Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Oh gawd please help - DS2 has impaction/overflow (deep joy)

49 replies

BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 17:44

Not pooed since at least last Wednesday.

Overflowing.

Lots of pain, refusal to use the loo.

Doc has prescribed lactulose today - 15 ml at 11am this morning, I shall give 15ml again in a minute.

Tried -

Bubble blowing
Feet high on a stool
Nintendo
Bribery
Cycling legs/rubbing tummy

It all started because he didn't want to poo at school (who can blame him - they are VILE) so now of course afraid.

Loads of water/fruit, cut right down on milk and cereal. No banana since Thursday.

How can I make help him to poo right now, tonight?

Please.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
stroppyknickers · 06/10/2008 17:46

warm bath? Sorry, not much help. Ds used to have constipation a lot and this helped make her feel better.

Blandmum · 06/10/2008 17:48

can't help with the 'getting him going now' bit.

But re the lactulose, it will take a few days to work and soften his stool, you have to take it regularly for it to have any effect

sorry if that isn't what you want to hear. It is horrid and yo have my every sympathy.

CarGirl · 06/10/2008 17:48

I think I'd be tempted to ask for a pessary to get the first lot going.

Blandmum · 06/10/2008 17:50

friend's dd was given exlax and lactulose.

Might be worth acting for something to 'shift' it

cornsilk · 06/10/2008 17:50

oh no boys - poor ds. My ds2 did that.

MUM23ASD · 06/10/2008 17:51

just wanted to say that lactulose works well in our house....

it will gently 'let nature take it's course'.

its very 'child friendly' and there's no harm in giving him a 5ml spoon after school- daily for a while as a 'maintanence' dose... for a week or two...which shoul mean he is able to pooh at home.

how old is he?

i add my ds's lactulose to orange squash... 5ml is pretty easily disguised in a glass full....

Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 17:51

Thanks all, I knew really that we have to wait for lactulose to work.

Wish us luck.

[watery smile]

OP posts:
Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 17:53

Sorry

He is six

Crying again.

Back later.

OP posts:
cornsilk · 06/10/2008 17:53

We also used lactulose. Our GP told us to give him a dessert spoon full to get him going (which we did) then daily for ages.
Would he go on a potty?(my ds resorted to that)

DesperateHousewifeToo · 06/10/2008 18:02

Can you have a disco?

Lots of jumping around might help!

Lots of threads about this

here's a current one

Good luck. I've been there with ds

DraculaNeedsArteries · 06/10/2008 18:07

Sorry...this may be stupid. TBH I don't know too much about teh subject.

I think lactulose will only soften the stuff that is coming through....it won't soften the stuff which is (presumabley) stuck at the bottom of teh bowel....I would have thought a glycerine pessary would give quicker results without teh lactulose adding to teh blockage....

SaintRiven · 06/10/2008 18:10

one of those suppositries can really help. It softens what is stuck and stimulates the bowel.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 06/10/2008 18:11

Do the suppositries have to be prescribed?

Twiglett · 06/10/2008 18:12

no experience but poor thing

and I'm sure I read somewhere (look for Pecca's thread) that vaseline around the anus can help

Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 18:39

No luck

Oh dear

Off to college now, DP will have to manage.

Thanks all

OP posts:
DraculaNeedsArteries · 06/10/2008 18:43

it appears they are available over the counter as you can buy them from an online pharmacists

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 06/10/2008 19:12

BALD - lactulose will take a few days to work. Sorry. You can get sennakot syrup which you can take alongside lactulose. Poor thing.

Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 21:25

No movement - he is asleep though I had to wake him when I got back home to wash his wee arse.

Mega pant wash on atm

(bleeurgh)

I shall have a word with the pharmacist tomorrow.

Thanks all

OP posts:
QueenofAllWildThings · 06/10/2008 21:28

Senna? Apple juice? Dried fruit and lots of water (preferably warm).

Grammaticus · 06/10/2008 21:28

Poor you. What is overflowing?

CarGirl · 06/10/2008 22:06

I think your ds may need movicol as well which get the gut moving properly as in the peristolosis (sp??? I've been drinking) action to get the old stools passed along.

Go back to the dr tomorrow I think.

Also with lactulose he needs to seriously up his fluids.

Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 22:12

Grammaticus - over flow is where there is a big lump of poo sitting near anus (bumole) and the poo backing up bahind it flows around the block and leaks out of the anus.

So it presents almost as diarrhoea (sp) but is actually constipation IYSWIM

TMI, sorry.

I will reassess in the morning, he is whimpering in sleep .

Awww

OP posts:
nightcat · 06/10/2008 22:35

How old is he?
Try building in either something with beetroot into his meals (some salads have beetroot leaves and you can use them in sauce etc) or something with mint (a sip of mint tea or a sweet). Flaxseeds also good.

Original poster
BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/10/2008 22:49

No can do - he self-limits his food, beetroot is out. Dang, that is such a good tip, too.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 06/10/2008 22:52

Flaxseed can be hidden (I'm sure I read that somewhere)