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?

You could maybe try him with Dulcolax it always works for me, only thing is that it can cause quite urgent/watery diarrhoea and tummy cramps .
Usually works for me in about 8-12hrs.

Me and my son both struggle and take Movicol/Laxido every day.
Dulcolax is better than Senna IMO for quick relief. Definitely see pharmacist.

He doesn’t need to go when it’s been 6 days since he last went. He needs to do plenty of exercise to help his digestion and he needs to drink 1.5-2 litres of water to help keep his stools hydrated. When you’re constipated and haven’t had enough water, your body draws water out of the stool to stay hydrated hence the stool dries and becomes hard. If you drink enough water, the body won’t draw as much water from the stool so it will remain soft and easy to pass. I always recommend a very ripe banana mashed up with around 10g of powdered flaxseed and a spoon of sugar to make it edible!

He doesn’t need to go when it’s been 6 days since he last went
Sorry I meant he doesn't need to go to the doctor

I think I'll try lactulose and see how he is by Monday. There's no pain or discomfort he says - but he has said he doesn't feel the urge to go but also, needs to go ... so that's super helpful!

He's got a bottle of water with him to keep sipping and we are going out a little later so he will be having a good walk so hopefully it'll keep things moving

His urine is very dark actually - so the lack of hydration is a good shout. He has been on half term so his usual routine has been relaxed and I am feeling he's not been drinking like he does at school ( he takes two water bottles) so I'm keeping a close eye on this now

Glycerine suppositories are not glamorous but very effective! Warm under hot tap, pop in and results within 30 min. If back to school on Monday I would do this tomorrow morning if nothing by then.

When my baby struggles to go I give her an Ella’s kitchen prunes pouch and it works a treat. Maybe worth putting one into a smoothie for him as I doubt he would eat it on its own.

Lactulose and senna. No need to see anyone.

A half cup of straight diluting juice or a strong cup of coffee usually loosens the bowel

@Greedytiger still get the pouches for my 5 year old when he gets constipated. They work brilliantly.

Bowl of bran flakes often does the trick for me, OP. Worth a try?

Get him off the sofa and out for a walk.

@fluffiphlox thank you for that helpful comment Please don't mistake 'he's playing on his x box' with 'he's a complete slob who never moves'

Since I changed my diet to Home made muesli With everything in for breakfast from omelette things have been better
Laxido..my dil ( a nurse) used this on her very constipated daughter
Plus my amazing touch for health therapist says he gets a lot of people saying they have ibs ( which he doesn’t believe in) and they actually have stuck ileo cecal valves..since he worked on mine things are moving along much better.
Suppositories are good but will only get the stuff that’s moved down and stuck a bit higher up..you want to get things going all the way down

Laxido draws water into the stool. It’s an osmotic . That’s very important
Dry hard stools are hard to pass.
Another tip is to show him how to massage his belly. Flat of Hand work outwards from belly button with firm pressure in clockwise motion
When you get to left hip press in with fingers and flick off
That stimulated Houston’s valves.
It probably won’t work immediately
You’re looking at a long term solution and yes plenty of water and maybe a senna at night just to get things going

Another option to get things going is Castor oil .I use it in gel cals . Triphala is another and I’m having a lot of success with chlorphyll
I keep quite a store cupboard as I like to switch things around a bit so I don’t get too used to one product

I now pay a lot of attention to what I eat and drink

Great suggestions thanks. I'm going to try the glycerin suppositories (well, I'll instruct!) next and see if that helps.

We are off out now so he'll be moving about loads for the afternoon so I'm hoping that'll help.

Warm Ribena or coffee works wonders. As well as general moving about, try getting him to massage his own tummy clockwise.

All the fibre solutions given only work if accompanied by drinking enough fluid, otherwise they just absorb what fluid is already there and make the problem worse.

If things are still not moving, take him to a pharmacy - far quicker. If they think he needs a doctor rather than an over-the-counter cure, they will tell you.

I would def see a pharmacist at the very least

6 days is a long time for a 12 year old

Cross-post...

Packet of sugar free sweets.

Sorry OP. It was meant to be a helpful comment but having just been out for a walk I’m now soaked. You may stand down.

@fluffiphlox ha ha. Officially stood down!

Try a good dose of lactulose that should get things moving . Avoid bananas.

As mentioned pears, they are v good. Along with water.

Pear juice is a thing of wonder. But it must be a pulpy one not the thin clear stuff. Granini make one that's ideal - though you can certainly make your own.

Definitely prunes or prune juice.

Buy some Sula sweets - Holland and Barrett sell them in a variety of flavours.