:help: Milk of Magnesia and Stool Softner Not Working - A little Graphic!

While I never post, I'm a regular lurker and enjoy your chat but I am having a serious problem and need help. I am 2 1/2 years out and am majorly constipated. Not sure why because I take 2-3 stool softeners every night and eat prunes on a regular basis to help. (Maybe I'm dehydrated, not sure.) Well,nNothing is working. I've taken milk of magnesia for three nights in a row and nothing is really happending, at least not waht I would expect to happen. Seems like something is stuck (actually I know it is, I can feel it). What else can I take? I called my nurse who normally calls me back immediately and I've just learned she no longer with the practice. Thanks! Bella

Oh have I been there and its no fun. If you really are that backed up and its stuck(could be impacted), you might need to do an enema to break it up~otherwise taking the MOM will only make it back up more b/c it can't get thru. Once you get going again try to focus on water and fiber~I have to drink 100oz of water daily, I eat fiber one cereal every night (as recommended by my colon/rectal surgeon) and take 3 stool softeners nightly. I am also on Zelnorm 2'x a day to help me stay regular. After having severe constipation and actually causing some internal damage b/c of it I can truly sympathize with you~its very painful and no fun at all. Hope you feel better soon!!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Tracy: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think I'm at the stage of trying the enema. I drink probably 6 bottles a water/day but probably wasn't getting enough fiber. The day this all started was the night I did not take my stool softner. It is a very uncomfortable feeling, I"m sure you understand! Thanks, Lisa

Hey, Sorry tohear about that. That is one regular issue now for us, isn't it? I use Dulcolax "bullets" when I can't stand it anymore. Does the trick and make sure you are not going anywhere. I don't know about you, but I like to stay close to my own bathroom, if ya know what I mean! (lol) Works in about 15 minutes! Good luck, Laura

Laura: Thanks. So it works that quick. How close do you need to stay to the bathroom once it "works"? Thanks, Bella

I take Shaklee Herb-Lax every day -- keeps me regular as clockwork. If I don't take it, I don't go, but it's all natural and works like a charm. Good luck!

Hi Bella, I don't know if you still need help, I hope not, but I had to use the Dulcolax suppositories after my abdominoplasty. The constipation from the vicodin was horrendous. Nothing else worked, not stool softeners, not MOM, not fiber. I once had to resort to an enema. Please do something quickly though, or the pain will only be worse. After you get things moving again, monitor your frequency very carefully so that it doesn't ever get this backed up again. Once the suppository works, or the enema, you shouldn't have to stay too close to your bathroom. Either will work within at least an hour, probably sooner. Good luck, Debra M.

You might want to ask your doc about Mira-lax. I have taken it ever since surgery. It's a polyethelene glycol that pulls water into the colon and keeps things moving. It's a granuale you mix with water. Shouldn't have any taste or smell. I take it every day. Non-habit forming. Be sure to get in all your fluids. That helps me a bunch.

Bella I was so bad going nto 3rd week after tummy tuck I thought I would die...so I did 3 Ducolax and that didn't work...finally got Fleets enema and that helped immediately. Following morning I did it again to clean me out completely and I was good for a few months...then I had my breast reduction/lift done and it happened again...went to see my local gastro dr and he put me on Zelnorm for 2 months...then he told me to gradually go off it when I felt ready which I did and now I just use 2 Ducolax once a week to make sure I am clear. So far doing well but heck that is one awful feeling when you can't go. Just a bit of advise, if you use that enema, stay as close as possible to the toilet...I stay in the bathroom!!

Just checking back in to see if you're feeling better??? Tracy B