Connect
← Return to How to Wean Off MiraLax
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Hello @waterlilly and welcome to Mayo Connect. Dealing with constipation is certainly a difficult problem for many of us. As you have had a history of severe bowel obstruction, I understand how important it is for you to avoid constipation.
After having three surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I also deal with food intolerances and need to avoid raw fruits and vegetables. I really understand how difficult it can be to keep the digestive tract in good shape without these types of foods.
I also avoid Metamucil as it can create abdominal pain, but I do find Citrucel to be quite helpful. It is a fiber product but not of the same rough consistency as Metamucil.
Also, you might just consider taking just a partial dose of Miralax to your daily regimen of products to relieve constipation. Often just a quarter of a dose, once a day, preferably at night, is enough to help without causing diarrhea. If that is not enough, then perhaps taking a quarter of a dose twice a day might work better. It is just a matter of finding out what works best for you. For me, using the Citrucel, twice and a day, and the partial dose of Miralax is a good option.
It really is a matter of trial and error. You do need to find what works for you to keep from becoming constipated, without having daily diarrhea.
What else have your tried besides the daily Miralax?
Replies to "Hello @waterlilly and welcome to Mayo Connect. Dealing with constipation is certainly a difficult problem for..."
Thank you for replying. I meant to say I'm on a low-fiber diet not low- fat diet. Can't digest most vegetables. Got in to see my G.I.'s PA last week. I'm getting a nuclear medical study done along with full CT scan of my chest, abdomen shortly. But in the meantime to get wean off the Miralax, she has me taking 2 Senna with a half capful of Miralax. Didn't work. Then I went to 3 sennas and didn't work. Tried enemas and fleets suppositories with little outcome. I don't have a bowel obstruction. I know the symptoms for that. So tried Ducolax. Took awhile but it worked. I can't take that all the time. I'm frustrated. Been eating prunes and drinking prune juice.
You mentioned Citrucel. Is that ok with a low-fiber diet? It's been such a struggle for me trying to wean myself off this Miralax. I'm a prisoner in my own house. I'm always cancelling seeing friends because of my urgent Miralax BM's. It's awful. I can't even handle taking Zinc or Elderberry tablets because they are 100% vegetable.
Thank you!
Connect
Thank you for your reply. I need 2 full capsules of Miralax to have a BM or I get very constipated. The G.I. doctor that put me on it said diarrhea is normal while on it.
I've been having so many stomach issues. Saw a surgeon this week that is pushing me to another doctor. He wants me to see a new G.I. doctor he highly recommends. I'm waiting to get an appointment. The surgeon thinks swallowing a camera to look for answers will help. I do have some Chron's Disease and think I may be having gallbladder issues. I lost around 23 lbs. So I know something is wrong. I can't gain weight either.
I will talk to the new G.I. doctor about Citrucel and see if he thinks it will get me off Miralax. Thanks for suggesting that.