How to Wean Off MiraLax

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have been using HEAVY dosage (3 capfuls) of Miralax for about 6-7 years now. The reason I use so much is to avoid having to push at all. I am easily prone to hemorrhoids and do not want to ever have to have a surgery to correct such issues. The result of the heavy dosage basically leads to frequent bowl movements and always diarrhea. Over the past year my sodium levels in my body are extremely low, which can lead to various other issues in the body. I read that heavy use of Miralax could be the problem for low sodium. So, I am trying to wean off of the Miralax. It is not an easy task. I plan on visiting my GP for recommendations, but thought I would try here. After reading multiple stories of those who are trying to do the same, I am not sure where to start! I am going to try by gradually decreasing my dosage, but I am afraid of constipation which I have always suffered from in the past. Have any of you had great success in reaching the goal of easy weaning process from Miralax?

I have been using HEAVY dosage (3 capfuls) of Miralax for about 6-7 years now. The reason I use so much is to avoid having to push at all. I am easily prone to hemorrhoids and do not want to ever have to have a surgery to correct such issues. The result of the heavy dosage basically leads to frequent bowl movements and always diarrhea. Over the past year my sodium levels in my body are extremely low, which can lead to various other issues in the body. I read that heavy use of Miralax could be the problem for low sodium. So, I am trying to wean off of the Miralax. It is not an easy task. I plan on visiting my GP for recommendations, but thought I would try here. After reading multiple stories of those who are trying to do the same, I am not sure where to start! I am going to try by gradually decreasing my dosage, but I am afraid of constipation which I have always suffered from in the past. Have any of you had great success in reaching the goal of easy weaning process from Miralax?

I have been using HEAVY dosage (3 capfuls) of Miralax for about 6-7 years now. The reason I use so much is to avoid having to push at all. I am easily prone to hemorrhoids and do not want to ever have to have a surgery to correct such issues. The result of the heavy dosage basically leads to frequent bowl movements and always diarrhea. Over the past year my sodium levels in my body are extremely low, which can lead to various other issues in the body. I read that heavy use of Miralax could be the problem for low sodium. So, I am trying to wean off of the Miralax. It is not an easy task. I plan on visiting my GP for recommendations, but thought I would try here. After reading multiple stories of those who are trying to do the same, I am not sure where to start! I am going to try by gradually decreasing my dosage, but I am afraid of constipation which I have always suffered from in the past. Have any of you had great success in reaching the goal of easy weaning process from Miralax?

Good luck with your endeavor. I have been on and off Miralax for the last several months. Currently, I’m off and doing quite well with drinking a normal amount of water, eating ample vegetables and 1 fruit per day, along with daily exercise. I suspect that whatever was causing my constipation fluctuates.

Do you know the cause of your constipation….before you began the daily Miralax? Do you think it might have resolved?

I have been using HEAVY dosage (3 capfuls) of Miralax for about 6-7 years now. The reason I use so much is to avoid having to push at all. I am easily prone to hemorrhoids and do not want to ever have to have a surgery to correct such issues. The result of the heavy dosage basically leads to frequent bowl movements and always diarrhea. Over the past year my sodium levels in my body are extremely low, which can lead to various other issues in the body. I read that heavy use of Miralax could be the problem for low sodium. So, I am trying to wean off of the Miralax. It is not an easy task. I plan on visiting my GP for recommendations, but thought I would try here. After reading multiple stories of those who are trying to do the same, I am not sure where to start! I am going to try by gradually decreasing my dosage, but I am afraid of constipation which I have always suffered from in the past. Have any of you had great success in reaching the goal of easy weaning process from Miralax?

I stopped taking Miralax daily (one capful) and Linzess, and started eating 5 prunes a day. Works fairly well and consistently for me.