Constipation Due to Medicine

Updated on November 22, 2008
L.F. asks from Plainfield, IL
24 answers

My 3 year old daughter had surgery on Sunday after she fell and broker her arm. She has been on Tylenol with Codine since and has not gone to the bathroom. Any suggestions on what I can give her to help loosen her stools. I really don't want to give her something that is going to clean her out, just something to help her go. She has pins in her arm so it's hard for her to get up and go on the potty.

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So What Happened?

First, I'd like to thank everyone for your responses and great ideas. I called her ped. and he suggested an over the counter softner but that would take 1-3 days to work so I decided to mix prune juice with just a little apple juice and finally yesterday she went potty - twice. Who knew that I could be so happy when my little one went potty - the joys of motherhood! Thanks again for all the responses. It's great to have a network of mothers helping each other out!

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

You can try adding dark Karo syrup to her juice, or prune juice (my 3yr old daughter likes it!), or pears. Good luck!

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

For constipation issues remember the 3 F's- fiber, fluid and fitness. The pain med does slow things down. SOmetimes just drinking warm water or juice can help increase the waves to move things. (people think its their coffee that makes them go but its the hot liquid) anything with a P usually looses things up as well- peaches,pears, prunes etc... good luck!

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E.S.

answers from Chicago on

We always had luck with basic applesauce when DD didn't go. It's a great place to start since there's no meds involved. Also, we would give her belly rubs to help the muscles start going.

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S.R.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

Try giving her warm water to drink. This always helps things get moving for my 6 year old. Got this tip after my second son was born via c-section and I was taking Vicodin. Things seem to stall when you take those types of pain meds. HTH

S.

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K.F.

answers from Chicago on

Try putting some light Karo syrup in some water for her a few times a day; give her a combination of apple/prune juice and water; or just give her some oatmeal with prunes mixed in. Make sure she's getting lots and lots of fluids, like water and sugar free juice. I know you don't want to clean her out, but that's kinda what she needs if it's been this long. Poor baby probably has a tummy ache.

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D.T.

answers from Chicago on

I hope by today this is no longer a problem. I have a natural remedy. Besides pushing water....stew a couple of prunes on the stove in a little water. If she wont eat pieces of the prunes, try to have her drink a couple of spoon fulls of the juice that will result from stewing. Give her this after it cools. My kids, altho they didnt ever want to eat a prune, had no problem drinking a couple of spoon fulls. YOu can repeat again in a few hours. I wonder if she is also feeling the pressure to go and she needs to relax inorder to go...maybe you and her can read a book or something as she sits on the potty???.....if this doesnt work, I would ask my doctor and I am guessing she will prescribe something.

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C.T.

answers from Chicago on

I give my 8 year old Gerber apple prune juice. She drinks 8 oz at a time twice a day to get things moving. Plus, let her drink water. I am sure she isn't up and too active, so that doesn't help eitehr. The codeine will constipate, hopefully she won't be on it long.

C. T.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

If you don't use medicne, try the old fashion rememdy, prunes. 4-5 twice a day.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Ask your doctor if you can give her a little Colace. It's over the counter and it's gentle. I used it after c-sections and it was effective without being harsh.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L.,
There are alot of great ideas here. What I have done in the past for myself and my children which are 9 and 6 is the 100% juice and then a warm wash cloth on the belly. Get the wash cloth wet and then pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Make sure it isnt to hot to put on your daughters belly. Have her lay down and watch some tv or read to her. Keep doing this. You will have to keep warming up the washcloth but it will start moving things around. Good Luck to you and your daughter.

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E.D.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried prune juice? we gave it to our daughter when she was a baby to do the same thing. gerber makes a apple/prune which may taste better to her. good luck. Poor thing!

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

L., I think you should call the office of the person who did the surgery and ask them. It is really related to the medical event and a physician should know abut it. A.

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Lizbeth,
We use Miralax daily due to chronic constipation, and it works really well. Just makes things softer and easier to pass, not like an emema or anything. Talk to your ped to get the right dose. Other things that help are pear nectar (found in a can in the juice aisle) or spreading baby prunes on toast if she resists eating whole ones.

Good luck.
J.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

you might check with your doctor about using miralax. I have read that others have used that with children. it is mild, has no flavor.

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N.A.

answers from Chicago on

L., I my son had some issues when he was younger with constipation and the Doctor said apple juice was great for that. I also know prune juice is great to get everything moving, if she can stand the sweetness of it. Good Luck.

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H.P.

answers from Chicago on

First of all put a pull up on her JUST IN CASE. Apple Juice is that most mild thing I can think of or maybe prune juice even though I wouldn't drink that stuff. A little Kairo syrup seems to work too but I am afraid that might clean her out.

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N.O.

answers from Chicago on

All natural grape juice! and its yummy!

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

Because she's so young, I would call my ped. with that question. The nurse could help you out without an appointment. The answer can also be given you on the internet. WebMD. Just google. Real doctors answer the questions. Hope she's feeling better soon. Happy Holidays.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Try whole prunes or warm prune juice or apple juice and increase her daily fluid intake of water, (age appropriate amt.) One of the side effects of codine is constipation, both for adults and children. Maybe the pediatrician can recommend another pain relief formular. Call her pediatrician's office for further advice

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Miralax works really well. It comes in powder form and dissolves in anything. It should help her. It may take a couple of days to get her going, but don't load her up on the stuff or she will have the opposite problem. 1 or 2 doses sould do the trick. They sell Miralax at your local phamacy. Godd luck!

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V.N.

answers from Chicago on

A pediatric glycerin suppository should do the trick. To try and prevent the constipation give the Tylenol after a meal/snack.

I would check with your ped as well.

Poor little one.

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S.T.

answers from Chicago on

Give her nectar juices-peach, pear, nectarine. My daughter had a similar reaction to medicine when being treated for a UTI. Give her a full 8 oz, not watered down, and hopefully that will help ease things along. I found my juices at Dominicks and Whole Foods

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S.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L.-

Sunmaid Raisins are the ticket. Just let her casually eat them throughtout the day.. They make miracles happen..

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

Plum Smart Juice. Tastes great.

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