Best laxatives post colectomy

I don’t have experience with a colectomy, but if you specifically can’t take something with fiber, then I think that only leaves stimulant laxatives (which kind of scare me because I have visceral sensitivity and easily get GI pain) and the types that draw water into your gut, hoping to stimulate a bowel movement (like Miralax).

I didn’t have luck with Miralax; it still causes me stomach pain. However I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules at night and that helps me. It draws water into the gut. I believe it most often comes in 150 mg capsules. I started with that and realized two capsules work best.

Of the stimulant laxatives, my GI doctor recommended Dulcolax, but I didn’t try it, so can’t say it it would have helped. Good luck. That’s a tough spot to be in.

Miralax in general works for me but it took four days before the colectomy and then it often created diarrhea. For me dulcolqx has always been like dynamite. I think it might cause too much pain and cramping.

Any experience with physical options like glycerine suppositories or enemas? They would be gentle but afraid of physically damaging something. I will post what my Dr says tomorrow.

I see what you mean; Miralax can be gentle, but a little too gentle and take longer… And Dulcolax too much. A conundrum.

I haven’t tried suppositories or a GI NP suggested a Fleet enema at one point as a one-time solution. I didn’t have to go that far though, and I’m also not sure with the colectomy. Good idea to see what your doctor says. Hoping you hear from them soon.

Thank you! You have also calidated something else for me. I used to have this fantom sharp pain in the rectum. The only thing that would stop it? A warm sitz bath! I felt like an idiot and the only one in the world but you have validated years of sadness over that.

It is a good idea especially if I can use some sort of pan. I am not allowed to get in a bathtub because it might open or infect my surgical scars but that could work.

I love this group already.

Update. Doctor said no to suppositories and enemas and anything else that enters. Miralax they said is the best and I should continue. And 4-6 weeks before anything like normality occurs.

Wow 4 to 6 weeks. Seems very, very long to go without something close to a regular BM. I don't know the answer, but how much time has to pass before constipation becomes a real problem, versus an annoyance? I have constipation, and it is VERY annoying.

I take daily 4 ounces prune juice and 1 teaspoon olive oil .
All natural bc I cant have stimulants nor high fiber. Its really a trial and error with surgeons guidance.
Frustrating so be patient and gentle on your body. Pray too.