Phillips Milk of Magnesia Mixed w/Prune Juice and Coffee

I've been taking Miralax daily (hoping for a miracle) for a couple of weeks and all it does is bloat me. I tried it with Linzess, and I still just got bloating so badly my pants won't fit and I look quite pregnant. Today I could feel myself growing and thought that even my loose pants were too tight. But, no, it was my abdominal muscles being stretched at a painful rate! Somebody tell doctors that Miralax and other "normal" fixes do NOT work for people with chronic ideopathic constipation!

This is what AI says about milk of Magnesia and why Doctors don't like it for long term use.

"Gastroenterologists are cautious about Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) primarily because of the risk of hypermagnesemia (toxic magnesium levels), especially with prolonged use or in patients with kidney disease
. While it is generally safe for occasional, short-term relief, doctors prefer and recommend safer, more effective, and more sustained treatments for chronic constipation

Gastroenterologists are cautious about Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) primarily because of the risk of hypermagnesemia (toxic magnesium levels), especially with prolonged use or in patients with kidney disease
. While it is generally safe for occasional, short-term relief, doctors prefer and recommend safer, more effective, and more sustained treatments for chronic constipation"

One method we used back in day in post partum (after childbirth) was MOM and some cascara sagrada. I've had to order it off Amazon. We used to call it a 'black& white' cocktail since in the 70's since we wouldn't let moms go home until they had a BM. This helped quite a bit. It was a pretty high risk maternal population we dealt with & a very high CS (C-section) rate for the time period.

@missy245 - did you happen to see what sources your chatbot used related to magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)?

No I didn't see the sources. But this is what AI from Mayo says.

Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a doctor before using Milk of Magnesia, especially if you have kidney issues, are pregnant, or are taking other medications, as it can interact with them. As a saline laxative, it works by drawing water into the intestines to soften stool and promote bowel movements, and it's a short-term solution for occasional constipation. You should not exceed the recommended dosage and should see a doctor if constipation lasts more than seven days or if you experience severe side effects like persistent cramps or severe diarrhea.

When to Use With Caution

Pregnancy and Kidney Problems:
.

Always consult a doctor before taking Milk of Magnesia if you are pregnant or have kidney disease.
Medication Interactions:
.
It can reduce the absorption of other medications, so it is crucial to check with a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking other medicines.
Underlying Conditions:
.
If you find yourself needing Milk of Magnesia often or if your constipation persists, it could signal an underlying medical condition that requires a doctor's attention.

When to See a Doctor
Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience:

Severe or persistent stomach cramps or pain
Severe, prolonged, or unexplained diarrhea
Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or unusual tiredness
Constipation that lasts for more than seven days

Hi @missy245, AI assistants, like ChatGPT or Google AI Overiew can help to begin a search for information. Keep in mind that AI tools are not 100% accurate. Always fact check. To help offer guidance on using AI tools safely when looking for health information, please see this blog written for Mayo Connect members:

- What is Generative AI? What does this mean on Mayo Clinic Connect?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/what-is-generative-ai-artificial-intelligence-what-does-this-mean-on-mayo-clinic-connect/
I believe that the information you cite as "what AI from Mayo says" is the Google AI overview using their AI tool called Gemini. It may pull information from Mayo Clinic as well as other sources. For that reason, we recommend that you always:
1. Fact check everything before posting on Mayo Clinic Connect.
2. Check the sources or ask the tool for the original sources.

These are good rules for using search engines and AI tools.