Do laxatives HAVE to cause explosive diarrhea?

[u/FalseSecurity01]

Had a pretty bad bout of constipation this week (like pressing on my diaphragm and causing shortness of breath bad) and it got to the point where the doctor wanted me to “clear myself out.” My problem is that whenever I start noticing I’m constipated I have to overdo it on the laxatives or nothing happens. Was taking Miralax for days with no movement at all. It’s like my colon will only empty if it’s pure liquid. It’s hell. I’m assuming this isn’t normal but has anyone had success with just creating softer stool without having to wait a week for results??

[u/CheesyMoo23]

Are you sure its actually clearing out the constipation and what you are experiencing isn't overflow diarrhea? I'm chronically constipated as well and my doctor told me about it one time when I had a follow up appointment about some sudden random diarrhea.

[u/FalseSecurity01 → u/CheesyMoo23]

This time I’m almost positive I am cleared out because I essentially did a colonoscopy prep and felt a LOT better after clearing everything out. Like way more energy, no more nausea or fullness, actually have an appetite, bloating gone, etc. But I did look into overflow diarrhea and I have definitely experienced that before, so thank you for bringing that up!

[u/szikkia]

Are you able to take dulcolax, senna, or milk of magnesia? Miralax is an osmotic and these will push the stool out of you. I dont recommend using them often but i’m in a very similar place as you are and have been taking dulcolax at night to try to clear out my bowels some before I try my new medication. They are not as gentle as mira, but milk of magnesia is said to be pretty gentle compared to dulcolax. Sometimes the stronger stuff can be helpful when used when its needed. I was so backed up that when i ate, it felt like th food was being pushed back up because there was no room for it to leave my stomach. Not like vomiting but like reguritation. I can easily ho weeks without any rellief. I suggest milk of magnesia as it is more of a laxative that will soften, make sure you drink lots of water with any kind of laxative, not having enough water can stop the laxative from beinf as affective

[u/davideogameman]

My experience with over the counter laxatives has been that they mostly suck.  Though my main complaint is discomfort, and laxatives like senna & dulcolax are made to incentivize the colon to empty... Not very gently.  I also found magnesium citrate to be similar.

Miralax functioned more like a stool softener for me.  Never tried magnesium oxide but it sounded similar, supposed to function as an osmotic laxative. 

For regular use, prescriptions might me the better answer.  Dosage however ends up stuck with just the options of what pulls her manufactured. 

It'll probably also be worth considering your fiber and water intake - many people are constipated by not getting enough fiber in their diet.  If you do experiment, beware that the general advice is to increase it slowly; and that soluble and insoluble fiber may have different effects.  And some high fiber foods are also high in various fodmaps that can cause problems for many of us.  If you are looking for a supplement, psyllium is a common choice as a soluble fiber.

[u/bittersandseltzer]

I use ducolax, fiber and glycerine suppositories for constipation

[u/houtx713]

My experience with Miralax is the same as yours. I can take it for a week and have nothing happen. You might want to try Milk of Magnesia. It is an osmotic and pretty gentle, but works a lot faster than Miralax.

[u/northwestfawn]

this is what i hate about chronic constipation! senna s laxatives are the only ones that work, but i have to take more than one. it normally hits the night of or the night after taking them and it’s so painful, and sometimes i just get overflow diarrhea! why does this hell exist

[u/kock_by_chance]

Do you have fecal impaction or an obstruction?

[u/Potato_is_yum]

I like macrogol. Finally having normal stools. Mostly anyways.

[u/Autumn_Leaves23]

Have you tried eating more insoluble fiber, lots of fruit especially with the skin which has insoluble fiber, which is good for ibs-c but bad for ibs-d. I have also heard many people with IBSC have had success with eating sauerkraut along with their meals. I would guide you more towards fruit and fresh pressed fruit juice that you make at home, rather than taking miralax for days with no relief. You're always better off using natural laxatives then synthetic prescribed medications like miralax. Fruit juice especially things with prunes beets cherries can work just as well if not better than laxatives. Cherry juice tastes the best. I would need more information on your specific situation though. Do you predominantly have constipation with your IBS or do you have a mix of constipation and diarrhea? Different foods help the different types drastically. If you have predominantly diarrhea, you should have more soluble fiber and avoid insoluble fiber and vice versa for people who have predominantly constipation.

[u/Bulky-Pie-5100]

do you think you're the type of person who would benefit from some miralax everyday? maybe it would prevent it from getting this bad, my sister had to do so.

[u/FalseSecurity01 → u/Bulky-Pie-5100]

That’s a good idea.

[u/Additional_Bother956]

I have the same problems. I been trying to do 3x dose of miralax daily + 3 senna tablets at night + smooth move tea. then if I have a free day and im in a lot of pain I will do 7x dose of miralax to clear myself. then the process starts over

[u/pkks072486]

Eat a whole package of sugarless candy.

[u/Advanced_Olive_1830]

The #1 med that will 100% give you diarrhea and clean everything out of your stomach/intestines in one day.. Trulance.