Just wondered if there was a big difference in opinion in what is considered to be acceptable and effective long term medication to keep regular and soft stool?

Things I have are:

.magnesium-hydroxide-mixture
Lactulose
Senokot

Lactulose is disgusting to swallow and mag. Hydroxide not much better - I am off the Senokot as I took it for too long than recommended.

Thinking of getting movicol but wondered how different it is from stuff above?

Jeffj

Just my experiences but Senokot is too harsh long term as are most (all?) laxatives and lactulose just didn't work. Movicol is the only thing that really works for me. I don't like taking it permanently, in fact I don't like the thought of taking anything permanently, but Movicol works and seems to be extremely well tolerated. I also take a Magnesium Citrate supplement (between 200Mg and 400Mg a day) and have managed to limit Movicol to half a sachet a day (taken last thing at night).

I take Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) every night which makes my stools very soft and I experience zero pain with it. Although I'm unsure about long term effects. I don't know what I'd do without it though.

FnalAissure, how long have you been taking miralax? I've been on it daily for about 3 years, no long term effects. But i am a little worried being on it for the foreseeable future!

Movicol has been the best for me. Very reliable.... And I believe there are no long term effects.

OMB x

beansbeans wrote:FnalAissure, how long have you been taking miralax? I've been on it daily for about 3 years, no long term effects. But i am a little worried being on it for the foreseeable future!

I've been taking it almost 3 years as well. It's the only real solution I've found but it's more like a quick fix. I've looked around and apparently doctors prescribe it to children with constipation issues and they've found no long term effects. I'm still worried thought. Taking something daily for so long can't be good. I'm considering seeing a specialist again and getting surgery but that seems expensive and I'll be out of work for 2+ weeks. Yikes...

Been using Miralax (same as Movicol) or polyethylene glycol now for 10 months. I consider it the one absolute necessity for my AF treatment. I read that it is not absorbed by the body, is not a stimulant like laxatives, and is non-addictive. I don't see why this is any worse than, say, a daily aspirin.

I take natural calm magnesium. It is Magnesium citrate. Keeps things soft, regular and helps me sleep. LOVE IT.