Thoughts on Miralax
#232573 - 12/19/05 10:46 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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How many of you C folks take Miralax? I just found this on the Internet Miralax and it has me really concerned for 2 obvious reason.
First, it mentions only taking it for 2 weeks or less for occasional constipation. Sure, it says your doctor may modify that...but does that mean eternity is okay?
Also, when it says MiraLax may result in electrolyte imbalance and dependence on laxatives. 
It just scares me that now that I've started this drug (I hate drugs) I will need to be on it forever and who knows what type of dependence or affect it really has on the colon. Cathartic Colon a possibility? I don't want to become dependent on a drug for eternity to go to the bathroom.
Has anyone who has used Miralax been able to "get off of it" after using it?
I know that some of you take this everyday and are okay with that....but having had an Eating Disorder in my history, laxatives are one thing I never did...and never want to do. Is there hope of going on my own or with SFS after being on Miralax? How long is too long for my body not to become dependent on it?
I plan on talking to my doctor about this, but fears are getting to me today. And I take it and it doesn't even give me a BM some days (like today). Does that mean I may have an obstruction. I'm also taking Acacia...so you'd think between the two I'd go! And I'm eating Insolubles at every meal and walking and stretching. 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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If you even read a bottle of metamucil or citrucel it also says, don't use long term unless directed by doctor. I think it's just something they have to say. My doctor said that miralax is the safest type of laxative and that you can return to "normal" after going off of it. The electrolyte imbalance is if you are not getting enough water and fluids in your system when you take it...as with anything else... Don't read into it to much. My doctor tells me to stay away from things I read on the internet. It seems that Miralax is the most popular amongst doctors, so I trust it. As for me, being ED past and now having the enlarged colon, my doctor told me that I'll have to be on something forever..so, I don't even care anymore as long as I can go...but I know it's not comforting knowing that. If you went off the miralax, you could return to normal..if you were taking like exlax everyday, something harsh, that would be a different story. Talk to your doctor and I'm sure he'll tell you similar.
Jessica
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What are you're stools like with the Miralax? Mine are real mushy, narrow, and constant all day....and incomplete evacuation too.  I also have bloating and gas. Does the Miralax do that to you?
Or do you just have a good, complete BM once or even twice a day? That's how I thought it was going to work.
I'm also taking Acacia, magnesium, and triphala...so perhaps I just take the Miralax?
My doc also wants me to take Librax...which seems contradictive since it seems like it would slow things down.
thanks for your thoughts.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hey Beth, you know I'm a long timer on Miralax. Its been 5-6 years now. The electrolyte thing is that it can SOMETIMES cause D, which can make you dehydrated and through things off. So, I wouldn't worry there. As far as the thin, mushy stools, well yeah, I usually have that also. Once in a while, I'll have a regular "log" if you will but most of the time, its mushy. Its not unusual for me to go potty 2-3 times in the morning. But, then again, I also have days that I don't go at all! If your not eating a lot of food, you just may not need to poop everyday! As far as the dependency thing, I don't think that everybody WILL become dependant on it but yes, it is a possibility. I figure my colon obviously doesn't function properly to begin with so if it needs help for life, ok, so be it. I also have a chemical imbalance and depression and will probably be on anti-depressants the rest of my life, despite counseling and everything else. Sure, I'd rather not take these dr's and yes, all drugs have some sort of side effect but I look at it as the lesser of two evils.
Bloating and gas are a part of IBS. I can't say mine is any better or any worse since starting the miralax. I did try to stop it a couple of times over the years and those symptoms did not improve either. So, I figure I'd rather take it everyday, probably for life and not be constipated all the time. ALL the million dr's I've seen over the last few years have all said its fine to take, Its even safe to take while pregnant so thats got to tell you its pretty safe!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I think I just needed some reassurance here. It's scary going on a new drug that you think you'll be on for the next 40+ years!
I often wonder if my bowels are so slow now...what will they be like when I'm old and they slow down in non-IBS people!
Do you think I am taking too much stuff...the Miralax, magnesium (450mg), triphala (4000mg), and acacia (15 grams) a day? I suppose you guys can't tell me. Some days it works, other days it works too well...and other days it doesn't work at all. I hate this so much! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Quote:
I think I just needed some reassurance here. It's scary going on a new drug that you think you'll be on for the next 40+ years!
I often wonder if my bowels are so slow now...what will they be like when I'm old and they slow down in non-IBS people!
Do you think I am taking too much stuff...the Miralax, magnesium (450mg), triphala (4000mg), and acacia (15 grams) a day? I suppose you guys can't tell me. Some days it works, other days it works too well...and other days it doesn't work at all. I hate this so much!
I say cut out the magnesium and triphala, I bet your stools will firm up a bit.
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IBS-C
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Do you have to take Miralax, Fishnets? I don't get why some C's do and some don't ....why some doctors give it to us and others don't
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Do you take it?
If not, why...because it scares you or because your doctor won't prescribe it?? Or perhaps because you are able to "go" with just diet and/or SFS? Or did you have a bad reaction to it?
I just really want my body to work without this drug. No matter how safe...I just don't like taking "drugs" to have to go to the bathroom. I don't even touch aspirin.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Beth, There is a woman in my department who has been doing
a daily 17 g dose for four years now, has no electrolyte
imbalance and is in the best shape of her life! The claims
you read about it are just negative propaganda. Right now
it's keeping me going with less straining, I wish there
were none, butit's the next best thing to it. You may be
able to transition off it to an SFS, but that hasn't worked
for me yet. However, I hav e the perineal descent problem too. You might want to be checked for that. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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