Movicol for constipation in 4m old?! Please read.

[CoffeePuffin]

Millie is on Gaviscon for her reflux along with lactulose as the gaviscon gives her constipation. The lactulose was doing absolutely nothing for her constipation even on the highest dose, so I went back to the doctor today to ask for a different reflux med. She told me because of her age, she can only have gaviscon. And said she'd prescribe a different laxative. The laxative she's prescribed says from 2 years +. I went back to the pharmacy this evening to ask them about it and they didn't really have a clue, but said it's probably fine. But I've been reading up about Movicol Paediatric Plain and it says NOT to use below 2 years, especially if they have reflux.

So what on earth do I do? This is like the 5th appointment I've had to make for her reflux. They refuse to give her anything other than gaviscon and the lactulose doesn't work for her. I've tried giving her water, water with juice in etc to ease her constipation but she refuses to take it no matter which way I try. She is so constipated she's ripping her anus when she tries to poop and she's only going once every 3/4 days. Her milk intake has also reduced and I think it's cause of this. She has an appointment for failure to thrive on the 16th too.

I don't know how to help her right now..
Does anyone have any experience or advice?

 

[Button#]

I'm just starting Ashley on lactulose so no advice. I would phone the dr and tell them your concerns. The dr I saw today said if the lactulose doesn't work they would prescribe movical.

 

[CoffeePuffin]

I'm just starting Ashley on lactulose so no advice. I would phone the dr and tell them your concerns. The dr I saw today said if the lactulose doesn't work they would prescribe movical.

The doctor seems clueless, kept looking things up on the internet.. and the doctor I like isn't available for weeks.

 

[xSin]

When you say juice with water did you mean prune juice?? I know prune juice works well, have you read this page too? It has quite an array of things to try like flaxseed oi etc too.

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/constipation

 

[AimeeM]

Son 2 is on movicol he had to wait till he was two for pead to prescribe it. I would not give it no way. I was worried when my one year old nearly drank a sip of my sons drink cup with movicol in it. Lactulose would be better surely? Sorry I just read you tried lactulose, how long for? It can take days to work. My son was on ranitadine at that age for reflux and so were other babies I know, ask to see another doc get referal to a peadiatrician they know which meds and how much the dose would need to be. Your doc doesn't sound trust worthy to me. Gaviscon is crap its not fair. You need to see a specialist that knows what they are doing x

 

[Mrsmitch80]

My daughter has been on movicol since a few weeks old its fine. It's just a stool softener like lactulose but more effective, the bowel will not become reliant on it. It's a back covering excecise that it states 2 years because not many children would need laxatives before this age. Untreated constipation is far more serious xxx

 

[kellie_w]

My son was on movical from around 10-16 months. If I remember rightly there is a lower strength for younger ages. He has never had any problems since coming off it. I would double check because of tge reflux though x

 

[pinklightbulb]

I had Eamon on Movicol for a couple of months when I changed him to formula at 11 months and it made him constipated. It seemed to help and I was told to do it by the dr. If yours thinks it's worth a try you have nothing to lose.

 

[CoffeePuffin]

She is seeing the failure to thrive paediatrician on the 16th so I'm hoping they look into her reflux and can prescribe something that won't make her constipated?

 

[Mrsmitch80]

There are many meds for reflux, ranitadine, domperidone and omnprezole (sp?)

My lo was on ranitadine and domperidone but they still didn't help much. Her consultant told me to wean her early, at 17 weeks she had her first food and within 2 weeks or so she was like a different baby. She's off all of her meds now xxx

 

[Millnsy]

My 2 year old has movicol but I'm sure that doesn't help you! Have you tried baby yoga and baby massage to help her? You can hold their ankles and move round in circles or cycle movements with the legs. It may help to relieve the discomfort.

 

[CoffeePuffin]

There are many meds for reflux, ranitadine, domperidone and omnprezole (sp?)

My lo was on ranitadine and domperidone but they still didn't help much. Her consultant told me to wean her early, at 17 weeks she had her first food and within 2 weeks or so she was like a different baby. She's off all of her meds now xxx

We have to wean her at 17 weeks due to her cleft palate operation at 6 months. So maybe that will help her reflux?