Constipation

[jampot]

My ds gets very constipated and has had to take picolax on a few occasions to clear him out before embarking on a lactulose/senna regime. He's now 7 and absolutely hates to take the picolax as he says it makes him gag. I have just spent the entire afternoon/early evening trying to coax him into taking it. We've had tears, explanations, and dh very annoyingly told him he was "fit to burst" which has metaphorically scared the shit out of him. Does anyone have any tips to try and get him to take his medicine... Please....

Jampot, liqourice has laxative properties. That might be more palatable and fun for him to eat.

I would be interested in this too, as nothing, even picolax, has worked on ds2 (aged 3)

Lou - even picolax? I was told the first time he took this to make sure he had a clear exit to the loo as it will take over within the hour - 36 hours and another dose later followed by a senna/lactulose cocktail more like!!! Admittedly it was like a bomb going off and I could have sworn he broke the toilet!!!!

Thanks efmach - I'll try licorice

Since you have got the the picolax stage, I'll assume that you have already been 'through the mill' of lactulose etc. Dd has lots of probelms in this department which have thankfully now sunsided, but I do symphathise deeply, it is an awful state to get into.

My friend had similar problems with the picolax, it worked very well but was difficult to get into her child. She found that exlax chocolate could work sometimes.....tho not when things had got very bad.

Would it help if the doctor had a chat with him, not you? Appeal to his maturity etc? Star charts?

But you do have my deepest sympathy, it is awful.