Worried about DD constipation : seemed to come on suddenly 2 ISH years ago. Are we missing something .

[PaperTyger]

So docs seemed ok with it ..these things can come on ?
We were given those things you mix with water. She hated it but tried to persist and obvously.she passed but even when we went down to the lower dose it would start again
She did have movement but taking a long long time

Then we saw a different doc who did bloods all ok and abdominal scan all seemed ok.

Is this something she just has now do people live like this.
She does have movements but can be on the loo for ages.
Obvsiuky I promote a good diet lots of kiwie...yogurts fruit , greens and so on.

Is there something else we should look at ? She's been checked for chrons.

Was it Movicol? It’s about finding the correct dose and taking this daily for an ongoing problem.
Look on the ERIC website for advice.
Having bubbles for her to blow whilst she’s on the toilet will aid with relaxation.

Hi OP, My DD is going through something similar and has had blood tests but no scan.

Can I please ask, how did they check for crohns? We family history and they still haven't tested.

All the GP does is prescribe movicol.

Is ther any neurodiversity? Have been trying and failing to get an ADHD diagnosis for DD. My friend's skn with ASD had similar as a child but has grown out of it now.

Fluids, plenty of fluids-as fibre soaks up water and constipation is caused by lack of water in the stool. Some constipation solution are based on drawing water to the bowel, which shows how important this issue is.

Give both kinds of fibre-soluble and insoluble. This matters. So proper home made wholemeal bread and wholemeal pasta

Increase fibre gradually, or constipation can get worse.

kiwis have fibre but some of the things you mention have almost none.

Monitor for a month and see what happens . Maybe keep a diary.

An Italian study found that in unexplained constipation, dairy was a significant contributing factor in around a third of cases.

Might be worth trying cutting it out for a few weeks and see if makes a difference.

For Movicol, mix it up as per the packet and then slug squash in. Masks the taste.

Maintain the dosage for quite a while. Surprised the doctor didn't tell you . And it's OK to take it daily. You need to retrain the bowel . Our doctor said to think of the colon like a balloon. Once it's been stretched it never goes back to the original state . Water is so good too. Ask chemist if you can also have stool softener . It will make it easier for her.

Thanks everyone.
She drinks loads of water .
She did try it yes it was movicol .
She found it very hard to tolerate but tried her best over some weeks.

@SecretSwirrel I can't remember now probably a blood test?

It just happened so suddenly !

@SecretSwirrel

The only way to check for crohns is a colonoscopy. Bloods can show levels of inflammation if it is a calprotectin blood test that is done.

My son was diagnosed with crohns when he was 8, probably had it about two years before that, but doctors were very dismissive. One of his main symptoms were chronic constipation.

He had scopes and biopsies taken which showed severe crohns disease.

Have a good read of the ERIC website, more Movicol for longer may be needed to get a proper reset.

Tgere are various ways to help you out the taste. Squash, getting the flavoured version, freezing to lollies etc.

@ScaryM0nster I think she's given up on it she did so it for a long time just not everyday

I'm more concerned with why this suddenly came on and hasn't gone
She's older now she's later teens.

I'm hoping we can get help before uni.

@Londonnight I don't think she has any other symptoms except regular constipation.

It’s worth her having a good read of the Eric info. The sweetcorn transit test, disimpaction etc. if she’s old enough to understand what’s physically going on it might help her stick with it.

Occasional use of Movicol won’t make much difference if she’s continually constipated and it’s a difficult cycle to break.

Definitely also worth looking at any dietary factors - but need to get her bowel cleared out and into a cyclwith something like Movicol first as they are nigh on impossible to spot and if already constipated as the time correlation isn’t there because things are backed up.

What is her everyday diet like?
can you give us an average day or two meals?

She may have proper greek yogurt ,banana grapes or kiwi with nuts for breakfast /kefir yogurt or actovia. Or ready made porridge.
School and wrap or pizza slice .

Home chicken ,rocket ,watercress , flat bread yoghurt. Tomorrow a roast she loves veg.
Tonight fried chicken with sweet potatoes fries Cucumber salad some cousus toms

@Glitterbiscuits above. @ScaryM0nster that's good advice thank you.
The sweetcorn transit sounds interesting !

The following things could be a factor:

Hormones - progesterone makes me hideously constipated.
Vit B12 deficiency
Wheat - like bread, cereal, pasta it’s all processed and can make everything sluggish
Lack of movement

Have you tried lactulose? Its gentler than movicol (less likely to get cramps) and also tastes very sweet so easier to get DC to take - our DD actually likes it.
The only reason to be cautious is if lactose intolerance is actually the cause of the constipation.
Have you tried a trial of being dairy free and then a trial of being gluten free? And had a coeliac test? Though it is more commonly associated with diarrhea it can also cause constipation.

And as a basic thing have you monitored fluid intake being enough, is she reasonably active each day and does she eat plenty of fruit/veg? Blueberries/plums and similar "clear out" types especially. Little changes like a glass of apple juice with breakfast each day may help slightly if not already being done.