Miralax side effects

Diseases & Conditions Irritable Bowel Syndrome
1
Hi everyone!  Just been perscribed Miralax for my IBS-C, and I'm on my second day.  I was just wondering how miralax has treated others...like does the bloating and gas subside as you get used to it?  If it can help with the C that is great but if I'm gonna be bloated and gassy then I want to try something else (that's the worst part of the C--the huge gassy belly!).  Thanks for any input!
2
Hi sophie,
I was on Miralax for almost a year with great success. Yes, bloating and gas is common in the beginning but it should subside within a week or two. It did also take about a week to see the results as far as not being constipated anymore but when I got past the beginning I loved the stuff. It did wonders for me where I couldn't tolerate much of anything else that helps with constipation or just didn't work for me. I'd say give it a couple of weeks and if you don't improve, let your doc know.
Take Care

Hugs, Des
Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum
 
~My reality check bounced
 
 
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Dx: IBS 1989, Diverticulosis 2004, UC 2005, Sjogren's 2006
Meds: Sulfazine EC, Mesalamine, Chlorzoxazone, Oxaprozin, Symax SL, Protonix, Xanax XR, Supplements

3
Apparantly Miralax is not recommended for long term use though it appears some people have taken it for many years. I wonder if it is better for you than an occassional minor laxative or stool softener. Does it make the stools loose as I have always heard that a firm stool is better to prevent polyps,etc.
4
Hi Canyonbabe, Miralax is often prescribed for long term use. If you read into most websites about medications, you will often notice that almost every one of the medications you see will tell you that its not for long term. There are certain instances where it is recommended by the doctor. I would be very concerned with long term use of stimulant laxatives and stool softeners than with an osmotic laxative like Miralax. Miralax does not impair the function of the intestines nor is it addicting. Stimulant laxatives have the risk of both. Miralax does not cause diarrhea normally but does provide water into the stools where chronic constipation causes major dry poops and water is necessary to move those stools along.

sophie, I would definitely talk to your doctor about this medication if its still giving you trouble and you don't see a decrease in the uncomfortable side effects. You want to make sure that you are on the right treatment path.

Hugs, Des
Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum
 
~My reality check bounced
 
 
Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating  http://www.healingwell.com/donate
 
Dx: IBS 1989, Diverticulosis 2004, UC 2005, Sjogren's 2006
Meds: Sulfazine EC, Mesalamine, Chlorzoxazone, Oxaprozin, Symax SL, Protonix, Xanax XR, Supplements

5
Thanks, I will ask my Dr. about it next time. I know I was told a long time ago that stool softeners were fine to use all the time but I don't like soft stools. The Dulcolax is a stimulant but since I only take the one instead of 2 or 3 it causes no urgency or cramping and often doesn't work till the following day. Apparantly I really have a slow system.
6
Well I'm back on the Miralax again. Ever since I have been taking more and more meds lately for everything else, I have just been backing up :) My UC hasn't been acting up (touch wood) so that is why not D for me, plus the fiber really keeps that in check pretty much. So back with the miralax club which is ok by me as long as it works as well as it did before. I feel like a yo-yo but when you have one thing that causes D and one thing that drys you out like a desert, there is never a dull moment. :)

Hugs, Des
Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum
Dx: IBS 1989, Diverticulosis 2004, UC 2005, Sjogren's 2006
Meds: Sulfazine EC 1000mg, Mesalamine Enemas, Chlorzoxazone 500mg, Naprosyn 500mg, Symax SL .125mg, Protonix 40mg, Xanax XR 2mg, Miralax 17g Supplements
 
 
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7
I was just diagnosed yesterday with Crohn's. I have severe C as well and my doctor prescribed Miralax. I started it this morning in just water, blech... left a funky sort of taste in the back of my throat.

What do you guys mix it with?

Dbab, did I understand you correctly in that it generally takes a week or so for it to 'work?' Of course, everyone is different, but I was curious.

Thanks, Sherree
8
Hi Sherree,

Sorry about your dx but at least you now have answers and you can get treated properly.

I drink mine with either iced tea or gatorade... I can't taste anything when I drink it. (I have had it with water before)

A few days to a week is generally the time frame. Most people think that it has to work like other laxatives within a couple of hours but its actually working with pulling the water into the intestines than just stimulating your bowels (there is no bowel stimulation with miralax) so thats why it takes that long.

Hugs, Des
Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum
Dx: IBS 1989, Diverticulosis 2004, UC 2005, Sjogren's 2006
Meds: Sulfazine EC 1000mg, Mesalamine Enemas, Chlorzoxazone 500mg, Naprosyn 500mg, Symax SL .125mg, Protonix 40mg, Xanax XR 2mg, Miralax 17g, Supplements
 
 
Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating  http://www.healingwell.com/donate
 

9
Thanks. I'll experiment with different juices and drinks to find the right one.

I forget it's not a regular type of laxative...oh boy, the waiting is going to be fun!

Sherree
10

Miralax Works for Me!

Had colon resection surgery in November 2007 for repeated flair-ups with diverticulitis. Was going along just fine, until I recently developed severe constipation for about two weeks. Was just miserable with the bloating, cramping and gas.  Thought the worst, as I believed it was associated with the surgery.  After an examination by my surgeon, which he stated all is well down south, he recommended Miralax. After a couple of days, things started moving again, without any side effects. Great stuff!

 

 

11

I too have the Big C!!! I have had trouble with this since I was born..I'm begining to think that I have IBS but never been diagnosed.  I can't remember a time that I haven't been consitpated..even my mom talks about it as a baby I was consitpated..I have terrible bloating after about 3 days of not going..I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyaligia and the medications are making it even worse..I have never eaten so much fiber with nothing happening..very frustrating.  I did buy some Miralax and found that after  couple of days I did have some relief.  Right now I am on day 5 without going...I am also so full of gas that I have to be real careful around people "if you know what I mean"!! I have been reading that you can take miralax everyday..my question is because the OTC is so expensive is there a generic prescription strength that your dr. can write for you?  That would be great....So does it sound like I have IBs...I am 58 and have had a colonoscopy a few ago..just never persuede (sp?) my problem with a dr. about my chronic C....but I guess a diagnosis would be great and maybe some help with this problem..this is not normal!!  It's so nice to have this website to be able to vent..where else can you talk about this..my husband is sure tired of hearing about my problem!!!..I'm so jealous of him when he has 2 and 3 BM a day sometimes!!!

thanks for letting me vent...

12

Grammiejean,

 

Yes Miralax is priced a little high... But isn't worth it if it provides relief? 

 

Big drug chains like CVS carry three sizes starting at about $9.00, up to around $22.00 for the largest bottle. You may also search on-line for better pricing.....

ST

13
Just thought I would tell you that we take Miralax in our house with Hot Tea. The best way is with the Celesstial Seasonings Teas, the herbal stuff totally masks the flavor. My son with Muscular Dystrophy takes it for chronic constipation. He loves the chamomile and the sleepytime and can not tell the difference between plain tea and the miralax added one. Don't add the Miralax when the tea is too hot, it just isnt the same. Good luck, its a great and welcome help in our household, haven't had a fight over taking meds since hes been on it. No cramps.
14
Hi Kokie, st43 . dbab, Grammijean,and all here everybody,

I am curious about how you work the Miralax around the meds...is there any problem with your medication absorption or can you take it anytime? I take seizure and thyroid meds so don't want the miralax to impair them. glad the Miralax works for you guys and am considering trying it...Citrucel is OK-ish but may not work when i start back on my vitamins with calcium which I need now that I've entered 'mentalpause' LOL.

I too have diverticular disease and long time IBS-C with a sudden flare that caused me to prolapse all my pelvic organs..my GYN is talking surgery soon but of course I must have my 'C' well under control first. :)

Thanks for all the great info and support here..I love it and wish I'd found ya'll sooner!

Hugs, Deb (mattsmom81)

Hope you're all having a great day. :)
15
My son who is now 10 years old has been on Miralax since he was 3 years old. We have taken him to numerous doctors, primary care physicians and specialists in constipation. All 4 doctors we visited said the same thing. My son who is now ten is totally dependent on Miralax. My son had a sore throat one day and I took him to another clinic just to make sure he did not have strep throat. I had a chance to visit with the doctor and told her about his situation with Miralax. She highly recommended that I go to a Vitaman store (focuses on nutrition) and try and get him off of Miralax. They told me to take him off of Miralax and also asked me about his behavior. My son is usually negative, moody, nervous,and figits daily. He stained his underwear daily also had occasional headaches . I took him off miralax and started giving him magnesium daily and enzyme tablets. WHAT A MIRACLE!! A happier little boys has shown up, he is not figiting constantly, he has said kind things to other family members and he has been happy that he can possibly be like other children. He actually cuddled up to me and was able to sit and watch a movie.
I took him back to his primary care physician and told him what I had done, she told me to at least give him miralax on the weekends. I came home Friday afternoon and gave him Miralax, within 2 hours he was complaining about the headache he had (which he had not had a headache since I stopped the Miralax). The lesson learned was to go with my gut feeling instead of what doctors insist are fine. I cannot tell you the happiness this change has brought to our lives just by looking outside of the box and looking for alternative solutions. I know we have a long way to go but just a small change is great progress for my little guy!!
16
That is wonderful for you, your son and your whole family.
17
For the past 3 years, I've had "stomach problems." Bloating, gas, constipation, abdominal pain, diahrea. When I finally went to the doctor in August '08, he prescribed Miralax and suggested that I probably have IBS. Well, since I've been taking Miralax all of my old problems went away. (I'm now taking Miralax once every 2 weeks.)

But I have a new problem that's causing me some concern. I'm losing weight for no reason. Since August I went from 130lbs to 120lbs. I'm not the type of person who loses weight without trying. Also, about month after I started taking Miralax, my poo started to float. It never floated before--never in my life. But now it floats every single time.

I'm assuming the weight loss is directly affected by my poop floating (ie, malabsorption.) But I don't understand why it's happening. Can anyone shed light on this?
18
Let me tell you about this product. When I was 14 I got so constipated I didn't go to the bathroom for a month and a half. My Doctor told me to head to the ER. They gave me a fluid that was pumped threw the nose... not fun. I would of drank it but it tasted so bad it makes you throw up. So for three days in the hospital nothing worked. Mineral Oil, enemas, the nose fluid nothing. So the doctor started to give me the Miralax and later that night, like some miracle, it worked... with no pain. Of course I couldn't leave the bathroom for 2 hours because I had so much... well you know. So as a IBS sufferer I would recommend this for occasional constipation. However if you get that bad it's good to try this with other treatments. BUT nothing to strong. Also don't take to much, because you might grow immune to it. And then it won't help at all. Which is what happened to me. So if anyone has a suggestion that will help me. PLEASE tell me.

It's been day 7 since my last bowel movement. And it honestly feels like a football.
email: DyingToLive310@hotmail.com
19
My son is 7. He has battled chronic constipation for several months. Doctors put him on Miralax starting about 3 months ago, including a 3 day 'flush out' proceedure recently (where he took 3 adult doeses per day! This was to ensure all stool was eliminated from colon.).  He is doing somewhat better in terms of going every day. However he has pretty bad cramps and pains a couple of times a week, espeically when bearing down to move bowels.  He was screaming the other day, horrible to watch.  The doc insists that the Miralax is totally benign in terms of causing no pain and that any pain he has is NOT from Miralax.  We are starting to think that perhaps the Miralax is responsible for a large part or at lesat some of his pain.  Does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not the Miralax is contributing to the pain? and if so what would you recommend as an alternate. We are thinking of moving him to stool softeners - or at least reducing the Mirilax does as we introduce new things.  Lactalose and other similar ones have been suggested by a pharmasist. 
 
Thanks
20
I've been taking Miralax for a few months and I found that I had to play with the dosage to prevent cramping and soft stool "attacks." I'm now taking 1/4 adult dose every 48 hours and that is working well to keep my bowels moving and my stool solid.
*******************
49 yrs old, IBD diagnosis in spring '01. Proctitis, gastritis, ileitis.
Currently taking Pentasa (3g/day)Colazal (9 pills/day), Sulfazine (1.5 g/day), Prevacid, folic acid, vit. D (2K iu), flax seed oil (2 tsp/day), mesalamine enema as needed. Gluten free as of 5/30/11.