Re: Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, I have no problem with you using some of my old posts if you want to dig them out, I'll find them for you if you would like, about My story, you can give them my phone # and my e-mail, anything to get this out there. Thank you for all you do.................I'm not so sure we're out of hell just yet.....................Bonnie Juettner wrote: Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it

is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking

a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query.

Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

Good luck with this query. I think it will attract their interest.

Also I'm going to present this to my child's physicians and ask them to

resond about this.

Regarding xylitol, what dosage has been used as an alternative?

>

> Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

Miralax

[Guest guest]

I think this sounds great - great attention-grabbers, sound facts "...studies show..." and playing with emotions. Keep us up to date with how this turns out!

~ Tracie

Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

I agree that this is a great query - well done! I hope that they pick it up.CristinaTo: miralax From: ctaj@...Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:37:51 -0500Subject: Re: Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

I think this sounds great - great attention-grabbers, sound facts "...studies show..." and playing with emotions. Keep us up to date with how this turns out!

~ Tracie

Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Jeanie, that's good to know. For now I've sent off the query...and thanks, everyone else, too, for your encouragement. We'll see what happens...Bonnie

Bonnie, I have no problem with you using some of my old posts if you want to dig them out, I'll find them for you if you would like, about My story, you can give them my phone # and my e-mail, anything to get this out there. Thank you for all you do.................I'm not so sure we're out of hell just yet.....................

Bonnie Juettner wrote:

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it

is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest, greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly.

Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back. "

How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking

a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below.

Thank you for considering my query.

Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure about what dosage of xylitol might help. Others on this list have used it successfully...it didn't work for my DD, though. I think it's a safe thing to experiment with. I think some on this list have even had success using gum with xylitol in it...if you go that route, watch out for other ingredients in the gum...some sugar-free gums are sweetened BOTH with xylitol and with Nutrasweet (aspartame). Our health food store had gum with xylitol but no aspartame in it...Spree, I think.

Bonnie

Good luck with this query. I think it will attract their interest.

Also I'm going to present this to my child's physicians and ask them to

resond about this.

Regarding xylitol, what dosage has been used as an alternative?

>

> Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

Miralax

[Guest guest]

Bonnie!

This is a great query - it's wonderful that you've found the time to

get this written up and sent off - kudos!

If it will help at all - a while back I did find reference to p.

aeruginosa strains that are PEG degraders and that p. aeruginosa can

reside in human GI tracts. I know I posted this to the Low Oxalates

board, but can't remember if I ever posted it here. It's a thread

associated with message #20330 at the Low Oxalates group - and I'll

put a copy of my post at that time at the bottom of this message.

There was another strain or two, of the " desulfo- " family that can

degrade PEG and can also reside in human GI tract. Owens at the

Low Oxalate list and I exchanged some dialog on that as well - and she

mentioned that she thought she'd seen reports or had heard of P.

aeruginosa imbalances in some autistic kids.

I have been hoping to find time to write up a paper on this hypothesis

but since I cannot find the time to take a shower most days, I am very

glad that you are able to do something (including probably becoming

further sleep deprived!!) to try to garner some attention. I hope you

get a positive (and enthusiastic!!!) response from Mothering!!! Keep

us posted!!

thanks!!

Below is the text of one of my posts at the Low Oxalates group on this

topic - I was addressing the moderator, Owens, when the word

" you " is used.

" I just was posting a message to another Yahoo! group (for parents of

constipated kids - " pedgi " ) and was putting together a few things

about the woes of Miralax and came back across an abstract that I've

been trying to follow up on.

You & I briefly exchanged posts here about the potential for gut

bacteria to degrade PEG and you mentioned the Desulfo- bacteria. I

had been meaning to respond to that post for a while (where does time

go?) because I had seen several abstracts on PEG-degraders that are

isolated from sewage sludge, but haven't had time to search for

evidence that these other guys are in human guts. However, since they

are isolated from sewage sludge, it does not seem unreasonable to me

to think at least some of these strains could be in at least some

humans' guts.

I think the Pelobacter species (1st abstract below & in a few other

studies) are related to the desulfo's. One that is particularly

interesting to me is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2nd abstract below). I

believe it is known to cause problems in human GI tracts (and other

tissues – see http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/pseudomonas.html).

It can inhabit the human GI tract, so presumably could degrade PEG

there (especially in an impacted person with slow transit time).

Any thoughts?

---------------------------------------

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1983 Jun;45(6):1905-13.

Fermentative degradation of polyethylene glycol by a strictly

anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming bacterium, Pelobacter

venetianus sp. nov.

Schink B, Stieb M.

The synthetic polyether polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular

weight of 20,000 was anaerobically degraded in enrichment cultures

inoculated with mud of limnic and marine origins. Three strains (Gra

PEG 1, Gra PEG 2, and Ko PEG 2) of rod-shaped, gram-negative,

nonsporeforming, strictly anaerobic bacteria were isolated in mineral

medium with PEG as the sole source of carbon and energy. All strains

degraded dimers, oligomers, and polymers of PEG up to a molecular

weight of 20,000 completely by fermentation to nearly equal amounts of

acetate and ethanol. The monomer ethylene glycol was not degraded. An

ethylene glycol-fermenting anaerobe (strain Gra EG 12) isolated from

the same enrichments was identified as Acetobacterium woodii. The

PEG-fermenting strains did not excrete extracellular depolymerizing

enzymes and were inhibited by ethylene glycol, probably owing to a

blocking of the cellular uptake system. PEG, some PEG-containing

nonionic detergents, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, glycerol, and

acetoin were the only growth substrates utilized of a broad variety of

sugars, organic acids, and alcohols. The isolates did not reduce

sulfate, sulfur, thiosulfate, or nitrate and were independent of

growth factors. In coculture with A. woodii or Methanospirillum

hungatei, PEGs and ethanol were completely fermented to acetate (and

methane). A marine isolate is described as the type strain of a new

species, Pelobacter venetianus sp. nov. Its physiology and ecological

significance, as well as the importance and possible mechanism of

anaerobic polyether degradation, are discussed.

PMID: 6881964 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

------------------------------------------

Appl Microbiol. 1975 May;29(5):621-5.

Microbial degradation of polyethylene glycols.

Haines JR, M.

Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycols and polyethylene

glycols (PEG) with molecular weight up to 20,000 were degraded by soil

microorganisms. A strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa able to use a PEG

of average molecular weight 20,000 was isolated from soil. Washed

cells oxidized mono- and tetraethylene glycols, but O2 consumption was

not detectable when such cells were incubated for short periods with

PEG 20,000. However, the bacteria excreted an enzyme which converted

low- and high-molecular-weight PEG to a product utilized by washed P.

aeruginosa cells. Gas chromatography of the supernatant of a culture

grown on PEG 20,000 revealed the presence of a compound

co-chromatographing with diethylene glycol. A metabolite formed from

PEG 20,000 by the extracellular enzyme preparation was identified as

ethylene glycol by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PMID: 807161 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

*This article mentions that a number of bacteria were found that could

use PEG 20,000 as their sole carbon source but that the p. aeruginosa

strain was chosen for further characterization. "

> >

> > Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

> > Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the

Midwest). Here

> > it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't

usually do

> > this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction

reference

> > books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this

query has

> > left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the

query just

> > needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the

article. But,

> > please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

> >

> > Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's

just a

> > query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull

> > people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full

article, I'll

> > email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View,

who I

> > quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also

, who I

> > think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to

mention you

> > by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear Mothering:

> >

> > It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol

and Advil,

> > and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a

> > chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has

> > prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest,

> > greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

> >

> > Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They

point out

> > that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass

through the

> > intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so

they are

> > guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call

Miralax a

> > miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an

impacted stool

> > that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a

pudding that

> > will empty out painlessly.

> >

> > Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has

> > never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never

approved for use

> > in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are

prescribing it to

> > children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does

seem like a

> > miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their

> > children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other

> > children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One

mother says of

> > Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a

trip to

> > hell and back. "

> >

> > How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though

> > pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they

really

> > mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that

approximately

> > four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze

> > (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol).

> > Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules,

so drinking

> > a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking

> > antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers

can break

> > polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried

> > parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present

in sewers

> > also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene

glycol be

> > broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

> >

> > I'd like to write an article for *Mothering*, explaining why

pediatricians

> > are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If

> > possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural

alternatives

> > to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic

> > adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy)

and what

> > the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've

attached a

> > resume, and my contact information is below.

> >

> > Thank you for considering my query.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Bonnie Juettner

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Great job

Hopefully it will lead to an in depth article.

LeeAnn

>

> Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

Miralax

> by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here

it is.

> I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do

this kind

> of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference

books. So

> this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has

left out

> quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just

needs to

> give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But,

please

> comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

>

> Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's

just a

> query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull

> people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full

article, I'll

> email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View,

who I

> quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also ,

who I

> think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to

mention you

> by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

> Dear Mothering:

>

> It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol

and Advil,

> and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a

> chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician

has

> prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol --

the " latest,

> greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

>

> Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They

point out

> that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass

through the

> intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so

they are

> guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call

Miralax a

> miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an

impacted stool

> that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding

that

> will empty out painlessly.

>

> Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has

> never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never

approved for use

> in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are

prescribing it to

> children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does

seem like a

> miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that

their

> children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax.

Other

> children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother

says of

> Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a

trip to

> hell and back. "

>

> How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body?

Though

> pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they

really

> mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that

approximately

> four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze

> (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol).

> Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so

drinking

> a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking

> antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers

can break

> polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has

worried

> parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in

sewers

> also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene

glycol be

> broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

>

> I'd like to write an article for *Mothering*, explaining why

pediatricians

> are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned.

If

> possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural

alternatives

> to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic

> adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy)

and what

> the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've

attached a

> resume, and my contact information is below.

>

> Thank you for considering my query.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Bonnie Juettner

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, we'll see--Bonnie

Great job

Hopefully it will lead to an in depth article.

LeeAnn

>

> Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

Miralax

> by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here

it is.

> I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do

this kind

> of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference

books. So

> this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has

left out

> quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just

needs to

> give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But,

please

> comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

>

> Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's

just a

> query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull

> people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full

article, I'll

> email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View,

who I

> quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also ,

who I

> think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to

mention you

> by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

> Dear Mothering:

>

> It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol

and Advil,

> and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a

> chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician

has

> prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol --

the " latest,

> greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

>

> Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They

point out

> that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass

through the

> intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so

they are

> guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call

Miralax a

> miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an

impacted stool

> that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding

that

> will empty out painlessly.

>

> Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has

> never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never

approved for use

> in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are

prescribing it to

> children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does

seem like a

> miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that

their

> children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax.

Other

> children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother

says of

> Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a

trip to

> hell and back. "

>

> How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body?

Though

> pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they

really

> mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that

approximately

> four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze

> (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol).

> Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so

drinking

> a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking

> antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers

can break

> polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has

worried

> parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in

sewers

> also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene

glycol be

> broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

>

> I'd like to write an article for *Mothering*, explaining why

pediatricians

> are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned.

If

> possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural

alternatives

> to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic

> adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy)

and what

> the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've

attached a

> resume, and my contact information is below.

>

> Thank you for considering my query.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Bonnie Juettner

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, , this should be a huge help! Bonnie

Bonnie!

This is a great query - it's wonderful that you've found the time to

get this written up and sent off - kudos!

If it will help at all - a while back I did find reference to p.

aeruginosa strains that are PEG degraders and that p. aeruginosa can

reside in human GI tracts. I know I posted this to the Low Oxalates

board, but can't remember if I ever posted it here. It's a thread

associated with message #20330 at the Low Oxalates group - and I'll

put a copy of my post at that time at the bottom of this message.

There was another strain or two, of the " desulfo- " family that can

degrade PEG and can also reside in human GI tract. Owens at the

Low Oxalate list and I exchanged some dialog on that as well - and she

mentioned that she thought she'd seen reports or had heard of P.

aeruginosa imbalances in some autistic kids.

I have been hoping to find time to write up a paper on this hypothesis

but since I cannot find the time to take a shower most days, I am very

glad that you are able to do something (including probably becoming

further sleep deprived!!) to try to garner some attention. I hope you

get a positive (and enthusiastic!!!) response from Mothering!!! Keep

us posted!!

thanks!!

Below is the text of one of my posts at the Low Oxalates group on this

topic - I was addressing the moderator, Owens, when the word

" you " is used.

" I just was posting a message to another Yahoo! group (for parents of

constipated kids - " pedgi " ) and was putting together a few things

about the woes of Miralax and came back across an abstract that I've

been trying to follow up on.

You & I briefly exchanged posts here about the potential for gut

bacteria to degrade PEG and you mentioned the Desulfo- bacteria. I

had been meaning to respond to that post for a while (where does time

go?) because I had seen several abstracts on PEG-degraders that are

isolated from sewage sludge, but haven't had time to search for

evidence that these other guys are in human guts. However, since they

are isolated from sewage sludge, it does not seem unreasonable to me

to think at least some of these strains could be in at least some

humans' guts.

I think the Pelobacter species (1st abstract below & in a few other

studies) are related to the desulfo's. One that is particularly

interesting to me is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2nd abstract below). I

believe it is known to cause problems in human GI tracts (and other

tissues – see http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/pseudomonas.html).

It can inhabit the human GI tract, so presumably could degrade PEG

there (especially in an impacted person with slow transit time).

Any thoughts?

---------------------------------------

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1983 Jun;45(6):1905-13.

Fermentative degradation of polyethylene glycol by a strictly

anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming bacterium, Pelobacter

venetianus sp. nov.

Schink B, Stieb M.

The synthetic polyether polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular

weight of 20,000 was anaerobically degraded in enrichment cultures

inoculated with mud of limnic and marine origins. Three strains (Gra

PEG 1, Gra PEG 2, and Ko PEG 2) of rod-shaped, gram-negative,

nonsporeforming, strictly anaerobic bacteria were isolated in mineral

medium with PEG as the sole source of carbon and energy. All strains

degraded dimers, oligomers, and polymers of PEG up to a molecular

weight of 20,000 completely by fermentation to nearly equal amounts of

acetate and ethanol. The monomer ethylene glycol was not degraded. An

ethylene glycol-fermenting anaerobe (strain Gra EG 12) isolated from

the same enrichments was identified as Acetobacterium woodii. The

PEG-fermenting strains did not excrete extracellular depolymerizing

enzymes and were inhibited by ethylene glycol, probably owing to a

blocking of the cellular uptake system. PEG, some PEG-containing

nonionic detergents, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, glycerol, and

acetoin were the only growth substrates utilized of a broad variety of

sugars, organic acids, and alcohols. The isolates did not reduce

sulfate, sulfur, thiosulfate, or nitrate and were independent of

growth factors. In coculture with A. woodii or Methanospirillum

hungatei, PEGs and ethanol were completely fermented to acetate (and

methane). A marine isolate is described as the type strain of a new

species, Pelobacter venetianus sp. nov. Its physiology and ecological

significance, as well as the importance and possible mechanism of

anaerobic polyether degradation, are discussed.

PMID: 6881964 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

------------------------------------------

Appl Microbiol. 1975 May;29(5):621-5.

Microbial degradation of polyethylene glycols.

Haines JR, M.

Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycols and polyethylene

glycols (PEG) with molecular weight up to 20,000 were degraded by soil

microorganisms. A strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa able to use a PEG

of average molecular weight 20,000 was isolated from soil. Washed

cells oxidized mono- and tetraethylene glycols, but O2 consumption was

not detectable when such cells were incubated for short periods with

PEG 20,000. However, the bacteria excreted an enzyme which converted

low- and high-molecular-weight PEG to a product utilized by washed P.

aeruginosa cells. Gas chromatography of the supernatant of a culture

grown on PEG 20,000 revealed the presence of a compound

co-chromatographing with diethylene glycol. A metabolite formed from

PEG 20,000 by the extracellular enzyme preparation was identified as

ethylene glycol by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PMID: 807161 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

*This article mentions that a number of bacteria were found that could

use PEG 20,000 as their sole carbon source but that the p. aeruginosa

strain was chosen for further characterization. "

> >

> > Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on

> > Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the

Midwest). Here

> > it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't

usually do

> > this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction

reference

> > books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this

query has

> > left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the

query just

> > needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the

article. But,

> > please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

> >

> > Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's

just a

> > query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull

> > people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full

article, I'll

> > email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View,

who I

> > quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also

, who I

> > think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to

mention you

> > by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this

issue.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear Mothering:

> >

> > It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol

and Advil,

> > and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a

> > chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has

> > prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest,

> > greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

> >

> > Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They

point out

> > that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass

through the

> > intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so

they are

> > guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call

Miralax a

> > miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an

impacted stool

> > that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a

pudding that

> > will empty out painlessly.

> >

> > Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point

out, has

> > never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never

approved for use

> > in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are

prescribing it to

> > children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does

seem like a

> > miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their

> > children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other

> > children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One

mother says of

> > Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a

trip to

> > hell and back. "

> >

> > How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though

> > pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they

really

> > mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that

approximately

> > four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze

> > (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol).

> > Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules,

so drinking

> > a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking

> > antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers

can break

> > polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried

> > parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present

in sewers

> > also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene

glycol be

> > broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

> >

> > I'd like to write an article for *Mothering*, explaining why

pediatricians

> > are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If

> > possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural

alternatives

> > to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic

> > adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy)

and what

> > the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've

attached a

> > resume, and my contact information is below.

> >

> > Thank you for considering my query.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Bonnie Juettner

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

See blue stuff below...I'm a legal secretary (27+ years) and you need to be careful how things are worded in the article (which I'm sure you already know) if it gets that far.

Nothing major here, just two cents.

Subject: Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipationTo: miralax Date: Sunday, June 15, 2008, 1:28 AM

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is

the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a

child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in ANYONE, REGARELESS OF AGE, for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely, and many have been kept on it for several years at a time. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what

they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Is it possible that those bacteria originate in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and

why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

My son is the one who chews the gum...it really does help (we just used it last week after his "virus"). I actually stumbled upon it accidentally...he chewed a couple of pieces (probably around 6) in one day, and BAM (or should I say BM).

I didn't even know at that point that xylitol acted as a laxative, which only affirms my thought that the gum is what makes him "go".

Good luck with this query. I think it will attract their interest.Also I'm going to present this to my child's physicians and ask them to resond about this.Regarding xylitol, what dosage has been used as an alternative?

>> Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax

[Guest guest]

Thanks!!Bonnie

See blue stuff below...I'm a legal secretary (27+ years) and you need to be careful how things are worded in the article (which I'm sure you already know) if it gets that far.

Nothing major here, just two cents.

Subject: Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

To: miralax Date: Sunday, June 15, 2008, 1:28 AM

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also , who I think is

the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:

It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest, greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a

child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in ANYONE, REGARELESS OF AGE, for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely, and many have been kept on it for several years at a time. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back. "

How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what

they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Is it possible that those bacteria originate in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and

why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below.

Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

Bonnie Don't you think we should include all the side affects reported too...... tic tremors delusions hyponaetremia seizures ocd paranoia stimming neuro behaviors that are residual.etc. neuo behaviors sounds vague and might not give the impact we want to present? Just a thought......Bonnie Juettner wrote: Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to

Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear

Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was

never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as

drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie

Juettner

[Guest guest]

Also, It would be most helpful if you added these things and sent it to the FDA, they are the ones we need to hound and or the media.................jeanie ward wrote: Bonnie Don't you think we should include all the side affects reported too...... tic tremors delusions hyponaetremia seizures ocd paranoia stimming neuro behaviors that are residual.etc. neuo behaviors sounds vague and might not give the impact we want to present? Just a

thought......Bonnie Juettner <bjuettnergmail> wrote: Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the

full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be

excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed,

what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are

(magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

[Guest guest]

Yes, definitely...thanks for the reminder!

Bonnie Don't you think we should include all the side affects reported too...... tic tremors delusions hyponaetremia seizures ocd paranoia stimming neuro behaviors that are residual.etc. neuo behaviors sounds vague and might not give the impact we want to present? Just a thought......

Bonnie Juettner wrote:

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it's 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to

Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also , who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue.

Thanks!BonnieDear

Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest, greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted....eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly.

Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was

never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back. "

How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as

drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below.

Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie

Juettner

[Guest guest]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol Deanna,Fort Worth, TexasMom to Cody age 10, Dx: EE, Food Allergies (elimination diet: rye, wheat, soy, and beef), Env. Allergies to mountain cedar and cats, allergic conjunctivitis, and possible GBS (Guillian Barre Syndrome).

Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it' s 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also

, who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool

that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax

is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements,

xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!

[Guest guest]

Thanks! This includes some uses of PEG that I hadn't known about...Bonnie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol Deanna,Fort Worth, TexasMom to Cody age 10, Dx: EE, Food Allergies (elimination diet: rye, wheat, soy, and beef), Env. Allergies to mountain cedar and cats, allergic conjunctivitis, and possible GBS (Guillian Barre Syndrome).

Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation

Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it' s 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here?

Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the " trip to hell and back " quote, and also

, who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!Bonnie

Dear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the " latest, greatest " treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe?

Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool

that's been sitting in a child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: " It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back. "

How could a " safe " drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax

is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies?

I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements,

xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query.

Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner

Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!

[Guest guest]

PEG derivatives such as narrow range ethoxylates are used as surfactants. Does anyone know about surfactants? And how they fall into play in all of this? Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lower the interfacial tension between two liquids. Some can, however, interfere with the life-cycles of some aquatic organisms, so care should be taken to prevent run-off of these products into streams, and excess product should not be washed down gutters. Some surfactants are known to be toxic to animals, ecosystems and humans, and can increase the diffusion of other environmental contaminants [1][2][3]. Despite this, they are

routinely deposited in numerous ways on land and into water systems, whether as part of an intended process or as industrial and household waste. Who's the wise guy who thought of using this as a laxative in the first place?????????? deanna gentry wrote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol Deanna,Fort Worth, TexasMom to Cody age 10, Dx: EE, Food Allergies (elimination diet: rye, wheat, soy, and beef), Env. Allergies to mountain cedar and cats, allergic conjunctivitis, and possible GBS (Guillian Barre Syndrome). Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it' s 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also ,

who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a

child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives

are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!

[Guest guest]

PEG derivatives such as narrow range ethoxylates are used as surfactants. Does anyone know about surfactants? And how they fall into play in all of this? Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lower the interfacial tension between two liquids. Some can, however, interfere with the life-cycles of some aquatic organisms, so care should be taken to prevent run-off of these products into streams, and excess product should not be washed down gutters. Some surfactants are known to be toxic to animals, ecosystems and humans, and can increase the diffusion of other environmental contaminants [1][2][3]. Despite this, they are

routinely deposited in numerous ways on land and into water systems, whether as part of an intended process or as industrial and household waste. Who's the wise guy who thought of using this as a laxative in the first place?????????? deanna gentry wrote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol Deanna,Fort Worth, TexasMom to Cody age 10, Dx: EE, Food Allergies (elimination diet: rye, wheat, soy, and beef), Env. Allergies to mountain cedar and cats, allergic conjunctivitis, and possible GBS (Guillian Barre Syndrome). Query: article about Miralax and childhood constipation Okay, group: I promised to write a query for a magazine article on Miralax by today (okay, by yesterday--it' s 12:20 here in the Midwest). Here it is. I'm planning to send it to Mothering Magazine. I don't usually do this kind of writing. I usually write textbooks and nonfiction reference books. So this is a new thing for me...and too, I know that this query has left out quite a bit of information. That's okay, because the query just needs to give them a taste of what could be included in the article. But, please comment: are there other points you think I should make here? Also, I've avoided providing any names in this query (because it's just a query and there's a strong likelihood they'll reject it, so why pull people's names into it), but if they ask me to write the full article, I'll email some of you (like you, Jeanie, and also Dana of Dana's View, who I quote below--it's the "trip to hell and back" quote, and also ,

who I think is the founder of this group--yes?) to ask if it's okay to mention you by name and if it's okay to cite all the work you've done on this issue. Thanks!BonnieDear Mothering:It's in your makeup. It's in anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and Advil, and in hypoallergenic lotions such as Cetaphil. And if you have a chronically constipated child, chances are that your pediatrician has prescribed it. It's Miralax -- or polyethylene glycol -- the "latest, greatest" treatment for childhood constipation. But is it safe? Most pediatricians and gastroenterologists say that it is. They point out that Miralax is made out of molecules that are too large to pass through the intestinal wall. They are too big to be absorbed by the body, so they are guaranteed to be excreted.... eventually. And many parents call Miralax a miracle drug, the only thing they've found that can turn an impacted stool that's been sitting in a

child's colon for two weeks into a pudding that will empty out painlessly. Some parents, though, disagree -- vehemently. Miralax, they point out, has never approved by the FDA for use in children. It was never approved for use in anyone for more than two weeks. But pediatricians are prescribing it to children and expecting them to stay on it indefinitely. It does seem like a miracle drug -- at first. But over time, some parents find that their children are developing neurological problems while on Miralax. Other children have developed kidney failure. A few have died. One mother says of Miralax: "It seems like a quick fix product, but it is actually a trip to hell and back." How could a "safe" drug cause so much havoc in the human body? Though pediatricians tell parents that Miralax is not absorbed, what they really mean is that not much of it is absorbed. Studies show that approximately four percent of Miralax is absorbed. Chemically, it is related to

antifreeze (Miralax is polyethylene glycol; antifreeze is ethylene glycol). Polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different molecules, so drinking a solution of Miralax is, of course, not the same thing as drinking antifreeze. But one study showed that bacteria present in sewers can break polyethylene glycol down into ethylene glycol. This study has worried parents asking questions: are the same bacteria that are present in sewers also present in the human digestive tract? Could polyethylene glycol be broken down into antifreeze while it is still in children's bodies? I'd like to write an article for Mothering, explaining why pediatricians are prescribing Miralax so widely and why parents are so concerned. If possible, I'd like to include a sidebar noting what the natural alternatives to Miralax are (magnesium supplements, aloe vera juice, chiropractic adjustments, fiber supplements, xylitol, acupuncture, homeopathy) and what the medical alternatives

are (magnesium citrate, lactulose). I've attached a resume, and my contact information is below. Thank you for considering my query. Sincerely,Bonnie Juettner Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!