3 1/2 year old son prescribed adult dose of Miralax - I need alternatives.

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BACKGROUND - my son's stools were normal until about 12 months. At

this time, he started going only once every 7-10 days. He didn't

seem uncomfortable during those days, but then he'd strain to get

something out. Maybe for a day or so, then a tennis-ball sized stool

would come out. It wasn't super hard, I guess I'd say well-formed.

But it was so large for a baby and so many days had passed.

Periodically used enemas if he strained for a few days at a time.

That continued for at least 18 months. The doctor suggested (and I

accepted) that was his normal pattern. Some where just before his

3rd birthday, he started going all the time. At first I was just

glad he was going. But then it got to the point where a little was

in every diaper and he'd frequently leak some during a 10 minute

bath. An xray confirmed a huge mass in the colon and an enema got

rid of it - softball sized. The doctor said encopresis and

prescribed 1tsp Miralax/day. This was about 2 months ago. That dose

didn't do anything.

So this week, after I urged him to accept that this wasn't

n's 'normal pattern' and the issue wasn't resolved, he

prescribed the adult dose of Miralax. It seems to do the trick. He

has a couple lose stools a day. BTW, he's still in diapers, I have

to get this under control first before potty training.

BUT I'm scared about side effects. I have a follow-up appt in about

a week, but I don't want to keep him on that dose of Miralax for even

that long. I'm trying to figure out ASAP what to give him so it has

enough time to start affecting his system before the doctor's visit

(rectal exam, maybe another xray...) My plan of attack is:

Vegetable overload - he's great with fruits, but we need to do more

with vegetables.

Flax seed on cereal

20 oz/water - he's about 42 lbs.

Milk of Magnesia

Fiber - beans, grains

As I understand it, his colon is stretched and probalby not

contracting as it should. We need to keep it emptied so it will

shrink back to normal size and start normal functions.

Is there something else that I should use in addition to the stuff

above? MOM is a laxative, not a stool softener, right. Should I

include a stool softener?

I'm just so worried about the cautions " not to be used long-term " . I

know we're in for a solution that will take months and I don't want

to use something that will damage him more.

Thanks and sorry for the long post!