Bowel incontinence in 5 year old without constipation.

[lenoxs]

My 5 year old son has recently, over about the past 6 weeks, started pooping in his pants. I took him to the pediatrician, who thought it may be Encoperesis. So, we started Miralax daily. After 4 days, he continued to have these small accidents, never a large amount of stool. So, last evening, I have him a pediatric enema. The result was a medium amt of soft stool. I did not note ANY hard or dry stool. It was not difficult for him to pass at all. I'm wondering if maybe I should be giving him something to bulk up his stools instead of something to soften them? Thanks.

[AnnieBrooke]

If he has any impacted stool up higher that the rest of it is just sliding around and out, giving him something to bulk up his stools is not a good idea.

Some kids who have encopresis need to be on a stool-softener for as long as a year.  Please see if you can find the March, 2010 Parents Magazine, there is an excellent article in it called "When Your Child Just Can't Go" written by a doctor about his son and the battle to heal him after impacted bowel and encopresis.  You might be able to find a copy at the library.  It is really a useful article.

I would not change what the doctor told you to do, especially after only 4 days.  

[margypops]

I agree that bulk would be better , and save the discomfort of an enema ,have you tried the probiotics they make good ones for children now that help to regulate them, maybe with some cereal .