Err...... school AGAIN!! Not sure if Im reading too much into it AGAIN

[jampots]

Ds suffers from very bad constipation and every so often we have to medicate him to get it going (usually done during school holidays etc) so misses little time from school. However, it became apparent a couple of weeks ago that it really needed doing again and couldnt wait until summer hols so 2 weeks ago he missed a whole week from school whilst he was tried with some new medication (Movicol) in place of the very aggresive Picolax. Well expecting a reasonable result (and having to give him a dose every 1-1.5 hours) he stayed off school and saw the GP on the Monday and on the Friday. By the Monday still nothing but his backside started to leak poo (not nice) so once again had to miss the start of another week and I stopped giving Movicol (agreed with GP). By the Wednesday it had pretty much stopped and we saw GP again who examined him and confirmed the impaction was still there so prescribed suppositories (nice!) Anyway desperate to go back to school and give his backside a rest, he returned on Thursday and Friday (on the agreement that Friday evening we start again). So back at school yesterday and last night his backside had become slushy again so off today.

Well I spoke with the school nurse yesterday morning and explained where we were with the poo situation etc. Well this evening she rang me and asked if ds had been to school today and was very adamant he see a doctor today or tomorrow. Now this sounds very nice of her but she actually saw him at school yesterday and had no reason to think he wasnt there today UNLESS the school contacted her or worse (which is genuinely going through my mind) the Education Welfare people. I have kept them informed of the situation throughout without divulging too much detail to save my ds's embarrassment (plus I feel its much the same as telling a docs receptionist what you want to see the doctor about). So what I want to know is:

(a) do they have a duty to inform the authorities if a child has been absent for more than x number of days per year without informing hte parent?

(b) will it be documented on my ds's school record?

(c) can I see my ds's school record to see what they've actually said?

[nannyjo]

sorry not got any answers for you but just wanted to say poor your DS. must be not nice at all for him. how old is he? is it something that should right itself with age do you know? Did he have it as a baby?

We struggle with our DS (still a baby at mo) and he's gone through the whole various medicines and suppositries line. not nice to see them go through it.

[bee3]

LEAs and schools are really hot on monitoring absences these days - they usually have to publish statisical information and have targets for reducing them. Although I would have thought that it is usually unauthorised absences, I wouldn't be surprised if the school also worries about frequent medical absences as well, so I expect they are checking up, just to be sure.Educational Welfare Officers check registers and will ask after any longer term, or frequent, absences (they do in Primaries anyway). To answer your questions
a) I'm not sure (not helpful, sorry)
b) Yes it will be documented - all children's attendance is.
c) I would have thought that with the current new laws then, yes, you shoudl be able to view any information kept on your child, if you request in writing

I wouldn't worry too much. I'd say the next course of action is to phone the school, say you're concerned about the nurse phoning in that you felt that maybe his absences were being questioned, and could you speak to whoever is in charge just to explain exactly what has been happening. They should be understanding.

Your poor boy . Hope he's feeling better.

[starlover]

jampots... have you had him tested for food intolerances? my cousin was exactly the same for a long time... impactions leading to laxatives leading to leaking poo

found out she is intolerant to gluten and dairy, so cut it out of her diet and she is fine now!

[jampots]

hi nannyjo - he's always suffered from severe constipation and he's nearly 9! so pretty horrid really. Am really worried that the school may be reading more into it even though there is medical backup!

[jampots]

no I havent Starlover yet Ive been tested myself - so really shouldnt have overlooked it How long did it take your cousin to right herself? I had my intolerances tested via kinesiology but I know not everyone agrees with that

[happymerryberries]

Yes ( I think), yes and yes.

That said the school I work in would contact the parent long before they contacted the EWO

Sympathy re the constipation dd had it, bloody grim!

I wouldn't have though that the nurse would have been contacted by the EWO, probably more likely that she is just concerned for your ds

[starlover]

it was literally less than a fortnight jampots! it was an amazing turnaround. she'd got to the point you had with having to have time off school, and she was also being bullied for pooing herself... she kept saying she couldn't help it but no-one believed her til it was discovered that she was getting these impactions and it was all just coming out round the edges! yuck.
she also used to wet herself a lot.

definitely worth trying!

[KatyMac]

I suffer from constipation quite regularily, and I have found reflexology helps (the symptoms not the cause) ie it gets things moving

[jampots]

my friend tried reflexology on ds but with no real results (admittedly only one session) may be worth keeping up with though.

Starlover - sounds very interesting. Would you mind if I CAT'd you or MSN'ed you?

[starlover]

sure go for it jampots!

[KatyMac]

Apparently on long term sufferers (esp children) they are teaching hand reflexology and pressure point to keep things moving - it certainly works for me (but I have reflexology each fortnight and know how to use the pressure points)

[jampots]

Katy - will ask about hand reflexology and sounds like it could be an important aid for maintenance!

Starlover - have CAT'd you!

[angelkiss]

jampots have you also tried massage, probably along with the reflexology? i think it'll have to be on a regular basis and obviously won't cure the problem but it should help relieve the symptoms. if you want some massage strokes to do then post again and tell me how to email you.

ps my reflexology teacher swears by rolling your foot on a golf ball to get the bowels moving...never tried it myself but you never know.

Also if you believe kineasiology (sp?) works don't worry about what others say

also (sorry, keep thinking of things) there are quite a few yoga moves which are good for constipation and quite a few books & videos of children's yoga around...just something else that may be worth a try, as the poor chap must be in a lot of pain...horrid