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Children's health

DD may be put on movecol. Are anyone elses DC on it too?

13 replies

used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:12

She has struggled with constipation for over a year and is 23mo. The GP initially said she won't prescribe it as DD has a condition which affects potassium and salt levels and becuase of some of the ingredients she was concerned. Just had a letter from DD's endocrinologist saying its ok to use it though and then got a referral to the constipation clinic in our area. I'm a bit jittery about using it now even though the consultant said it fine! Is it quite strong stuff? She is on lactulose but still has bad problems and is holding now too. She is steroid dependant and so on two types but also on ranitidine so I always wonder if its medication related and if so, would movecol actually help? She eats really well and drinks lots of water.

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saltire · 31/08/2008 13:22

DS1 has it, he has had it for about 4 years. he doesn't take it all the time, only if he really needs it, which I am able to judge. When he does take it, it's once a day for about 10-14 days.
He really struggles, but has no medication, so I can't advise ont hat side of things. it does help with his bowel movemnts though when he is on it and seems to sort him out for a while. I reckon he has a 10-14 days does and then doesn't need any more fo0r at least 2-3 motnhs.
He's 10 now

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:25

Oh thank you Saltire so they can take it for short periods that is good to know. It encourages the bowel to process it all more quickly doesn't it? Did he have any side effects? DD had dreadful stomach cramps when she was given Senna after a particullarly bad bout.

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 31/08/2008 13:27

dd has been on movicol on and off for many years. We've found it very helpful, although sometimes difficult to achieve a dose which does the job without overdoing it IYKWIM. When dd started on it she was also on meds which affected potassium (diuretics) and was kept quite 'dry' fluid wise, which was obviously a factor in the constipation in the first place.

I'm assuming you have the paed version? You may find that you can get results with quite small doses - it's not an exact science

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amidaiwish · 31/08/2008 13:30

movicol is the only thing that really works with DD2 when she goes through a phase of constipation.
it works by bulking out the stool and stimulating the bowel to contract so they have no choice but to pass it. DD's problem is that she is scared of pooing. She had problems with dairy from about age 9 months and ended up with a fissure about age 1, so pooing was painful and has always been traumatic. Then as she got older and stronger she can hold it for longer, hence it got drier, harder and bigger and painful to pass. We are in a bad phase at the moment, i'm going to go back to the doctor tomorrow for another box of movicol to try and break the cycle.
It is good stuff - the doctors are quite sparing with it as it is expensive.

i don't know if you're into it or not but if the problem is emotional rather than physical then homeopathic remedies can also be quite effective.

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:31

We haven't had it prescribed yet but are seeing the clinic next week and were told that this is the thing they will most likely try, especially as she has now had the ok from her endocrinologist. DD is a salt waster so her kidneys need help and she can dehydrate more quickly than others so that could be part of why she has it too actually, interesting. If they gave too much what would that do? If DD gets diorrea(sp!) she has to be in hospital for her steroids so I'm nervous about that. I guess they will go through all this with me at the clinic though, such a panicker!

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:35

x posts amid, my DD is scared of it too as she has fissures, its awful isn't it? Saying that though (touch wood)there has been no blood for a while so that is good. Her poos are always enourmous though, maybe because she holds them in so long? I hope it doesn't give stomach pains like the Senna did any of your DC's get cramps from it? I would consider homeopathy but not sure anyone would treat her as she is not straight forward medically. I'm seeing a herbalist myself next week actually I wonder if she'd offer any advice.

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:37

Oh and I tried prune juice in a syringe this morning. DD was nearly sick! Which considering she has been on all sorts of yucky medicines since birth, is quite something! I had had high hopes for the prune juice too. Oh well I will have to drink it (yuck)

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spicemonster · 31/08/2008 13:38

amidaiwish - I mentioned this on another thread but I saw an old friend of mine yesterday whose DTs are 2 and one of them has had really bad emotional constipation. She said that this book has helped him poo again normally and solved the problem. I don't know if you've heard of it but might be worth a read

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 31/08/2008 13:38

IME it doesn't cause repeated diarrhoea as such, but you may have an explosive motion. If you start with a very small dose - they are sachets that you give in water, so you can adjust by just giving half a sachet or even less - you'll be more likely to avoid problems.

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 31/08/2008 13:39

dd has never had pain on movicol. More often it's a blessed relief TBH.

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 13:41

O h ok thanks SMBK, it sounds like they may work something out with it for her then. Its good to know others have it too and have seen improvements with it, especially as I didn't know they could take it in shorts bursts of treatment.

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amidaiwish · 31/08/2008 13:46

thanks spicemonster, will try that.

DD2 doesn't seem to have pain on movicol. she doesn't really suffer too much now, she last pooed on thursday and today is doing the holding bum thing where she can start to feel the poo coming and doesn't want to. I probably have a couple of days of this until we are going somewhere and i refuse to go until she has done it! Maybe the promise of swimming tomorrow will get her to do it. She poos much better on the potty than on the toilet by the way - i guess her legs are more bent and she can push off the floor.

prune juice ice lollies is the best way to get it into them. Or there is a prune and grape juice in this range (but not sold here) which is quite palatable.
Innocent smoothies good too.

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used2bthin · 31/08/2008 14:01

Thanks Amidaiwish ice lollies are a good idea. I hope your DD goes soon the holding thing is awful. I've bought DD a potty but she refuses to do anything other than put it on her head despite lots of games where teddy does a wee on it!When she needs to go and is really bad she refuses to sit or bend her leg, even if I pick her up or put her in the bath so it probably is an emotional thing for her too.