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Original poster

movicol to firm up stools

49 replies

PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 13:14

Hello all!
DS 4 is under the bladder and bowel service. After sending over two weeks of stool charts it's been recommended a laxative (movicol) be prescribed. This was mentioned a few months ago as well and the gp said no, which I was glad about as I don't think son needs them.
Anyway, today it's been recommended again. Stools 2/3 times daily, normally twice though. Normally a 6 or 7 on the Bristol stool chart. I told the service that gp in the past has said no but she said she's 'on the fence and want to write to the GP anyway'. She said that movicol can help with the diarrhea like stools and that it could be over flow that he's experiencing. I explained about diet (cmpa which has recently returned so have cut milk out again).
I suppose I'm posting on here to get a bit more insite please and see if anyone has found movicol to help firm up stools? My understanding is that it's a stool softener?

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 13:22

Apologies, mainly 5 and 6 on the Bristol chart.

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LoveMae · 28/01/2022 13:45

Movicol was used for my DS to clear him out... definitely not to firm him up.

Tdcp · 28/01/2022 13:56

Movicol was prescribed to DD to help her constipation, I don't have any idea why they're trying to prescribe it for diarrhea...

Tdcp · 28/01/2022 13:58

Sorry I've reread this, if she's worried about overflow she's concerned he's impacted in which case yes movicol would help. When dd was impacted twice though it was .. grainy? Like diarrhea with seeds in it. It doesn't sound like that's what you've described though

anothersmahedmug · 28/01/2022 14:00

Because they think the child had diarreha caused by constipation

If there is a blockage then smaller bits of poo get out So you get frequent but smaller than expected amounts

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 28/01/2022 14:00

If it is a blockage movical would move it. I think you need to ask for an x-ray to see if there is a blockage.

Akire · 28/01/2022 14:04

It’s to give you a good clear out IF he does have chronic constipation issues and is systems is all backed up then the diarrhoea is overflow. So ideally it could give him good empty then things should be back to normally.

But two normal bowel movements a day suggests things are already moving. No harm in taking it a day or two when you at home to see and to rule it out. You could also have something like sweetcorn that’s really easy to see then see how quickly they go through. But I wouldn’t be taking it more than few days if having normal poo and diarrhoea that’s just going make it worse.

Eileen101 · 28/01/2022 14:07

If it's overflow then it would make sense, because he's impacted.

Can you request an X ray to find out if that's the case?
You'd know then whether you needed to follow the disimpaction regime.

Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 14:16

Thank you so much for all of your replies! He's been like this forever, two poos daily that are a 5 or a 6, if he is bunged up then I feel awful for not knowing all this time!
When he was little his stools were like water and with blood in, this is how he had his cmpa diagnosed. Then more recently his stools went a bit looser and blood again so got rid of the milk and now no blood, better skin and poo a bit firmer.

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Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 14:17

Would it be the GP I'd ask for an X ray or the bladder and bowel team?

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handmademitlove · 28/01/2022 14:31

You could request a transit study to see how fast (or not) his bowels are working before you medicate. This involves swallowing tiny plastic shapes (in a tablet like capsule) each day for a few days - a different shape each day. Then they take an xray to see where all the shapes have got to. If the digestive system is too fast there will be none left, if it is too slow you will see them all still in the system. Where there is doubt as to whether a problem is constipation with overflow or diarrhoea. the bladder and bowel team should be able to organise this - you may need to be determined though! perhaps have a chat with your GP to see if they will support you in this. I have been in the position where my child was being treated for one whilst the problem was actually the opposite and it is not fun!

Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 14:33

@handmademitlove thank you for this.

I have an appointment coming up with the bladder and bowel team so I will have a proper discussion about everything recommended on here and see where we go. Thank you everyone!

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Akire · 28/01/2022 14:35

GPS send for X-rays all the time for lots issues, would seem faster way rather than make Him Go through potentially distressing treatment that may not even be the cause or may make any inflammation or
Bleeding worse.

Tomicca · 28/01/2022 14:43

My DD had movicol for being bunged up and my goodness you knew about it when she couldn’t do a poo as she would crying all the time and very uncomfortable. How is your DS in himself?

I wouldn’t have thought movicol be used for the other way around.

Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 14:57

@Tomicca

My DD had movicol for being bunged up and my goodness you knew about it when she couldn’t do a poo as she would crying all the time and very uncomfortable. How is your DS in himself?

I wouldn’t have thought movicol be used for the other way around.

Honestly he's fine which is why I've never thought that there's been any issues with his bowels. No pain, blood has now gone that milk has stopped and he's like clockwork with his poo (one in the morning and one at night). The reason he is under bladder and bowel is because he has an ASD diagnosis and I wanted help with toilet training ideas so they've insisted these charts first before giving me advice.
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Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 28/01/2022 14:58

@Akire

GPS send for X-rays all the time for lots issues, would seem faster way rather than make Him Go through potentially distressing treatment that may not even be the cause or may make any inflammation or Bleeding worse.
Yes I agree with this, I'm reluctant to give laxative in case it makes things worse. I think X ray is probably the most sensible route to go down, see if there is actually a blockage.
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Tomicca · 28/01/2022 15:20

That’s good he is not in distress I hope you find a solution soon!

nocoolnamesleft · 29/01/2022 19:05

The national guidance is not to do xrays to diagnose constipation, so I'd be surprised if your GP was happy to do one.

nocoolnamesleft · 29/01/2022 19:06

You might find www.eric.org.uk worth a look.

Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 29/01/2022 19:41

I will have a look at that link, thank you @nocoolnamesleft

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Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 03/02/2022 09:36

So after a telephone appointment with the continence team, DS has been given a two week course of docusate which the GP has authorised. I asked about X rays and was told no.
I'm still having mixed feelings about it but she's insisted he takes it and for me to complete more bowel charts. I can see where she's coming from though as his poos are mainly very loose then he will do a hard rabbit like poo after a few days then go back to being loose twice daily.

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Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 04/02/2022 17:28

I need some help please regarding movicol! I've made it up with 62ml of water, son can taste it though so won't drink it. He won't drink juice/smoothies/milk either. Am I able to mic this 62ml movicol water with say 250ml water and give throughout the day? Obviously he has more than 250ml water each day.

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Akire · 04/02/2022 17:36

I have it in 500ml can hardy taste it but I have plain flavour. Just tastes like slightly stale water. Sometimes I have it on go for 2-3hours long as you drink it in 6-8 or whatever it says to throw it out after.

If it’s refuse all together or maybe have slightly less “power” spread it it will still be doing something.

Original poster
PinkDaydreams · 04/02/2022 17:38

So as long as I mix the initial sachet with at least 62mls of water, then I can add this to his cups of water throughout the day?
Sorry to sound so daft, I've been given no directions for it and am finding conflicting info on Google. The information leaflet mentions only milk or juice, doesn't say anything about being able to add extra water.

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Akire · 04/02/2022 17:48

What does google say? Of course you can add more water to it. It’s not like 70ml glass water means you can’t have anything drink after. (Unless I’ve mis read leaflet) I drink 500ml with it first thing then have 2 cups coffee. It certainly seems to be doing it’s job.

Suppose in theory you could end up having two sachets very close together which may give you stomach ache. But one sachet spread over 2 glass so can hardly taste it in few hours then another end of the day.

If he’s refusing it now and diluting it over 2 large glasses in 60-90min is only option then has to be better than nothing at all