? On Constipation: One of those TMI Posts

So I seem to have been in a cycle for quite a while where I get constipated and don't go for 2-4 days with more and more gas as it goes longer. Then I have a breakthrough day where it is hard to go in the am, it accelerates through the day and becomes diarrhea along the way. By the end of the day I am cleared out. Then the cycle starts again. Is this normal (the diarrhea part)? Would taking miralax daily help get me going every day normally so I could skip the diarrhea part?

Yes to the Miralax! I am eight months out and I take it first thing every morning in a glass of Crystal Light. No taste and works great... It takes 2-3 days to get into your system but one you have it working you will go everyday. At least I do. Not sure how things work without it, I started day one taking it. I got severely constipated from the pre-op diet and had to go to the emergency room. I bought a $1,000.00 enema. lol my emergency room co-pay. I said I will never go through that again, and I haven't. Start taking it immediately, you won't b e sorry.

I take restorelax but i don't get too much relief...maybe i'll take miralax...does it cause a dependency?

It's the same thing:Polyethylene Glycol 3350. It just goes by a different brand name in the states.

Not at all.

I agree about the Miralax. I fought severe constipation for the first 6 months after surgery. I tried everything, but I only got occasional relief. Finally, I gave in and started the Miralax regimen, and have had no issues since. Wish I'd listened sooner lol

I have had the same problem since my surgery.

I don't get gassy but I until I started using milk of magnesia Icdid have horrible abdominal cramps before the diarrhea phase.

My dr assures me that people my age don't get new onset IBS.

I use a bulk fiber, even though I get enough fiber in my diet, it can't hurt. I don't think it helps.

I take a daily dose of milk of magnesia on the second thru fourth day of constipation now because I felt was pooping cement. It helped (some) with the abdominal pain as well. And when I use it the diarrhea isn't as urgent or liquid.

I apologize for the graphic nature of my comment.

I take Colace every other week for 7 days from what was left over after my surgery and also eat Fiber One fairly regularly. It has definitely helped me stay more regular. I have Miralax but haven't taken it because it tastes funny to me, but I imagine if would have a very similar result to stool softeners.

I take Miralax every day and still don't go every day. After a couple of days I will take a laxative or some M.O.M. to get things moving.

Sometimes--sometimes, liquid stool can go around firmer stool in the colon. You may not be getting as cleared out as you think. This may be why the cycle is repeating. Something that adds moisture to stool can help get everything out. I use miralax, also fattier cuts of meat.