Stress and Constipation

Hi @nscappa, I've also had a struggle with constipation but I'm really not sure if mine has any stress involved. I have been using Miralax daily 1 capful and sometimes twice a day and it has helped quite a bit for me. I have an upcoming inguinal hernia surgery and need to get the constipation under control before the surgery so that I don't undo the surgery by straining with constipation after the surgery. The doctor gave me an RX for Lactulose 30 ml twice a day and I took that for about a month and it helps also.

At this point, it really sounds like you need to talk with your doctor so that you don't get compacted any worse. Diet, hydration and exercise play a big part of constipation and I know that I was not drinking enough water and getting enough exercise so I've been working on that also. You might find the following information on the topic helpful:

-- How is stress linked with constipation?:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326970

Hi,
Thank you so much for the info. Not to be gross but last week I had to help my movement out a bit (if you know what I mean) and that has only happened one other time about a year ago. One day I was okay and the next I was straining. It felt like gave birth the wrong way. : ) I do take Miralax but I know I'm not drinking enough water, and I love water, go figure. I am trying to increase my water intake (I started today to really up my intake). As far as exercise goes I am guilty of not doing enough. I will start to walk more with the cooler weather coming. I like walking in the cold weather versus humidity (that kills me). As far as the Miralax goes did your doctor recommend the amount you are taking and how long have you been taking a capful once a day? I sometimes wait too long and then it takes about 2 - 3 days to get me going. My bad. This straining is getting old pretty quickly. I also take stool softeners. Re your hernia, is it like a Hiatel (spelling>)hernia? I have one of those. Thank you again so much for your replay, I really appreciate it.
Nancy : )

I've been taking Miralax daily for about 2 months. I did ask my doctor and they said it was OK. I've stopped it a few times for a day or so if get diarrhea but that doesn't happen very often. Most of the time I have a lot of gas and it comes out in smaller pieces along with the gas. I've had this issue since January when I had the worst colonoscopy in my life. I've had 5 or 6 over the years and none hurt. This last one was a corker and I swore I'll never have another one. It may have all been caused by the inguinal hernia but I really don't know.

Wow, I am having the same symptoms lately. Miralax usually works well for me but sometimes I get happy that I have gone for about 7 days without it but then I realize that I should not have waited so long because it takes 2 to 3 days for it to work (taking one capful for three days). Now, I too have been under a lot of extra stress and I am eating veggies (CKD3), trying to up my intake of water, etc. I am sick of straining and one day (I won't go into details) I thought I gave birth from the wrong end (horrible). I went to my gastro doctor last week and I told his nurse all about what I am going through. My last phone call to his office (maybe 5 months ago) speaking with I think his nurse, she told me not to rely on Miralax and try Metamucil or Citrucel (they did nothing) so for all those months I didn't know I could take the Miralax more often without worrying about it. Now I am taking it every day until I get on track (I too am using suppositories and sometimes they work. I used one yesterday without too much success. I know straining is not good but what else can you do. I also take Colace. I have a colonoscopy scheduled in February but if this keeps up I need one much earlier. I am scared because this has never been so difficult before. I also have a case of anemia (not too bad) but I am supposed to take supplements and you probably know that they can be binding. Really??? Please get back to me on this so we can discuss it together for a bit. Thanks so much. Nancy S.