DS Constipated - any ideas?

[gscrym]

DS hasn't had a poo since sunday. He usually goes every day. On Monday he said it was a bit sore but he'd try. Nothing happened. Last night he got really distressedsaying it was really sore. He went and all that happened was a little dribble of watery diahorea. Once he calmed down I phoned NHS24 for a bit of advice. They wanted to see him. The doctor gave us a prescription for Lactulose and said to get him to eat more fruit and veg - a nigh on impossible task.

He's been eating little tubs of toddler puree (it's a start) and drinking loads of water. He got upset this morning, went to the loo and pushed for about 15 minutes. Through his crying, he just kept telling me he was frightened becasue it would really hurt. I think he's holding it because he's scared it'll be sore.

Is there anything else I can do? He doesn't have a temp yet and he's not being sick. How long should I let him take the lactulose before I get him back to the GP?

Anyone?

DD1 has always suffered with constipation. I find what works for her is fruit for breakfast along with orange juice with a little hot water in it (she likes it warm). Cereal like Weetabix is also good. For snacks she has sugar snaps/sultanas/carrot sticks/peppers/tomatoes. She will also have some of those with her dinner. Plenty of fluids. HTH

orange juice is a winner. Also, prunes, raising and apricots. Avoid bananas and apples and eggs - all very 'binding'. lots of water to wash it all through.

I'll give those a go. How long before I should get him to the GP if it doesn't shift it?

Have you tried laying him on his back and pushing his legs up in a swimming motion? has the same effect as squats do in adults, I always find it helps my ds.

If the lactulose isn't working then go back to your GP - don't wait and have to watch him suffer. It look me 3 trips to the doctors to sort our my DD (now just turned 2)- in the end he prescribed Movicol Paediatric, which took about 3 days to work but it did work. Then you have to carefully reign the dose back otherwise it can send them the other way. Plenty of fluids, fruit and veg and cereals if you can. DD still has the tubs of toddler purees and she quite likes tinned peaches etc, but she hates Weetabix - definately more of a cocopop kid :-) It can take quite a while for the bowel to get back to normal if its been stretched for a long time, so stick with it. Good luck.

Your poor ds - constipation is so miserable.
There are 2 issues here. The immediate one of having a sore bottom and not being able to go now, and the longer term one of getting things on an even keel again.
Lactulose takes a couple of days to work so if he started it on monday - things should start to resolve soon. Keep ds active if possible. Keep fluids and food uptake up. Pears, wheetabix, juice, water are good. Warm non milky drinks help our ds. Pineaple helps ds because he loves it and eats lots! If he is very uncomfortable try giving calpol - it may take the edge of the pain enough for him to relax and do what has to be done. Go back to the GP if still waiting tomorrow.
It will take a while to get back to normal. He may need rewards for regular loo sitting particularly if he has been very uncomfortable!

He managed to shift some of the blockage last night. Very distressed but he was very calm after it went. I'll send a note into school to say that he might need to go to the toilet very quickly.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. He's still eating the toddler purees and I convinced him to eat a satsuma last night. I've also promised him a couple of Star Wars figures once his poo is back to normal.

Oh well done DS!
You may need to keep him on the lactulose for a while (hopefully GP will advise). If it becomes a regular problem he may need to be referred to a specialist paediatrician. Good luck!