stool withholding - dulcosoft liquid an option?

[Sugarrush575]

Hi

We have a nearly 4 y/o daughter who started withholding about 4 months ago. She point blank refused any mivicol or cosmocol, not even the flavoured ones so we were told to try lactulose. But even then we can only get about 15ml in her a day because she likes water.

someone recommended Dulcosoft liquid because it is tasteless, but I see Drs don’t prescribe it anymore, but because it is flavourless it’s the only thing I can think might change things for us in terms of hiding it in drink. Has anyone else had any relief with this with young children?

We’ve been told until we get the macrogol in her, at any cost, we cannot unpick the withholding behaviour because it needs to be soft poo.

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

Sugarrush575 If you'd like to call our helpline on 0808 801 0343 then our helpline advisors can help you navigate this. We are open Monday - Thursday 10-2pm. Alternatively you can contact us via our enquiry form on the website: eric.org.uk/contact/

Here are some tips which may help with taking Macrogol's:

• Placing in the fridge can alter the taste

• Diluting further with lots of water lessens the tastes (after initial mixing)

• Adding to milkshakes or milk and using milkshake straws

• Trying different novelty cups or straws

• Using an air up® | World’s First Scent-Based Taste Drinking System (air-up.com)

• Eating crisps or other salty foods before or after

• Adding to smoothies

• Adding to cooled food e.g. weetabix, baked beans, sauces

• Making Jelly

• Making ice lollies

• Adding fruit slices

• Adding novelty ice cubes

• Adding to cooled hot chocolate

• Diluting further with favourite juices, for example, adding to half a fruit shoot bottle.

• Instantaneous rewards

• Drinking it at different times of the day e.g. bed time/night time.

• Trying different flavours - these very between brands.

[14crosstitch14]

Yes it is good to use put it in a drink of juice or yogurt. Also try figs and chia seeds in food. Natural or a fig or prunes if she'll have them.

[14crosstitch14]

The dulcosoft dose work, it isn't cheap, it really dose work. Cheapest place i found to buy it was savers. Also try fibre based food. Figs biscuits, pears and apple juice. Blueberries. I changed milk from blue top to green top. Chia seeds go with liquids, usually in cereals with milk or a meal. Toilet routine is helpfull, before and after meals. In a morning and before bed.