12 year old not been to toilet in 6 days

[PippaPyper]

Amy advice please? He's getting a bit upset about it. He's got no pain and his stomach isn't hard or anything. He's eating normally.

I bought and gave him 2 Senokot last night at 9pm and ... nothing so far this morning. Not even sure if that was the right stuff to get and I'm loathe to pile loads of fibre rich food into him!

Not had this issue before - any advice please? Don't think we are in doctor territory yet are we?

Yes he needs to go to doc imo

@Jacksback ah ok! He only told me - shyly - 24 hours ago! He's worrying about it now though and although I've had kids for decades, I've not encountered constipation before

Drink loads too

I've handed him a half litre bottle of water to sip his way through. He's usually fine to drink water and weak squash but I need to ensure he's drinking more

Hi op, I’d certainly see the doctor ASAP. If not Gp then walk in centre.
My partner suffers from constipation and his doctor recommended eating two kiwi fruit daily. DP says this helps, also the fresh orange juice with bits in. Just a suggestion for when this is sorted.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/

Try this, good luck.

I wouldn't worry too much. Have another dose of medication and see if that helps. If he still hasn't been 24hrs after taking the medication, then I'd speak to a GP

@TheDuchessofDukeStreet tried the doctor this morning but not open on a weekend and no walk in. Unsure if it needs seeing this weekend? He's playing on his x box happily at the moment but keeps telling me he's worried. I could try the pharmacist.

Good shout about the kiwi fruit!

I would go and speak to a pharmacist. They may sell you something, or will tell you to go to the out of hours GP service.

You need to get him moving physically, that also stimulates the bowels. Sitting there on x box x is doing nothing for it. A swim. Or a run. For us, strawberries are the key, both my sons suffer.

@PearlsBeforeWine he's usually active but it's been half term this week so definitely more lazing about than normal.

If he isn’t uncomfortable I wouldn’t have thought it would be necessary to go to the doctor just yet but I would be suggesting fruit and lots of drinks. My dd suffered with constipation once (it was so awful she’s been very aware not to let it happen again) and we got lactulose. Definitely helped.

Hydration, movement, prunes/tinned pears, plenty of fruit, veggies and fibre and get him to sit on the toilet after eating (google gastrocolic reflex).

This is the sort of thing you can go to a pharmacist about

I'll get lactulose today. We have dried apricots here already and I'll chop up an apple for him. No berries unfortunately! I'm trying not to pile loads of food into him as im acutely aware it could make the situation worse so he's having a lighter breakfast today. Much to his disgust

My child suffers terribly with constipation. Gp advises lots of fruit smoothies. He said kiwi fruits are the best. Make him a fruit smoothie. Up his fluids and get him to do some mild exercises. I’ve also used kalafig (syrup of figs) to make things move a little x

Have you tried lactulose? Get it from the chemist

@WomensRightsAreContraversial yes I think that's a better step at this stage. I'm going to pop in to Boots and speak to the pharmacist as soon as I'm showered

Only tried senokot so far. 2 tablets taken about 12 hours ago now. There has been no guaranteed relief so clearly they tell fibs on the packaging!

I have had my kids go to 6 days before, I wouldn't bother with doctor unless he is in pain. Go to the pharmacist and get a suppository.

@Villanellebelle I nearly got him the glycerin suppositories yesterday but he was just like NO MUM .. and I can understand that

lactulose or laxido (both from chemist)

Actually OP, I had to take dulcolax a couple of weeks ago, it's stronger than sennekot.
Also have you tried getting him to drink loads of water?

I’ve not had this problem with my DC but I have myself in the past. I would suggest snacking on prunes and drinking fresh fruit juice and a lunch packed with green veggies and mixed beans! (If he’ll eat that! DS1 will happily but it’s a struggle with DS2 re the greens!) Id also take him for a nice long walk or a game of football or whatever he enjoys, weathers rubbish where we are today but there are sports halls near us that you can hire for a time period and usually use their equipment (tennis, badminton or there’s always swimming! If he’s not been by this evening maybe some lactulose? I’d take him to the drs tomorrow morning if he’s not been by then! (Not sure if it’s necessary but with his age and it not being the norm I would).

Hi again op, I’m a nurse though adult not paediatric. I’d go to a walk in or a&e, you really don’t want bowel problems if it’s been six days. Homely remedies are good but as a preventative not cure.