any colon cleansing updates

A while back I had posted that I was thinking about doing a colon cleanse and had some responses of some of you that were going to try some and send updates. I had bought one called the perfect cleanse, the problem I have is I cannot take that many pills. At 3 years out I still have a problem swalloing those plastic caps or gel caps, Im really looking for something liguid. I have terrible constipation and have tried just about everything. I was thinking if I did a cleanse, that would maybe restore regularity, ( thats what they claim anyway ) any input, thanks Deb

I had chronic constipation for 11 years. I tried: more fiber, less fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, no fiber, both fibers, stool softeners, Smooth Moves & Correctol teas and Metamucil wafers, together, apart, more water, less water, cut out anything bu****er (and protein), senna, cascara sagrada, everything one could possibly try until I was basically dependent on enemas for 3 yrs.

Miralax helped the stool be passable. It was rx and finally became generic, so went from $80 for 3 months to $20 for 3 months. Now it is OTC, but is about $8 for 5-6 servings. If you can get the rx, it is much cheaper, safe, daily, for life, according to my GI doc.

The stool softeners are store brand equal to Colace, not PERI-colace.

Word was that magnesium citrate was such a great thing. This is pills, not the green bottle, so I tried it and nothing happened, and so I kept increasing it. What DID happen is that my foot and leg cramps ceased. So, I kept doing that and tried magnesium oxide. This is small, cheap, found anywhere, like drug stores. And finally, it worked. Mine are 500 mg and I take 2.

My final formula:
1 serving MiraLax (rx) *
4 stool softeners at night
1 mag ox with lunch, 1 with dinner

In the morning, hot beverage first thing on empty gut

This has worked for several years yrs now.

* MiraLax was rx only until the end of 2007, and is now generic by rx. The original name brand is available at drug stores at about $20 for a large bottle. You might want to try one first, taken daily, at about the same time. If it solves the problem, then ask your doc for rx. It is NOT a laxative. It is safe, daily, taken for life, per 4 doctors I've asked. It was a pediatrician who introduced me to it. My rx plan allows me to have 6 of those big bottles every 3 months for $20. Check with your doc and your insurance to see if it's beneficial to buy it by rx. BTW, my doc writes for 2 servings per day, because they might SAY there are 30 servings per bottle, but somebody can't count. Me or them? I use only one, but if I spill or get too much, I still have enough to last til next refill.



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the colon cleanse supposedly erases toxins, not build up of, er, debris. and you need to set yourself up to go regularly

TMI: read at your own risk

I think I will repeat myself to as many people as want to listen - Even though I am not a medical professional - I think that after RNY and supplementing with so much calcium, vit and iron - we become magnesium deficient. magnesium causes constipations. 
i used to take 400 mg once a day pre op. post op - I increased and increased until I found out that i have a great BM every morning when i take 800-1200 mg mag per day.  Everyone will be different. It is a great supplement - taken in a pill form, very inexpensive.  I get mine in Walgreen, Wal-Mart or Vit Shoppe - I try to get it cheap. 

It is a great mineral. our body need it to incorporate the calcium into our bones and fo rother body - muscle -heart functions.  

All other "things" make bulk - but if it cannot move - it may cause constipation. I also take fiber, soluble and not .  The side effect of too much magnesium is "loose stools" so i usually take 1200 mg (3 x 400 mg) Mag per day (1 in the morning - 2 at night - so I have to only remember that 2 x day)   and every morning - "I have a beautiful - full" BM, soft but not "runny"/

Miralax - is toxic, irritant, magnesium - not .  magnesium is so essential for our bones, muscles, body, etc.  yet - we do not take it - complain about BM - but not take the Mag. 

I was taking 400mg, - that did not do it - so i increased to 800 - that worked - some days - when i increased to 1200 - I have the desired effect. My fiancé - "normal gut" takes 250-400 per day... he noticed a difference... "Easy on the a**, every day..."  

When 400 mg did not work – I started 800 per day for a week - after a week - the body will get what it needs - if before the week is over – if a too loose stools develop - I would decree to 600 or 400mg... and see what happens...  Google it –“ magnesium deficiency

 

here is one of links… ..

http://www.mbschachter.com/importance_of_magnesium_to_human.htm

from the article:

"Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency?
What are some of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency? They are outlined beautifully in a recent article by Dr. Sidney Baker. Magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system of the body. With regard to skeletal muscle, one may experience twitches, cramps, muscle tension, muscle soreness, including back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and jaw joint (or TMJ) dysfunction. Also, one may experience chest tightness or a peculiar sensation that he can't take a deep breath. Sometimes a person may sigh a lot.

Symptoms involving impaired contraction of smooth muscles include constipation; urinary spasms; menstrual cramps; difficulty swallowing or a lump in the throat-especially provoked by eating sugar; photophobia, especially difficulty adjusting to oncoming bright headlights in the absence of eye disease; and loud noise sensitivity from stapedius muscle tension in the ear. "