Laxtives, colace, stool softners...oh my!

[yvette]

What' the difference between these 3? Aren't they ALL considered laxatives???? And what about senna? Any help is appreciated :)

[debzx]

Hi

I also have IBS and have been having lactolous which is suppost to soften the stools gently. I also take senna at night every few days, just to keep myself regular. I dont know the difference between the 3 you have mentioned.

debzx

[Sarojini]

I have the diarrhea kind of IBS so generally do not need this kind of stuff. My impression is that stool softeners are compounds that draw a bit of extra water into the large intestine to literally soften the stool and make it easier to pass. Laxatives, you gotta be careful, I think, because some of them are stimulants -- they stimulate the nerves and muscles in the intestine to encourage movement of the stool through them... can cause pain, etc. AND they can be addictive.

I CAN, however, concur that Lactulose seems to work pretty well... at least from our dog's point of view. The vet gave that to him when he was having trouble with his #2's. It is a gentle stool softener... and seemed to work wonders and have no side effects... that is, until the one day my husband forgot he'd already given the dose to poor Henry, and accidently double-dosed him.

The living room rug was not a pretty sight when we got back from the grocery store that day. :rolleyes:

Sorry, that is my only experience... I hope more HUMAN patients will have better advice for you.... :)

[ICNJess]

I have IBS w/constipation and I use a vegetable laxative when my IBS is in a flare. Senakot (sp?) is a good one to use. It was actually recommended by my uro because of the high dose of vicodin I take, I guess that contributes to constipation. I'm pretty sure stool softeners and laxatives are the same thing. Well, same concept anyhow.

[yvette]

I normally don't have constipation either, but I've been on narcotics as of late and ......omg I need releif! I culdn't find the latulose, but I found the vegetable based (senna -c), but it had a stimulant in it (stimulants cause me way too much painColace was there....but it was like $14!!!! :::::sigh::::::So I finally settled on somehting totally different.....PhosphaSoda.....that stuff works!!!! Tastes nasty tho....thanks for all he help everyone

I'm not sure if I totally understand the difference between all of them, bu the advice you all gave helped me tons at the pharmacy today. :)

[dyno]

Yvette,
You may want to check with your Dr. but after my gall bladder surgery, my surgeon had me take Milk of Magnesium. Again I don't think you want to get into a normal routine of these, but this is a gentle laxitive.