Treatment for severe constipation (impactment) and school

[Upppppp]

Has anybody had a child who has been prescribed a high does of Movical (or equivalent constipation treatment) due to impactment? How did this work with school?

DD (7) was prescribed at the end of last week and we are on day 5, she’s had 2 loose stools today and now I’m incredibly unsure about school tomorrow (and the rest of the week). At the moment she is ok going to the toilet, but I’m very worried about her not making it to the toilet at school no time (as the dose that she is on is increasing each day). Equally, she’s likely to need to continue on this until the end of the week at the earliest, so it could be at least a week off school.

Take time off ?

It’s only primary school. She can work at home

I’d keep her off having been the patient in this scenario. You don’t want her having a major leakage at school. Has manual evacuation been mentioned as an option? Are you sure it’s been as long as she says it’s been and not longer?

Can't you speak to the teachers to explain that she will need to be allowed to get up to go to the loo whenever she needs to without waiting to be told she can go?

If you don't think she will make it to the loo in time then you have two options (1) keep her off (2) stop the medication. You can't send her if you know she's going to sh*t herself.

Usually, according my sons continence nurse you’re meant to keep them at home if you’re doing a disempaction regime. It can be quite painful too, crampy tummy, overflow etc for their comfort and dignity I wouldn’t send my child to school, also limits the time you can give the movicol to pre/post school especially an increasing dose. It’s not easy op, I’ve had years of continence problems with my son. It’s tough!

Talk to the school. We’ve had children off with this for up to 10 days, soiling themselves is not dignified and she’ll likely be in some discomfort too.

You need to keep her home while you’re disimpacting. Sorry.

Keep her home , it will be mortifying for her if she doesn’t make the toilet or makes a mess in the toilet .

I usually warn the parents that when on the higher doses, towards the end of the disimpaction, they may need to be off school.

Keep her at home-the Eric website is clear that children shouldn’t be at school whilst doing a disimpaction regime.

I sent mine to school with multiple changes of clothing and bags. At one point she was up to 12 doses a day. She would impact and then literally poop for 24 hours. Nothing really seemed to help - prune juice, high fibre, lentils in everything - gradually as she knew it wasn’t a big deal and her teacher would just say ok Emma shout if you want help - she would just go and no one made a big deal or made her more anxious and she just does. She still has trouble now but actually she’s ok with it. If she needs the toilet she needs it.