets bullied. Any help is very much needed. Many thanks in advance.

[mammo]

I think the first thing I would do is take her to see a Pediatric GI doctor to make sure there isn't something physically wrong.  Her sphincter may be too loose and the stool just flows out.  Rule out physical problems first and then move on to the other.  The longer this continues the more it will hurt her self esteem.

[specialmom]

I heard a radio program about this and they mentioned metamucyl as very helpful so may be something to look into for him.  How is it going?

[Sandman2]

Oh, I feel for you and her.  This is a tough situation.   Ya, ADD can contribute to the problem cause kids with it and tend to hyperfocus on what they are doing until its to late.  And, of course, being impulsive, can be a factor.  But, I don't think these are the problems here.   However, just having ADD and being on medication for that (is she) can lead to diet problems which can lead to constipation which can lead to encropresis.   This is a really good link to information on encropresis.  It probably has more information then you need, but it covers it all.  The link is .... https://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/November02/LoeningBauckeArticle.pdf

   and this is a fantastic link to explain all of this to your child.  And it is an easier read then the above.....  http://www.dulwichcentre.com.au/beating-sneaky-poo-1.pdf
  
  The thing about encropresis is that it will not "sort itself out" for a period of time and she needs help during that time.  It also is a bit weird to me that she alternates between constipation and the runs.  And yes, it does take awhile for ones system to adapt....but how long has she been on this medicine?

   I am super glad to hear the school has been supportive.  Many times, the refusal of the teacher to let the child go to the bathroom during class time is a contributing factor to all of this.  It is super important that she is able to go at any time during the school hour!

  And finally, I don't know how long you have had to deal with this and how long she has been on medication....it does make a difference.   However, if the only medical help you are getting is from a gp...it might be time to see a specialist.  Hope this helps.  keep us informed as to what happens.  Best wishes.

[KELSBELS79]

Hi Sandman, Jess is under consultants for both her add and theriod problem. Her sad & I have request that things are looked into again but with the same response: keep giving her the medication and she'll be fine. Can we demand that a scan be down on her bowels? We've been going through this for about 3 years more or less. The information links you sent were fab, thank you for that!!!! Really don't know what or where to go from here.

[specialmom]

Oh, that's so hard.  Sandman will be here soon to talk about ADD I am sure.  Have you talked to her doctor about it?  There is something called encropresis. It's a condition that kids can have involving constipation and hard stools.  Basically, because they often have a hard time going so there is often 'something' there, they lose the signal to get up and go.  The colon is often filled with stool and the nerve endings get dull.  Kids literally don't know when they will 'really' go or not.  I would talk to her doctor about that.  My son drinks a cup of grape juice a day which helps his bowel movements be more regular. It also softens the stool. We got this recommendation when at the hospital when he had an impacted bowel where his colon was so 'full' it was acting like a bowel blockage.  Good times.  

Anyway, talk to her doctor about this.

My son also has sensory integration disorder. Many kids with add also have this.  This involves the brains messaging system with the body.  So, night time wetting is common with kids who have this, etc. because they don't send the right message or weak messages to wake a child up, get them to the bathroom in time, etc. Kids with sensory integration are often 'quirky' kids with intolerance of certain textures of food, clothing bothers them like seams in socks or tags on collars, have some emotional regulation issues, etc.  Occupational therapy helped us a lot.  But even if you just identify that she might have that issue, doing things like a regular exercise plan involving 'heavy work' which I can explain to you if you would like will help.

Lastly, thyroid issues CAN affect bowel movements. Constipation is common and constipation can again lead to issues of knowing when you really have to go.

So, I'd circle up with her doctor to work on a plan. good luck

[specialmom]

And also, I do totally agree with you that working on this is really important.  I would hate for anyone to be nasty to her and we all know kids can be cruel.  So, this is essential.  I would not hesitate to bring the school in for help too or if you have a bathroom plan of when she goes, make the school adhere to the schedule. Let me know how it goes!

[KELSBELS79]

Aww firstly can I say thank you for your answer and advice. The school are aware of her little problem and are fantastic. She is on medication to help with constipation but the problem goes from 1 thing to another. Another words she is either blocked up or has the runs!!!! We have asked and asked her consultant, gp and add consultant foe help but keep being told the same thing, keep giving her the medicine and it'll sort it's self out!!!!! Really worried about her but getting nowhere with doctors and consultants not listening to us.