FED up with laxatives and trying older enema protocols that apparently are more effective.

[Eisenhower77]

Inspired by bedwettingandaccidents.com we learned this is the gold standard treatment that seems to have fallen out of fashion. Doc approved a mini MOP and we are trying it out.

[halftime]

Hi. I know it is probably too early to give much feedback, but do you mind me asking how old your child is and how they have felt about it. Very interested for my 14 year old son. Thanks.

[Eisenhower77 in reply to halftime]

Hi!

My son is 6.5 years old, been in pain for at least 2 years, mismanaged for that long too.

After a mini-MOP of 4 days (oil enema followed by 3 nights of fleet Pediatric - that’s sodium phosphate - he finally had some relief from the pain. After the first night he was asking for them. So, although the actual enema is not fun times, he does get time on his tablet during gr process. Since we limit screen time, this is a treat unto itself. Further to that he gets surprises afterwards. After the first one he was asking for them.

4 days was not enough for him, but it was a trial from the doc to see how we managed it.

I am going back next week to see about following a MOP protocol more (since it would still involve taking stool softeners as well which is what the doc Rx’d in the first place.

When I asked him why he did not offer this to us when we first came, he basically said that he does not think that patients are receptive to it. Personally, I was annoyed that decision was made for us rather than presented as an educated option.

In that conversation, the doc said that he makes that choice based on the patient demographics (age, gender, etc.). He said if it was a quiet teen girl he would have offered it, so perhaps his 30 years in clinic have informed his biases!

Anyhow, we are going to pursue whichever MOP options are out there as they gave a more relief in just 4 days of a trial than after 6 months on stool softened.

In my reading on pediatric bowel dismotility, Medscape also mentions that if the bowel is not fully disimpacted (as verified by X-rays) and laxatives-stool softners are given prematurely, then significant abdominal pain is experienced.

I am frustrated that I as a layperson am bringing this to pediatricians when constipation is such a common issue. Thank goodness for the internet!

[Jessolly in reply to Eisenhower77]

Hi!

Thank you for sharing your story. I have a 9 year old daughter who has suffered forever with constipation brought on initially by withholding. She no longer withholds but gets blocked up very easily, there have been times that we had kept on top of it but she had a major relapse throughout December due to illness - vomiting/throat infection/bladder infection.

She ended up in agony and her bowel was full. It is now April and we are still trying to get it sorted out. I have done 2 movicol clearouts but both have been unsuccessful at taking away her pain, the consultant says its because theres still poo in her, he says her bowel needs to be kept completely empty, thats why I think enemas would be better, I'm thinking enemas may reduce the time shes has off school too. The consultant did give us micro enemas but they only clear the exit. I wish I had thought to ask about other sorts of enema. What sort of enema did the doctor give you? did it clear the rectum and colon or just rectum?

A couple of years ago I bought some enemas for children (Fleet Pedia Lax) and remember they were great - no longer available on Amazon UK but you can still get them on Amazon US with very expensive postage. it seems America has a different attitude to this problem. i am going to mention this option to our consultant next time as Movicol clear outs are a nightmare, I just cant get them right!

[Eisenhower77]

We used oil enema at first, then 2 oz sodium phosphate. I have read about adult in hospital lavage therapy and wish that was offered to kids here as that would clear things up. Not sure if that is available where you are.

Good question about the clearing - we did not have any follow up X-rays, so I cannot tell you for sure.

Enemas over here are not looked upon well, but frankly my child asks for them because they are effective.

It is not a long-term solution as using it for long term can cause further issues.

Best of luck!!