Question 1

i have been having hard-to-pass pebble-like stool for my whole life. i eat right and drink lots of water. can stool softeners be taken long term?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Your stool reflects your diet. Make a diet diary of what you eat for a week. Foods that cause constipation are the grains such as rice, oats, barley. Also foods that have lots of pectin (bananas) and milk. Stop these for a week and your stool will soon change.

Question 2

sudden onset of very markedly decreased bowel movement for several days. drinking lots of fluids and taking softener. concerning?

Accepted Answer

Change in diet: If there is change in dietary habit, for example reduced fiber intake might be the reason for it.
As long as you have bowel movement and no associated bloating or pain, just increase fiber intake. If there is associated symptoms or causing to have discomfort, people may have spastic bowel may present with constipation. Consult your doctor for further evaluation or treatment.

Question 3

can i drink prune juice and not take stool softener?

Accepted Answer

Sure: Prunes help bulk the stool, allowing it to move easier through the intestines.

Question 4

can i stop the first part of my stool from being hard? i drink plenty of water, eat only plants, get excercise and take stool softeners twice a day. i'm suffering from internal hemorrhoids that are impacted by the 1st part of my stool only?

Accepted Answer

: You may take a fiber laxative like Metamucil and drink enough water daily so that your urine is colorless. For the long term you may try to increase your intake of fiber foods. Consult this site for fiber foods.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
Wish you good health!

Question 5

i drink plenty of water, take stool softeners, extra fiber, and digestive advantage. i'm still constipated. i don't know what else to do.

Accepted Answer

The best: The best meds for constipation are cheap: proper diet and proper fluid intake. Eat a high fiber diet and you don't need fiber supplements. Drink 80 - 100 ounces of non alcoholic, non caffeniated fluids every day. You must break bad habits if you want any relief. There is no magic pill that can replace a helathy lifestyle! senna cascara ios not good long term and causes melanosis coli which stains.

Question 6

i have has recurrent anal fissures for the last 6 months. i use gtn twice a day, stool softeners, and drink plenty of water. what else can be done?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: You sound like a good candidate for a lateral sphincteromyotomy .  See your friendly neighborhood proctologist

Question 7

how much water should someone drink if taking docusate sodium stool softeners? would 8 glasses a day suffice or should it be more than that?

Accepted Answer

: That should be enough.

Question 8

appendix removed one week ago. i still have no bm. drinking lots of water, stool softener, and miralax (polyethylene glycol)

Accepted Answer

If : If you are passing gas then I am not very concerned, however if you are not passing gas and have not had a bowel movement you need to contact your doctor. You may be dealing with a bowel obstruction. Your doctor will examine you and decide if imaging studies are needed, or your doctor may prescribe an enema first.
Please contact your doctor if you still have not had a bowel movement.

Question 9

had a good bowel movement 3 days ago but can't pass a bowel movement now. very constipated even though i'm taking stool softeners &drinking alot?

Accepted Answer

Fiber and Magnesium: Try adding several tablespoonfuls of psyllium husks (Konsyl) to your daily regimen.  Mix and drink fast, as it will solidify in the glass otherwise.  Follow with another glass of water.  Do this daily.  Add magnesium to your diet, as well--500-1500 mg per day.  You can't overdose on magnesium, because it will give you diarrhea.  Find the dose that's right for you.

Question 10

i have been constipated and haven't had a bowl movement for 2 days. i tried stool softeners, laxatives, changing my diet, and drinking plenty of water?

Accepted Answer

Constipation : Are you eating? Are you taking narcotics for pain? Some mess like narcotics can constipated you. Try some laxative tea with senna in it to get you going. Coffee also works

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Doctor answers about:

What happens if you drink fabric softener

A member asked:

I have been having hard-to-pass pebble-like stool for my whole life. i eat right and drink lots of water. can stool softeners be taken long term?

A member asked:

Sudden onset of very markedly decreased bowel movement for several days. drinking lots of fluids and taking softener. concerning?

A member asked:

Can i drink prune juice and not take stool softener?

A member asked:

Can i stop the first part of my stool from being hard? i drink plenty of water, eat only plants, get excercise and take stool softeners twice a day. i'm suffering from internal hemorrhoids that are impacted by the 1st part of my stool only?

A member asked:

I drink plenty of water, take stool softeners, extra fiber, and digestive advantage. i'm still constipated. i don't know what else to do.

A member asked:

I have has recurrent anal fissures for the last 6 months. i use gtn twice a day, stool softeners, and drink plenty of water. what else can be done?

A member asked:

How much water should someone drink if taking docusate sodium stool softeners? would 8 glasses a day suffice or should it be more than that?

A member asked:

Appendix removed one week ago. i still have no bm. drinking lots of water, stool softener, and miralax (polyethylene glycol)

A member asked:

Had a good bowel movement 3 days ago but can't pass a bowel movement now. very constipated even though i'm taking stool softeners &drinking alot?

A member asked:

I have been constipated and haven't had a bowl movement for 2 days. i tried stool softeners, laxatives, changing my diet, and drinking plenty of water?

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