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Original poster

When does movicol work?

20 replies

Elllieuk · 28/07/2023 21:01

We've started on a disimpaction regime for our 3yo DD today so 2 sachets then 4 tomorrow, 4 the next day then up it to 6 etc.
Just trying to work out when it's likely the diarrhoea will start so we can plan ahead! Can anyone give an example calendar eg day 2: bowel movement, day 3: diarrhoea etc please? Thank you!

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Original poster
Elllieuk · 28/07/2023 23:02

Anyone? 😬

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User17865 · 28/07/2023 23:09

Your guess is correct, day 2 probably a large bowel movement that might hurt. When mine was that age I left her naked on her bottom half so she could get on the toilet quicker. Day 3 is likely to start with the diarrhoea. If might take 2-3 weeks not the 7 days the literature states. Don’t stop until it’s just brown water. You really don’t want to have to do it again! I’d use pull ups when the diarrhoea starts in case of accidents. Calpol if it causes stomach pain. Lots of water in addition to the Movicol. Mix the Movicol with something she likes. Chocolate milk for mine. Vimto for a friends child. It can be hard to get it all down them when they need 8 a day. Using a straw or a new special cup can help. Good luck!!

LifeIsHardAlways · 28/07/2023 23:33

It’s going to depend on how long she’s been impacted/how big the impaction is. I’d expect the diarrhoea to start within a couple of days. My son never passed anything solid, it was all runny as it was broken down.

Original poster
Elllieuk · 29/07/2023 10:05

Thank you both! She's had 1 sachet so far today, managed to disguise it in orange juice, just another 3 to go through the day! Excited to get things moving tbh, she complains daily that her tummy hurts and she feels sick :( We didn't know she had impaction till yesterday, just that she gets constipated a lot, but the doctor could feel it in her tummy under the belly button.

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MargaretThursday · 29/07/2023 16:03

It took dd at that age to be on the second day of 10 sachets before she had the explosion. Just as a warning-sorry!

elaeocarpus · 29/07/2023 16:09

Whatever you do, don't stop Movicol once it clears. You need to be on a maintenance dose which is i think half the disimpaction dose- for a long time whilst the bowel shrinks back. Otherwise you will end up constipated again. My DC was on it for years

Original poster
Elllieuk · 29/07/2023 21:25

Only a small poo today, hoping we get more movement tomorrow! She's getting suspect of why we're giving her so many orange juices 😆 Am thinking she'll have to miss her nursery days next week (unless the diarrhoea isn't too bad with nappies on). Not really sure what to expect 🤔

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Elemenohpe · 29/07/2023 21:31

I think it was day 4 for us that it really started going. Took about 10 days total and she couldn't go into nursery. Make sure you keep up a maintenance dose! I was told that orange juice isn't great to mix with as it can be quite irritating to the gut and apple juice is better. Eric are very useful if you haven't spoken to them already. Good luck.

nutmegnook · 29/07/2023 21:35

There's a good Facebook group called movicol mummies and it's mums who are doing disimpactions or dealing with movicol doses. Lots of hints and tops,

Tired6789 · 29/07/2023 21:38

I recommend that FB group too, very knowledgeable parents, who will share their expertise

LifeIsHardAlways · 29/07/2023 22:31

Just as you’re mentioning orange juice, make sure the sachet is totally dissolved in 63ml of water before adding it to anything else and remember it doesn’t count towards your child’s fluid intake for the day.

Original poster
Elllieuk · 29/07/2023 22:58

nutmegnook · 29/07/2023 21:35

There's a good Facebook group called movicol mummies and it's mums who are doing disimpactions or dealing with movicol doses. Lots of hints and tops,

Thanks I've been waiting a couple of days to be accepted to the group 😣

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Original poster
Elllieuk · 29/07/2023 22:59

Grateful for everyone's replies so far thank you!

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Original poster
Elllieuk · 29/07/2023 23:40

LifeIsHardAlways · 29/07/2023 22:31

Just as you’re mentioning orange juice, make sure the sachet is totally dissolved in 63ml of water before adding it to anything else and remember it doesn’t count towards your child’s fluid intake for the day.

I didn't know this but googling it does confirm you can't add straight to juice 😖 Hope I haven't wasted a day

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LifeIsHardAlways · 30/07/2023 00:51

Oh dear, you’ll have to start fresh. It’s the movement of the water that makes it work. The macrogol binds with the water, goes to the bowel and then that water softens the poo. If it’s not mixed with the 63ml of water, it won’t work.

Elemenohpe · 30/07/2023 07:28

Yes definitely needs to be fully dissolved in the correct amount of cool water before adding it to anything or it won't work at all

Original poster
Elllieuk · 30/07/2023 09:05

Glad I found out at this point anyway! Have started again today and it's going down well hidden in chocolate oat milk / water mix

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Nell23 · 11/09/2023 03:34

@Elllieuk I'm in the same situation now as your op. Going to start the disimpaction with my ds this weekend. When did the 'clear out' happen for your dc. Keen to know so I can be prepared. Also did you prepare your child for it as in tell them poo would be watery etc. Not sure what to do. Poor kid, I'm losing sleep over it hence post at this time.
Thanks

WandaWonder · 11/09/2023 03:54

If she drinks a lot of water it works

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