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Original poster

DS won't drink Fybogel for constipation.Any ideas?????

33 replies

chocciedooby · 11/01/2008 12:17

Took DS (4) to Dr yesterday as he has been withholding his poo's on and off for 2 months now.
Dr has now prescribed us with Fybogel amongst other things should matters get worse.

Every day for 3 months we have to give DS a sachet of Fybogel in water to keep his stools soft. Today was day 1 and guess what? He spat it out. Hates the taste.
Have tried disguising it in orange juice, apple juice, blackcurrant juice....

Does anyone have any tips on how I can get son to drink it as if he doesn't take it his poos will be backing up again and he has been in a lot of pain recently.

OP posts:
Watters · 11/01/2008 12:20

Sprinkle a teaspoon of linseeds on his cereal and that will do it. Get him to have them everyday, you can put them on pasta and lots of other stuff too

Original poster
chocciedooby · 11/01/2008 12:22

Thanks Watters. It's worth a try. I would have to hide them though as DS is the world's fussiest eater!!!
Does it only take a teaspooon?
His bowel is empty now after giving him suppository last night so I need to try and keep control of this. I think he may have a tiny anal fissure as there was blood and he has been screaming in pain.

OP posts:
Watters · 11/01/2008 12:30

Oh god, you will have to get that looked at. The linseeds definitely work. My dd1 had terrible constipation, she would bleed when she finally went. We tried everything and in desperation I finally gave into mums idea and used them. I swear to god, its fantastic and just start on a teaspoon and increase if there is no result

chloesmumtoo · 11/01/2008 12:31

We have been chatting about constipation on the allergies section. You may want a read. My dd was recently given movicol which made her go after just one day. I dont think I got the dose right long term or it was not agreeing with her but everyone else swears by it. Its not flavoured and is a powder you mix with water but you can add your own juice. Doesnt taste much, you could ask for this?

maretta · 11/01/2008 12:33

The allergies/constpation chat sounds intersesting. Can I have a link.

I also think movicol is great stuff though.

chloesmumtoo · 11/01/2008 12:34

It takes the fluid you drink it with straught to the bowel giving looser motions. My dd was meant to stay on it for a month to make her bowels re-trained after long term constipation. I did taake her off it early but it certainly done the trick where suppositories and enimas and laxatives wouldnt

chloesmumtoo · 11/01/2008 12:36

Sory dont know how to link! just click on mumsnet discussions at top of this page and scroll down to allergies topic. you should find it easily enough

popmum · 11/01/2008 12:37

someone recommended tropicana fibre juice - maybe worth trying instead of juice? I have had luck with it this week for my ds who would strain and produce a massive poo, today he didn't strain/cry, which is a big change for him. Also fresh prune juice, which no doubt you've tried?

Watters · 11/01/2008 12:39

here

maisykins · 11/01/2008 12:44

I was posting on the other thread yesterday too - definitely worth a read. Movicol is good.

Also if there is a small tear/fissure with bleeding, get some anusol cream from the pharmacist to put on it to help the healing - otherwise the association with pain will just make the problem worse. My DD (then aged 5) was prescribed this cream when she had this problem - her bottom was very sore - but you can just buy it over the counter.

Original poster
chocciedooby · 11/01/2008 18:43

You have all been great, thasnk you so much.
I tried a few more ways to hide the taste of the Fybogel but he copped it everytime and will not drink it.

I have also just tried a spponful of Calfig which is syrup of figs but he didn't like the taste of that either.

I couldn't get to the shops today to get the Linseed but I am definatley going to try those 2moro.

I have a supply of Movicol. My Dr said that I was to use it as last resort (possibly about every 2 - 3 wks)! I wonder why he didn't suggest using this on a daily basis? Is it quite harsh on the tummy or something?

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 11/01/2008 18:46

have you got some ideas? if not - here's my pennyworth
pure apple juice (regularly)
dried fruit - apricots, rasins etc for snacks
porridge has the desired effect with my lot
weetabix (ditto)

wheelybug · 11/01/2008 18:49

dd has been witholding recently and this afternoon a friend recommended the children's version of senokot - I gave dd some and it seemed to work within an hour or so to great effect ! She didn't seem to mind taking it either and she's quite fussy (its 1 spoonful not a whole drink).

Original poster
chocciedooby · 11/01/2008 21:34

DS has been eating Weetabix every day and I have changed to wholemeal bread,Brown Soda Bread, Wholewheat Pasta etc. He drinks quite a lot of fluids during the day including water, juice and has pure Apple juice every day. I have cut out white bread altogether as I think this could be the main culprit. He would stuff so much into him on days that its no wonder he was blocked up.

To be honest he doesn't eat much in the way of fruit (only pure juices and dry raisins) but we keep offering it.

DS hasn't taken milk since he was 6 months old but today he asked and drank a whole glass full! Bizarre.

Will check out the Senocot for kids wheelybug.

I never realised quitre how many things there were to try so thank you all so much.

OP posts:
luciemule · 11/01/2008 21:46

what about apricot juice - it's yummy and will work a treat.

They do advise not giving children under 5 a completely wholemeal diet as they can't digest all of the fibre as easily.

Original poster
chocciedooby · 12/01/2008 09:30

Thanks luciemule.I suppose its all in moderation.DS managed to do a poo yesterday before bed after his bath. I am off out today to buy the linseeds.If he cops them and won't eat them I don't go overboard!!

OP posts:
Original poster
chocciedooby · 12/01/2008 14:18

Haven't been able to find Apricot juice yet.Got the linseeds though.DS did a a small poo when we got back from the park today.Don't think he is emptying his bowel completely though.Fingers crossed the seeds work.

OP posts:
luciemule · 12/01/2008 14:48

my kids both love prunes (dried but still moist).
if your DS isn't emptying the bowel properly, the rectum (I hate that word) will quickly become enlarged and the constipation will get worse.

Can you increase his fluids - the poo nurse always says that the liquid intake (not milk as much as it can constipate in large amounts) more than fruit and veg is really important and in winter, when they don't play outside as much and it's not as hot to make them more thirsty, they're more likely to get constipated.

Rolacola · 12/01/2008 15:01

Kiwi's work for my 2

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/01/2008 15:08

Another vote for Movicol.

Fybogel is vile stuff. It's not just the taste as soon as it starts to 'set' it's like drinking egg white

Has anyone tried that Fibresure stuuf that's been advertised on the television recently?

luciemule · 12/01/2008 16:13

my dd has been on movicol since she was 3 (she's now 6). It's good but we're weaning her off slowly.

Original poster
chocciedooby · 12/01/2008 21:06

Unfortunately DS hates Prunes and prune juice. In fact it is a struggle to get him to eat any fruit and thats why we give pure Apple juice and smoothies every day. He is not much better with veg so they are disguised in many dishes. He tried sweetcorn tonight and spat it out!

You are so right about the Fybogel SMBK! I tried it and it's vile! NO wonder the poor thing spat it out. Disgusting stuff. I have pretty much tried everything at this stage and needed to give him a "Clear out" today so I have given him a sachet of Movicol. He did a poo within 30 miknutes of drinking it and didn't even know he'd had it. I am puzzled as to why my DR left Movicol as a last resort?! Still going to start the linseeds on his breakfast tomorrow. Can put money on it that he will spt them and say "yukky not eating that"!!

OP posts:
VALRIC · 18/01/2017 15:50

Try dissolving two squares of strong (e..g. raspberry or blackcurrant) in a little water (I used the microwave). Leave to cool. Mix a sachet of Fybogel in a half a small glass of water and add the cooled jelly mixture. Stir well and leave to set. This is the only way I can take Fybogel (I was prescribed the orange flavour).

Cherylene · 18/01/2017 16:04

Have you tried stewed apple with his Weetabix - even my food refusing ds liked that.

kiwi fruits do indeed work just as well as movicol - it is a matter of finding a palatable way of eating them. They are ok on their own in slices (and pretty too) if they are ripe and sweet enough. They are in season at the moment as they are grown in the S hemisphere.

Baked beans (or some variation) are worth a go. Little children always used to like them and you can get low salt/sugar ones instead these days. My mother is famous for taking my DSis to the doctor for recurrent diarrhoea then complaining to him that all she would eat was baked beans.............

Fybogel is gross and is only useful if you do not have enough fibre to start with.

Wookat1983 · 18/01/2017 17:14

Ho chocciedooby, have you tried using rosemary essential oil? You can rub a couple of drops on his tummy mixed in with a carrier oil (any food grade oil e.g., olive, sunflower, vegetable, coconut...) it should work pretty quickly.

If he is a fussy eater I would avoid hiding things in his food as it could make him even more suspicious of what he has in front of him :/

I have to agree fibogel is rank! I think I took it once and then binned the full 6 months prescription.

Do you know why he is withholding his poo? It is worth exploring it with him so you can address the underlying issue. Did he go and it hurt, is he scared of it hurting, does it take a long time and then he is embarrassed... I know people as adults who wont go for a poo in a public place because of embarrassment and it must play havoc with their bowels.

A great way to help him 'go' is by putting a stool under his feet so they're raised up and get him to lean forward this will put his his bowel is in a more relaxed and comfortable position and reduce the strain/pain when trying.

You could try rewarding him as well every time he goes successfully as a bit of external motivation.

Good luck!