5 year old poo witholder - how to reduce maintenance dose without going backwards???

[Frank4321Time]

After 45 minutes on hold and finally got to speak to someone on the helpline, I got disconnected! So i resort to typing...

My now 5 year old daughter has had constipation issues since a baby, and after months of witholding and struggling in summer 2022 we went through 2 months of 2 disimpaction routines using movicol and finally had a success story. Very soft poos on the toilet every day with no dramas since. Maintenance dose of 3 sachets of movicol.

We have just moved GP surgery and GP has suggested to reduce the dose down. I said I'm not keen on reducing the dose down without some good advice first, and would like to ask some questions.

- what's the advantage of reducing dose down if 3 sachets a day is working?

- last year we tried reducing the dose to 2.5 sachets unsuccessfully as my daughter started to slip back into old habits of holding it, so went straight back up to 3

- how do we go about reducing a dose? Will it undo all our progress so far?!

- surely if she feels that the poo is slightly harder she will just start holding it again. We are at nice normal toothpaste consistency at the moment so I'm nervous to change.

- we have tried the obvious things like more water, more fruit and fibre, what more can I try?!

I believe its all in her head as an ingrained habit and so what to try next?!?!

Help please!

[Yaleamanda]

I would leave as is for now

[BrumMum1]

Yep - I wouldn't reduce at the moment. The time will come when you're able to reduce. For now stick with the success you have as you've both done well to get to the toothpaste consistency. When you speak to ERIC they may advise on mild stimulants like calfig or Senna at a later stage, but it seems like you can leave things just as they are for now.

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

Dear Frank4321Time , we are so sorry that your call was disconnected. If you'd like to complete a web enquiry form on this page eric.org.uk/helpline/ and mention that your call was disconnected, one of the team will get in touch. Please give as much information as possible. Best wishes, ERIC

[14crosstitch14]

Prunes in cereal, we changed milk from full fat to semi skinned, fig biscuits. Chia seeds need liquid base i put in cereal oor gravy. Really good for you i researched before bought and used them. Dose your daughter know when you reduced it? Go back to toilet routine 1st thing in morning before and after meals and before bed. Mid morning and afternoon if nedded.