our 15yr old Son cant control Bowels - Bowel Disorders Message Board

andrewjohn · 07-17-2005, 01:32 PM

our Middle son who is 15yrs old has problems controlling his bowels, This has been going on since he was abt 7, and very often (atleast 3 times a week) soils his underwear which he is finding embarazzing as Both his brothers have no problems in that way and the younger one makes things worse by telling people at school ect,
very often he gets the erdge to go but cant I think he is just lazy and i tell him of when he has an accident but that just seems to make things worse and the poor lad love sports ect but is scared to take part for this reason and he his haunted by the time when notiched he had soiled his underwaer when getting for PE and his sports teacher noticed and made a joke of it causeing the rest of the class to take the P, any ideaa on how to deal with this am i doing the right thing by telling him off/punniching him when he has a accident?

brocally · 07-17-2005, 03:10 PM

I don't think ANYONE would intentionally soil themselves and what good is punishment going to do? That would be like being punished for sneezing. Understandably, it's a frustrating and embarrassing problem, but it definitely needs to be and CAN be addressed. Do some searches on "encopresis bowel training." I'll bet with some work on getting into a good routine with the bowels, the incidents of soiling will decrease if not resolve completely.

hrtofluv · 07-18-2005, 12:57 PM

I think it's time for him to see a GI specialist (preferably a pediatric).
It is definately worth getting a referral especially to help with his social embarrassment. Punishment will NOT do any good, if he cannot control what is happening.
I'm here to answer any questions you may have regarding ped. GI appointments and tests.
Wishing you the best!

andrewjohn · 07-18-2005, 02:38 PM

thanx we will look in to getting him see a Specialist We should have done this earliar instead of asuming it was all his fault and punnishing him, it may be emazing but finding this site is helping and hopefully we can get our son problem made easiar for him
once agin thankyou

Elaine1946 · 07-18-2005, 03:14 PM

Of course it is best not to make an issue of it....but help him to clean himself up after an `accident` if needed. Please see a paediatrician as a matter of urgency. Does your son need any counselling for other reasons? Sometimes soiling can be an indicator of abuse having taken place. I do hope that you get all this sorted out as soon as possible.