Miralax

[A's Mommy]

Hi friends,

I can't bear having a hard bowel movement. I have been on stool softeners such as Colace forever but it's just not enough. The lack of physical activity is catching up w/ my digestive system. Has anyone tried Miralax and how does it work? A lot of people have suggested Milk of Magnesia but that stuff runs right through me and causes horrible cramping.
Thank you in advance,

A's Mommy

[Celeste]

Lots of people on the forums have recommended OTC Miralax. It's half the strength of prescription. I've heard that it's a little more expensive than some brands, but doesn't have the unpleasant side effects.

[Karyn]

Hello, my friend, A's Mommy!
Another suggestion would be to try MSM. I would recommend (1) 1000 mg cap a day. MSM won't interfere or interact with other meds. I take it for several reasons but bowels problems is one of them. I'm not constipated by have motility issues. The MSM coats the inside of the colon, enabling stool to slide out easier. There's also no cramping or other side effects from it.
I hope you find something that helps! Straining is very, very bad for all of us!
Love & hugs,
Karyn

[pomegranate]

Over the counter Miralax works wonderfully for me. I had to play around with what dosage I could use on a daily basis until I found something that didn't cause intestinal extremes. I just mixed it with my hot tea every morning.

[pianogal]

miralax and laxatives will cause your colon to have a dependence to them, and when you stop, will make it hard for you to have bowel movements, but stool softeners will not have that effect. Something to consider. Try doubling the stool softener, and increasing fiber/liquid intake?

[patti]

Hi A's Mommy,
I've not had good results from Miralax..probably needed to play around with the dosage more. But what works for me most days are bran buds in the morning, a pear or peach in the evening. About once (or twice) a week I drink smooth move tea if needed.

Good luck!

Patti

[Faith]

I eat a lot of fiber and still struggle with constipation (thanks to all the medications). I use metamucil and I take OTC miralax usually every other night. I don't have any side effects from it. I take it every day as I'm nearing my period because I always seem to get more constipated near my period.

[GraceUnderFire]

Hi there,

My GI doc recommended Miralax to me when I began having constipation from Neurontin and Imipramine. The "poo friendly" diet stopped working once I got to a certain point in ramping up the meds. He said I could take it morning and evening if ever necessary (only had to do this once when they shot me up with toradol several times in the ER). When I went without meds for one week (omg - that was H E double hockey pucks) I did not need the MIralax, my bowel function went back to "normal." At BJ's Warehouse Club they have a generic called ClearLax which is only 25% of what it costs for Miralax. That was a godsend for me because hubby has to take it everyday too now that he is on multiple cholesterol meds.

Everyone is very different, but this was a godsend for me as it allows me to poo everyday without straining.

Wow! It seems like I end up talking about poo everyday since PN . . .

Grace

[Violet M]

Grace, you are making me laugh..... Silly girl.

[Karyn]

Wow! It seems like I end up talking about poo everyday since PN . . .

Well, that's what our lives have become!
At least we have a captive audience, here!