Potty Issues

[peglem]

The only meds my dd is on are prophylatic Azith (started 30 days ago), Ibuprofen & Benadryl. We have been dealing with the poop issues since 2006. I don't think I've had a break from wiping her since she was born. We have tried every reward known to mankind. They may work for about a week or two and then she is no longer interested in them.

 

The peeing accidents have just started in the last two weeks. She had another one last night when she was with her Dad. They were at a park, she told him she needed to go, they walked about 100 yards to the bathroom but she had already had an accident.

 

I've asked her several times why she goes #2 in her pants and recently she told me that her brain doesn't tell her when she needs to go. When asked about the #1 accidents she has said that she doesn't make it the bathroom in time.

I wonder if it would help to put her on a potty schedule? My oldest daughter had a lot of problems (and she was not PANDAS) with not getting the "urge" in time to make it to the bathroom. My other thought is that this could be related to PANDAS in a sensory way, where the signals from the body (ie full bladder, rectal pressure) are not being properly received or translated by the brain.

[dcmom]

My daughter has struggled with constipation (and occasional poop accidents- because of this), since she was in diapers. We have gotten that under control with age, and occasional miralax. Since she has started the antibiotics, things in that dept have improved a bit (don't know if that is related, watching carefully for yeast issues and using probiotics and/or kefir). I felt that was a physical problem, that then brought about reinforcing behavoirs.

 

Regarding the urination issues, I wish I understood the causes. Is it a physical manifestation of pandas, or neurological? My daughter was always afraid she wasn't dry after urinating- she was. But the funny thing is, when she had an accident, she wouldn't be as concerned about it.

 

My daughter would refuse to use the toilet (out of fear and stress), but she could hold it forever. (On her worst day, the first time she used the potty was 3:30)_If yours will try for you- I agree to making her go frequently/ on a schedule. Holding it ends up turning into a pattern, unfortunately, but you will break it. Time, understanding and patience is the key (I know, easier said than done).

 

I really feel for you, because these toileting issues were my dd's most difficult. Do you feel her other pandas symptoms are under control? My dd's rages and separation anxiety, and sensory issues faded along with the bathroom issues. Have you done, or considered a steroid burst?

 

Does your daughter see a psychologist? Mine was very helpful.

[ShaesMom]

DCMOM

 

I don't know whether it is a physical or neurological manifestation. If it is an anxiety issue she is definitely not telling me her concerns.

 

I've talked to her Ped about possible yeast issues since the peeing is a new issue since starting the proph. abx but she just completely dismisses the idea that she can have a yeast infection because of her age (to young for a yeast infection according to her). My daughter has a full blown dairy allergy so Kefir is out. I read something on this forum about I believe coconut kefir but because of her allergy and now the food issues from PANDAS she has severe temper tantrums every time we try to get her to eat something new. She also absolutely refuses to eat anything that doesn't taste good and from what I've read the Kefir does not taste good. I give her probiotic soy yogurt whenever I can but that is always a challenge as well.

 

I've recently tried getting her to go on a regular schedule and all it has done is cause her more stress and temper tantrums. She is probably 80-85% recovered from her recent episode but I'm concerned about the remaining behaviors being her new baseline.

 

Through the years various doctors have put her on daily Miralax for extended periods of time. Personally, I hate the stuff and so does she. You can find another forum on Yahoo developed by parents who believe that Miralax has poisoned their children. The main ingredient is the same as that used for antifreeze only it has been chemically altered. My dd also experienced some symptoms from the Miralax (short term memory loss, transculent skin, tummy aches). Other parents believe it caused autism and tics in their children. Which is very interesting if you think about it because a lot of the symptoms are similar to PANDAS. It has made me wonder on occasion if some of those kids don't actually have PANDAS with the constipation being the first symptom as was our case. I've thought about posting our experiences on Yahoo but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

Steriod burst was recommended by Dr K on June 10th. Our Ped has been on vacation so I haven't had a chance to speak with her about it yet. Also, we are still exploring the possiblity of immune system issues with her Allergy/Immunologist. We have an appt on Thursday so I will speak with him about the steriod burst as well. Their office here in town does IVIG so he is helping us determine if something else is going on so we can get insurance to pay for the IVIG. So far he has seemed open to doing the IVIG but that could change based on her latest blood work results (still waiting on those).

 

No, we haven't been to see a psychologist yet.