Miralax (Medication)?

Question

I'm 15
I have been on Miralax for almost a week now, although I don't have any constipation, in fact I don't really have any bowel movement problems except, when I do go, there's bright red blood, my GI doctor prescribed it to me because I have persistent abdominal pain (is she nuts?) and since the first day I started taking it (normal 17 dosage, once a day, mixed in juice in the morning) I have been having diarrhea, it's disgusting, and after I take it I have trouble breathing and extreme dizziness, I can't see or walk without falling over, my doctor says these are just side effects, keep taking it...I don't know why anyone would use this if side effects are as bad as mine...My GI doctor refuses to talk to me, why, I don't know? My mom tells her my symptoms, go in one ear, out the other.
As far as the abdominal pain, the medication isn't working, and since I was never constipated in the first place, my stools are worse.
Is Miralax working normally, or is it not working?

Answer 1

Hello, first of all, you should only be taking Miralax for ocassional constipation. This drug is a osmotic-type laxative, this means that it works by drawing water in the stool to make it softer and easier to have bowl movement. If you do not have constipation I don't see any reason it taking this medication. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. Which you may be having as written in you question.

Another important matter is that, you should NOT be having bright red blood during your bowl movements, that is most likely due to hemerrhoids (if painful than external hemerrhoids, if not painful than internal hemerrhoids). Another cause of abdominal pain could be Inflammatory Bowl Disease, Irritatiable Bowl Syndrom, Ulcerative Colitis, or possiblely Croan's Disease. If you constipated eat more fibers (metamucil will help also) and drink more clear liquids.

I highly recommend you see another GI specialist. If you keep having loose bowls you will get dehydrated, if you fell very thirsty or you urine is darker than normal you already may be dehydrated. I would go see another GI specialist today, don't play with your health.

Dr. P, M.D. (Internal Medicine)

Answer 2

That sounds ridiculous! My son is on Miralax for constipation - he never had any abdominal pain. His stools got too runny and his pediatrician told me to keep him on it daily, but cut back the amount I was adding to his juice until we found the right balance. And he never had any of the other symptoms. Obviously you should follow the advice of a doctor, but if I were you I think I'd look for a different doctor.

Hope you get better quick!

Answer 3

You need to find another doctor. The abdominal pain alone should warrant a change. The bright red blood is the most alarming clinical sign that something is wrong. You should go to see someone else ASAP. This is not normal.

Answer 4

I had a child in my daycare class that was on it. It made such a difference! She was such a crabby little girl all the time until her doc put her on it! Total change! Good luck.