Movicol - how long do the effects last?

[RhymesWithBouquet]

Hi all

TMI alert, I have to take 8 packets Movicol/day over 3 days and the results so far have been explosive to say the least.

i can’t go into work like this but I need to give them a clue as to when I’ll be back, so does anyone know how long after the last dose it will take for the effects to wear off?

Thanks in advance

I'm sorry, it's vile stuff. How much have you taken so far? I took 2 on Wednesday, 2 on Thursday, 3 on Friday and 5 yesterday and nothing has happened.

Once you feel you have emptied the bowel totally then you can reduce the dose to a maintenance level bit by bit. This should only be a few days.

The effect has been a bit more immediate in my case but then I had an enema first, so that got things off to a flying start, iyswim.... I took 4 packets when I got home yesterday afternoon and then had 8 today.

The background (look away now if you're squeamish) is that I went to A&E with severe abdominal pains. They did an x-ray, diagnosed fecal impaction (as opposed to bowel obstruction or a diverticulitis flare) gave me the enema, a couple of packs of movicol and sent me on my way.

The recommended dose is much higher than what you're taking though so that would explain why you're still waiting while I can't get off the damn toilet.

Can't believe I'm literally full of shit. Maybe I should become a politician?

It's a bit hard to know as it depends on how constipated you are. You will be able to tell when you're getting towards the end though because eventually it will just be rusty water coming out of you. Sounds like you are well on the way though op. Good luck with it all.

Have you been told how to manage dosage once you've got to disimpaction point? I'd have a look at the materials on Bowel Bladder UK there's lots of information on there x

Oh god I have episodes of this. I have ulcerative colitis and there’s times I’ve presented at hospital thinking it’s a flare and I’m blocked up so to speak. With movicol I tend to take 2 sachets at night and by the following morning I have a warm drink and it shifts. Sometimes take 2 days but never more then that. Good luck

They did say something about managing the dosage but I was so knackered by the time they discharged me I can’t remember the details! Thanks for the BBUK recommendation, I’ll have a look at it.