I need advice. I don't respond well to a colonoscopy prep the last two colonoscopies I've had were well let's just say it could have been a better prep result. I begged my gastroenterologist Doctor Who is a wonderful guy two please give me a two day prep so he prescribed an entire 238 Graham bottle of miralax mixed with 64 ounces Gatorade or Powerade or something like that. I want to know what you think about that if at all possible. The second day prep which will be the day before the colonoscopy is something called golightly not spelled that way I don't think I want to know is that the old style prep that people always used to dread? Because I always thought that it was Epson salts more or less the old crap when I used to get it years and years ago. That would be a sulfate salt I think magnesium sulfate well that's what Epson salts is anyway. Also if I still have problems after these two preps what would you think about me going ahead and doing an Epson salt treatment? Epson salt is so nasty that I always feel it's not gonna be very good for me but I have done it in the past. As a matter of fact I did a one hell of a Epsom salt blast a few hours before my last colonoscopy and that's the only way I was able to have my colonoscopy because it worked very well. I did I think 2 heaping tablespoons and then I drank three or four glasses of warm water. Do you have any thoughts any advice I'm very nervous about this colonoscopy for some reason I've been high risk since my 20s
I have Gastrophoresis and take zofran..plus back pain I sparingly use prescribed Pain pill for..I take nightly stool softeners but find myself so constipates..is Miralax safe to use on a daily basis for the constipation?
Miralax is a miracle product. Even though I eat a lot of vegetables (or at least I think I do) and I know I drink plenty of water (not sodas), I still have hard stool issues. Miralax makes a dramatic difference, as by the next day, things are working properly.
with all such supplements it depends on what you EAT THAT DAY: if i was eating just protein/meat with bite of vegetables, i would need more fiber supplement, but if i eat a half a watermelon and an a veggie meal, no supplement is needed. thank you DrAC for gracious sharing!
My answer is unsweetened applesauce and wheat bran. Equal amounts mixed together. 2 teaspoons daily. Just be sure its unsweetened and sugarfree. Sugar will just cause more gut imbalance. Make sure its wheat **bran** not **wheat germ**. 2 totally different things! I buy the snack size unsweetened applesauce because that makes a good size as its preservative free and doesn't last long. Wheat bran comes bulk and is at most grocery stores near the produce section. Bob's Red Mill is sold in the Natural food section in most grocery stores or online &'Hodgson's Mill brand is usually in the baking aisle. Much less expensive an much better for you imo. Recipe is from my Fibromyalgia nurse.
I went to the hospital last month for severe constipation, i had used enemas by myself to try to get things unstuck but it didn’t help. I strained so bad i made myself sick. I got scans and they saw I had stuff wound aaaallll the way up and around in my bowels. They informed me the enemas only got rid of a very very small chunk of the whole mass. I was so scared I would need surgery, but they gave me miralax and it worked wonders. It also really helped that I changed my diet and water intake. I went off the miralax for a bit and the issue came back so every few days I’ll have some and it helps. Ducolax stool softener does nothing for me whatsoever (except make me feel sick) even with a bunch of water and natural fiberous food like oatmeal and whole grain bread and stuff. I feel like miralax had to be named close to miracle because I swear that’s what it is. I think that taking fiber supplements may have made things worse for me because my stool was already very very hard, everyone always insists that’s the way to go so I just went with it. So yeah, I think that note about the Metamucil for loose stool and the miralax for hard stool is incredibly important.
in Canada we have Restoralax which would be the same as Miralax. How long did it take for your bowels to release all that poop. For me it feels like the poop is just there but is not coming out and bits and pieces. Almost feels like its going around a ball of hard poop....god help me.
MiraLAX has been a God send to me. My family has a history of bowel obstructions and I have chronic constipation, so I know how important it is to be regular. I have tried Metamucil however and have vomited every time I have taken it, so MiraLax for the win!
Dr. Chung you have been a lifesaver! Thank you so much for your advice and information explanations. I am on opiates and have suffered with constipation. Since I have been listening to you I have been able to manage my constipation better than ever. I don’t know how to thank you.❤ 1:07
To avoid constipation I have to eat foods with high water content daily. A large salad for lunch or pieces of fruit. At one point to counteract/heal fissures, I had to eat a prune with each meal, and that did the trick over the course of a month. No pain now thankfully. Seeing all these ads for processed foods I don’t know how people can live on them. I’d never visit the bathroom again if that was the case for me.
I think all Doctors should listen to this video. So many say "take Metamucil" ~ but as you explained the difference, they are ordering Metamucil for the wrong reason and MiraLAX should be used for more severe constipation. THANK YOU so much for explaining the difference.
I have hard stools and Miralax did nothing for me other than make me sick to my stomach up to throwing up after drinking it. No thanks. Metamucil is better for my body.
While recovering from open back fusion surgery I can tell you that stool softeners did nothing to move things along. It only made it soft. The ONLY thing that gave me relief from drug-induced constipation was two little blocks of good ol' ExLax every morning. It helped push the stool softened stuff right along. Eight months out and all those problems have been resolved and I'm taking nothing now. Happy bowels to you.😊
Read the label before you buy, like every other product. ‘Sugar free’ just means they’ve subbed in something else. If you don’t want fake, just buy the one with sugar.
I suffer from IBS with constipation. I have tried all the recommendations you mention. Wonder if you can do a segment on how Magnesium Citrate works and how it effects the body.
45 years old. Constipation/diarrhea for 20 years. Colonoscopy came back with no issues. Gonna try Metamucil working up to 17 grams of fiber per day per my Dr. Would love to be regular again with solid bowel movements.
Thank you Doctor for acknowledging that constipation ultimately can be a complex issue . And it can be very individualistic in experience . I lean towards being constipated but generally speaking intermittent fasting , plus adding Metamucil, and then sometimes still needing to add in mineral oil have helped me be fairly regular. And I'll be completely regular and then the minute I have to travel it's game over. Just staying in a hotel for one night my body body freaks out and i cant go. It's so freaking ridiculous I just can't relax if I'm not at home, even though I feel fine or am having a good time.. So apparently there's a psychological component too and it's so stupid.
Ty again for information that is so very valuable. I wish I had found your videos long ago. Without sounding too nutty...you seem to be a very good person. I truly appreciate the information!
After years of suffering with issues with my digestive system, the best advice I received from a gastroenterologist was to take Beni-fiber regularly. It is the only fiber supplement that contains the ingredient that stops "Intestinal Spasms". I've been issues free for over six years now and my undies also are enjoying the change!
Thank you for the information you provided which gives me a better understanding of what MiraLAX actually does. With stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer side effects of the hormone treatment are not consistent, fatty stool or hard and constipated.
I've used Metamucil for nearly 50 years now, off and on. I prefer it. I tried Miralax and not only did I hate the "no" taste and the feel of it in my mouth, it didn't really work for me and I have hard stools at times due to diabetes. I went back to Metamucil and haven't regretted it at all. I prefer the orange flavor over the thick pasty taste, any day!
Just got done taking the Metamucil challenge and I have ibs with constipation and I think I will stick too the Metamucil it truly works wonders for me and the taste isn’t bad at all 11:23
My gastro said that for people with chronic longterm constipation Metamucil and other fiber suppliments can actually make it worse. Miralax just brings water into the bowel, which loosens things up. With either one, however, the key is drinking plenty of water.
Can you take miralax long term? I found still constipated with it even after a week. Cause I found I'm still bloated, gassy, and straining with it. Along with drinking lots of water (8-11 glasses of water) Let me know thanks in advance 😊
@@Dragon007..My gastro told me when I was severely backed up a few years ago to take it morning and night until I got things going, and 12 glasses of water a day. He also said that he didn't have a problem with someone taking it daily longterm if necessary. Please understand that this is what one doctor told me and you should not take it as medical advice, and should talk with your own doctor.
Thank you for explaining the difference. I love your sense of humor, meaning you say things to keep our attention instead of me switching when you get half way.
I have IBS with constipation and Metamucil(fiber) causes terrible gas and makes my IBS worse. So miralax is my go to and I have to take it twice a day. I also make sure I drink plenty of water because it does dehydrate me..
My effective remedy for persistent constipation involves soaking chia seed powder and flaxseed powder in a glass of water overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, I mix it with water and consume it during meals. By ensuring sufficient fiber intake and proper hydration throughout the day, I’ve successfully bid farewell to constipation. This approach has worked wonders for me.
This is a great topic. My gastroenterologist told me to take miralax for my constipation issue… and my daughter was told by her’s to take Metamucil because her poops are more watery. We both have hemorrhoid issues, mine external, hers thrombosed internal. I very much appreciate all this knowledge. Thank you 🙂
Thank you so much for this incredibly beneficial information. I am the perfect candidate for Miralax. I had been using other fiber supplements and getting the opposite effects, just as you mentioned.
I started my Metamucil journey after getting my first hemorrhoid. It was so painful. Part of the problem was that I was sitting down in the toilet for a long time and bearing down to have a bowel movement. I cannot have a bowel movement comfortably without Metamucil anymore. If I go without it, I still go but it burns as it comes out and I end up wiping forever to finally be clean. If I go for a long time without it will just cause me to end up with another hemorrhoid. I use it at least 3x per day and I go so easily and wiping has reduced drastically. I have an H-E-B brand one making it really cheap, too.
After some trial and error where I took Miralax for several days in a row each week, I am now taking it, once a week to keep me regular. I have suffered with constipation my whole life and even ended up in the ER because of it. After that I began taking Miralax at my doctor's recommendation and it has worked well. It took awhile to figure out how much and how often was ideal.
Dr. Chung, I love you. You are so friendly, warm and helpful. Thanks for you because you have solved my pooping problems. I’m 80 and will take a colace daily for hard stools.
Thank you for the great information. I've been taking Miralax for quite a while now due to hard stool and I've always worried about the few things you mention such as my kidneys and the risk of cancer. Glad to hear there's been some studies done.
I use a blender like a vitamixer. I add spinach, apple, banana, or any fruits you want, celery, leftover salad, carrot, small handful of prunes, zucchini, flax seed, chia seeds, hemp hearts, scoop of organic full fat yogurt, plus a whole quart of water. I mix it but not too long so it comes out like a sludge. I take two glasses in the morning and one before bed. Use a stool to put myself in correct position when defecating. Also take a deep breath and use abdominal muscles to push. May take a few breaths but you can train your body to push out poop.
I drink a glass of metamucil before bed every night. Within 30 minutes of waking up, I have a bowel movement. No more constipation and no more hemorrhoid issues.
Yep….I take it at night and it works the same way for me. Smooth bowel movement, no straining in the morning. Makes me feel good throughout the rest of the day.😊
I have suffered from chronic constipation for my whole life pretty much since I was a small child. I remember my parents shoving nasty oil down my throat back in the day. I have tried everything that's pretty much out there. Doctor's were always telling me I needed more fiber in my diet. But no matter how much fiber and water I drank my stools were always rock hard. Miralax has been life changing for me. Been on it for probably 10 years now. I am 41 now. The hardest part with miralax is finding that sweet spot. Too much miralax and you are shooting out liquid poop. Not enough Miralax, it doesn't work as well. I take a cap full every other day. That's my sweet spot. Talk to your doctor and give miralax a try.
it really does help. i been using it on and off since last year dealing with my anal fissure. usually i do enough for soft stools. this last week my stool has been rock hard again. even with the miralax. any suggestions? i try more yesterday but PART of the stool is still hard. my fissure is hurting
I’ve had bad constipation since I was little too! Same thing, my mom giving me mineral oil, Metamucil, prune juice…you name it! A GI prescribed Miralax when it was still only available as a prescription… I’ve taken it regularly now for 23 years and yes, it’s life changing!!! Half a cap every morning and I’m good!!!
I started taking metamucil everyday before breakfast with oj and coming from someone who was constipated a lot and didn't go to the bathroom for a week to two on end. After a month of taking metamucil everyday I've been more regular than I have been in my entire life. Every other day
Your former problem is me for my entire life . Now that I’m 50 , I know I must change this . Thank you for sharing. I’m picking some metimucil Tomorrow
Me too… every single day with coffee. Works like a CHARM ❤️❤️now I’ve cut it down to 1/2 a cap- but really amped up the quality of my diet & water plus added 1-2 teaspoons of inulin powder ( Jerusalem artichoke powder) every day. I find I MUST eat whole grains, brown rice at least every day, vegetables & fruit plus two liters of water. I’m finally learning how I can manage to go every day!! Oh yes… I take a stool softener every night plus three magnesium capsules. The FORMULA works!!!❤️❤️
Ozempic has been GREAT except for constipaton. NEVER had a problem with bowel movements. Doctor said to take MiraLAX. It’s a joke. Take 3 Ducolox every three nights and have a normal bowel movement and a couple diarrhea to make sure everything is out😔
Best explanation I've heard. I have worked in mental health work patients take lots of stool slowing medications. The example of the grass doesn't dissolve Is great. Thank you
For my chronic constipation with this pregnancy, I feel like Miralax is the one for me. I consume so much fiber in a day and still my stools are so hard that caused me this painful hemorrhoids. Now I'm dealing with both chronic constipation and very very painful hemorrhoids that don't get a chance to heal because my stools are so dense and hard to pass. smh. I even drink 2L water daily while struggling with nausea and still no relief from this constipation. lol I do take Colace once a day but with little relief. I'm gonna try Miralax cuz my stools really need to soften up so my hemorrhoids can also heal. Thanks for the info Dr. Chung!
Question: Difference between stool softeners like Colace and a laxative like MiraLax? DIfferent chemicals? Different uses? DIfferent effects? Can both be used at the same time? Thanks a bunch.
Just speaking from my personal experience, both introduce water into the stool, but I always found colace has a faster and stronger effect, you end up going fairly soon after, usually I get cramps and I'm running to the bathroom and its not a fun time while on the toilet. For me, the effects feel no different from a stimulating laxative. So I ditched it. Miralax on the other hand is really gentle, it takes the water in your body and the water you drink to soften the stool. Usually for me there's bloating, a bit of dry mouth (if I'm not straying hydrated), maybe a little cramping but it just feels like a normal "gotta poo" moment you don't have to race to the bathroom or be near it. Usually takes about a day or so. It's important with miralax you're drinking plenty of water to make it work well. For me 2-2.5L the day I take I usually produces a movement within 24-48 hours. 12 if I'm lucky. And the result is more on the side of "took a good poop and or tired", Rather than the other. experience. The other pro is you can mix it into any drink and its tastes fine, might have a very slight chemically smell but it's not a pill.
Had just horrible constipation post covid, March 2020 - tried all the PRNs . After about a year started on miralax in my morning coffee and probiotics. It was like a miracle. Off probiotics now but can’t seem to get off miralax regardless of diet. I am thankful it is otc
I mix citrucel with miralax Metamucil cases gas and bloating for me and made my fissure worse. 4 weeks on nifidipine and Miralax and my fissure is healing
I have been taking Mira lax for a while now (due to other meds causing hard stool and constipation) but every day became overkill. Too much gas. Poops way too soft and always leaky even after. It took a while but i find that Mira lax once every five days and docusate on the other days is the best combo for me. But it took a while to figure this out and again, I'm on meds that make this necessary. Never had problems before the meds.
Chronic constipation can be horrifically painful!! Finding the right combination is crucial and finding what works for you!! For me what works 90% of the time ( depends on how badly the nerves in my S1,S2, L5, L4 are being compressed on the individual day) are: 3-4 tablespoons of Metamucil, 6-10 prunes, 2-3 high dose probiotics capsules, 1 apple, and 6-10 glasses of water every day. On a worse day then taking 1-2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds soaked in water too. The prunes are a lifesaver!!☺️
3 days ago I had painful bowel movement, but I did not know about Metamucil so my friend told me to take Metamucil and I took 1 table spoon of Metamucil today. So I hope it works out.
Dr Chung I have been constipated my entire life. I am 69 years old. I have tried Metamucil many times and it will not move through……I end up looking 7 months pregnant. I drink 10-12 glasses of water a day. My bowel has a twist in it so it makes things slower. I also have spinal stenosis and the constipation increases the pain tremendously.
I use Metamucil every day, not because I have a problem with constipation or diarrhea. I take it because it helps to clean you out and get rid of waste that would otherwise stick to your colon. 😊
Yes Metamucil is my favorite! Thats so interesting that taking it at night increases risk of constipation 🤔 I've always taken it at night (for the last 12 years!) But maybe I'll switch to morning
As a healthy person who never gets constipation nor does my husband because he is fed a healthy diet, of mostly fruits vegetables nuts seeds and 4 to 6 ounces of poultry or fish A WEEK and 2 oz a week for me and plenty of water throughout the day and exercise 4 times a week. We both stay away from doctors and all medications. All the people we know with health issues its pretty simple when you see what they eat and how they live then when things do go wrong they are not interested in adjusting their lifestyle choices they just want a pill.
Dr. CHUNG, im 74yrs old and stuck in a hospital bed for the past two years. I can't even sit on the side of the bed so i can't hang my feet down. My mattress is broken and medicare only replaces items every five years. I can't afford to hire help so when I eat i have a hard time digesting and am always nauseous and constipated. I have to have my bm's in bed and it's horrible. I try to take muralax in the mornings if i could get someone to help me. You're probably thinking nursing home, but I worked in many, as I was a nurse. The horrible stories are worse ever day. PLEASE help me. Should I continue with muralax , how often and what could I do about the horrible gas from my chest to my lower abdomen? I also lay flat on my side and my husband hastouse fleets just to get me started. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP❤
I’ve been taking Metamucil and it’s been making me more regular. I’ve been taking it in the evening though so I go right before bedtime, keeping me up late. I’ll start to take it in the morning.
The best fiber is a blend of soluble and insoluble. Flax seed and Acacia is a good blend you can blend yourselves. Garden of Life offers a blend of organic plants that has been good for me. Every time I eat something with sugar in it, I take a teaspoon of fiber in 12 oz glass of water and chase it with another glass of water. After 8 months I lost 15 lbs without trying, but that was an unintended byproduct. At 77 my blood numbers are those of a healthy young man.
Metamucil capsules work well for me. I take ten a day....five early and five later. The capsules seem to cut down on the gas as opposed to the loose Metamucil.
Could your diet be part of why your constipated? Certain things cause constipation. Lack of certain vitamins could cause this as well. I had a friend who would not have a BM for a week or two, but she was drinking a 6 pack of diet soda a day!
One of the things I learned from experimenting with inulin fiber is the danger of overdosing. I created stools I could not pass. I had to use glycerin suppositories.
I think miralax work for me better, coz lifestyle wise im pretty good with eating fiber(fruits and veggies) drinks lots pf water and exercise 10k steps. I hve normal BMi: but for for some odd reason ,i always have constipation since when i was a kid. I have occasional i would say. I go daily but the stool is harder than i want it to be. Lol Esp when i had my son. I tried metamucil it helps but not like miralax. My MD said miralax is okey and doesnt cause dependence and i can take it daily. So im taking it now. Im regular and no more hard stools.
Supplements and medications can be so confusing! I hope this helps you.
I need advice. I don't respond well to a colonoscopy prep the last two colonoscopies I've had were well let's just say it could have been a better prep result. I begged my gastroenterologist Doctor Who is a wonderful guy two please give me a two day prep so he prescribed an entire 238 Graham bottle of miralax mixed with 64 ounces Gatorade or Powerade or something like that. I want to know what you think about that if at all possible.
The second day prep which will be the day before the colonoscopy is something called golightly not spelled that way I don't think I want to know is that the old style prep that people always used to dread? Because I always thought that it was Epson salts more or less the old crap when I used to get it years and years ago. That would be a sulfate salt I think magnesium sulfate well that's what Epson salts is anyway. Also if I still have problems after these two preps what would you think about me going ahead and doing an Epson salt treatment? Epson salt is so nasty that I always feel it's not gonna be very good for me but I have done it in the past. As a matter of fact I did a one hell of a Epsom salt blast a few hours before my last colonoscopy and that's the only way I was able to have my colonoscopy because it worked very well. I did I think 2 heaping tablespoons and then I drank three or four glasses of warm water. Do you have any thoughts any advice I'm very nervous about this colonoscopy for some reason I've been high risk since my 20s
@@ClownWhisper ask for Suprep The old stuff is magnesium citrate, and the pharmacist said it can cause issues
@@ClownWhisper😮😮
Is Miralax safe for long term use?
I have Gastrophoresis and take zofran..plus back pain I sparingly use prescribed Pain pill for..I take nightly stool softeners but find myself so constipates..is Miralax safe to use on a daily basis for the constipation?
Miralax is a miracle product. Even though I eat a lot of vegetables (or at least I think I do) and I know I drink plenty of water (not sodas), I still have hard stool issues. Miralax makes a dramatic difference, as by the next day, things are working properly.
You could have Sibo
??@@Fimp136
I think that’s me
I wished I’d seen this video years ago. Who would have thought being regular was such a game changer. Thanks Metamucil.
with all such supplements it depends on what you EAT THAT DAY: if i was eating just protein/meat with bite of vegetables, i would need more fiber supplement, but if i eat a half a watermelon and an a veggie meal, no supplement is needed. thank you DrAC for gracious sharing!
My answer is unsweetened applesauce and wheat bran. Equal amounts mixed together. 2 teaspoons daily. Just be sure its unsweetened and sugarfree. Sugar will just cause more gut imbalance. Make sure its wheat **bran** not **wheat germ**. 2 totally different things!
I buy the snack size unsweetened applesauce because that makes a good size as its preservative free and doesn't last long.
Wheat bran comes bulk and is at most grocery stores near the produce section. Bob's Red Mill is sold in the Natural food section in most grocery stores or online &'Hodgson's Mill brand is usually in the baking aisle.
Much less expensive an much better for you imo. Recipe is from my Fibromyalgia nurse.
I'm wondering if oat bran would work as a substitute for wheat bran? @lorriefinley3129
I went to the hospital last month for severe constipation, i had used enemas by myself to try to get things unstuck but it didn’t help. I strained so bad i made myself sick. I got scans and they saw I had stuff wound aaaallll the way up and around in my bowels. They informed me the enemas only got rid of a very very small chunk of the whole mass. I was so scared I would need surgery, but they gave me miralax and it worked wonders. It also really helped that I changed my diet and water intake. I went off the miralax for a bit and the issue came back so every few days I’ll have some and it helps. Ducolax stool softener does nothing for me whatsoever (except make me feel sick) even with a bunch of water and natural fiberous food like oatmeal and whole grain bread and stuff. I feel like miralax had to be named close to miracle because I swear that’s what it is. I think that taking fiber supplements may have made things worse for me because my stool was already very very hard, everyone always insists that’s the way to go so I just went with it. So yeah, I think that note about the Metamucil for loose stool and the miralax for hard stool is incredibly important.
in Canada we have Restoralax which would be the same as Miralax. How long did it take for your bowels to release all that poop. For me it feels like the poop is just there but is not coming out and bits and pieces. Almost feels like its going around a ball of hard poop....god help me.
@@lovelife2day for me it's about 2 to 3 days... Depending on the severity of my constipation.
MiraLAX has been a God send to me. My family has a history of bowel obstructions and I have chronic constipation, so I know how important it is to be regular. I have tried Metamucil however and have vomited every time I have taken it, so MiraLax for the win!
Good to know
Man you are awesome. Every question I've had you have explained where local doctors and internet has not. Appreciate you sir!
Dr. Chung you have been a lifesaver! Thank you so much for your advice and information explanations. I am on opiates and have suffered with constipation. Since I have been listening to you I have been able to manage my constipation better than ever. I don’t know how to thank you.❤ 1:07
No wonder I have been having issues with Metamucil! I take it before bed. Not anymore! 😊
To avoid constipation I have to eat foods with high water content daily. A large salad for lunch or pieces of fruit. At one point to counteract/heal fissures, I had to eat a prune with each meal, and that did the trick over the course of a month. No pain now thankfully. Seeing all these ads for processed foods I don’t know how people can live on them. I’d never visit the bathroom again if that was the case for me.
I think all Doctors should listen to this video. So many say "take Metamucil" ~ but as you explained the difference, they are ordering Metamucil for the wrong reason and MiraLAX should be used for more severe constipation. THANK YOU so much for explaining the difference.
I have hard stools and Miralax did nothing for me other than make me sick to my stomach up to throwing up after drinking it. No thanks. Metamucil is better for my body.
While recovering from open back fusion surgery I can tell you that stool softeners did nothing to move things along. It only made it soft. The ONLY thing that gave me relief from drug-induced constipation was two little blocks of good ol' ExLax every morning. It helped push the stool softened stuff right along. Eight months out and all those problems have been resolved and I'm taking nothing now. Happy bowels to you.😊
The Miralax box states a warning not do not use if you have kidney disease, unless you ask your doctor's permission.
Would that include kidney stones ?
Anyone know the answer ?
Metamucil is sweetened with Aspertame !! I threw out one and a half containers as soon as I found out 😡
They have it now that’s unsweetened and sweetened with Stevia
They have one with sugar...which is what I use.
Read the label before you buy, like every other product. ‘Sugar free’ just means they’ve subbed in something else. If you don’t want fake, just buy the one with sugar.
You can buy organic psyllium husks . 1 tablespoon at night.
Thank you for this video, since i have ibs-c, im now going to try miramax . I have severe hemorrhoids, pain. I love your sense of humor and calmness.
😊 you always explain health problems very well your the best need more doctors like yourself thank you
Dr. Chung, I love your explanations. So easy to follow & understand! 😄
I suffer from IBS with constipation. I have tried all the recommendations you mention. Wonder if you can do a segment on how Magnesium Citrate works and how it effects the body.
45 years old. Constipation/diarrhea for 20 years. Colonoscopy came back with no issues. Gonna try Metamucil working up to 17 grams of fiber per day per my Dr. Would love to be regular again with solid bowel movements.
Thank you Doctor for acknowledging that constipation ultimately can be a complex issue . And it can be very individualistic in experience . I lean towards being constipated but generally speaking intermittent fasting , plus adding Metamucil, and then sometimes still needing to add in mineral oil have helped me be fairly regular. And I'll be completely regular and then the minute I have to travel it's game over. Just staying in a hotel for one night my body body freaks out and i cant go. It's so freaking ridiculous I just can't relax if I'm not at home, even though I feel fine or am having a good time..
So apparently there's a psychological component too and it's so stupid.
Ty again for information that is so very valuable. I wish I had found your videos long ago. Without sounding too nutty...you seem to be a very good person. I truly appreciate the information!
After years of suffering with issues with my digestive system, the best advice I received from a gastroenterologist was to take Beni-fiber regularly. It is the only fiber supplement that contains the ingredient that stops "Intestinal Spasms". I've been issues free for over six years now and my undies also are enjoying the change!
Metamucil hands down. I have a colostomy and still have to use Metamucil. Mira-lax occasionally because of disease.
Thank you for the information you provided which gives me a better understanding of what MiraLAX actually does. With stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer side effects of the hormone treatment are not consistent, fatty stool or hard and constipated.
Thanks!
I've used Metamucil for nearly 50 years now, off and on. I prefer it. I tried Miralax and not only did I hate the "no" taste and the feel of it in my mouth, it didn't really work for me and I have hard stools at times due to diabetes. I went back to Metamucil and haven't regretted it at all. I prefer the orange flavor over the thick pasty taste, any day!
Just got done taking the Metamucil challenge and I have ibs with constipation and I think I will stick too the Metamucil it truly works wonders for me and the taste isn’t bad at all 11:23
My gastro said that for people with chronic longterm constipation Metamucil and other fiber suppliments can actually make it worse. Miralax just brings water into the bowel, which loosens things up. With either one, however, the key is drinking plenty of water.
Can you take miralax long term?
I found still constipated with it even after a week.
Cause I found I'm still bloated, gassy, and straining with it. Along with drinking lots of water (8-11 glasses of water)
Let me know thanks in advance 😊
@@Dragon007..My gastro told me when I was severely backed up a few years ago to take it morning and night until I got things going, and 12 glasses of water a day. He also said that he didn't have a problem with someone taking it daily longterm if necessary. Please understand that this is what one doctor told me and you should not take it as medical advice, and should talk with your own doctor.
You are so funny! I really wish I could see you as my doctor. 😂 We need more like you that are fun and make the human body less embarrassing
Thank you for explaining the difference. I love your sense of humor, meaning you say things to keep our attention instead of me switching when you get half way.
Miralax worked for me. Also having 3-4 papaya pieces(strawberry size) after dinner works wonders. No stool softener needed.
Drinking a large glass (not cup) of warm coffee and milk every morning works for many as well.
I add honey to the coffee and almond milk. Yummy.
I have IBS with constipation and Metamucil(fiber) causes terrible gas and makes my IBS worse. So miralax is my go to and I have to take it twice a day. I also make sure I drink plenty of water because it does dehydrate me..
I take magnesium citrate capsules to stay regular. It works great.
how many do you take and how long did it take to start working.
Appreciate the informations doc , finally someone who knows what they’re talking about is making videos with useful infos ! Thank you so much
My effective remedy for persistent constipation involves soaking chia seed powder and flaxseed powder in a glass of water overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, I mix it with water and consume it during meals. By ensuring sufficient fiber intake and proper hydration throughout the day, I’ve successfully bid farewell to constipation. This approach has worked wonders for me.
have you tried magnesium?
This is a great topic. My gastroenterologist told me to take miralax for my constipation issue… and my daughter was told by her’s to take Metamucil because her poops are more watery. We both have hemorrhoid issues, mine external, hers thrombosed internal. I very much appreciate all this knowledge. Thank you 🙂
Please read my comment above.
Metamucil may lower cholesterol. That’s a huge bonus if true ❤
Yes I am still waiting for my cholesterol to lower
It’s soluble fibre or bonds to cholesterol molecules and you poop it out nothing g new here
@@cynthianovoselsky35113 to 6 months but Metamucil won’t do it alone exercising and diet
@@Davidh741 so your cholesterol level lower ?
Thank you so much for this incredibly beneficial information. I am the perfect candidate for Miralax. I had been using other fiber supplements and getting the opposite effects, just as you mentioned.
Great explanation of the two!
I started my Metamucil journey after getting my first hemorrhoid. It was so painful. Part of the problem was that I was sitting down in the toilet for a long time and bearing down to have a bowel movement.
I cannot have a bowel movement comfortably without Metamucil anymore. If I go without it, I still go but it burns as it comes out and I end up wiping forever to finally be clean. If I go for a long time without it will just cause me to end up with another hemorrhoid.
I use it at least 3x per day and I go so easily and wiping has reduced drastically. I have an H-E-B brand one making it really cheap, too.
After some trial and error where I took Miralax for several days in a row each week, I am now taking it, once a week to keep me regular. I have suffered with constipation my whole life and even ended up in the ER because of it. After that I began taking Miralax at my doctor's recommendation and it has worked well. It took awhile to figure out how much and how often was ideal.
Dr. Chung, I love you. You are so friendly, warm and helpful. Thanks for you because you have solved my pooping problems. I’m 80 and will take a colace daily for hard stools.
I take prune juice at night, it works well!
It’s high in FODMAPs and may cause more issues for many with ibs including myself
Do y ou take it every day?
Thank you for the great information. I've been taking Miralax for quite a while now due to hard stool and I've always worried about the few things you mention such as my kidneys and the risk of cancer. Glad to hear there's been some studies done.
Your videos are so helpful. Miralax has helped me so much along with magnesium citrate. Thank you!!!
how do u get ur magnesuim citrate? pill?
I use a blender like a vitamixer. I add spinach, apple, banana, or any fruits you want, celery, leftover salad, carrot, small handful of prunes, zucchini, flax seed, chia seeds, hemp hearts, scoop of organic full fat yogurt, plus a whole quart of water. I mix it but not too long so it comes out like a sludge. I take two glasses in the morning and one before bed. Use a stool to put myself in correct position when defecating. Also take a deep breath and use abdominal muscles to push. May take a few breaths but you can train your body to push out poop.
it is a lot of calories you getting , and expensive and a lot of trouble
For hard stool and a slow digestion can you mix both of them together?
I’ve tried both and Miralax is what works for my chronic constipation. Metamucil gave me awful cramps. I thought I would die.
So true! I'm glad you found a solution.
Made me gassy and bloated too with cramps
I concur, I take Miralax at least every other day and haven't been constipated since I started
I should clarify, it was the Metamucil that made me gassy and bloated. Miralax really helps
Metamucil made me feel like I was pooping glass, too rough on my insides. Miralax agrees with me better, I often take half a capful.
Great video Dr. Chung . Very useful information. Thank you.
I discovered I’m allergic to Miralax - made me nauseous and caused a rash. Be warned.
What kinda rash ? Where was the rash ?
This was the most helpful video I've found so far on this topic for both products
I drink a glass of metamucil before bed every night. Within 30 minutes of waking up, I have a bowel movement. No more constipation and no more hemorrhoid issues.
They said take it in the morning
Yep….I take it at night and it works the same way for me. Smooth bowel movement, no straining in the morning. Makes me feel good throughout the rest of the day.😊
I have suffered from chronic constipation for my whole life pretty much since I was a small child. I remember my parents shoving nasty oil down my throat back in the day. I have tried everything that's pretty much out there. Doctor's were always telling me I needed more fiber in my diet. But no matter how much fiber and water I drank my stools were always rock hard. Miralax has been life changing for me. Been on it for probably 10 years now. I am 41 now. The hardest part with miralax is finding that sweet spot. Too much miralax and you are shooting out liquid poop. Not enough Miralax, it doesn't work as well. I take a cap full every other day. That's my sweet spot. Talk to your doctor and give miralax a try.
it really does help. i been using it on and off since last year dealing with my anal fissure. usually i do enough for soft stools. this last week my stool has been rock hard again. even with the miralax. any suggestions? i try more yesterday but PART of the stool is still hard. my fissure is hurting
That is the dose I take also. Works great!
I’ve had bad constipation since I was little too! Same thing, my mom giving me mineral oil, Metamucil, prune juice…you name it! A GI prescribed Miralax when it was still only available as a prescription… I’ve taken it regularly now for 23 years and yes, it’s life changing!!! Half a cap every morning and I’m good!!!
Miralax is dangerous. It's main ingredient is anti freeze.
I take Softovac, works very well for me for a very long time.@@banderas2000
I started taking metamucil everyday before breakfast with oj and coming from someone who was constipated a lot and didn't go to the bathroom for a week to two on end. After a month of taking metamucil everyday I've been more regular than I have been in my entire life. Every other day
Your former problem is me for my entire life . Now that I’m 50 , I know I must change this . Thank you for sharing. I’m picking some metimucil Tomorrow
How much do you take?
You would eat everyday but not release any stool for A WEEK? Am I mistaken in thinking that?😅
Me too… every single day with coffee. Works like a CHARM ❤️❤️now I’ve cut it down to 1/2 a cap- but really amped up the quality of my diet & water plus added 1-2 teaspoons of inulin powder ( Jerusalem artichoke powder) every day. I find I MUST eat whole grains, brown rice at least every day, vegetables & fruit plus two liters of water. I’m finally learning how I can manage to go every day!! Oh yes… I take a stool softener every night plus three magnesium capsules. The FORMULA works!!!❤️❤️
It does happen to me@@ytpider990
Thank you so much for a great explanation, very kind of you. We need more doctors like you in Canada
Yes we are waiting up to a year to see a GI specialist here. It’s getting worse here for sure
Excellent video. Very informative. Thank you.
Citrucel is the only one that doesn’t give me gas. I’ve tried four other brands and suffered with all of them. That’s why I only use Citrucel
Ozempic has been GREAT except for constipaton. NEVER had a problem with bowel movements. Doctor said to take MiraLAX. It’s a joke. Take 3 Ducolox every three nights and have a normal bowel movement and a couple diarrhea to make sure everything is out😔
Best explanation I've heard. I have worked in mental health work patients take lots of stool slowing medications. The example of the grass doesn't dissolve Is great. Thank you
For my chronic constipation with this pregnancy, I feel like Miralax is the one for me. I consume so much fiber in a day and still my stools are so hard that caused me this painful hemorrhoids. Now I'm dealing with both chronic constipation and very very painful hemorrhoids that don't get a chance to heal because my stools are so dense and hard to pass. smh. I even drink 2L water daily while struggling with nausea and still no relief from this constipation. lol I do take Colace once a day but with little relief. I'm gonna try Miralax cuz my stools really need to soften up so my hemorrhoids can also heal. Thanks for the info Dr. Chung!
Feel better!
ωσω! му єχρєяιєи¢є нαѕ вєєи ι∂єитι¢αℓ тσ уσυяѕ . ι’νє тяιє∂ ѕσ мαиу тнιиgѕ тσ кєєρ мє яєgυℓαя. тнє ριℓℓѕ ∂σи’т ωσяк. мєтαмυ¢ιℓ gανє ιитєиѕє ¢яαмρѕ. ι’νє тяιє∂ ∂яιикιиg gαℓℓσиѕ σf ρяυиє נυι¢є αℓѕσ. мσм ωσякѕ вυт ιт gινєѕ мє ∂ιαяянєα. ι ωιѕнє∂ ι нα∂ тяιє∂ мιяαℓαχ α ℓσиg тιмє αgσ. ιт’ѕ тнє вєѕт тнιиg ι нανє єνєя тяιє∂ fσя му яσ¢к нαя∂ ¢σиѕтιραтισи .
thank you for the great information about Miralax i am on the 1/2 dosage as i was having some constipation issues
Question: Difference between stool softeners like Colace and a laxative like MiraLax? DIfferent chemicals? Different uses? DIfferent effects? Can both be used at the same time? Thanks a bunch.
Great question! This has been added to the list!
Just speaking from my personal experience, both introduce water into the stool, but I always found colace has a faster and stronger effect, you end up going fairly soon after, usually I get cramps and I'm running to the bathroom and its not a fun time while on the toilet. For me, the effects feel no different from a stimulating laxative. So I ditched it.
Miralax on the other hand is really gentle, it takes the water in your body and the water you drink to soften the stool. Usually for me there's bloating, a bit of dry mouth (if I'm not straying hydrated), maybe a little cramping but it just feels like a normal "gotta poo" moment you don't have to race to the bathroom or be near it. Usually takes about a day or so. It's important with miralax you're drinking plenty of water to make it work well. For me 2-2.5L the day I take I usually produces a movement within 24-48 hours. 12 if I'm lucky. And the result is more on the side of "took a good poop and or tired", Rather than the other. experience. The other pro is you can mix it into any drink and its tastes fine, might have a very slight chemically smell but it's not a pill.
I use Acidophilus to keep the gut bacteria level active and let the body do what it needs to do.
Had just horrible constipation post covid, March 2020 - tried all the PRNs . After about a year started on miralax in my morning coffee and probiotics. It was like a miracle. Off probiotics now but can’t seem to get off miralax regardless of diet. I am thankful it is otc
Bob's organic golden flax ground. ...Add to a smoothie or a glass of kefir. Works the magic. No chemicals or pesticides.
This was super informative, thank you Dr.!
Brilliant. This guy knows karma. Thanks for the positive vibes. 👏👏👏
I mix citrucel with miralax Metamucil cases gas and bloating for me and made my fissure worse. 4 weeks on nifidipine and Miralax and my fissure is healing
I have been taking Mira lax for a while now (due to other meds causing hard stool and constipation) but every day became overkill. Too much gas. Poops way too soft and always leaky even after. It took a while but i find that Mira lax once every five days and docusate on the other days is the best combo for me. But it took a while to figure this out and again, I'm on meds that make this necessary. Never had problems before the meds.
Chronic constipation can be horrifically painful!! Finding the right combination is crucial and finding what works for you!! For me what works 90% of the time ( depends on how badly the nerves in my S1,S2, L5, L4 are being compressed on the individual day) are: 3-4 tablespoons of Metamucil, 6-10 prunes, 2-3 high dose probiotics capsules, 1 apple, and 6-10 glasses of water every day. On a worse day then taking 1-2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds soaked in water too. The prunes are a lifesaver!!☺️
Dates work for me too
I went to the ER for excruciating constipation pain. I take senna tea once or 2x a week now.
3 days ago I had painful bowel movement, but I did not know about Metamucil so my friend told me to take Metamucil and I took 1 table spoon of Metamucil today. So I hope it works out.
Two month follow up?
Dr Chung I have been constipated my entire life. I am 69 years old. I have tried Metamucil many times and it will not move through……I end up looking 7 months pregnant. I drink 10-12 glasses of water a day. My bowel has a twist in it so it makes things slower. I also have spinal stenosis and the constipation increases the pain tremendously.
Great explanation and good to know to take in the morning and not in the evening
I use Metamucil every day, not because I have a problem with constipation or diarrhea. I take it because it helps to clean you out and get rid of waste that would otherwise stick to your colon. 😊
Ok! Most important information I got from this video is too much fiber can cause constipation, especially if you don’t drink enough water. Thanks Doc.
Bingo! Fiber has lots of side effects just like anything else.
Yes Metamucil is my favorite! Thats so interesting that taking it at night increases risk of constipation 🤔 I've always taken it at night (for the last 12 years!) But maybe I'll switch to morning
Me too! Guess I'll switch to the morning.
As a healthy person who never gets constipation nor does my husband because he is fed a healthy diet, of mostly fruits vegetables nuts seeds and 4 to 6 ounces of poultry or fish A WEEK and 2 oz a week for me and plenty of water throughout the day and exercise 4 times a week. We both stay away from doctors and all medications. All the people we know with health issues its pretty simple when you see what they eat and how they live then when things do go wrong they are not interested in adjusting their lifestyle choices they just want a pill.
Very helpful information! Please share your thoughts on Dextrin fiber powder, such as Benefiber. Thank you.
Great job explaining the differences Doc! Thanks a lot!
I have irritable bowel and diverticulosis, I found that 1/4 cap of Miralax and 3 teaspoons of Benefiber daily keep me as regular as can be.
What do you think doctor about papaya it pushes everything out works good .
Dr. CHUNG, im 74yrs old and stuck in a hospital bed for the past two years. I can't even sit on the side of the bed so i can't hang my feet down. My mattress is broken and medicare only replaces items every five years. I can't afford to hire help so when I eat i have a hard time digesting and am always nauseous and constipated. I have to have my bm's in bed and it's horrible. I try to take muralax in the mornings if i could get someone to help me. You're probably thinking nursing home, but I worked in many, as I was a nurse. The horrible stories are worse ever day. PLEASE help me. Should I continue with muralax , how often and what could I do about the horrible gas from my chest to my lower abdomen? I also lay flat on my side and my husband hastouse fleets just to get me started. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP❤
I’ve been taking Metamucil and it’s been making me more regular. I’ve been taking it in the evening though so I go right before bedtime, keeping me up late. I’ll start to take it in the morning.
The best fiber is a blend of soluble and insoluble. Flax seed and Acacia is a good blend you can blend yourselves. Garden of Life offers a blend of organic plants that has been good for me. Every time I eat something with sugar in it, I take a teaspoon of fiber in 12 oz glass of water and chase it with another glass of water. After 8 months I lost 15 lbs without trying, but that was an unintended byproduct. At 77 my blood numbers are those of a healthy young man.
Thank you for this very helpful information
Metamucil capsules work well for me. I take ten a day....five early and five later. The capsules seem to cut down on the gas as opposed to the loose Metamucil.
I tried fiber supplement didn't help me at all miralax much better results
Miralax brings liquid to the bowl retains it
I also see your point on when to take Metamucil because yes I took it an night and I became very bloated the next day.
Prune juice. 1/4 to 1/2 cup every morning. I like natural remedies.
Great information! Thank you🎉
Been taking Metamucil since I had Hemorrhoid surgery in 1990. Works great. Tried Miralax, doesn't help at all.
Miralax makes things sticky for me.
Meta lets things slide out.
Could your diet be part of why your constipated? Certain things cause constipation. Lack of certain vitamins could cause this as well. I had a friend who would not have a BM for a week or two, but she was drinking a 6 pack of diet soda a day!
ofc. Diet is the #1 reason for constipation
Can you please give information @ Linzess and your opinion on using it. Thanks!
thank you so much for the info. Great explanation
One of the things I learned from experimenting with inulin fiber is the danger of overdosing. I created stools I could not pass. I had to use glycerin suppositories.
I think miralax work for me better, coz lifestyle wise im pretty good with eating fiber(fruits and veggies) drinks lots pf water and exercise 10k steps. I hve normal BMi: but for for some odd reason ,i always have constipation since when i was a kid. I have occasional i would say. I go daily but the stool is harder than i want it to be. Lol
Esp when i had my son.
I tried metamucil it helps but not like miralax.
My MD said miralax is okey and doesnt cause dependence and i can take it daily. So im taking it now. Im regular and no more hard stools.
Malted Barley is a lot safer then Miralax and it tastes great works fast....