I'm a 26 year old mother of 6 children ranging in age from 7 to 11 months. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder when I was 19, but went with minimal symptoms until my dad died in 2005. Since then, I've had massive anxiety and panic attacks. During my last pregnancy, I became EXTREMELY constipated. I would go for weeks without a bowel movement. I assumed that after the birth of my son, my symptoms would go away, but they didn't. For the past 3 days, I've felt the urge to have a bowel movement, but when i try to go, I end up straining and only getting out a little bit of stool. After all of that, my stomach stays sore and crampy for awhile. I feel like everything is just piling up inside of me. The pain and pressure today is in my lower stomach, down my left side of my stomach, and in my lower back. I know I have to use the bathroom, but I've been trying all day and have no relief at all. My doctor told me many times to try miralax, but i'm seriously scared of side effects of meds, so I haven't done that. So, my question to ya'll is: how can I ease the pain? Does anyone have experience taking miralax, and what were the side effects (if any)? and finally, are there any natural ways to regulate bowel movements? I just want to feel normal again without the pain and pressure that I have now. Any advice is appreciated.