Anal Fissure Support Forum

Subject: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:30 pm

okay, I know this is a silly question when I've had this thing nearly a year, but are softeners/laxatives really necessary when constipation isn't an issue?
I always get the dose SO wrong and it will work perfectly one day and yet the same dose the next day will have me rushing to the bathroom all day!

Where am I going wrong???

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:37 pm

couldn't tell ya, Val. i know my movements are often tied to my hormones, so nothing quite works the same twice for me. It's more how do I manipulate the overall consistency. The huge doses of soluble fiber with the 3 mag supplements seem to be my best bet yet. But even then, things can feel scratchy for reasons beyond control, like stress or hormones. It's been more than 2 years for me and I still haven't got it quite right. though I must say the LIS helped wonders.

Admin Age : 48 Joined : 07 Nov 2006 Posts : 2311

hey Val! It could be that one day you are more dehydrated than the next, and when you aren't, the stool softeners have you going.

Now, I just know you aren't taking any laxatives....that's a no-no!

But the idea is to keep your stool soft so it doesn't traumatize your fissure on the way out, not so much to avoid constipation...

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:40 pm

thanks! So do you still take something every day or just when you need to?

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:42 pm

Kim- sorry whats the difference between sofeners and laxatives? I thought even MOM was a laxative?

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:43 pm

Me or Kim?

i take the fiber and the 3 mag everyday. If I need a little something extra, which seems to be happening about once a month now, I take the 3T mineral oil.

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:47 pm

yes, you Chris!! So what are the magnesium thingys? Are they just from a health shop?

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:48 pm

There are different types of laxatives: stimulant, osmotic, and (I forgot the word--it's like bulking or lubricating???)

stimulant can damage nerves if used for too long. This type includes senna.

osmotic works by drawing water into the colon, and here you find the magnesium and sodium laxatives, like MOM and phosophosoda.

The last is _____ . It includes miralax, lactulose and mineral oil and belileve it or not, splenda. the laxatives in this category are undifgestible materials that mix with the stool and prevent it from hardening in the colon.

Stool softeners are very, very mild osmotic laxatives, so mild that they don't have a perceptible effect on many people.

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:49 pm

yes, the magnesuim supplements are just vitamins. The recommended daily dosage is two tablets. I take three, one at lunch two at dinner. Be careful that the mag doesn't have calcium in it as well. That negates the effect.

Admin Age : 48 Joined : 07 Nov 2006 Posts : 2311

A laxative is harsh and "makes" you poop, usually with runny stools which burn the h#ll out of your arse!

A softener does not make you go, it does not stimulate your bowels to move -- it merely brings water into the stool to soften it.

I don't take anything and haven't for more than a year now, and that include fiber supplementation. But I eat right (most of the time, I actually had a Coke today, fell off the wagon!)

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 2:54 pm

thank you!

I always feel kind of bloated when I take stuff, my stomach was much happier after the LIS when I didnt use anything, but now that its all come back, I thought I had to take it

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 3:16 pm

I only take it because it's mild and it helps. I'm still a bit tighter in the rear than I'd like, so this compensates. For the first couple of weeks after LIS, I didn't take anything except normal food.

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 3:45 pm

Val -

I only take fiber everyday. If my fissure is bothering me, I take MOM, but I have not had to do that in a while. Since I have a BM 1-2 times a day, my stools are pretty soft and don't irritate me. However, if I eat alot of junk food, I may take MOM just for a precaution. I have it worked down to a science that works for me - everyone is different!

Jen

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 4:19 pm

val - even if you're not suffering from constipation, your stool might still not be soft enough to allow the wound to heal. i believe that was my problem for over a year. i was going everyday and eating super healthy and my BMs were softer than ever, but nothing was changing. once i started taking MOM it made the BMs much softer, even runny sometimes, and didn't stretch the anus at all. once your body adjusts to something like MOM it should be more consistent in keeping the stool soft. just make sure you stay well hydrated and continue eating well!!

Chris did a good job explaining the different types of laxatives. definitely don't use the stimulants!

Subject: Re: softeners/laxatives May 16th 2008, 4:59 pm

Thanks Juney!