![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on August 22, 2010, at 22:46:52
OK, so I've discovered that I really need to take Lansoyl (a raspberry flavoured mineral oil jelly) everyday in order to not be really constipated.
Can I take mineral oil long term without it affecting my meds?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 23, 2010, at 14:30:49
In reply to Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds?, posted by Deneb on August 22, 2010, at 22:46:52
> OK, so I've discovered that I really need to take Lansoyl (a raspberry flavoured mineral oil jelly) everyday in order to not be really constipated.
>
> Can I take mineral oil long term without it affecting my meds?
>
>Mineral oil isn't generally recommended for long term use. Have you tried lactulose?
Posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 16:18:40
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds?, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 23, 2010, at 14:30:49
Why isn't mineral oil good for long term use?
I've tried Metamucil, but it just makes me more constipated, even when I drink more water. I've tried eating lots of fruits and vegetables, but that doesn't work either.
Milk of magnesia works, but it gives me diarrhea and makes my stomach all grumbly and unhappy.
Senna gives me cramps and diarrhea.
Mineral oil jelly is giving me the best results now. I still don't poo everyday, but that is normal for me. The mineral oil doesn't give me cramps or gas or anything. It just gives me normal poo every 3 days or so.
I know that mineral oil cannot be absorbed by the body and interferes with adsorption of oil soluble vitamins, so I am worried about it interfering with my meds. I take multivitamins too.
How do I get lactulose? Is it by prescription? I may be lactose intolerant, will taking lactulose be like taking lactose?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 23, 2010, at 17:31:39
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds? » ed_uk2010, posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 16:18:40
>Why isn't mineral oil good for long term use?
After long term use, small amounts may be absorbed and this could be harmful. It's OK to use it for a few weeks though.
>How do I get lactulose? Is it by prescription? I may be lactose intolerant, will taking lactulose be like taking lactose?
Lactulose is OTC here, I expect it is in Canada too. I think you're in Canada?
Lactulose syrup does contain a small amount of lactose as well. Because of this, you might be better off with a polyethylene glycol (macrogol) based laxative instead. One of the Canadian brand names is Restoralax. It even has a website...
http://www.restoralax.ca/ENG/index.html
Macrogol-based laxatives are often used on a long-term basis (if they are clearly necessary). They cause less bloating and wind than lactulose, but they do cause bloating more often than mineral oil. Even so, I think you should try it.
Posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 18:23:32
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds? » Deneb, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 23, 2010, at 17:31:39
Wow, thanks for the info Ed! You're pretty amazing. You're a wealth of knowledge!
I am indeed from Canada.
I will check that link out.
Posted by Maxime on August 23, 2010, at 19:23:00
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds? » ed_uk2010, posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 18:23:32
Ed is right.
Restoralax is available at the pharmacy here in Canada. You just put the required amount in a drink and shug it down. It's not immediate but at least there is no cramping etc. It might even take a day or two to work. It's called Miralax in the States.
Have you talked to your doctor about your problem? Do you have IBS? You shouldn't need a laxative every day.
Posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 19:59:31
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds? » Deneb, posted by Maxime on August 23, 2010, at 19:23:00
I don't know if I have IBS. I've almost always been constipated, since I was a child.
It's not unusual for me to go a week without a bowel movement. My stool is almost never normal looking. Sometimes it gets so bad that I need, um mechanical help. It's bad. LOL
Doctors just tell me to eat more fiber. I tried taking Metamucil, but it made me even more constipated. Drinking more water doesn't help. My colon just sucks out all water from my poo.
Sometimes when it's bad, even Milk of Magnesia doesn't work. Docusate sodium doesn't work.
I need to take something every day to help things along. My colon just sucks out too much water.
I was doing ok being moderated constipated all the time, but ever since my new calorie counting it has gotten worse.
I'm going to buy some Restoralax after I finish off my mineral oil.
Will Restoralax affect my meds?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 24, 2010, at 15:45:12
In reply to Re: Does mineral oil affect absorption of meds? » Maxime, posted by Deneb on August 23, 2010, at 19:59:31
>Will Restoralax affect my meds?
I doubt it. It's widely used in people who are on multiple medications eg. the elderly.
Restoralax works by preventing the stool from drying out ie. it is an osmotic laxative. Because it keeps fluid in the stool, it's important to maintain an adequate fluid intake - you don't want to get dehydrated.
I believe that there may be other brands of polyethylene glycol in Canada. Ask the pharmacy for the least expensive brand. There's no point paying for Restoralax if they have an equivalent product at half the price.
Fibre is not a panacea for bowel health, by the way. Some types of constipation respond well for fibre supplementation, others do not. If Metamucil doesn't help, don't take it.
A lot of people take polyethylene glycol laxatives on a long term basis. This doesn't seem to cause any problems. This type of laxative does not damage the intestine.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.