[Sage]

I am newly diagnosed IBS-C. I am trying to get my life back in order by learning everything I can about this condition. One member of this bulletin board said her father who is a physician recommends the use of Milk of Magnesia daily. What is a safe dose for daily use? Is this product considered a laxative and should be used cautiously?Your advice is much needed and appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Hi Sage: My doctor said to be wary on taking any oral laxative for an extended period of time (longer than a week). You can become dependent on them and it can cause your bowels to actually become less able to function normally. I reserve the laxatives for the really really bad bouts when I can't go at all, and nothing (nothing!) works for several days.Don't you find that Milk o Mag makes you feel nauesous? It did me. I had a bit of luck with Magnalox when it seemed that nothing short of dyanamite was going help.

Here's something that always works for me: I drink a cup of hot water as soon as I get up. I put fresh ginger in it for nausea, but you don't have to. Sometimes I have to drink 2, but usually one cup will send me running for the bathroom.Let us know how it goes, blbe

------------------"This life, this life aches/And this life moans/This life, this life is great/And it's better when you're not alone"(The Black Crowes)

 

[Guest]

Sage, I know it depends upon which GI or doctor one talks to. My personal experience shows more docs are against using the MOM laxative dose everyday of 2-4 tablespoons.I take a total of 75mg of chelated magnesium supplement a day (during breakfast and lunch) and one teaspoon of MOM at night. This has helped me keep regular along with a high fiber diet and plenty of fluids.Suggest you search sites on laxatives. They will explain pros and cons of different types of laxatives. Read Dr Salt's book and check this board out also. We're here to help one another cope with IBS.Some studies say magnesium supplements help with spasms and constipation. Too much and one gets "D."Alot of folks say controlling IBS is a trial and error method of finding what works for each person.Take Care,Karl

 

[Guest]

I too reccommend the hot water and ginger or lemon juice, and also one caltrate and maybe 2 magnesium, you can adjust the dosages to suit your needs.I just wrote about this on 'need some advice on calcium' by badluckblueeyes.good luck, I hope you get it under control!

and welcome to the bb!

 

[Guest]

Hi SageWhat I can add to this is what my GI specialist told me. Stay away from Senna and Cascara. (I was purchasing some high fiber stuff at the Health Food Store and he said it was bad for IBS.If I remember right, he told me to use MOM 2-3 times a week and to purchase Colase at the drugstore. (It might be spelled Colace). Both of them work well.

 

[Guest]

Hi again SageThis is exactly what the "Treatment Regimen for constipation" says:1. High fifber Diet: A high fiber diet is essential. Fiber is the component of our food that we cannot digest. Therefore, it stays within the lumen of the bowel, draws in moisture, and makes the bowel movements large, soft and easy to pass. Fruits, vegetables, whole wheat bread and bran cereals are high in fiber. 2. fiber Supplement: This is a dietary supplement to add more fiber to the diet. Metamucil, citrucel, fibercon tablets, or others may be used once or twice daily. You should also drink several extra glasses of water during the day.3. Colace (Docusaate sodium): 100 mg. capsule once or twice daily. This is a stoool softener and should make bowel movements easier to pass.4. Milk of Magnesia: 1 or 2 tablespoons at bedtime, and the dose can be adjusted as necessary to keep bowel movements regular and may not be needed on a daily basis. Milk of Magnesia should not be used if you have chronic renal insufficiency.This is something additional that he told me. Do not take anything with "Senna" or "Cascara" as a product of it.I hope that this helps you.Linda

 

[Guest]

To me Milk of magnesia will cause me to gag and almost throw up. It does not make me nauseated though. It is supposed to work with in 1/2 hours time to 6 hours time. Marleen