Obstructed bowel prevention - Miralax everyday

Posted by ashby1947 @ashby1947, Jul 9, 2019

I'm new to this group, but not to digestive issues, sigh. Twice, in 2012 and 2013, I was hospitalized with an obstructed bowel. It was unpleasant (NG tube), 12 on the pain scale, and frightening. Fortunately, with conservative hospital treatment, I avoided surgery and recovered. The reason for my obstructions was massive adhesions due to 7 abdominal surgeries. This was after a couple of years of all kinds of bloating, diarrhea, bowel incontinence, etc. After much testing and many trips to the ER, I went to the Cleveland Clinic. More tests - but nothing definitive. My GP was my best resource, and we finally decided that I should not eat any fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, or fiber. I have an interesting diet! But it's okay. He also put me on Miralax every day to keep everything moving. This was 5 years ago, and I have been without any obstructions during that time. I follow my diet. The Miralax does keep things moving - boy, how I love to hear those peristalsis sounds! I have read several studies that indicate that this is not a healthy habit; however, it works for me, and I suspect the researchers have never suffered with an obstructed bowel! Has anyone else been using Miralax in this matter? I appreciate your comments. Regards, Sue

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mmco | @mmco | Aug 28, 2022

What to eat?

Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Aug 28, 2022

In reply to @mmco "What to eat?" + (show)

@mmco Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that your post is now in this discussion:
Obstructed bowel prevention - Miralax everyday
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/obstructed-bowel-prevention-miralax-everyday/
so you can meet people like @nlb28 and @carolcantor

Can you share some more information about your situation and what has/has not worked for you?

rainbow92 | @rainbow92 | Aug 30, 2022

Hello,

I have been on TPN with a PICC line for 15 months. My goal is to wean off of TPN at some point, but I am limited in the types of food that I can eat and the amount of food that I can eat.

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in January 2020. I had a total hysterectomy and dissection of a lymph node that was malignant. I underwent chemo and radiation following my surgery.

The radiation that I received damaged my intestines and also caused appendicitis in me at 66 years old, which ended with an appendectomy. Radiation has not been my friend. I had 2 bowel blockages that required 2 small bowel resections. I had 4 surgeries in 2 years. After the last small bowel resection, my surgeon believed that my bowels were open and that I would be able to eat. My bowels are open, but unfortunately, eating causes me cramping pain, excessive gas, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting.

I do not know how to proceed with eating at this point since the results can be so unpredictable. I currently receive 80 grams of protein and 1400 calories a day in my TPN bag. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

rainbow92 | @rainbow92 | Aug 31, 2022

In reply to @rainbow92 "Hello, I have been on TPN with a PICC line for 15 months. My goal is..." + (show)

My diagnosis is radiation enteritis. Thank you!

lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Sep 1, 2022

Yes! I had surgery in November. I take 1 cap of Miralax daily and a high fiber cereal called Poop like a Champion that I buy on Amazon or the Poop website.
No constipation!