3 y.o constipation - how would you proceed?
Discussion
Our little one's 3 year old since 31/01 and we are struggling to get over her constipation issues. That's been happening pretty much since she's able to eat solid food.
GP has recommended Movicol and although it has worked for a while there are now times when we double the dose just to get her to free her bowels - GP recommended it.
When she goes, she does very little and it's a struggle which in turn irritates her bottom and makes the process more painful. It's a vicious circle although she's been quite brave and still tries as it makes her feel better.
Because of that, I also feel she's refusing the pottty. She's been weeing on it well before er 3rd birthday, cleans her hands etc. but #2 are a no no. In fact she'd rather ask for a nappy to be put on or even put herself in a corner of the room and do in her panties.
She's just started pre-school at nursery and I'd like to get it sorted.
I'm taking her to the GP tomorrow again and will be asking to see a gastroenterologist.
Has anyone experienced the same issues and how did you deal with it in the end?
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
GP has recommended Movicol and although it has worked for a while there are now times when we double the dose just to get her to free her bowels - GP recommended it.
When she goes, she does very little and it's a struggle which in turn irritates her bottom and makes the process more painful. It's a vicious circle although she's been quite brave and still tries as it makes her feel better.
Because of that, I also feel she's refusing the pottty. She's been weeing on it well before er 3rd birthday, cleans her hands etc. but #2 are a no no. In fact she'd rather ask for a nappy to be put on or even put herself in a corner of the room and do in her panties.
She's just started pre-school at nursery and I'd like to get it sorted.
I'm taking her to the GP tomorrow again and will be asking to see a gastroenterologist.
Has anyone experienced the same issues and how did you deal with it in the end?
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
It sounds like she has an anal fissure or small tear which cracks when the bowels open causing pain.
So because of this she associates the pain with opening her bowels and holds on causing the constipation.
Adding in a faecal softener and also proctosedyl ointment applied twice daily and after each motion to the anus can help the situation as this can take away the pain and help the skin heal.
So because of this she associates the pain with opening her bowels and holds on causing the constipation.
Adding in a faecal softener and also proctosedyl ointment applied twice daily and after each motion to the anus can help the situation as this can take away the pain and help the skin heal.
SebastienClement said:
Layacable said:
We try to keep our kids regular with lots of fruit etc as well as a fig biscuit or two a day.( 45p or so in Aldi)
Not much help I know, but its worth a try.
Never have I seen such a perfect username for a thread!Not much help I know, but its worth a try.
Thanks for the replies.
Diet: she eats loads of fruits and vegs. Brocoli, carrots, mange-tout and french beans, loves her bananas and some apple. In fact, she'd eat pretty much anything be it meat or fish. She drinks quite a lot too.
The GP didn't talk about microfissure but she'd get irritation because she won't tell us when she's done it. If we don't smell it she doesn't say anything.
It's the dryness of her stools that's worrying, before we put her on movicol, her first bout of constipation lasted almostma week and when she finallymwent, I had to manually help her eject 2 golf balls, literally.
Diet: she eats loads of fruits and vegs. Brocoli, carrots, mange-tout and french beans, loves her bananas and some apple. In fact, she'd eat pretty much anything be it meat or fish. She drinks quite a lot too.
The GP didn't talk about microfissure but she'd get irritation because she won't tell us when she's done it. If we don't smell it she doesn't say anything.
It's the dryness of her stools that's worrying, before we put her on movicol, her first bout of constipation lasted almostma week and when she finallymwent, I had to manually help her eject 2 golf balls, literally.
The 6 year old boy we have with us at the moment has issues going, tends to hold it in until it just comes out by itself. We have upped his fluids, added loads of green veg and turn pooping into a game. He used to just poop in his pants and tell us later that he had done it. We have been told some kids will hold it in on purpose, pain or fear of the process being the main cause. I no it sounds mad but maybe prune juice and exercise, jiggle the little one around and then off to the toilet?
Definitely seek GP advice, bad constipation is miserable all round. I wouldn't stress about the potty training for now, once this side of things is sorted she'll surely be straight back on track.
'Diabetic' gummy bears have some sort of sugar alternative that is a remarkably effective laxative in them... worth a shot?!
'Diabetic' gummy bears have some sort of sugar alternative that is a remarkably effective laxative in them... worth a shot?!
I have to say, when I was a junk food pig I had no issue with dumping. Twice a day and loads of it.
Been very healthy now for 9 months and its once every 3 days and like giving birth when I do go, so fruit and veg (which is 90% of what I eat now)are not always the best things to improve matters.
Been very healthy now for 9 months and its once every 3 days and like giving birth when I do go, so fruit and veg (which is 90% of what I eat now)are not always the best things to improve matters.
Bananas are a blocker. Any fruit beginning with P (pears, prunes, peach, papaya etc) are renowned for their aid in loosening the stool. Grapes are pretty good too.
By the sounds of it, if its been going this long, it may be that as mentioned it could be a tear also and pain association may not help.
By the sounds of it, if its been going this long, it may be that as mentioned it could be a tear also and pain association may not help.
A few pints of Guinness, a vindaloo and a whole bag of dried apricots 
Ok, maybe just the apricots Always seem to do the trick, nice and sweet so she should eat them. Just be aware it could be a bit messy if she doesn't use a toilet.
Dehydration is the main factor that affects me. You say she is drinking quite a bit, possibly try increasing her fluid intake over the whole day especially now the weather's getting warmer.
Ok, maybe just the apricots
Always seem to do the trick, nice and sweet so she should eat them. Just be aware it could be a bit messy if she doesn't use a toilet.Dehydration is the main factor that affects me. You say she is drinking quite a bit, possibly try increasing her fluid intake over the whole day especially now the weather's getting warmer.
J B L said:
Thanks for the replies.
Diet: she eats loads of fruits and vegs. Brocoli, carrots, mange-tout and french beans, loves her bananas and some apple. In fact, she'd eat pretty much anything be it meat or fish. She drinks quite a lot too.
The GP didn't talk about microfissure but she'd get irritation because she won't tell us when she's done it. If we don't smell it she doesn't say anything.
It's the dryness of her stools that's worrying, before we put her on movicol, her first bout of constipation lasted almostma week and when she finallymwent, I had to manually help her eject 2 golf balls, literally.
Sounds identical to my daughter.Diet: she eats loads of fruits and vegs. Brocoli, carrots, mange-tout and french beans, loves her bananas and some apple. In fact, she'd eat pretty much anything be it meat or fish. She drinks quite a lot too.
The GP didn't talk about microfissure but she'd get irritation because she won't tell us when she's done it. If we don't smell it she doesn't say anything.
It's the dryness of her stools that's worrying, before we put her on movicol, her first bout of constipation lasted almostma week and when she finallymwent, I had to manually help her eject 2 golf balls, literally.
Movicol and the ointment for the tears.
Stools would be like maltesers, rock hard dry balls, and she's scream in pain. As mentioned, this would make her worried about going, and you end up with impacted faeces.
My daughter was on movicol for around 18 months, like you, sometimes we'd double the dosage.
One major importance was getting more fluids in, something as simple as getting her to drink water on a regular basis. Then avoiding binding foods such as cheese etc.
She's nearly 6 now, and all is okay thankfully, but it's painful watching them, so know how you feel.
The ointment will help with the pain around the anus.
We have a 3 year old twins and my daughter has this issue made worse by the fact she loves her food.
Before we knew it was a problem it just built up and I was amazed when she layed a lighthouse poo in the loo!!
We had to put some medicine in her bum and that was near instantaneous and did a full clear out, she was very brave. Now by using prune juice, water and occasional movicol she is a 3 dayer, he twin brother goes 2-3 times a day - go figure.
Good luck with it op, your heart goes out to them especially when I knew Jess was "loaded" and waddled about.
Before we knew it was a problem it just built up and I was amazed when she layed a lighthouse poo in the loo!!
We had to put some medicine in her bum and that was near instantaneous and did a full clear out, she was very brave. Now by using prune juice, water and occasional movicol she is a 3 dayer, he twin brother goes 2-3 times a day - go figure.
Good luck with it op, your heart goes out to them especially when I knew Jess was "loaded" and waddled about.
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