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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HI Beth! I wanted to post you because we seem to have similar stories. After I had my gallbladder out, I tried Miralax again since it worked well before surgery. Well, no such luck. I had terrible cramping, even on the smallest of doses. So I quit it, but now am super C again all of the time. Surgery def. didn't help that symptom AT ALL. So, I saw a new GI doc who told me to have a go wiht miralax again since it worked before. I mgiht have tried it too soon after surgery when my belly was really messed up. So, as of today I will take my first dose again and pray it works. It was my wonder drug for awhile, so I will keep you posted! How is the gallbladder symptoms treating you? I'm glad I had surgery, but really frustrated that I do indeed have IBS as well. At least the pains and such will never ocme back!
Hope all is well:)
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IBS-A
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Augie
#233467 - 12/22/05 07:09 PM
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jessica28
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 294
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Magnesium can make your poop more watery too. Mine is mushy just like michelle's...like a mud pie to be gross and exact and sometimes when i don't have that..yeah some stringy poos throughout the day...but like my doc said...it's not the quality of your poop, but the quantity...so be it stringy and long or wide and short, something is coming out and that's what is most important. With miralax or anything we take or do not take, people in general are going to have "good" poop days and "not so good" or "no" poop days. Just be happy something is coming out of us! I wish I could go logs everyday, but don't think that's going to happen.
Jessica
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Quote:
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
I tried it before but it gave me attacks Couldn't handle it.
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IBS-C
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Have you started using it again? How's it going? Do you use it every day?
How's the non GF diet going for you? Are you still happy your have decided to eat gluten again? Or do you still worry that you are making yourself worse by eating it?
I believe you had the positve antibodies too, right? I'm so afraid that if I don't eat GF, I will always feel sick. So, maybe I should go back to eating Gluten Free? Any thoughts?
Thanks 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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HI Beth-- I actually never started Miralax. Here's what happened. My anxiety was out of control, so I got on Lexapro...my doc said it mgiht cause me to be more prone to D...well it works! I have had normal BMs everyday since starting it! Isn't that crazy? I love it...i used to be SOOO C...so this is great. I have had 3 weeks of pure stability until yesterday. Don't know what happened (probably period related) but I am cramping a ton and having very very frequent BMs. Still, once every 3 weeks is the biggest blessing ever.
As for the GF stuff...I had positive bloodwork, but my surgeon that took my galbladder out told me those tests can come back with false positives if another organ is inflamed--which my gallbladder certainly was. And, I didn't have an ounce of D after the surgery--I lucked out. Seriously, being able to munch of crackers when I'm not feeling well is fabulous.... I'm so sorry you're still having a rough time. I went through an entire year of GF, then IBS safe diet, then all of the gallbaldder stuff...it took a lot out of me. On top of the Lexapro (which I certainly LOVE!) I am also doing the hypno tapes--love them! I am so much calmer and can handle these attacks much easier. I know where you've been, Beth. I was so miserable and just thought I would never be able to get my life back on track...but with hypno and the AD, I am getting it all together. Hang in there and know that everyone on this site is really supportive---reading all of the posts made me feel like I am not alone. It was a lifesaver!!!
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IBS-A
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Fantastic!
#245887 - 02/13/06 06:27 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I am so happy for you, Aly!!!  I wish you continued success with the Lexapro and Hypno tapes. Are you still following the EFI diet or taking any SFS?
I'm trying the GF diet....again! Just in case it works this time....didn't work for the entire year I tried it...but maybe I was doing something wrong?
I tried Lexapro, but it didn't help with the C. I'm so glad you have found a new lease on life!!! 
Keep me updated! And not to get D after Gallbladder surgery. Big sigh of relief there!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Since you don't take the Miralax to "go" what does help you go everyday?
Any supplements or specific food?
I would love to get off Miralax.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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well, smoothies seem to do the trick better than I could imagine. I mix strawberries, half a banana and some cranberry juice. I have it every night and it helps. But what I think is really helping me is the Lexapro. It can cause D, so with me, I feel like it helps me go. I'm still trying to get back on track after my colonoscopy a week or 2 ago...it's hard to break the C cycle, but I'm def. into smoothies!
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IBS-A
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So, no SFS at all? Nothing but the smoothie?
I wish Lexapro had had that effect on me. I think it may have made the C worse, actually. But what doesn't?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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yea..I know. crazy. I also do pilates regularly and try to get some cardio in...my job involves TONS of walking and bustling. I am around and on my feet at least 6 hrs a day.
Also, the hypnosis may be doing more than I think...I am SO much calmer about IBS now, so it might relax my gut!
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IBS-A
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I tend to think they cause me a little more bloating and gas. I'm not sure if I should keep trying them or just give up on them all together. My GI says they are really gas and bloat producers for IBS folks...and don't help them too much. Who knows what to believe anymore. Not I.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I hear ya! I tried all of the SFS at some point, but the fact is I felt more bloated and gassy... normally I am more pain predominant, so the overwhelming gas stuff hurt me more than helped...so it didn't work. I guess IBS is one of thsoe things that no one can help you with exactly. Advice is fantastic, but its so different for everyone that it really is tough! I still have my days, but hopefully I am on my way to dealing with it and not as much crying anymore!
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IBS-A
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my 6 year old takes miralax and has for years- it is not absorbed by the body- it stays in the digestive tract- therefore it remains pretty safe
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Augie:
"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"
This is EXACTLY what's going on with me. I started Miralax two weeks ago. I'm very disappointed in the results.
I'm very bloated and it's frustrating!
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~jules
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This has nothing to do with what you guys are talking about, but this is just something that bothered me. I was at my fiance's parent's house today, and he saw a bottle of miralax with his 14 yr old sister's name on it. His mom said that she's been a little constipated, so the doctor gave it to her. This really bugged me because I know that this girl does not get anywhere near enough fiber in her diet, and the doctor didn't even think to mention that. He just wrote out a prescription! Occasional constipation for the average non-IBS person should not be dealt with this way!
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Kim
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Hey Jules!
#253140 - 03/20/06 06:56 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Are you going to continue the Miralax? Are you taking anything in addition to the Miralax, like SFS, triphala, or magnesium?
I had a short period where my BMs were more normal....not mushy and all day, but a few complete and more solid. Sorry, so gross! I decided to add a little calcium to the mix. I thought it had soved the problem, but now I'm back to how they were in the beginning....just like yours. But overall, I think the Miralax is worth it...just to get some of this "crap" out of me everyday! I have only missed a few days out of months, that I didn't get some sort of BM. That's a relief knowing that if it doesn't happen in the am....it might later...and usually does. Before, if it didn't happen in the am....it didn't happen at all! So, now I have the hope that maybe the whole day won't be ruined if my morning is "uneventful". 
Whatcha think? Are you gong to keep taking it? Keep me updated and I will do the same! Oh, have you tried playing around with the dosage? I usually never take a full dose unless I'm really feeling C. More often, it's 3/4Th of a dose.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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