To ask for your experience using MOVICOL?

[JJSS123]

Posting in AIBU for traffic so do excuse that.

Does anyone have any experience using MOVICOL for constipation? I’ve tried all the over the counter stuff and nothing has worked I’ve not had a full BM for nearly a month just small ‘droppings’ 😂😂😂😂.

Sorry to be so grim but I really do need some help. I’m due to pick this prescription up today so any advice is welcome.

Thank you.

I've used it after having c-sections. It works. My daughter take lactose regularly as it's gentler for her that movicol. Not the greatest tasting, and the first one does hurt/uncomfortable as you'll be bunged up and hardened but after that you should be fine when you go.

DS had to use paediatric Movicol when much younger. It did the trick when Laculose proved useless. He's grown out of his issue now.

My late MIL tried the adult Movicol prescribed when she had an issue. She had exaggerated the issue to doctors. They told her to take more than on reality she needed. Certainly cleared her out, and we never heard the end of it for months....

DD uses this and it works a treat but she is 6...

it works really well. It can take a couple of days to kick in but just keep going.

The stuff tastes vile though, I found turning it into jelly and eating that helped cover the taste. Other people recommend putting it in pure orange juice.

Or eating salty food prior to taking it as it makes the salty ness less vile, can’t say though as my son used to take it and getting it into him was the most difficult part and I didn’t feel it worked but purely because we weren’t listened to, and no plan was given

Ok, sounds like you’re really impacted.

Don’t mess around with one sachet per day, that won’t get you anywhere. You can safely take up to 8 sachets per day.

If I were you’d I’d go for the full eight for 2/3 days: two in the morning, two at lunchtime, two early evening, two before bed.

It might take two or more days to work, but it will work. It will need to work on softening the backlog through the gut, and that can take time. Drink plenty of water and eat sensibly (although you probably feel rubbish and not that hungry).

Oh, and it’s true it tastes salty. It contains rehydration salts to counteract all the water it draws into the bowel. I find a good glug of orange squash is enough to make it drinkable. That, and drinking it quickly!

Yes drink it quickly! And drink plenty of water for the days you are taking it, otherwise you will be dehydrated. Don't be surprised if it takes a few days to kick in.

One of my Dc has it daily. Make sure you make it up to the amount it says, you can add liquid to it but don’t make it less. Drink as much fluid as you can. You can hide the taste, we add juice. It does work, we increase or decrease the number of sachets depending on the result. Give it a few days to work.

Thanks so much everyone! Sounds silly but I’ve just realised why I’ve got no appetite at all! Hope it works fingers crossed. If it works for actual impaction it should help me 😂😩🙈

I take it everyday and so does my toddler. Constipation runs in the family. It will work for you, you just need to take the right amount to clear out, then a smaller dose to maintain and keep things soft and easy.

It didn't work for me. My doctor recommended Movicol, which made me nauseous, Lactulose, and glycerin suppositories, and when all that didn't work (I had impactation and was feeling extremely miserable) he recommended two enemas, which did the trick for me. Something to consider, as the enemas have faster results. In my case they worked in less than one hour.

We get the chocolate version and mix it with half water and half milk. Tastes good.....

www.chemistdirect.co.uk/movicol-chocolate-sachets/prd-q4d

I'm encouraged to hear it takes a few days. I'm 8 days post surgery and haven't had a BM since 3 days before that - so 11 days . Doc started me on Movicol on Tuesday - I took 3 sachets Tues, 4 yesterday and plan to take 4 today (2 so far). I also did a Micralax enema thingy on Tues but now waiting for a 'natural' movement and stressing it won't happen! I am passing a lot of gas though, so hopeful that something will happen soon? IT's so stressful on top of recovering from surgery!
And it is the most vile stuff ever. I have a separate glass of lime cordial and do 2 gulps Movicol, one gulp lime cordial until it's down. Vile!!
Praying that something will 'happen' soon....
(Senna had no effect on Sunday and usually just gives me diarhoea. )
Also freaked out that docs and nurses seem more freaked out by the length of time than I am - I have EDS and slow gut motility anyway so it's not unusual to go 4-5 days for me. This sucks though.

Drink it through a straw if you’re struggling with the taste.

Why don’t you just add the lime cordial to the Movicol, josefa? There’s no law that says it can only be mixed with water (and I wouldn’t, it’s gross 🤢)

Or get the chocolate flavour 😀

@haworthia because I am a sadist and like to think if I do it the 'right' way then it will work better. ha ha. have considered adding it, but I need to take pain meds at the same time so I just gulp down two drinks at once - and figure the extra liquid won't hurt! Also, my husband makes it for me as I am in bed!

I mean a masochist!

If you’ve not had a full bowel movement for a month then I really think you should call your GP surgery and either speak to or see a doctor.

Rosa Given that the OP says 'I’m due to pick this prescription up today', I suspect she's already been.

Been to the GP, that is.

We have a service called ask my gp and I put a message in and this is what they’ve advised. I guess because I’ve been passing little bits (sorry) they aren’t too concerned? I’ve just had 2 sachets mixed with a innocent strawberry and banana smoothie i added extra water to make it a lot thinner and it wasn’t awful 🙈