miralax users

There has been some discussion for those who have constipation with their CD and some use miralax.  is it safe to use a single dose each day?  Is there a difference between that and a stool softener/  Don't they both just add water?  I know laxatives can be damaging... is this the case with miralax?

Alos, would it cause rectal pain in  any way.

I can't answer your questions on the differences between Miralax and stool softners but I can say my GI says it can be used daily and that it is the safest product to use long term.

My son was once on 5 doses a day of Miralax - ordered by his pediatric gi.

Miralax makes the stool slippery so it moves more easily through the colon.

Laxatives usually work by stimulating the colon and my son's gi said were not generally good for people with CD to use.

Stool softeners work by holding water in the stool so the colon can't absorb it making the stool firmer.

Miralax can make things too slippery and lead to leakage but we have been told it is by far the safest product to use for constipation (my son's presentation was severe constipation to the point of blockage).

When he was using it a lot and had leakage our gi had us add a small amount of benefiber to his diet. This helped hold the stool together while the miralax made it slippery.

Might ask your gi what to use for your particular situation.

And of course, drinking lots of water or rehydration formula is always necessary when using these products.