Severely constipated dd, age 2 - desperate for advice!

[Diege]

DD2 is in extreme discomfort, and has been on and off for several months now . We've tried lots of fruit (inc. prunes) fluids, and old trusty lactulose, but to no effect. The only thing that made some difference was stopping her morning and evening cup of milk, but now seems as bad as ever . In fact most of her waking day is spent sitting in a corner 'straining' poor thing. Have to ring drs back tomorrow for an 'emergency' appointment (only way of getting an appoitment at our gps )but wondered if anyone had any advice to offer?

Have you tried very ripe bananas? Or grapes?
Califig worked a treat on my LO. Though does need repeating.

We've just been given Movicol for DS (aged 2). Am hoping for great things. Glycerin suppositories helped him to poo when he was in real pain with the constipation, but they are not nice for him (or for me) to use. Worth it as a short term measure though. Movicol is supposed to be excellent. your poor DD, much sympathy.

Califig worked for my dd - make sure you're near a loo exactly two hours after giving it!!

Thanks Toasted. She has grapes everyday, though haven't tried v.ripe bananas. Will check out califig - is it a medicine? We also have a problem getting the lactulose down her - she can detect it in her oranage juice, so hopefully this might be accepted.

dd suffers with this also.

have used suppositories which have done the trick in similar situation (combined with a massage of tummy and cycling her legs, holding her knees up to her chest) She was then prescribed movicol paediatric which was much better than lactulose.

We've gradually weaned her off this now and she has spoonful of bran (in bag from health food shop) and dried fruit mixed in with her breakfast every morning which seems to be doing the trick keeping her regular.

Hope things improve soon. You have my sympathy. Tis truly horrid to see them in such pain

Captain, a friend suggested the suppositories too, but a bit reluctant to go down that route (literally) just yet! Mavis, is the califig available over the counter, or prescription only?

You can get Califig 'off the shelf'. It's basically condensed fig juice (tastes sweet (apparently)) and has an 'amazing' effect!

Thanks Ejb . Will mention the movicol if I can get an appointment tomorrow, and also try the leg cycling thing! Tis truly awful watching her in 'her corner'

I have no time but MOVICOL is what you need
talk to GP or Paed doc abotu it

Calfig used to work for DD

and bananas worked for DS2

you can also give Fibresure to children over a certain age i think but only half a sachet, a friend used this and said it worked

Hope he's feeling better soon

craial osteopathy can work wonders on long term constipation. My friend took her dd who was around 7 and had always had problems and they've never looked back, never needed supositries again etc etc. I think it was to do with releasing pressure on something that is connected to the tummy muscles which had been interfering with how it should work IYSWIM

You're right teacake the effect is amazing. We were on holiday and dd hadn't been for a week. She was uncomfortable and trying to go but nothing happening. The pharmacist recommended it and said it would work in two hours. And no joke exactly two hours after she had it, there was action (hence the recommendation of being near a toilet or nappy change). Is it too strong to say it was a miracle!!?

Diege you and your dd have my sympathy, its very difficult to see your child in such discomfort. Go and get the califig and wait two hours - you'll be amazed. Good luck

ice cream can do the trick

Wow, thank you all for taking the time to post with your advice .
DD is now sitting on her chair in front on a video, with a packet of dried apricots and a drink of fresh juice. She has also had some califig. I will sit back and await the results!! [diege wonders now if she's overdone things??] Will let you know how I get on!

Watermelon and orange juice. Good luck.

Hi diege. Try this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=498878#10086638 Also do a search on 'movicol' as there has been lots of discussions on constipation over the last few weeks. I posted under the name 'blessed2' in the link above

Thank you both! Will add watermelon to the shopping list, and do a search on movicol too . No 'movement' as yet, but it's not been 2 hours so will see...

Another vote for movicol. My dd had impaction and Movicol worked wonders.

Good Luck

Thanks Snub . No luck as yet with the califig . May try another spoon later - hopefully she won't choose her moment during school run!! May well go for the movicol tomorrow if no luck today. Lots of noisy wind, but no poo!!!!

spub even

Still no poo, despite copious amounts of califig . Off to out-of-hours GP with dd today, as she's in severe discomfort and it's been 6 days now. Just hoping movicol will do the trick!

Poor thing

Have you tried giving her a big bowl of softly cooked carrots with some olive oil on them? For some reason, cooked carrots seem to get things moving more than raw! Good luck x

Your poor DD. DS has suffered very badly with constipation for past 4 years and didn't benefit long term from medical intervention. However things have really improved since we made a few changes to his diet. We reduced dairy products drastically after we noticed that he wasn't as constipated on holidays when he didn't drink milk as it tasted different - he used to drink a lot of milk and loved probiotic drinks. Absolutely no apple juice either - orange juice or prune instead and of course water as fibre needs loads of water to work. He rarely has bananas now as too many apparently aren't helpful but kiwi fruit seem to get things moving. I make up a magic smoothie mix which I freeze like icecream and he has one every day or so. I use prune juice, a few prunes or a pear and linseed (essential product) as a base and add other fruit. Another thing DS likes is chocolate dipped prunes- I cut them into bite sized pieces and dip them in melted chocolate - they last for ages in a tub and are actually rather yummy. In the meantime have you tried giving your poor DD a warm bath and a stomach massage. Hope she gets some relief soon.

I wonder if the whole thing is becomeing a behaviour pattern in addition to any dietary things going on, associating going to the toilet with pain and so doesn't want to go, stool dries in the bowel and then cycle continues. Get a referal from the GP to sort this out once and for all.