Encopresis…what is it?

Ah yes, poop. But, it has to be talked about.

Encopresis is actually a long standing problem developed from constipation. A child who has chronic constipation will often not completely empty themselves and the large intestine will start to stretch, allowing stool to “leak” around the hard, formed, stool in the colon. The first sign of encopresis is usually stained underwear but most parents assume the child is not wiping well.

How do you treat encopresis?

Well, you first need to have it diagnosed by a doctor…then you need to treat it by emptying the intestines. Like constipation, laxatives are the best bet when it comes to developing good habits in children who have chronic problems.

We use MiraLax on a daily basis, supplement Phillips’ Concentrated Milk of Magnesia when things get slow, and if we really need it we add in a Fleet Enema Pediatric For Children. And trust me, we have had to succumb to the enema several times (and we use high fiber foods as much as we can on his limited diet).

Mighty Miralax

It’s an uncomfortable conversation, especially if we are talking about ourselves. But when we are talking about our children it should never be something that is ignored or shoved under the rug because you’re scared to talk about it.

Constipation.

There…I said it.

We dealt with it for so long and had such issues with it that we have been “forced” to use Miralax on a daily basis for a year and a half. There is much controversy over this we know that AJ’s initial experience with potty training, his diet in the orphanage, and his GI issues are the cause of his constipation and we physically needs the medication.

AJ drank soy formula instead of milk formula, which is typically fine but children who are nursed are typically more regular. He was fed solid foods of oatmeal, bananas, low fiber breads, regular milk, kefir (yogurt), stews, and cookies. He is allergic to oats and bananas and is lactose intolerant due to an insufficient lactate enzyme.

He was also potty trained when he was one. He was not walking yet but every two hours he sat on the potty and went. If he did not go and had an accident we believe he sat until someone came to get him and take care of him (this is a big issue with him now…he constantly repeats “I’ll take care of you” and “I’ll come get you”, two things that I say to him).

Now, would you start to hold it instead of sit in it? I would.

This causes an extended bowel. To treat it we have to shrink his bowel back to normal size by forcing him to go at a consistent rate…ie: everyday.

After using Milk of Magnesia for about a month with little success our Pediatric GI prescribed Miralax. It worked within two days and AJ, for the first time in months, was a happy camper.

He is still on the medication because each time we try to lower the dosage and take him off he becomes constipated again, a sign that he is not ready to come off. We still keep him on a high fiber diet…peas, flax seed, pears, strawberries, etc. Because of his GF/CF diet it is difficult to find appropriate fiber for him but we do. Flax seed can be added to any bread mix as an additional fiber source.

Miralax has become an over-the-counter medication in the last few months but if your insurance covers it for medical reasons you can still get it through the pharmacy.