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My stool softeners and miralax aren't working, how come?

Posted by pb0o7 @pb0o7, Mar 21, 2023

I've been struggling with stomach issues for a long time now and it runs in my family. I went to the hospital recently and had to have a GI clean out through an NG tube. When I was discharged from the hospital they told me to take one stool softener at night and one stool softener in the morning and one capful of miralax each day. But it stopped working. I'm in a crazy amount of pain. I had a CT scan done when I was in the hospital, it showed I had stool stuck almost half way through my colon. But before my stay in the hospital, I had been to many other hospitals. No one could find anything, until I had that CT scan. iv had both scopes done, but the doctor didn't see anything wrong. I have no clue if it has something to do with it but I have really bad hashimoto. I have no idea what to do now. Please help me with what I should do next. Please and thank you.

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Profile picture for h8bigbiz
h8bigbiz | @h8bigbiz | Nov 24, 2025
In reply to @h8bigbiz "@lauracbaker Thanks for the kind words, however, I know all this walking hasn't replaced fat with..." + (show)
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@lauracbaker

Thanks for the kind words, however, I know all this walking hasn't replaced fat with muscle because my clothes still fit the same. And I know it hasn't improved my mood because the whole time I'm walking I'm thinking "I'd rather be reading or be online than doing this boring old physical sh*t!" So I'm about ready to dispense with the walking; I swear my digestion's gotten worse since starting it. Since I was born with this almost non-functional digestive tract, I've spent close to a quarter of a century and have tried everything (so has every medical professional I've consulted) and nothing has worked so I'm pretty sure there's nothing left to try; thanks anyway, though for the kind words.

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@h8bigbiz

Mean to say, "I've spent close to *3/4* of a century...".

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lauracbaker | @lauracbaker | Nov 24, 2025
In reply to @h8bigbiz "@lauracbaker Thanks for the kind words, however, I know all this walking hasn't replaced fat with..." + (show)
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@lauracbaker

Thanks for the kind words, however, I know all this walking hasn't replaced fat with muscle because my clothes still fit the same. And I know it hasn't improved my mood because the whole time I'm walking I'm thinking "I'd rather be reading or be online than doing this boring old physical sh*t!" So I'm about ready to dispense with the walking; I swear my digestion's gotten worse since starting it. Since I was born with this almost non-functional digestive tract, I've spent close to a quarter of a century and have tried everything (so has every medical professional I've consulted) and nothing has worked so I'm pretty sure there's nothing left to try; thanks anyway, though for the kind words.

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@h8bigbiz LOL, well you certainly are resistant, I'll give you that. Our bodies are designed to MOVE. Muscle isn't larger or smaller than fat. The mood enhancer will be a result of better circulation (from vigorous activity) to the brain and all other areas of the body, as well as more vitamin D from sunlight. The walking also stimulates the vagus nerve which effects all bodily functions. It's not immediate and it's very subtle. Our foods are drastically interfering with our digestion these days and I'm hoping that will be remedied somewhat by RFKjr! I have to completely avoid dairy, or my digestion STOPS. Even if I'm walking et c. (By the way, Docs are taught to treat the symptoms with drugs/medicines and are not taught to find the causes.) Let's keep talking! there are many treatments to try, short of meds.

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rachelbfleischer | @rachelbfleischer | 19 hours ago
In reply to @pml "Hi, What an awful situation to be in! I'm so sorry for you to have to..." + (show)
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Hi,
What an awful situation to be in! I'm so sorry for you to have to deal with it. It seems like your laxatives aren't working. I'm 76 and have used the same laxative all these years. It is a glass of water with a tablespoon or more of baking soda. Mix it up well and drink it all. It tastes terrible! You can add some lemon juice to make it taste a little better. It works quickly so stay near the bathroom but it is effective and it's all natural. Drink extra water to keep from becoming dehydrated. My Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother all used this and gave it to their families. I hope it works for you.

Good luck!
PML

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@pml how often can/did you do this?

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marylandbob | @marylandbob | 1 hour ago

Wow - are you sure you’re hydrating well (~64 oz water / day)? Eat 3 meals / day (4.5+ hrs between meals), with no snacks (no calories between meals). Suggest a low FODMAP diet to start. Ask your doctor to check enzymes. See a dietitian (well versed in SIBO (most are not)). Good luck.

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