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Awful constipation in 7mo on Trimethoprim

7 replies

CBear6 · 18/04/2012 11:44

DD is taking a prophylactic dose of Trimethoprim while we wait for kidney and bladder tests/results. She's been taking this since Friday gone and for the last three days she's had really bad constipation (today is the fourth day).

She's howling and wailing while straining and trying to poo and all she's producing for her efforts is a single tiny rock hard nugget. While straining and in between pooing she's dribbling little bits of grey-green sludge (sorry, TMI).

Last night she was literally shrieking like a tea kettle trying to poo and arching her entire body off the bed. We phoned out of hours and in still really annoyed at their attitude, the doctor basically blamed us and even used the words 'in 99% of cases it's down to the parents'. He said she's on the wrong milk, even though she's been on it a while now with no issues. She's drinking too much milk (around 20oz over the course of the day) and too much water (4-5oz a day, all she'll entertain), she needs more orange juice and flavoured drinks because babies don't like water. I'm feeding her the wrong foods, even though she gets a good mix of fruit and vegetables and the majority of what she eats is homemade, I use jars or pouches when we're out and about, this is very bad. I'm making her nervous about pooing by worrying about it ... at that point I lost my temper a bit. He refused to consider that the antibiotic may be the cause of this constipation and said it would only caused diarrhea not the opposite.

Has anyone had a DC on Trimethoprim and had issues with constipation? I'm finding some anecdotal evidence on forums and blogs that I plan to see my GP about. Also had anyone got an suggestions on easing it? I've tried tummy massage, warm baths, cycling her legs, prunes, apricots, swimming, figs, sugar water, more fruit less vegetables, more fluids, lifting her legs while she poos so her knees are higher than her hips, orange juice (which she hates) and I'm out of ideas.

OP posts:
slightlycrumpled · 18/04/2012 12:15

Hi CBear, my son was on trimethoprim for about three years. He was older than your little one when he started it though so was fully weaned. I didn't notice any real difference with him, if anything it sped things up.

In your situation I would want to speak to my own gp today I think. Bloody cheek of that other doctor to blame the parents though!

Hope she's ok.

thebunnytail · 20/04/2012 10:27

My baby boy was on Trimethoprim for about 3 mths, from a week old (he's now 15 weeks). We seem to have the opposite problem, which is that now he no longer takes it, he has stopped pooing. The HV says this is perfectly normal in a bf baby and he can go up to 10 days without worry. I really sympathise though, the pain it causes them is just horrible and has reduced me and him to tears this week. The dr gave us a laxative (Lactulous), which works. But the HV has told us not to use it as he is not constipated, just passing stools less frequently. I am hopeful this is just a phase. Fingers crossed you get some better advice from the dr. The way the GP spoke to you is totally unacceptable and I would definitely complain to the Practice Manager. RUDE

CBear6 · 22/04/2012 14:19

I let my GP know about the out of hours service and he's passing it on. He gave us some lactulose, he said 10mls but that seems a bit excessive so I used 3mls and she pooped a few hours later :) It was rock hard and massive but she's been pooing normally since then so I haven't given her anymore.

Remember the days when baby poo wasn't a valid conversation topic? Grin

OP posts:
Llanrwst · 09/04/2023 08:54

I have only taken Trimethoprim for a few days ( still taking it) and it has given me constipation

Llanrwst · 09/04/2023 08:56

Has Trimethoprim given anyone constipation ?

BeckyA94 · 06/08/2023 22:20

I know this is an old post but I’m taking Trimethoprim for 7 days and it has definitely made me constipated.

CaroleWilliams · 16/10/2023 10:04

I have been taking this it given me constipation

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