1. < Digestive Health

Obstructed bowel and Miralax

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.

mmco | @mmco | Aug 28, 2022

What to eat?

REPLY
1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @mmco "What to eat?" + (show)
@mmco

What to eat?

Jump to this post

@mmco Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that your post is now in this discussion:
Obstructed bowel prevention - Miralax everyday
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/obstructed-bowel-prevention-miralax-everyday/
so you can meet people like @nlb28 and @carolcantor

Can you share some more information about your situation and what has/has not worked for you?

REPLY
rainbow92 | @rainbow92 | Aug 30, 2022

Hello,

I have been on TPN with a PICC line for 15 months. My goal is to wean off of TPN at some point, but I am limited in the types of food that I can eat and the amount of food that I can eat.

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in January 2020. I had a total hysterectomy and dissection of a lymph node that was malignant. I underwent chemo and radiation following my surgery.

The radiation that I received damaged my intestines and also caused appendicitis in me at 66 years old, which ended with an appendectomy. Radiation has not been my friend. I had 2 bowel blockages that required 2 small bowel resections. I had 4 surgeries in 2 years. After the last small bowel resection, my surgeon believed that my bowels were open and that I would be able to eat. My bowels are open, but unfortunately, eating causes me cramping pain, excessive gas, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting.

I do not know how to proceed with eating at this point since the results can be so unpredictable. I currently receive 80 grams of protein and 1400 calories a day in my TPN bag. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
rainbow92 | @rainbow92 | Aug 31, 2022
In reply to @rainbow92 "Hello, I have been on TPN with a PICC line for 15 months. My goal is..." + (show)
@rainbow92

Hello,

I have been on TPN with a PICC line for 15 months. My goal is to wean off of TPN at some point, but I am limited in the types of food that I can eat and the amount of food that I can eat.

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in January 2020. I had a total hysterectomy and dissection of a lymph node that was malignant. I underwent chemo and radiation following my surgery.

The radiation that I received damaged my intestines and also caused appendicitis in me at 66 years old, which ended with an appendectomy. Radiation has not been my friend. I had 2 bowel blockages that required 2 small bowel resections. I had 4 surgeries in 2 years. After the last small bowel resection, my surgeon believed that my bowels were open and that I would be able to eat. My bowels are open, but unfortunately, eating causes me cramping pain, excessive gas, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting.

I do not know how to proceed with eating at this point since the results can be so unpredictable. I currently receive 80 grams of protein and 1400 calories a day in my TPN bag. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Jump to this post

My diagnosis is radiation enteritis. Thank you!

REPLY
lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Sep 1, 2022

Yes! I had surgery in November. I take 1 cap of Miralax daily and a high fiber cereal called Poop like a Champion that I buy on Amazon or the Poop website.
No constipation!

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spudsmom93 | @spudsmom93 | 4 days ago

Due to bowel surgery, I have to follow the same diet. However I cannot loose weight, and have a problem with constipation. I have experienced the horrible ng tube several times, any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 4 days ago
In reply to @spudsmom93 "Due to bowel surgery, I have to follow the same diet. However I cannot loose weight,..." + (show)
@spudsmom93

Due to bowel surgery, I have to follow the same diet. However I cannot loose weight, and have a problem with constipation. I have experienced the horrible ng tube several times, any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

Jump to this post

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @spudsmom93. It sounds as though you've been through quite a journey with bowel problems. Having an ng tube sounds difficult, and I'm sorry to hear it's been horrible the times you've had that.

I realize your situation may be more unique due to the surgery you've undergone, but here is some information from Mayo Clinic on treatment of constipation that may be useful:

- Constipation https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259

spudsmom93, you mentioned that you are following the same diet due to bowel surgery. As various types of diets have been mentioned in this discussion, just wanted to confirm which diet you are following? What has your doctor had you do to address the constipation thus far?

REPLY
1 reply
spudsmom93 | @spudsmom93 | 4 days ago
In reply to @lisalucier "Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @spudsmom93. It sounds as though you've been through quite a journey..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @spudsmom93. It sounds as though you've been through quite a journey with bowel problems. Having an ng tube sounds difficult, and I'm sorry to hear it's been horrible the times you've had that.

I realize your situation may be more unique due to the surgery you've undergone, but here is some information from Mayo Clinic on treatment of constipation that may be useful:

- Constipation https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259

spudsmom93, you mentioned that you are following the same diet due to bowel surgery. As various types of diets have been mentioned in this discussion, just wanted to confirm which diet you are following? What has your doctor had you do to address the constipation thus far?

Jump to this post

I am following the low fiber diet, and using miralax. It's not the best diet I've been on at times. I miss my veggies.

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