Reassurance needed please. Movicol and withholding.

[Mamabear7]

Hi I'm new here! So basically what's happening is that my son has been withholding since he was 2, he's now 5 and I'm having to put him back on Movicol as he is withholding again after another stingy bm. I just need a bit of reassurance about long term Movicol usage. And that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so worried that his bowel will be dependent on the Movicol and he won't ever be off it. 😞

[Booloo]

Please watch video by the poo nurses , on this sight , you are simply adding water to the poo to help it along , making your child’s bowel more efficient !!!

[Mamabear7 in reply to Booloo]

Thanks for your reply. I will watch the video.

[Holly18]

Hi there yes definitely recommmend watching the video. My son is 3 and half and has been withholding for about 9 months - since potty training really.

He has been on Movicol for about 6 months and he is still withholding and I am trying to get the dose right. I can see a long road ahead for us. Just wondering if things improved for your son for a period of time and what worked for you.

Thanks

[Mamabear7 in reply to Holly18]

Hi! I did watch the video and it was really good! I'm 3 years down the line with constipation and Movicol and it's been really up and down. My son eats well and is very active but one stingy poo was enough for him to withhold for up to a week. The Movicol really helps and he would be pooing every day and I would start bringing him off the Movicol a little bit at a time but he would always start withholding again. It's been a real vicious circle. So up to today he hasn't had a poo for a week again so I'm having to up the dose and wait for it to clear out. I suppose my advice after all this time would be to stay on the Movicol and make going to the toilet part of a daytime routine. Going at the same time every day. And to drink lots of water of possible. Depending on the child I think staying on Movicol is a long road but that's ok ☺

[Holly18]

Thanks for the advice. Yes I can’t see him coming off Movicol any time soon. He is a fussy eater and it’s a struggle to get enough fruit and veg in him which is probably adding to the problem. He does drink lots though.

Trying to get a good toilet routine. He’s very reluctant.

It’s been about 4 days without a proper bowel movement and he’s had 3 sachets today. Will

Have to up in tomorrow . I’ve been wondering wether to try him on senakot.

[Mamabear7 in reply to Holly18]

Aww bless him. It's so hard watching them go though this isn't it. Senakot is an option for sure. I think that needs a trip to the gp so you can be sure to get the dosage right. It's a stimulant so it works differently from Movicol but they work well together. My son is so unhappy at the moment, he is tired and sluggish. I'm hoping he will go tomorrow. I might keep him off school just in case it does happen.