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Laxatives Vs. Stool softeners

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Posted 7/12/2011 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken laxatives (the maximum dose!) for the past 3 nights and still have not had a BM :\

I'm bloated, miserable and feel like crap.

I've heard of a lot of people that take stool softeners for "maintainence".

If laxatives aren't helping, would stool softeners?

Posted 7/12/2011 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Stool softeners will help if you have a lot of hard stool built up in your colon. What laxative are you taking?
Posted 7/12/2011 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure I have a lot built up! It's been a couple of weeks since I've had a decent BM :(

I've been using Dulcolax.
It's usually worked for me in the past.
I'll cramp really bad like I have to go, but nothing happens. It's pretty frustrating!!
Posted 7/13/2011 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I usually use Lactulose but I don't think you would be able to tolerate that.
You may need to use some suppositories if it carries on as 2 weeks is a long time to not have a proper BM.
Have you seen your doctor?
Posted 7/13/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
tabicat,

Is constipation a norm for you? I'm just concerned that you have or will have an impaction (of stool) leading to a perforation of the bowel. Please talk to your doc ASAP.

In general stool softeners simply soften the stool, don't necessarily aid with having a bowel movement like a laxative would as a laxative is basically desinged to move the stool through.

If constipation is the norm for you then daily prunes/prune juice is best since it's natrual and OTC laxatives over time end up working against your body, causing it to longer help move the stool through your system. Prunes won't end up working agains your body like OTC laxatives will.

Please get in touch with your doc.
Posted 7/15/2011 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Constipation is pretty normal for me, though never this long!
I took some stool softeners tonight, we'll see if they work!

I can't get in with my doctor until next week :\

I reallllly hope I have a BM before then!
Posted 7/15/2011 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
I'll be surprised if they do work since you're so "backed up"....I'd be hitting some prune juice and or eating a couple of prunes as well since those generally will promote a bowel movement....the stool softener is designed more to soften your stool not expell it....good luck, I know the pain of being constipated and it's dreadful....I'd rather have D than C if I had to choose one cuz then at least you get some relief from expelling stool...I feel for ya!
Posted 7/16/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Sigh.

Still nothing... looks like I'm going to have to hit up the store for some prune juice. Yuck :)

pb4... I saw on your signature you have lots of lower back pain? What do you do for the pain? I've recently started having really bad lower back pain. So bad that it keeps me awake at night. I've tried Tylenol pm before bed, but they make me feel groggy and disoriented the next morning :\
Posted 7/16/2011 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hello. I get backed up alot with what I have going on. Use eneymes for two days, it will come out. My Gi explained it this way at the end of your track everything has built up and become hard so the fluids will loosen up the stool so it can pass thru. It works almost everytime for me. Good Luck, Mr D
Posted 7/16/2011 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mr. D.

What type of enzymes do you suggest?
Posted 7/16/2011 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have used fleet brand or you can use the generics all the same. A box cost 2.00 for two. There are only two factories that make enemas. I found using first thing in the morning is the best. Good Luck, Mr.D
Posted 7/16/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh okay, thanks!
It was early this morning when I read your previous post and I thought it said enzymes. Haha.

I'm sipping some prune juice right now, if that doesn't work, it's onto the enemas!
Posted 7/19/2011 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
STILL nothing :((

I have tried laxatives, stool softeners, prune juice, enemas!
I am feeling so miserable!
I really don't know if I can wait until my GI appt. Friday :(

I cramp like I really need to go, but just a very little bit comes out, and it's usually watery.

I'm no stranger to constipation, but never this bad! It really has me worried!
Posted 7/19/2011 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
You could be getting 'overflow' where the diahorrea is passing the large stool.
I think you should try and get an appointment sooner if you can. Do you have any abdominal pain or nausea?
Posted 7/19/2011 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
tabicat, I no longer have severe lower back pain (thanks to the bee propolis aiding with my severe flare at the time I started them) however with severe flares comes the severe lower back pain for me but luckily since starting the bee propolis I haven't had a severe enough flare to bring on the lower back pain.

did you try the fleet enema yet? I would if I was you (which I was in the same boat once before and at least it was some relief with using the anal "fleet" enema.

Good luck and feel better!
Posted 7/20/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Tori... I had thought something like that may be going on. This just isn't normal for me at all.

I'm not having any pain or nausea though. So I really don't know what to think.

Nope.. the soonest I could get in is Friday. It took me almost 6 months to get that appointment :\

Thanks pb4
I actually did try the Fleet enema. No luck :(
Posted 7/20/2011 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
At least you have an appointment for this week. Let us know how you get on.
Posted 7/21/2011 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
I will! Thanks Tori.

I'm pretty sure I have a fever now. I think that's because I'm getting a cold :( I sure hope that's all it is!!
Posted 7/21/2011 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
If you get any severe pain, nausea or vomiting please go to your emergency room. Hope you are OK. Let us know how you get on.
Posted 7/21/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Are you having any cramping - which would translate to abdominal pain too.  I agree abdominal pain can be an emergency - glad you have a Dr's appointment tomorrow.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 7/22/2011 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've been having cramping, like I need to go. But haven't really had any abdominal pain.

I finally saw the GI doctor today, and he wouldn't even do anything for my Crohns, until I get the constipation taken care of. He told me to take the next 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) off for a colon cleanse.

He sent me home with Miralax AND Milk of Magnesia. I am hoping and praying this works!!

Work wasn't too happy about me taking 2 days off, but at this point I don't care! As long as I finally get some relief, they can fire me for all I care ;)
Posted 7/23/2011 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Have you got a follow up appointment to see him again?
Hope this works for you and you get som relief.
Posted 7/23/2011 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I see him again in 2 weeks.

I took the Miralax and Milk of Magnesia last night and... NOTHING!
I feel so miserable! My stomach is so full and I'm so bloated I feel like I'm 11 months pregnant!

I'll try it again tonight, but if it doesn't work, I'm heading to the ER. This is just crazy!

The doctor wanted to do some xrays yesterday to make sure I didn't have any kind of obstruction. But the Xray dept. said they wouldn't be able to get me in until at least Monday :\
Posted 7/24/2011 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi tabicat,

I may well be the xpert on constipation around here. I've lived with it all my life and had it severely for 25 yrs. When the others mentioned the fleets enema, they didn't specify oil enema, hold it in until you simply can't hold it any more before "going". If that's what you did and you didn't have a bm, then you may already be impacted. Even when I went 2 weeks without going at all the oil enema worked for me although it was a very painful bowel movement getting that monster out.

If you take the Miralax and the Milk of Magnesia (I'd take a bit extra of each) tonight, and it was an oil enema that you used, and you still don't have a bm in the morning, I would recommend that you try one more oil enema and if that doesn't work, go to the ER.

I hope everything comes out all right. ;)
Posted 7/24/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Tabicat, that's what I have been concerned about with you ... that there may be some obstruction. You have gone for so long now. If you don't get any relief this weekend, go to the ER as at least you can have an xray to check that there isn't an obstruction. Have you passed anything at all? Have you had any nausea or vomiting?
Hope you get sorted soon, this must be miserable for you.

Take care and keep in touch
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