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Can laxtives make stool harder over time?

Posted , 6 users are following.

sara2018
sara2018

Hi Ive been dealing with constipation for years now. Ive been taking miralax for almost 3 years which worked good until now. Sometimes I would use it on and off and use others things in between like magnesium and lactulose. Lately my existing fissure and haemorrhoid has gotten worse because I had hard stool which scraped (my stool is usually hard if I don't take something). I should also mention I can and do use the bathroom 1 or 2 times per day on my own even without laxatives but is terribly hard over the years. So I have had to up my miralax dose but it stopped working as good so I combined it with docusate sodium (colace). Now I am finding that I have to keep upping the doses because my stool has gotten even harder. My diet is mostly veggies and soup. Can someone please help me to understand this. I am feeling sick having to take these things in high doses and it still is not as good anymore. What should I do? My butt is killing me.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 sara2018

    Posted

    Your body may have got used to the laxatives over time; that could be why you have to keep upping the dose.  I would come offfthe laxatives and replace them with lots of fruit such as oranges and prune juice. This really worked for me.  Fruit is a natural laxative.
    • sara2018
      sara2018 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks for your input. Unfortunately I cannot have fruits and prunes and anything sweet even though it is natural. I also had to stop the lactulose because it was sweet because I have a developed a condition where my body does not tolerate anything sweet especially processed sugar. I also cant have certain things like maltodextrin and inulin and anything feeding the bad bacteria. I must be the only person in history who have developed this because my doctors don't know anyone else with this condition. They also don't know how to treat it. I think it was as a result of using strong antibiotics for an infection. I don't think I am diabetic though. My blood sugar is usually good.

    • sara2018
      sara2018 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi Im always on a restricted diet that I put myself on because of my condition. I think usually some doctors wont advise on food only meds. I used to see a nutritionist but I have to find a better one.
  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 sara2018

    Posted

    Hi Sara!

    So sorry to hear of your troubles!

    My husband was experiencing lots of constipation, and following two colonoscopies in two weeks due to incomplete stool removal on his first try, he needed to do the GoLightly route the second time. Doc prescribed Miralax to "keep things moving", but the Miralax actually stated his constipation again!

    On a hunch I bought some Red Delicious apples at the grocery store. He likes these which have a very fiberous skin. I suggested he see if the "apple a day" philosophy might work for him. By day two he had achieved a bowel movement. He now literally DOES eat an apple a day and is feeling so much better.

    Maybe this could help YOU, too!🍎

  • taniiee
    taniiee sara2018

    Posted

    Hi!

    I think your body has gotten used to what you're taking. Have you tried natural ways? 

    Here's what I do. 

    More fruits

    Immediately after waking up - I drink a glass of warm water (not coffee or tea, just water)

    LemonAid which I buy online, also helps with gas. 

    If it's out of stock, I do infused water - also a great way to remove toxins. 

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