Digestive issues and fibromyalgia

Instead of psyllium, my GI Dr recommended Citrucel, which he said is easier on the digestive system and causes less gas. It comes in flavored power form or capsules. I stopped taking it though because it seemed to give me a stomach ache. I take Miralax every day, which usually works.

I have both fibromyalgia and chronic reflux disease. Plus I have chronic pain in my low back and my neck. Both areas have stenosis, degenerative disc, bulging disc and bone spurs along with arthritis. So I am a patient of pain management, a gastroenterologist at UVA, hormonal specialist in Charlottesville VA as well as my PCP. I am on pain medication that causes constipation and or diarrhea. (Associated with IBS) what works for me is Mirilax but the generic version sold at Sam's club called ClearLAX. It looks just like the bottle of MiraLAX but is a fraction of the cost. I use 1 capful every morning in my coffee. You can't taste it at all. I also take 1 capsule of Dr Schulze's intestinal Formula #1 at night. I do drink 2 liters of water daily. Along with a high fiber diet. I have no problems with constipation.

@refusisgolden57 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your story is similar to mine!

Oh! my goodness. I have skipped over all these messages the last few days, thinking they don't apply to me, how can I contribute? Well, you all are helping me out so much, to read your experiences, let me tell you that!

Yep, I have fibromyalgia, diagnosed back in 2010, but also deal with a number of other issues including active blood cancer, and am a kidney dialysis patient. Multiple medications for chemo and kidney concerns. Digestive issues include constipation and diarrhea, doing the whole pendulum as I bet you all can relate to, right?! My dialysis clinic recommends Miralax, and I did get name brand at Costco, but will go to generic at Walmart next time. It seems like when I am going through a diarrhea phase last thing I want is Miralax! There are times I have even taken one of the anti-nausea meds for chemo to relax my large muscles in the gut to get relief. There is no rhyme or reason for timing on the constipation or diarrhea, meals eaten, time of day, etc. I never considered my fibromyalgia as a factor.

Thank you, everyone. Definitely following this thread, now.
Ginger

I have both fibromyalgia and chronic reflux disease. Plus I have chronic pain in my low back and my neck. Both areas have stenosis, degenerative disc, bulging disc and bone spurs along with arthritis. So I am a patient of pain management, a gastroenterologist at UVA, hormonal specialist in Charlottesville VA as well as my PCP. I am on pain medication that causes constipation and or diarrhea. (Associated with IBS) what works for me is Mirilax but the generic version sold at Sam's club called ClearLAX. It looks just like the bottle of MiraLAX but is a fraction of the cost. I use 1 capful every morning in my coffee. You can't taste it at all. I also take 1 capsule of Dr Schulze's intestinal Formula #1 at night. I do drink 2 liters of water daily. Along with a high fiber diet. I have no problems with constipation.

I am also on the neuropathy forum, because my original diagnosis was fibromyalgia, but have been found to have small fiber neuropathy. Anyway, I suffer from reflux, with esophageal spasms if I don’t keep it under control. I have a great gastroenterologist who has helped me control that, and my constipation. I take prescription omeprazole, 40mg, every morning. For the constipation, I have settled on Mirilax. I can use it morning and night if needed, and tailor the dose by adding more or less to my water. I also just read a reference to Colon Max on the other forum. I’m going to read about it.
As far as water goes, I’ve always been a big water drinker. With the neuropathy, I carry water with me everywhere. I seem to need a swallow every 30 minutes or so throughout the day. I can put my Miralsx in there. You could do the same with the Metamucil.
I would recommend that you find a liquid that you enjoy - it could be anything - to take your supplements with, and make sure you are hydrated enough for them to work.
I’m going to research that Colon Max!

To clarify, are you sometimes taking two doses of Miralax a day? My GI Dr told me that was okay once in a while, but I am nervous about doing so. Thanks.

Yes, I sometimes take two doses a day - if needed. With the neuropathy, it seems like no two days are the same, including my digestion. The Miralax is pretty mild, and I can easily split the amount I use in half.
However, I did read about the Colon Max, and I’m going to try it! I get ridiculously bloated and gassy, which is sometimes worse after Miralax. This Colon Max might help with that.