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

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

I've suffered from chronic constipation ever since my menstrual cycle stopped around age 50, and I'm now approaching 58. A few years ago, the laxatives stopped working so I decided to go the functional medicine route to try to find the route cause. They ran all kinds of tests. They started me about with an elimination diet for about 4 weeks, and then progressed to a complete elimination diet called the Autoimmune Protocal (AIP) diet. In addition, I had to avoid foods that caused specific inflammation to me (like eggs). They also prescribed several different supplements. It was hard because I had to fixed practically every meal at home and I was working full time. It definitely helped my digestion issues, and I felt wonderful. I was allowed to gradually add back in foods that I loved (dairy, nuts, eggs, peanut butter, beans, wheat/grains, coffee, etc). If I noticed a reaction, then that would indicate that I need to avoid it. Unfortunately, I didn't notice any bad reactions as I was adding the foods back at that time. Now, I'm back where I was. So, I'm currently eliminating certain things to see if my digestion improves, adding additional things as I go alone. I would like to go back to the functional medicine provider that I previously used, however, it costs thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Hello, I've suffered constipation since many years ago, and I HAVE to go every day, if not, I know I'll be screaming of pain, so what has really really worked for me, is eating a good portion of Papaya 3 times a day, it's natural and If you don't like the taste (which I do like) you can mix it with yogurt, or with lime and sugar, but remember, you HAVE to be consistent! once in a while if I forget or run out of it, I have a full 45 mg of milk of magnesia, good luck!

I'm very sorry you are going through this. I can only share my experience. I eat and drink through a gtube in my stomach as I can not swallow. I had horrible constipation, sometimes going more than two weeks without a BM, until I started taking a spoonful of metamucil every day. I am now regular.

i have had chronic constipation my entire life . i take two capfuls of miralax a day - one in the morning and one in the evening (heaped capfuls) i take it with at least 8-12 ounces of liquid - i dissolve it in my tea. works like a charm. I go once in the morning (a lot at one time) and then i am done for the day. if things get a little loose i take less/skip a dose . try increasing the miralax a bit (do it gradually) until you find the perfect amount. be sure you drink lots of liquids - it works by absorbing liquids and "moving things along" in that manner. You cannot take to much - its an inert substance - cellulose. the worst can happen is you take too much and get diarrhea (probably sounds good to you at this point!) then just skip a dose...

@pb0o7, you may be on to something. You mention that you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which can cause your thyroid to not make enough thyroid hormone. I found this information:
- Can Constipation Be a Symptom of Hypothyroidism? https://www.verywellhealth.com/constipation-and-hypothyroidism-3233144

Here's an excerpt:
"What is thyroid constipation? Constipation is a common symptom for people with an underactive thyroid, a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism slows down many of your body's systems, including digestion and elimination. Some people can end up being chronically constipated as a result of their disease."

I'm not a medical professional and I'm not trying to diagnose. It may however be something to discuss with your endocrinologist.

If you don’t have written instructions for the AIP diet, this link should help. Good luck!

Hi PML, how soon after you take this concoction do you go?

Hi Mikaylar,
Usually very quickly; maybe it might take up to 20 minutes. However, it will clean you out. Stay close to an unoccupied bathroom. This also works for ridding your body of excess gas which is good. You may require more than the one tablespoon. Try the one tablespoon first and see how it works and more importantly how you feel after you take it. This recipe is the same thing that the hospital used to give you before you had a colonostomy. But so many people complained about the bad taste that they stopped and started prescribing a medicine laxative that it was noted one of the side effects of it was possible death! I would never use that one. I just stayed with my baking soda and water.
PML

Good advice. I will try it. I take a medication that constipates me horribly and I need to be less cared about being able to go. Thank you.