Question 1

took magnesium citrate with a stool softener and now my stool is liquid and yellow. is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Certainly: The mag citrate is commonly used to clean out a person scheduled for a colonoscopy. It's can often clean you out and leave only digestive juices behind. The yellow is the color of bile after it starts to break down. Eat some apples or a banana and you should begin to firm up.

Question 2

i've been constipated for about a week and a half now. i've tried miralax, prune juice, stool softeners, magnesium citrate, lactulose, coffee and drin

Accepted Answer

Constipation. : Are you uncomfortable? Are you having any abdominal pain? Are you distended in your abdomen? I would think that at this point you should see a doctor and at least have an x-ray of your abdomen. More than a week is a bit long to not have a bowel movement.

Question 3

i had anorectal surgery 2 weeks ago (fissurectomy, abscess and seton placement). despite using magnesium citrate or stool softener, i noticed that i still tend towards hard stool despite eating fiber as well. when will bowel movements become normal?

Accepted Answer

: There is a delicate balance when taking fiber supplements and stool softeners to keep up with the extra fluid needs. Since both of these supplements recruit additional water to your intestines, you need to drink more. A male should be drinking about 3.5 liters daily. With these supplements, add an additional half liter per day.

Question 4

post op gallbladder removal, need to move poop...stool softener or magnesium citrate. which would you suggest? it was laparoscopic if that matters

Accepted Answer

Miralax (polyethylene glycol): Mag citrate may be too harsh. Try Miralax (Polyethylene glycol) Thanks for trusting HealthTap!

Question 5

constipated for 4 days. stool softener produced a few small stools. took philips milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide). stimulant free. safe? go to er if it doesn't work?

Accepted Answer

Safe, may work: but if not, no need to go to ER for simple constipation unless you are in pain.  You may want to consider Miralax (polyethylene glycol) as a laxative.

Question 6

if i've taken three stools softener gelcaps how long do i have to wait before i can take milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)?

Accepted Answer

Constipation relief: Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) is a laxative, it can be taken any time with stool softener.  Together, they may give a better result than either one alone.  Natural remedies for constipation is more plant based diet such as salads and fruits, more fluid and physical activity such as walking after eating.  Consult your doctor if these fail to work.

Question 7

how long is it safe to use stool softener?

Accepted Answer

Change in bowels?: Stool sofeners (colace) moisten & soften hard, dry stools whereas fiber supplements (metamucil) buks stool due to both water-holding & increased bacterial mass due to fiber digestion. Both products assume normal GI anatomy without inflammation, stenosis, extrinsic or instrinsic obstruction. Change in bowels is a "red flag", like weight loss or blood in stool, that needs evaluation if persistent.

Question 8

what is a good stool softener without sodium?

Accepted Answer

Docusate calcium: Docusate is an excellent, gentle, easy to use stool softener. If you are trying to avoid sodium, you can take the docusate calcium instead. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids. Good luck.

Question 9

how long is it safe to take a stool softener for?

Accepted Answer

Long time: Stool softeners can be taken safely for a long period of time, however, this should not lull you to believe that your problem may be a benign one. There are different causes of constipation and you may need to either describe your problem in greater detail or see your doctor to figure out why you are constipated.

Question 10

will a stool softener help with an elderly person?

Accepted Answer

Sure, but...: Docusate (per pdr) helps moisten & soften hard, dry stools. It is not a true laxative, but facilitates natural defecation, usually within 12 to 72 hours. This is safe & available for anyone over 2, & assumes normal GI anatomy without inflammation, stenosis, extrinsic or intrinsic obstruction.  Gi motility in the healthy elderly patient is really little different than in younger patients.

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Doctor answers about:

Magnesium stool softener

A member asked:

Took magnesium citrate with a stool softener and now my stool is liquid and yellow. is that normal?

A member asked:

I've been constipated for about a week and a half now. i've tried miralax, prune juice, stool softeners, magnesium citrate, lactulose, coffee and drin

A member asked:

I had anorectal surgery 2 weeks ago (fissurectomy, abscess and seton placement). despite using magnesium citrate or stool softener, i noticed that i still tend towards hard stool despite eating fiber as well. when will bowel movements become normal?

A member asked:

Post op gallbladder removal, need to move poop...stool softener or magnesium citrate. which would you suggest? it was laparoscopic if that matters

A member asked:

Constipated for 4 days. stool softener produced a few small stools. took philips milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide). stimulant free. safe? go to er if it doesn't work?

A member asked:

If i've taken three stools softener gelcaps how long do i have to wait before i can take milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)?

A member asked:

How long is it safe to use stool softener?

A member asked:

What is a good stool softener without sodium?

A member asked:

How long is it safe to take a stool softener for?

A member asked:

Will a stool softener help with an elderly person?

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