Re: Is Colace legal?

[Guest guest]

Sorbitol is an alcohol sugar and completely illegal. Its a like a

fake food molecule that has no calories because the body can't

metabolize it and even causes diarrhea in normal people in large

quantities.

fi

>

>

>

> Can anyone tell me if this Colace stool softener is SCD legal?

> I'm not sure if I will use it yet, as I am going to try a few more things to

hopefully reverse the embarrassing story I relayed yesterday. But I want to have

a back up, just in case...

>

> Active Ingredients: Each Capsule Contains: Docusate Sodium (100 mg)

>

> Inactive Ingredients: D & C Red 33, FD & C Red 40, FD & C Yellow 6, Gelatin,

Glycerine, Methylparaben, Polyethylene Glycol 400, Propylene Glycol,

Propylparaben, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide

>

>

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp15052_333181_sespider/colace/stool_softener_laxative\

_100_mg_capsules.htm

>

> Thanks!

> Caroline

> who is dealing with painful hard BMs

> SCD since 1/7/10

> UC--->Crohn's since 1999

> Remicade since 2008

>

>

[Guest guest]

Caroline

I’d

use Miralax instead of Colace. Miralax is also a stool softener/osmotic

laxative, works by retaining water in the stools. I have been using it for

seven years now, as I have functional digestive disorders giving me poor

peristalsis, among other chronic symptoms. Takes a few days for Miralax to kick

in, so to speak, but it does keep things soft and moving [grin].

There

are several questionable ingredients in Colace, particularly sorbitol.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply and the suggestion, Kim.

I am going to try a few other things first (like seeing if I can tolerate a

salad here and there to give me more fiber and soften the stools).

But it's good to know that there is something legal that I can use in case I

don't tolerate my other ideas.

I did notice on the Miralax website where it says not to use it for more than 7

days but you've been using it for 7 years. So, does that mean don't use it for

more than 7 days in a row? For example, does this mean that I can take it for 7

days, then take a few days off, then take it again for 7 days?

Thanks!

>

> Caroline

> I'd use Miralax instead of Colace. Miralax is also a stool softener/osmotic

> laxative, works by retaining water in the stools. I have been using it for

> seven years now, as I have functional digestive disorders giving me poor

> peristalsis, among other chronic symptoms. Takes a few days for Miralax to

> kick in, so to speak, but it does keep things soft and moving [grin].

> There are several questionable ingredients in Colace, particularly sorbitol.

> Kim M.

[Guest guest]

It is best to use Miralax, which is OTC, for the short-term, until you've talked

it over with your doctors. It is like any other OTC supplement -- check with

your doctor before using it over the long-term. The manufacturers are always

cautious about recommending using a supplement for more than a week, or at a

higher dosage. I can't say for how long you should use it. It does take 3 to 4

days to become effective (about how long food takes to transit the digestive

tract), so I probably would give it longer than a week to know if it will help

you. I wouldn't take it longer than 2 to 3 weeks, though, without checking in

with your doctors.

My gastroenterologist has given me the OK to use Miralax over the long-term,

although I always pay attention for any adverse reactions to develop. My liver,

pancreas and kidney functionality is tested regularly. I have functional

digestive disorders and neuropathies which impair my body's peristalsis, and I'm

restricted to the kinds of foods I can eat. So I don't have much choice other

than to use an osmotic laxative. I have been on Miralax since my digestive

disorder diagnosis, about seven years.

I was on low-dose Zelnorm for a while, in addition to using Miralax, but when it

was pulled from the market I switched over to Amitiza, another osmotic laxative.

Unfortunately I developed a severe reaction to Amitiza, so stopped. Now I use

Miralax daily and supplement magnesium and low-dose iodine (to help with thyroid

function), and eating two prunes every 3 to 4 days.

Thanks to being on SCD I can manage the chronic constipation much better than

when I started six+ years ago.

A lot of people in my other support groups use Miralax regularly and over the

long-term, but they all have gotten their doctors' approval, and all have been

diagnosed with impaired digestive motility.

By the way, the ingredient in Miralax is polyethylene glycol; found in many

medications and supplements. I check labels carefully every time I purchase it

or try one of the generic brands to ensure there is no other SCD-illegal

nonactive ingredient included.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

>

> Thank you for the reply and the suggestion, Kim.

> I am going to try a few other things first (like seeing if I can tolerate a

salad here and there to give me more fiber and soften the stools).

> But it's good to know that there is something legal that I can use in case I

don't tolerate my other ideas.

> I did notice on the Miralax website where it says not to use it for more than

7 days but you've been using it for 7 years. So, does that mean don't use it for

more than 7 days in a row? For example, does this mean that I can take it for 7

days, then take a few days off, then take it again for 7 days?

>

> Thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

I've been taking Miralax for 6 months on the advice of my GI doctor, and it's the only thing that works for my C. I tried Colace and other stool softeners, and they gave me D. Even with 25 grams a day of fiber, I find I still need it somewhat, though maybe not a full dose.

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