Constipation, what the doc said.

I went to the gastro today about my digestive issues, whi*****lude constipation. Lifelong issue, now made worse. I had tried Miralax and Benefiber (surgeon's first suggestion) and various other things and nothing consistently works. Something seems to work for awhile (Colace taken daily) and suddenly, doesn't.  Something else seems to work for a bit, then doesn't. Which led me to think, "Nothing works, must go to expert."

Here is what he said.

"Have you ever had a colonoscopy? What did you use to clean yourself out?"

My answer, yes, Miralax.

"And it worked, didn't it?"

"Well... yes. I drank a gallon of it, though!"

"That's okay. It establishes that it worked. Which is why I like to begin with Miralax, even though you tried it and think it didn't work. Because you know if you drink enough of it, it eventually will, right?"

"Okay, guess that makes sense." (Visions of a Miralax IV dance in my head.)

"First, unless you actually do drink a gallon, expect it to take 4 days to start working."

"Oh." (Hmm, did I wait long enough before? Not sure.)

"Also, don't assume that you will figure out a dosage and take it consistently and end up on an even schedule--whatever "normal" is for you--from now on. So much can vary. This week you may have more issues with constipation and two weeks from now none, and so even though you will find a dosage that works most of the time, you'll need to adjust it--back off sometimes, increase sometimes, following your body's demands."

(Okay, got it.)

"Start off taking one dose a day for four days at least.  See what happens.  If that doesn't work, increase to two doses, one in the morning and one at night. Add a third in the middle of the day if you need to. A lot of people end up taking only taking one dose every other day. Experiment. But keep records, and make sure you give each dosage a long enough period of time to see what's happening for sure."

"Okay."

"Because, we know if you take enough Miralax you will clean out. The easiest way to deal with this issue is figure out how to use something you already know works, and the good news is that Miralax is easy to use and extremely easy to experiement with."

I go back in three months. There are other tests that can be done if I end up not able to get this settled to my satisfaction. But I'm actually feeling pretty hopeful. And if anybody had told me ahead of time that all he was going to do was prescribe Miralax, I would not have felt hopeful.

Obviously, this is not medical advice for you. This is what I was told. But if you find it helpful, there it is.

if i take flax seed mega 3,6,9  every day i will go every day,     also  ginger root is  very good for digestive issues, you can grind it up in your food, i put in eggs i put in home made soup, you can add it to anything, also  i like to make ginger tea,  you cut up ginger then use garlic pr ess  and add to pot of water  boil it, i add a few tea bags  i like and  you drink it hot or cold, if you do this daily   it could help u become reg.

in the past  wiht all the meds i was on  i would be backed up for a week or more,  life is better  with a daily poo.

FYI,  in india  ginger is used for all types on stomach and digetive issues

I hate to admit this because it is probably not smart. But if I get really stopped up. I eat 7 to 10 sugar free breath mints BreathSaver brand I think. Within and hour I am cleaned out. Whatever the sweetener is in it causes the opposite of constipation, quickly.

I don't do it often, but hey in a pinch or moment of desparation it works for me. I do take fiber daily and I use myralax as well.

I am a Miralax guy myself! And I do exactly as your doctor prescribed. I am constantly adjusting the dose as needed. You will find your rhythm in time. Just keep trying. You will get it right.

Colace is a great friend of mine.  But it is 3 a day for me.  I will check with my Gastroenterologist at my next appointment and see if he feels there is something better.  But sounds like you got it covered with Miralax for now.  I vary too depending on what I have eaten and how much fluid I take in, verses salt, etc. Sugar free stuff changes up things too, just as Keith posted.  Hence the warning on all the sugar free candy packages.  :O)  

Sometimes you just need to totally cleanse your colon and start fresh.

To be frank, this surgery has really helped me appreciate a good BM.  :O)

I drink Miralax KoolAid -- LOL!  When I make my pitcher of KoolAid, I just dump a couple of doses into it, and since I drink a couple of glasses every day, I'm getting enough to keep things moving.  I just have to remember to switch to another drink if I'm home all day -- otherwise it's quite an explosive evening!

Side note -- those artificial sweetners that end in "tol" -- let's just say that I told someone you can prep for your colonscopy with a couple of sugar free jelly beans!  Man, oh man!  

Sugar alcohols will do it to you if your stomach is normal. I had never thought to try that now. My physician said to try using Align daily and Metamucil caplets x/2 nightly. It works! She has other ideas for enemas too. Maybe too much info but warm milk and molasses for 30 minutes. If you google it you'll find the recipe. Awkward. But, if you can't go you find what's going to help you do the job.