sudden floater

Dottie asks: My 11 year old son has destroyed countless number of underware because he will not poop when he has to. He will only go at home if we threaten him or tell him he will get icecream if he goes! He says that he is board. He doesn't want to miss his favorite tv show. Or I don't have to poop everyday!!! His underware tells me diffrent.His belly usually is hard and sticking out. We have tries to use laxatives or stool softner. When he does poop its much to large to come out of my kid! I tell him he will get sick by not pooping. Is this a phase?? or will he really get sick??

Dear Ed,

I wrote a short piece on Floaters vs. Sinkers some time ago. It's around here somewhere [1].

But--if you have all of a sudden started producing floaters, take a look at your diet. Have you changed eating habits drastically lately? Are the floaters diarrhea-ish, or just floating logs?

(Look at how low I have sunk--asking strangers about whether their poop floats or not--don't mind this depressive ramble, I'll be ok in a second).

If it is just some floating logs, with no other symptoms, I wouldn't worry too much. But if it becomes loose, accompanied by excessive gas, pain, bleeding or other alarming symptoms, do go to the doctor, ok?

Good luck.

Please be advised that I am only a Poonurse. I am NOT a medical doctor. Any advice I give should be taken moderate skepticism. Please consult a REAL medical doctor if you feel you have a serious medical condition.

-- Poonurse [2]

Poonurse is an RN with 25 years experience in labor and delivery. Her qualifications include seeing a lot of poop, and owning a computer. Also, she works in Michigan, which she calls the asshole of the universe, so that's another bit of credibility. Got a question [3] for her?