22 replies to this topic

[hammer of dusk]

So TCAs can kind of plug your gut. Is it safe to take something like Senokot (a "natural" mild laxative) once or twice a week to keep things...moving? I'm taking fiber supplements and probiotic yogurt drinks but it's not always enough.

[girrl88]

Before taking a laxative I'd try a stool softener first. I use Colace when I need to get things back on track. My pharmacist recommended it after going over my full list of meds.

You might be best served by asking your pharmacist's opinion. They usually know what will be the best for your situation while taking into account all your meds and possible side effects.

[notfred]

Colace is the place to start, not with a laxative.

nf

[Mr_West]

In general the stimulant and irritant laxatives like Senokot, Ex-lax, et. al can be bad about fostering dependence.

Depending on how stopped up you have been and for how long you may want to take a single dose of Mag Citrate if you are really full and uncomfortable. It is the nuclear option, but it can offer you colon a chance to start over. I've done it all of twice in my life.

You may want to try colace first for a few days or do mag citrate and then start colace a few days later when you poop solids up again to prevent getting stopped up.

In contrast to the Senokot, colace and mag citrate work in an osmotic way pulling water into the stool. As far as strength though colace and mag citrate are opposite ends of the spectrum. Colace is great for maintenance, but Mag Citrate is king if you absolutely need to violently empty your colon.

[Kay8]

I'm pretty sure Miralax is an osmotic laxative too (polyethylene glycol), so that's another option to try as well before stimulant laxatives.

Edited by Kay8, 02 June 2011 - 05:40 AM.

[Blue Heron]

Make sure you're drinking enough water, too.

[hammer of dusk]

Thanks for all the input, everyone. And thanks for the warning about nuclear options, Mr West...I hope it will not come to that.

I don't know if I've seen Colace in the UK but there are other "stool softeners" I'm sure. Are they okay to take daily or several times a week long-ish term then? I'm gonna stop with the senokot.

[DarkReflections]

Try lactulose. It's an osmotic stool softener, and it's safe to take every day, longterm. It's over the counter here in the UK, or you can get your GP to prescribe it.

[notfred]

I don't know if I've seen Colace in the UK but there are other "stool softeners" I'm sure.

In the UK it is called Docusol and DulcoEase. Generically it is docusate calcium or docusate potassium.

nf

[Blue Heron]

If you try a stool softener, follow the directions on the package.

[hammer of dusk]

Oh boy, this again. Sorry guys.

So I finally found a combination that works. 500mg magnesium and 200mg docusate sodium (stool softener) daily along with 72+ oz water/fluids.

I recently went to a community clinic GP who said to replace the docusate sodium with mineral oil daily. I don't have the greatest confidence in her; she seemed like she didn't even want to be there and literally googled docusate sodium, clicked through a few pages, and said "well, it doesn't say you can take it long term, so take mineral oil instead."

Anybody take mineral oil every day? Or take a stool softener every day with no horrendous health consequences?

[Nurse Ratched]

Hammer, my surgeon said it was okay to take softeners long term.

[VAL]

I was also told by a doctro it's ok to take them indefinitely.

Edited by VAL, 03 February 2012 - 04:11 PM.

[notfred]

mineral oil every day ? I would not, it is pretty violent in its effects. I took TCA's for years, it get better. I did not have to take colace for too long.

[Simba Cub]

Yup, TCAs got me too. Imipramine worst of all. All I could do was take a herbal remedy. It kinda worked but since the TCAs weren't helping, I just kicked them all aside.

Mind you, one TCA was fine - Dosulepin.



Rich::

[hammer of dusk]

Thanks everybody. I think I'm gonna pass on the mineral oil then.

Simba, do you remember what herbal thing you were taking? My pdoc's nurse suggested go to Ye Olde Naturopathic Shoppe and see what they recommend, which I still might do...

[blart752]

I think blue heron's and Mr. west's adice is the best, follow the directions on the package if you do end up with using colace.

[Mr_West]

Avoid taking mineral oil, castor oil, or any oil laxative over extended periods of time if you can. This isn't because they aren't effective or you get tolerant, but because they are dangerous when they get in the airway. When I get stopped up I can get nauseous. Aspirating vomit is bad, but aspirating a lubricant that may irritate the lungs is worse.

Ducosate should be safe to take for pretty much ever, but Lexi (university housing rocks) is telling me it may be ineffective if taken long term. If that becomes a problem or if becomes concerning to you I'd check with your pharmacist to see what they reccomend.

[Cat_With_Wings]

Okay, I've got a question. WHEN can you take a laxative, before or after you take your medications? (I take them in the AM and PM)

[Mr_West]

Depends on the kind of laxative and whether or not the drug is extended release.

For immidiate release drugs a few hows after shouls be fine for most classes of laxative. Things get tricky with extended release drugs though. I've it's been a while since you've dropped a deuce and you are going for the Mag Citrate, your day is already going to be shitty so at least check with the pharmacist when you buy the Magnesium Citrate.

[hammer of dusk]

How embarrassing that this is my territory.

Just wanted to share. I've tried all kinds of fiber supplements and most of them did nothing but give me stomach cramps. I found these Metamucil Multi-Grain Wafers (in the Gastric Distress area of your favorite supermarket or pharmacy) and basically they are 2 tasty cookies you eat with a glass of water, while in an upright position (the directions are quite clear that you must consume them in an upright position.)

I feel like an 80 year old woman buying them but...they are helpful. And no cramps.

[blart752]

Haha good advice hammer.