1. < Digestive Health

Need to get off miralax

Posted by user_ch783e933 @user_ch783e933, Sep 27 9:24pm

gastroenterologist is no help, he says it's fine to take every day. I'm a healthy 75 except for hemorrhoid I got that has put me on a course of misery. Then last December I had a bowel inflammation, nothing major, CT saw it but WBC wasn't elevated. NP in the overworked community hospital ER put me on augmentin, huge mistake. After five pills, two days worth, I developed a systemic yeast infection that required diflucan and destroyed my bowel biome. I literally couldn't poop so gastroenterologist put me on a cap of miralax in the morning. I changed my diet by reducing fiber somewhat, since that's what caused the inflammation. But because of the bowel biome, without miralax I get sliw motility and more difficult to pass stool, something I haven't had more than once or twice a year, and then the hemorrhoid blows up, it's horrible. So I can't stop the miralax.

Gastroenterologist offered zero advice on how to restore bowel biome, zero. What good are these people! I began taking acidophilus 1billion count tiny pearl. It gave me very unusual stool. I stopped it for 2 days and it's going back to normal now. So acidophilus might not be a good idea. During the antibiotic poisoning I tried Florastor, forget it, unbelievable gas and diarrhea. If I reduce the miralax, stool becomes more difficult to pass. Ordinarily, I'd just deal with it but at this point my anus has had it and I'm having a colonoscopy end of October which will turn it into a horrific ordeal. Trying to get it better for that prep. I know this is alot of info but it's all necessary to understand my dilemma.

Should I go to the Nutrition center and seek dietary guidance? I can't eat prunes, have to be cautious with the amount of fiber, eat salad every lunchtime, actually my diet is so repetitive and I don't enjoy eating at all now. I'm afraid to take the advice of a dietician who doesn't know me and how difficult it is to balance the fiber in my diet. The stinking hemorrhoid and concomitant anal issues are ruining my life. If anyone has had a similar problem, I'd like to know how you got off the miralax. I don't like how gassy it makes me at night. Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

user_ch783e933 | @user_ch783e933 | Oct 10 8:59am
In reply to @jac59 "Yes, I have something kinda similar. I'm not on Miralax but Metamucil. I just started going..." + (show)
@jac59

Yes, I have something kinda similar. I'm not on Miralax but Metamucil. I just started going to a functional Dr. You may want to look into that. They do more than treat the symptoms with meds. She says to not use Metamucil or Miralax.
They do labs to find out what is going on, what nutrients you are lacking etc. The gut is the main engine running everything. Mine is messed up. They figure out basically how your body can heal itself with the help of diet and supplements. Medical doctors do not like them because they say there is no proof. This is what they are taught. There are actually many studies - 3rd party studies. But yes supplements are big business as my primary Dr. states. (Like big pharma isn't)? I'm getting an EGD and HIDA scan. I already had an abdominal ultrasound. It showed some gallstones, but I guess nothing they think would cause my pains. And also a small spot on my liver. The EGD should be more thorough. The HIDA is more for gallstones specifically.
I feel like I can't eat much of anything. The FODMAP diet is recommended to help figure out what foods to avoid. But at the same time, eventually, this can be reversed. Going to an allergist to see if I am allergic to some foods is recommended also.
So far it is helping for me to go gluten free (my mom is also gluten sensitive). Also, no dairy, and no sugar. That's a lot to take out, and a challenge. I seem to have the same issues as my mom, so I'm using that info. I do have IBS and diverticulitis. But these are newer pains. Trying to heal, and not just throw meds at it.

Jump to this post

HIDA scans when you have gallstones can be a problem. The HIDA scan pushes the gallbladder to its ultimate ability. It can actually precipitate an issue. Be very careful what these "functional doctors" recommend. First, be certain this is an MD from an actual American university, internship, residency and fellowship with credentials as an Internist. Second, do research on the supplements. These things are DRUGS even if they're OTC but they aren't tested or properly evaluated and some of them are potentially harmful, no matter your age.

A "spot" on your liver needs an MRI evaluation. It seems that CT scans are finding all sorts of things now with advanced technology and those "spots" can be bundles of blood vessels, totally benign and not at all uncommon. But it requires a followup independent of any research into your diet. Remember that manufacturers of supplements and other things like it make alot of money from people who are desperate to correct something and not aware of the side effects such medications can cause, worsening overall health. A "functional doctor" is not covered by insurance, also, something to consider if you are being directed toward very expensive testing. Contact a general surgeon and discuss the HIDA scan, these people see compromised gallbladders every day of the week and can better advise you. Gallstones are also common and most people never know they're there and are not bothered by them but here is NO WAY to rid oneself of them by taking any sort of supplement or "flushing" the gallbladder. You do not want to live without your gallbladder unless it is absolutely necessary. Before proceeding, talk to your primary care provider about that liver spot and get it properly evaluated.

REPLY
adlttl123 | @adlttl123 | Oct 10 9:56am

Probiotics the live kind that you buy at a health food store. And if you can eat yogurt I would eat that also. Miralax is my life saver. I don’t care if I have to take it every day for the rest of my life. I’ve been constipated since birth. Good luck. The probiotics will regulate your gut.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.