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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/6/2006 9:27 PM (GMT -7)
I've been using the Miralax for just about 1-1/2 weeks. It took 5 days to finally start working, but oh my, it really worked. Here's the problem (or 2) - when I've used regular laxatives like Ducolax or Senna capsules, I always felt like I was done, that everything came out. I don't have that feeling with the Miralax, I'm still bloated (like I've been pumped up with gas), I feel like I haven't finished and my bm's are quite skinny and soft. The soft part is actually fine, but the rest I'm not comfortable with. You should hear the gurgling that goes on as well - very loud. I've been having horrible spasms in my rectum (again), I'll sit on the toilet for quite a while, pass gas and then out comes a marble.

I realize the Miralax is a different type of laxative - but shouldn't I feel like I'm done, rather than I still need to go? I end up feeling this way all day and quite honestly I don't like it. It's like I have to go really badly, but I've already gone. (Make sense?)

What am I doing wrong with this stuff? I'm taking the 17 gr dose in juice and drink plenty of water.

I give up - I just can't win for losing and I'm strongly tempted to go back to my other laxatives.

Any suggestions or ideas, or does this eventually work itself out and I'm freaking out for nothing?
Posted 5/6/2006 10:09 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Sherree,
The gas is common in the beginning and honestly can't tell you how long that lasted for me. If you feel that its not working for you then you really need to let your doctor know so he can put you on some other regimine. Not everything works for everybody but I'm sure you already know that. I believe there is a new prescription product that just came out for constipation (Amitza I believe is the name). You may want to ask your doc about that. I'm sorry that its not working for you, really makes me feel guilty that it works wonders for me. I believe that you will find the right product out there for you to give you some relief. Just be careful with those stimulant laxatives, long term use needs to be brought to your doc's attention since he will probably want to monitor your usage etc.
Take Care
Posted 5/7/2006 11:02 AM (GMT -7)
Des, it does work. I do go - daily now. I just have the feeling that I still need to go afterwards. Stays with me most of the day and its a weird feeling. Not sure if that's the way to feel or not. The bloating, well, I've been bloated for so long, it's secondary to everything else, just uncomfortable. I'll wait a few more days before calling the doctor... thanks!
Posted 5/7/2006 12:07 PM (GMT -7)
Sorry Sherree,
By saying "not working for you", I meant that its just not doing you any good. I hear you on that its making you go to the bathroom but it may not be worth it to you in the long run if you are developing other problems because of it. Incomplete evacuation feeling is so very common with IBS and I get it all the time whether I'm on Miralax or not so for me I know that that isn't the cause. Another thing you might ask your doc is whether he might suggest breaking down your dose into 3 times a day. I started the miralax that way where I would take a teaspoon three times a day. It got really annoying for me because I would have to measure out each dose and get a container to put it in to bring to work and such. I then asked the doc if I could just take it all at once and he said thats not a problem that he just did the spreading out thing because he prefers that for people starting out on the miralax so that may be an option. If you can live with the symptoms to see if they subside a bit then you might do better to stick with it and give it more time but if they are too much of a problem then you definitely want to address it with your doc.
Take Care
Posted 5/11/2006 9:26 AM (GMT -7)
Stick in there for a while.  I've been on it for about 3 weeks and I think my body is finally tolerating/getting used to it.  It's helped me ALOT and the bloating and gas is finally subsiding.  It's so cheap (especially compared to Zelnorm, which doesn't work at all for me!) I see no reason to try it for at least a month or so, which is what my doc ordered.  I've also started to take aloe vera pills, and it seems to help.  I've found the best thing is to be consistent with things, like exercise, diet, and medication/supplements.  I try to take everything (probiotics, enzymes, fiber, aloe vera, miralax) at the same time every day and make sure to take it everyday.  It really makes a difference.  The only thing I can't stabilize is stress, which you don't have as much control over. 
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