Try using Ex-lax

Try using Ex-lax.

Ex-lax makes a fabulous little product called “Chocolated Stimulant Laxative” (Did I just used the word “fabulous” and Ex-lax in the same sentence?). You can buy it at any drugstore or online.

Unlike Miralax, Ex-lax is an intestinal stimulant.  That means that the medicine helps the intestine to push the poop out.  Yes! This is what we need!  I have found this product to work much better than other intestinal stimulants (such as Senokot or Milk of Magnesia).  

Here’s why I love the Ex-lax chocolate squares:

1) They taste just like chocolate. I have no problem getting my daughter to eat these.  I cannot say the same about gritty Miralax drinks, yucky miny Milk of Magnesia or Senokot capsules.  In fact, they taste so good that my other daughter (who has no pooping problems) has been known to get into the box and eat them.  Not good.

2) They provide a laxative effect without going overboard.  If you give the Ex-lax in small doses, it seems to provide just the right amount of stimulation without causing diarrhea.  Important note: Go with SMALL doses and then work up. The first time I gave my daughter Ex-lax, she hadn’t pooped in about 5 days so I thought, “She really needs this stuff, I’ll give her lots!”  She had some pretty serious diarrhea.  But actually I was kind of happy to see so much poop come out of her.  You know you’re an Encopresis Mom when you’re happy about diarrhea!

3) Ex-lax is cheap, easy to find, and easy to administer.

Here’s how to use the Ex-lax chocolate squares:

1) First off, they’re not really squares.  They’re rectangles.  Even my four year old corrects me on this. But a lot of places I read calls them “squares.”

Ex-lax rectangles in all their glory.

2) Start with one half of one rectangle.  If you know your child is really backed-up or if she hasn't pooped in 24-48 hours, give one half of one rectangle. Wait 6-8 hours.  If no poop is produced, then give the other half.  If still no poop, then give another half rectangle 6-8 hours later.  The dosage will depend somewhat on the child’s weight.  My daughter is 40 lbs and I will not give her more than 2 full rectangles within 24 hours.  If I have given her 2 rectangles and no poop is produced in 24 hours, then it is time for an enema.

Ex-lax is an intestinal stimulant, which gets the poop moving along.

3) Use as a maintenance dose if necessary. You can give small doses of Ex-lax to maintain good pooping.  Ex-lax is not habit-forming.  Try giving one-half of a rectangle every morning to maintain the regularity.

[Note: Using Ex-lax is helpful, but you're probably going to have to make some other changes too.]  

Have you used the chocolate Ex-lax squares? Did it help your child?