Dr reluctant to renew Movicol for 18 month year old.

[Yazz1e]

Hello there. My little boy got very badly constipated about 3 months ago. Since then he has started to withhold. Despite really increasing his fluid intake and giving him tummy massages, nothing worked so he was prescribed Movicol. In hindsight, we didn't really know what we were doing and stopped it as soon as the poo got loose only to have to reintroduce it again a week later. After research etc and trial and error, we've found a maintenance dose that works (between one and two satchets a day). We were worried about giving it to him at such a young age but we were reasurred that it's safe by the Dr who prescribed it. Now we've gone back to a different Dr to renew it and he was very reluctant, saying our son might get dependent. We have got another box but we don't know what to do next time it runs out as at the moment, he does need it. We are also struggling to get him off the bottle and whenever we've tried, he refuses to drink anything which makes matters even worse. He throws his sippy cups, open cups, cups with straws etc so we have to get water and Movicol in him by using the bottle. I'm feeling really worried about it all. Xx

[Jo31]

Can you go back to original doctor if not just go to A&E paediatrics sounds extreme but consultants are more qualified and movicol is the best option (although my daughter wouldn't take it) don't give up so you can have it sorted for him going to nursery/school

[BecJ]

My son is a bit older but has been on Movicol for just over 3 years. I have been assured by specialists that Movicol doesn't make them dependant on it. I would suggest asking for a referral to your nearest Continence service as they are the specialists that can help sort a program that'll work for him (for us we saw the Continence team in Coventry, then got referred to a paediatric gastroenterologist & then to the paediatric colorectal specialist nurses at Leicester Royal.) Believe me we have been on most types of laxatives over the last few years! For us a maintainance dose of Movicol & a daily dose of Sodium Picosulfate (stimulant) works as the pico gives him the feeling he needs to go & Movicol keeps it soft & so easier & less stressful to pass. We started with withholding & i think that if you don't keep the Movicol & it becomes uncomfortable to go then you are getting into a worse cycle as mentally he won't want to go & the real battle will be on.

I would also say that you need to trust your instinct. I found that hard as I 'trusted the professionals' but the reality is that GPs are not specialists in this. If you think he still needs the Movicol then carry on with it. At least until someone can give you a realistic & practical alternative.

Good Luck xx