Obstructed bowel prevention - Miralax everyday

Posted by ashby1947 @ashby1947, Jul 9, 2019

I'm new to this group, but not to digestive issues, sigh. Twice, in 2012 and 2013, I was hospitalized with an obstructed bowel. It was unpleasant (NG tube), 12 on the pain scale, and frightening. Fortunately, with conservative hospital treatment, I avoided surgery and recovered. The reason for my obstructions was massive adhesions due to 7 abdominal surgeries. This was after a couple of years of all kinds of bloating, diarrhea, bowel incontinence, etc. After much testing and many trips to the ER, I went to the Cleveland Clinic. More tests - but nothing definitive. My GP was my best resource, and we finally decided that I should not eat any fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, or fiber. I have an interesting diet! But it's okay. He also put me on Miralax every day to keep everything moving. This was 5 years ago, and I have been without any obstructions during that time. I follow my diet. The Miralax does keep things moving - boy, how I love to hear those peristalsis sounds! I have read several studies that indicate that this is not a healthy habit; however, it works for me, and I suspect the researchers have never suffered with an obstructed bowel! Has anyone else been using Miralax in this matter? I appreciate your comments. Regards, Sue

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

riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Jul 10, 2019

My wife takes daily fiber supplements and miralax on orders from her GI Doc. It works for her and he said it's safe. I don't put much value on studies. A lot of them are from companies trying to sell things.

heid | @heid | Jul 10, 2019

I have had my gut opened three times. I also have had the tube on 4 occasions. I'm getting ready for laparoscopic surgery to remove scar tissue/ adhesions which they feel is causing the restriction in small bowel. Previously all large colon was removed leaving only 14 inches. So, my question to you is should I put off this additional surgery as long as possible since I'm assuming is going to grow even more scar tissue.?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 10, 2019

Hello @heid

We have had a number of members (myself included) who have had adhesions related to digestive tract surgeries. I would like to invite @thull to this conversation. During the past year, she had a specialized surgery at Mayo and I hope she will relate her experience to you.

@heid, when was your last surgery?

thull | @thull | Jul 10, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @heid We have had a number of members (myself included) who have had adhesions related..." + (show)

I had Deloyer's procedure Jan 7th, 2019. I had bad diverticulitis in 2018, had to have part of sigmoid removed, temp colostomy for 6 months, reversal in July 2018, then a small bowel blockage due to adhesions, another surgery 10 days later to fix blockage that didn't work. Had to go home on PICC line on TPN. Blockage finally cleared, then diverticulitis came back in Nov, reversal site failed then the Deloyers procedure. I am doing really good now, things move pretty quickly, and if I do feel like things slowing down, my surgeon has me take some Senekot. I have only had to take it a few times. There are a few things that do bother me so I avoid them, i.e.: nuts, seeds, lots of roughage and really spicy, greasy stuff.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 11, 2019

Hello @heid

I'm glad that @thull responded about the Deloyer's procedure she had earlier this year. There are also some other discussion groups that you might find interesting on this topic of adhesions and all the problems associated with them.

Just click on the links,

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-small-bowel-obstruction-from-adhesions/ and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-managing-chronic-small-bowel-obstructions/
You will find many Members here on Connect who deal with the same problems.

Will you post again?

upartist | @upartist | Jul 14, 2019

This response is mostly for Ashby1947, and my heart goes out to Thull. Difficult! But my note to Ashby is quite relevent since she described me to a tee. What I am doing is working well and guided by my GI and team at Mayo. I take linzess along with miralax daily. I titrate the miralax from 0 up to 2 doses. If things go wrongly, i put myself on liquid diet. I also am diligent on the positioning and quiet time with coffee in the morning to achieve relaxation of the pelvic floor and autonomic calm. In addition, i always have chicken broth and brothy soup in the cupboard if I run into a slow down or a pain cycle. I am very well versed on what an imminent obstruction feels like. There are various foods I have to look out for, and others I try to infuse into my days. This part is likely an individual thing. I hope this helps.

salledell | @salledell | Aug 3, 2019

I just had an exploratory laparoscopic surgery for intestinal adhesions and bowel obstruction. Had never had any surgery in my 84 years. This was a complete shock.

carolcantor | @carolcantor | Jul 22, 2022

Been using it for about a year. Seems to help but not always. Have been in ER 4 times in the last 3 months for obstructed small intestine. Don’t have a diet prescribed. Need to find a good nutrition person to help.

carolcantor | @carolcantor | Jul 22, 2022

Have been taking miralax daily off an on for a year. Helps somewhat but not enough. Lately have had 4 small bowel obstruction ER episodes. Don’t really know what to eat . Need a good nutritionist . Any suggestions?