Hi ch783e933 @user_ch783e933

I actually have redundant colon and many who have it use drugs like Miramax. For me it wasn't worth it so I did the following:

Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. How to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boyscouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
Good luck, don't give up and blessings, @farmersmith

I’m confused about why you’re trying to get off Miralax if it’s helping you. Is it because you want to address the “root” of what you think is the problem, the motility caused by gut dysbiosis?

If so, that’s understandable, but Miralax is safe to take long-term. Some people need to take it long-term. And taking it regularly can improve motility, thereby in time rebalancing your gut microbiome.

As you found, “natural” solutions such as probiotics aren’t without side effects. They can cause gas, constipation, or diarrhea.

There are other ways to manage constipation and motility if you want something more natural. Sunfiber (there are generic brands), psyllium fiber, or I use magnesium citrate supplements (the capsules, not the liquid). My PCP recommends at least 400 mg for constipation. Or there is a product called Natural Calm, which mixes into a drink and is magnesium citrate when mixed with water.

I saw a GI dietician to help me figure out safely what foods work best for me and expand my diet, a pelvic PT who taught me abdominal massage techniques, and a GI psychologist who taught breathing practice and does gut-directed hypnotherapy. So they all had knowledge and taught things that my gastroenterologist knew of, but fell without her specialization.

All of the above can help reset the gut microbiome in time. But If tackling your gut microbiome directly is your goal, that’s more challenging and less clear. While research is clear that the gut microbiome is important; it’s less clear how to address it. That’s probably why you’re doctor has little or nothing else to suggest if you’re asking them that question—what they do know if Miralax is safe taken regularly; what they don’t know is what’s going on with your gut microbiome and/or how to address it.

The one thing I can think of is you could ask to be tested for SIBO. But some clinics or medical centers don’t do that and have to be willing to order the test kit for you.

If you really want to take a different approach, you may want to consider getting a second opinion with a gastroenterologist at an academic medical center that would be more likely to have a team of a GI psychologist, GI dietician, and/or pelvic PT. Or you could consult any of the above on your own; I’d just suggest specifically a GI-trained dietician.

Or look for a naturopath or integrative medicine provider. I don’t have personal experience with a naturopath; it’s always made me a little uncomfortable, but that’s just me. My PCP is an integrative medicine provider though.

I have many similar symptoms! It’s very frustrating. Mine started with constipation 2 years ago. After being under gastroenterologist care since then, and daily Miralax, recovered normal BM for couple of months after B12 deficiency diagnosis and treatment. THEN, diarrhea bouts, after lots of salad. NOW C again! Gastro prescribing SIBO test, though I have no pain, no bloating, no nausea, etc. And meeting with gastro dietitian. Til then, going to return to Miralax. No choice really. My stomach gurgles. I’ve laid off salads. I see a talk therapist every 2 weeks. I’m open to psychological treatment.

Colonoscopy scheduled for late Oct. Screening one in 2020 was good.

I feel great, have good diet, work out and am desperate to get this behind me. (Pardon the pun. Lol)

Absolutely we are all biochemically individual and have to suit our food and lifestyle to match us. Best to you and finding more keys for health and relief.
@farmersmith

Good Morning,
I take Miralax every morning and Senna at night. It won't hurt you. I would go to another gastroenterologist if you are unhappy with the one you have. Sometimes all it takes is a switch in doctors.

Express your concerns. Good luck.

CindyC
CHrcc

I have hypothyroidism which contributes to constipation. I drink approximately 50+ ounces of water everyday (my only drink in addition to my orange juice and coffee at breakfast daily. I have been eating the Mediterranean diet which has improved my bowel movements and have lost weight (180 lbs down to 156 lbs). I exercise 1 hr walking on treadmill on a weekly basis. My GI recommended me to take Myralax daily (3/4 cap) after I went to visit him to check my hemorrhoids that were bothering me. Since I bled from one of them he performed a Rubber Band Ligation right at the office same day of visit. Painless. Then he told me to take one Colace cap twice a day. So far I have been having good Bowel movements without discomfort. My nutritionist told me keep doing what I have been doing in addition to add Ground Flax Seed to my yogurt and oh boy you really get bowel movements but no diarrhea. Having hemorrhoids is not pleasant but all of this has been working for me. My quality of life definitely has changed, I am now 72 yrs old but sticking to everything I have been doing to avoid constipation changes anyone. Now if I travel the first things I make sure to put in my carry on are my constipation meds, before it was bathing suits, sun blockers and shorts. Everything changes but I prefer to feel good and not constipated. I wish all of you who are going through so much good health and a good life.

@user_ch783e933 I’ve read your various comments as well as your post and I’m sorry you feel so very poorly in many ways stemming from your digestive system being out of whack. Awful.

I can only speak from my own experience having had a huge amount of antibiotics after HIPEC and a colon resection as part of the cytoreductive surgery. Messed up my digestive system big time. I also was given miralax to help get my system working, but I wanted to try and get my system back to normality without relying on anything but food and miralax only helped with motility but not the general feeling of being unwell.

It didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I still have to be very careful not to have too much fibre nor too little. My go to diet includes fish, seafood, scrambled eggs on toast, spinach, broccoli, peas, cauliflower, mushrooms, sauerkraut, quinoa, black pepper and other spices, blueberries, apple, carrots, hummus, Greek yoghurt etc. Mainly pretty bland but so high in nutrients and prebiotics as well as probiotics.

What was the final bit of the puzzle in getting back to normal was natural steel oats porridge! Done in the microwave with mainly water plus a bit of milk, a dash of Himalayan salt and stevia. Then when cooked, a dash of butter stirred through just before serving. Heavenly and its soluble fibre is magic for my system.

I rarely need to use a laxative of any sort now. Drinking heaps of water during the day has been vital.

All the best and I hope you can experiment with the various suggestions people have given you and see what works for you 🙏

I look forward to speaking with the nutritionist. I stopped salads, but still eat some cooked vegetables. I have just discovered that I now either don’t go at all OR take a little something and it’s like water. Unacceptable.

Hello @user_ch783e933. I am sorry you are going through such an ordeal. I can certainly relate as I'm dealing with a similar situation. If possible, you might want to consider waiting on the colonoscopy while you try to settle down your hemorrhoid. I only say this b/c I wish I had delayed my own for what was, seemingly, the same issue. As it turned out I had been misdiagnosed with hemorrhoids when what I really had was a chronic fissure. The colonoscopy flared up my symptoms to the point that I finally got in to see a colorectal surgeon and they correctly diagnosed me without an overly invasive exam. I'm now being treated with conservative measures to heal the fissure and so far, so good. I am very grateful.

You might want to look into the following less invasive alternatives to get you to the next step with treatment. This is not to say that they replace a colonoscopy, but they might allow you to delay it. If you are interested, there are three tests that you may want to check on. They are: Cologuard (a stool test), Galleri (DNA blood test), and the newest test is Sheild (by Guardant Health) - also a blood test.

I've done both the Cologuard and Galleri in the past (2 plus years ago). My primary care physician worked with me to get them. Unfortunately, too much time had gone by to count on those results when my current bottom end issue started. I should have taken the time to ask to repeat them, but got too impatient.

I realize everyone's situation is unique but wanted to share in case it helps you/others.

Lastly, regarding Miralax, I too am trying to wean myself off of it in favor of a natural alternative. I'm not there yet but am making incremental progress. I too welcome all suggestions!

Sorry for your dilemma. I'm the constipated queen. I took Metamucil for 30 some years and Miralax for 5 yrs. after a severe bowel obstruction. By the way, I'm your age.
In July, I decided I can't handle the Miralx any longer. It was controlling me life and I was starting to have accidents not getting to the bathroom in time. My BMs were coming on too quickly. I was confined to me house.
With a G.I.'s help, I take 4 to 5 Senna S, 1 kiwi, 425 mg. magnesium, flax seeds, prunes and prune juice. I know you can't do the prunes. And drink lots of water, which I hate doing. I also use a step stool to have a BM(squatty potty). Sounds weird but it really helps me. Some of us just need that extra help. Dr. said some of us don't open properly on the inside to let the BM pass through and the step stool helps that.
There's a Senna, also. Ones, a stool softener and one a laxative. Senna S is the stool softener.
It took me almost 2 months to start getting a normal routine with BMs. Everything isn't perfect and I do have setbacks.
He also told me it is ok to do a suppository if needed and he recommends Dulcolax. They are expensive but work instantly. Also, hard to open. Each one is wrapped individually.
He said and I agree, most people who are normal have no idea how hard it is for some people to have a BM. He said to do whatever it takes - suppositories, enemas, whatever. It's not going to hurt to do that.