Poo consistency on movicol - help!

[Looking4Advice2020]

My 3yo (still in nappies) has been on movicol since March, when we realised he was withholding poo. What consistency of poo would you expect while taking it? His poo is liquid, but thick like curry sauce (sorry!!), but he’s still not going every day and I’m getting conflicting advice from GP - eg one says consistency is v runny and should taper down, but other says he needs to be going daily.

On 2 sachets daily, he tends to go every other day, every 3 days. But it’s still very runny. There is A LOT when he does go, so I’m assuming it’s not overflow soiling?

[Yaleamanda]

You are aiming for Mr Whippy type stools when in nappies. How dark are his stools and do they smell really bad?

[Looking4Advice2020 in reply to Yaleamanda]

Thank you for replying. Mr whippy is actually a good comparison. They’re light brown and I think they just smell a normal amount. And there is A LOT. Because he’s not going daily, it’s a few days’ worth for sure.

[Yaleamanda]

It might be worth adjusting the dose down by half a sachet, but also add a stimulant to the regime such as senna to help stimulate the bowels.

[Barbiecar]

I agree with Yaleamanda. Porridge or Mr Whippy is what you want until his bowel recovers. We used it with sodium Pico sulphate which is a stimulant, and that gradually helped keep things regular. We have been on them both for 3.5 years and I am now weening off the stimulant. The most effective thing so far has been supervising my daughter on the loo after lunch or supper and getting her to push herself (blow up a balloon or blow bubbles) because ultimately that’s the habit what you want to create. You have to start the pushing regime as soon as you can get his cooperation and support him for several years to ensure he keeps it up, otherwise he will become reliant on the stimulant. I highly recommend reading ‘The Ins and Outs of Poop’ by Thomas R Duhamel.

[Looking4Advice2020 in reply to Barbiecar]

Thank you so much! Someone else has just suggested blowing a balloon as well. I’m thinking it might actually help to have him try on the potty so he’s sitting in a good position too. Although he’s quite wilful in that he’ll just say ‘I’m finished sitting’ and not take the bait with bribes. But balloons should keep him occupied!

[Looking4Advice2020 in reply to Barbiecar]

The more I read on here, seems like it could be a long process. Was your daughter potty trained before or after becoming constipated?

[Barbiecar in reply to Looking4Advice2020]

She was potty trained before and then started soiling really badly at nursery. They said I should see a doctor to see if there was a medical reason. The doctor just prescribed Movicol with no instructions or discussion – he just said she was constipated, which was very confusing since she was pooing everywhere. It was only when I found a YouTube video by The Poo Nurses that I understood what was going on inside. I had to push for a consultation with a paediatrician. It’s been a very long journey. She started her incontinence at 2.5 and she is now 6.5. She still has skid marks most days so I don’t think we’re out of the woods but, as I said before, getting her to push is definitely helping. I did get her an X-ray at one stage , which I recommend if it is particularly bad, and it showed the extent of the stretched part of the bowel. They are reluctant to do this in the uk; you really have to push for it. But it helps if you don’t know if it’s the laxative or the blockage that is causing the leaks.

[Looking4Advice2020 in reply to Barbiecar]

Thank you. Luckily my friend is a physio who works with children’s continence so I’m aware of some of the issues, more than I might be otherwise. I don’t think it’s leakage due to the sheer amount of poo coming out!

[Barbiecar]

Also helpful are publications by Steve Hodges M.D. I think there’s a link to his website in the Eric site.