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Original poster

to just want a STRAIGHT ANSWER so I can stop worrying about Movicol in pg?

57 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 13/08/2012 08:40

I am getting totally conflicting advice and getting more and more worried and in a state.

I was diagnosed with slow-transit constipation last year which basically means I have very little peristalsis in my colon (nerve endings are 'faulty' IYSWIM). The ONLY thing that works for me is Movicol - I spent almost a year prior to diagnosis trying everything else, from prunes to bran to exercise to water to vegetables... also tried lactulose, Fybogel etc. Movicol was and is the only thing that makes my colon function. My gastroenterologist put me on a regime of Movicol twice a day and lactulose four times a day which worked fine until I got pregnant.

I am now almost 9 weeks and that regime is barely working any more. I have had to increase the movicol to 3 times a day and I am only just barely managing to keep 'moving' on that.

I knew movicol is 'not advised' during pregnancy but I really have no choice. But I had hoped I might be able to cut it down at some point, maybe to just once a day, but now that the hormones are kicking in, as I say, I am on 3 a day.

Gastro (who doesn't seem even remotely concerned about use of movicol in pregnancy which should reassure me but doesn't because he is quite gung-ho and I don't think knows anything about pregnancy stuff) is unconcerned about the movicol... Midwife is VERY concerned about the movicol and says she never recommends it. She did understand when I explained that this is a long-standing problem and that movicol is my only solution, but still pulled faces and said we'd have to keep an eye on it. I stupidly didn't ask her WHAT the problem with movicol is and now am imagining terrible damage being done to the baby and don't know what to do.

GP is vague and just says 'we'll keep an eye on it' - am not sure what that is meant to mean!!!

Does ANYONE have any advice about this, whether because they used Movicol in pregnancy or whether they have any medical knowledge? My impression was that movicol is not advised as a regular thing but if mother's health requires it then it is OK - but I am just so worried that in the amounts I am having to use atm I am harming the developing embryo in some way :(

OP posts:
Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 13/08/2012 08:51

Wipsglitter - thanks good advice, will see if there is any number.
But yeah DozyDuck, it sounds like one of those things where they don't want to say for sure it's safe in case they get bitten on the bum, as it were, later on.

OP posts:
Sossiges · 13/08/2012 08:50

I'm sorry, I can't answer your question about Movicol, but have you tried magnesium? You can get it as a supplement i.e. from Boots and it is the best thing for constipation ever. Perhaps if you tried it and it worked ok for you you'd be able to get off the Movicol and then you wouldn't have to worry about it. AFAIK it's fine to take in pregnancy (I do), it's a vital mineral and most people are deficient in it.

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 13/08/2012 08:50

Thanks DozyDuck... yes that is what I feared... nobody really knows. Horrible to have to take something that MIGHT be damaging :( I really don't like having to take 3 sachets a day as that is upper end of daily reccommended amount even for non pg people. Maybe I'll be able to cut it back later on but at the moment it's the only option :(

OP posts:
DozyDuck · 13/08/2012 08:49

Sounds like they think it's safe but aren't going to put their jobs on the line for it iyswim.

You'll just have to make a decision yourself. If you really have no choice, carry on. If you think you can cope without it (which doesn't sound like an option in your case) then stop it.

There isn't enough information so you'll just have to make a frustrating decision based on nothing Sad

If it was me I wouldn't... But then I've never had to deal with being constipated like that before so I can't really say either Sad

WipsGlitter · 13/08/2012 08:47

Is there a helpline number on the packaging? You could phone the manufacturer and ask why is it contraindicated in pregnancy. Generally most drugs are "not recommended" when you are preg but I think it is more that they haven't been able / willing to test it on a large number of pregnant women so they can't say for sure if it does any harm.

DozyDuck · 13/08/2012 08:44

www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=287982.0

Or this... Doesn't sound like they're sure in humans yet

DozyDuck · 13/08/2012 08:43

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
This medicine can be used by women who are breastfeeding. The medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts and no harmful effects on a nursing infant are expected. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.

So basically they don't know

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