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Original poster

Preschooler not pooed in a week?

28 replies

IndecentFeminist · 29/01/2021 16:31

I'm a little concerned about DS3. He's always been a little constipated, had to work very very hard to get anything out. Even as a baby we sometimes had to pull poos out of his bottom on occasion 😂

He was prescribed lactulose which he takes relatively regularly. Last Thursday he had a sore tummy and an explosion of liquid poo, followed by a semi solid poo on Friday.

And since then, nothing. He is at nursery most of the day, and they confirm nothing there either. Should I just keep pushing the lactulose or should I be asking for medical opinions? He doesn't seem uncomfortable, and has been eating. Though he doesn't eat a massive amount on the whole.

OP posts:
reefedsail · 29/01/2021 16:35

I really think you need to seek a medical opinion. The liquid poo was probably the result of constipation- he sounds like he could be pretty badly constipated to me.

IronWomanOrSuperWoman · 29/01/2021 16:37

Is he getting plenty of liquids?Is he passing gas?It is common,have you brown sugar in water?

Baboutheocelot · 29/01/2021 16:39

I suspect he is impacted and needs medical intervention. Look at the Eric and the poo nurses websites about impaction.

FallenSky · 29/01/2021 16:40

I'd speak to your GP. They might want to add movicol or something. The explosive poo could be overflow. We're 4 years down the line of chronic constipation with DS. I'd say definitely best to get it sorted asap before it gets to the stage of stretching his bowel.

NotABeliever · 29/01/2021 16:42

I would phone GP. My DS is also often constipated and has been since potty training. We've been prescribed Movicol when it was bad. I still keep an eye on how often he poos (he's 8) and if it's been more than 4 or 5 days I give him a sachet of Movicol.

nocoolnamesleft · 29/01/2021 17:40

Another vote for this being significant constipation with faecal impaction. GP for moviolas/laxido. Eric.org.uk good for info

Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 29/01/2021 20:31

Thanks all. I'll try to get hold of docs again. I tried earlier but as ever, to no avail. I have sent them a message through their e-consult thing but they probably won't get that until Monday now.

He said just before bed that his tummy was sore. 😥 Have given him a drink with a bit of his lactulose in.

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Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 30/01/2021 16:05

He seems under the weather today, cuddly and a bit sad. I've actually seen him trying to go a few times, he's been straining really hard but nothing bar a little watery liquid has come out. TMI, but he asks me to change his nappy each time and I can see a poo, just too far 'up' to get to.

Should I be calling 111 or just wait it out until Monday for GP to reopen?

OP posts:
Tempusfudgeit · 30/01/2021 16:07

You can get suppositories for children his age.

dingledongle · 30/01/2021 16:15

Please call out of hours this must be unpleasant for himSad

I think he needs to see someone before Monday

Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 30/01/2021 16:26

I've asked dh to try the chemist for suppositories, if no luck will call them. Thanks all 👍

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SpudsandGravy · 30/01/2021 18:20

I'm not a doctor, but I wouldn't be turning to suppositories when you don't know what has caused the problem. A week os a long time for a child not to poo. I'd try again to get hold of the doctor Thanks

Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 30/01/2021 19:13

Out of hours is going to call.me back. At some point. 😬

He's still under the weather, cuddly and uncomfortable. I managed to get a bit of poo out but didn't want to upset him by poking around too.much, he's quite sore. 😥

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Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 31/01/2021 09:54

They called me back, have sent a prescription. Sadly, to a pharmacy that is closed. Now to try to get through again!

OP posts:
Tempusfudgeit · 31/01/2021 21:20

What prescription did they send? Hope he's feeling more comfortable now xx

Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 31/01/2021 21:39

Movicol and some suppositories. He did have one smallish movement this morning, and after a lot of effort had a reasonable size one this evening. So I haven't given him the suppository yet, save that for last resort.
I've started the movicol, but he's a wiley little bugger, he can taste it in everything. Tried squash, water etc. It is the flavourless one, but it does change the texture of the water almost. Yucky apparently 😂 Have managed to get one whole dose in in a hot chocolate, and a few sips in milk.

Will keep persevering.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 31/01/2021 23:11

Yeah, it does make the liquid's mouthfeel more granular. Hot chocolate/milk shakes/fruit juices with bits in them seem to help disguise this. If making up in a cold drink, leave it to sit a while, as it'll dissolve further and be less gritty. If in a cold drink, fridge cold tastes less than room temperature. Straws can help.

riddles26 · 31/01/2021 23:16

For masking the taste, DC had best success with strong hot chocolate (2-3tsp of choc powder, just a small amount of very hot milk to dissolve and add the movicol).

The Movicol Paediatric Chocolate one tends to go down better in my professional experience but its the more expensive one. If gp is happy to prescribe, give it a try

Eleoura · 31/01/2021 23:24

I'm glad things are moving along. You said he has had constipation since a baby! Have you seen a dietician for advice on increasing fibre or a paediatrician to look at other causes? If its a chronic problem, I'm suprised suppositories havent been mentioned before.

A simple thing can be changing the position whilst physicially sitting on the loo. A squatty potty (or anything to lift the feet up) will help straighten out the bowel and makes it much easier to poo.

Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 01/02/2021 09:45

He's always verged in constipation...he had it as a baby but fruit puree helped. Since then he's had to work quite hard for poos but not to this extent.

We have had some luck with the movicol in hot chocolate. I measured out the milk and dissolved the powder in it, then added chocolate powder and heated it. Presumably it will still work in milk?

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Original poster
IndecentFeminist · 01/02/2021 09:46

Thanks for the help all Smile

OP posts:
DennisTMenace · 01/02/2021 10:01

It works in milk, that is what I had to do for ds as he would clock it in water. Anything you can do to get it in then lots of liquid too. I had to take it once and was revolting, but found fizzy orange disguised it the best for me.

It sounds like you need to do a disimpaction and be on movicol long term to get things regular. Please do check the eric website and there is a movicol facebook group. This is not a quick fix, doesn't sound like lactulose is enough.

riddles26 · 01/02/2021 18:52

Sorry I wasn't clear in my post how I dissolve it. Ideally the Movicol should be dissolved in stated volume of water then added to something else for best effect. So I dissolve 2 sachets in 125 ml water. In separate mug, I mix 2-3 heaped tsp hot choc in small volume of milk then add the water when dissolved.

Of course, dissolving in milk is better than not having at all but if can dissolve in water then mix, this is preferred.

riddles26 · 01/02/2021 18:56

Also agree with above PP that he will likely need disimpaction which will take a while given how constipated he gets and how long it's been happening for

bluet1t · 01/02/2021 19:03

If you haven't already, try giving him a straw with the movicol, it makes the texture less noticeable and easier to drink.