4 Year Old Son Refuses to Poop

[Hunters_mommy29]

I read some of the other questions, but think this is a little different.
After an incident at daycare that is still unclear, my son now refuses to poop after being fully potty trained for about 6 months.  We know that he went in his pants and some comments were made such as "That's icky.  That's gross."  He will let a little slip and then hold off--causing him to need multiple underwear changes throughout the day.  He has now started going in his sleep.  I have watched him and he is truly unconcsious while pooping.  He doesn't even wake up when his pants get changed.  To make matters worse, he is also refusing to eat anything but bread and butter, apple juice and milk.  We have tried suppositories, laxatives, bribery, and nothing seems to be working.  Please help.  He is not the same child.  All of his energy is spent on holding in his bowel movements, so he refuses to play.  He only takes part in sedentary activities so he can control himself.  When I ask him why he won't go, he has told me everything to that his tummy hurts to he is scared.
We have been encouraging him and asking him every day if "today is the day?".  He always says yes.  Lately, he has begun ignoring us any time we bring it up.  I have not made a big deal out of him going in his sleep.  I am just happy that he is going at all at this point.  What can we do to help get him back on track?  Thank you!!!

[Hunters_mommy29]

Follow up.  After reading everyone's comments Friday, I immediately made my sone an appointment to see the doctor.  He had an impacted bowel.  The doctor said they generally see 3-4 kids a month in the same condition.  It is usually when they start school or change day cares.  Anyway, he was given half of a fleet enema and it has worked like a charm.  The doctor told us to give him 1-2 tsp. of a stool softener daily to keep it soft so he can go easily. If he goes 2 days without a BM, we are to give him a suppository, if he goes 3 days, he is to get half of a Fleet enema.  All the while, he gets a "Good Job" sticker on the calendar for every times he poops on the potty.  He has been going on his own all weekend and is back to his old self again.
I wanted to post what the doctor told us for anyone else that may be going through this.  The enema wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  He handled it very well.  And it was all worth it to have him back to normal again.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions.

[jewlz]

My daughter also began refusing to poop when she began preschool at 3 and she had an accident and some kids commented.  She started holding it in and it resulted in anal fissures that were painful so she didn't want to go.  We dealt with it for a few years with doctors prescribing Kondromul and laxatives, then I met a nurse who worked in a pediatritions office and she told me it sounded like she had classic signs of a milk allergy and not to give her milk for two weeks and see what happens.. All along I thought it was due to the accident in school, but sure enough, it was the milk.  I gave her chocolate soy milk.  She thought it was reg milk.  Her stools became softer and much easier to pass.  She is 8 now and I limit the milk she drinks to what she gets on her tray at school, and it's gotten soo much better.  She spent years in pain with bad tummy aches due to her constipation, and didn't want to go on playdates.  On the few occasions she drank too much milk without telling me, I've had to give her Milk of Magnesium per request of a new doctor, that seems to work well for those occasional times.  I definitely can relate to how you feel for your son on this issue.  Good luck to you.  Things will improve.

[cutemomof42003]

I have 4 children. I have used a small 4 ounce bulb enema when mine get constipated or won't poop. It was suggested instead of using laxatives or supositories. It gets instant results each time.
The solution is just distilled water ( 2 teaspoons of table salt to 1 quart of warm distilled water ) Should be held for about 5 minutes to be real effective.

[cutemomof42003]

I am a mom of 4 and really suggest the use of a small bulb enema instead of suppositories or laxatives. I received good information from a web site called doctorscotts. This was a few years back as I had a son with encopresis ( which is a functional constipation problem ) where a constant soiling of his pants everyday was the issue.
The enema is effective and instant. You can make up the solution at home. 9 two twaspoons of table salt to 1 quart warkm distilled water. I found no problem with giving this enema at age 5. This is just my opinion and something that has worked well for us.

[cutemomof42003]

My last post should have read 2 teaspoons of table salt to 1 quart of warm distilled water. Sorry I was tired when I wrote it.

[KaitMood]

I am in a similar situation! My son will only poop with an enema an then seems regular for a few days, and then holds in for several more. He doesn't show any discomfort or pain (except sometimes whit the enema) but then he refuses to poop because he is afraid it will hurt. His doctor gave me a prescription for a laxative and he has not went since he started taking it. He also takes mineral oil to help soften it. Is there anything else I can do??? Help!!!!