Which one? | Arthritis Information

I have seen this discussed on the board before, but now that I need one I can't find it. So my question is: Which stool softener is the best? There are so many to choose from.

Thanks and may you have a free flowing day! I have found that senokot sachets mixed with water are good also mettamucel(sp) and fibrogel is good. I dont know if you get them in the USA.Don't buy the generic brand from WalMart cause they don't seem to help much!

http://www.arthritisinsight.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12 418&PN=8

Good Morning N & T! I'm sorry to disagree with Mrs Alexander, but I have found that the Equate brand at Walmart works just as well as the name brands. And it's a fraction of the price. Just be sure to get the ones that say, "Stool Softener with Stimulant Laxative". They have just the plain Stool Softener, but that is not very effective for me.

You may have to experiment with the dosage. I take 3 every night. I take narcotic pain meds all day and they can really be constipating. The laxatives work pretty well for me, but they won't necessarily work every day. I think that just depends on your system and diet. If you go more than 2-3 days without them working, take another 1-2 in the morning and that should do the trick.

I hope one of the things suggested will work for you. It's a little easier to live with if you are not constantly constipated.

Have a great day!

N&T

After just suffering the indignity of a colonoscopy...the magnesium citrate works really well. It is OTC and usually in a green glass bottle. I drank the entire bottle (10 oz) and it wasn't as horrible as I remember from the last time. It wasn't immediate and it is nothing like the yucky stuff that I had to drink the next day...but it is effective.

Good luck

Andrea

I use ducolax the pill I can not stand to drink any of that stuff. The pill works pretty good I take 2 before bed and by morning things are moving well to the south.Lots of fiber, water, fruits, veggies, whole grains. Carrots and grape juice
are great. Metamucil is great. Senna is good, it is the pharm herb and given
a lot. Colace can turn the bowel black. I don't like that one. I try to stick to
natural/food choices as they are the healthiest. If things get bad though,
and they do, the good choices are the magnesium bases products. But, if
you are having kidney problems, you should not take magnesium products.
Check with your doctor. dont forget that exercise will also help keep things moving the natural wayNini, now I know why the ones I bought don't work that great! They're just stool softeners, they don't have the stimulant. *beats head against desk* And here I was just thinking they were crap. (No pun intended!)Thanks everyone! Lorster, I do eat 2/3 pieces of fruit every day and I do drink my share of water, but I still need help. An everyday occurrence really makes a difference with pain, fatigue and frame of mind. And buckeye, exercise does indeed help.
It sounds like there is a lot to choose from and I suppose trial and error is the answer for each individual.
I really appreciate the input. What a great bunch of people on here!

Mrs. Alexander, you are too funny!

Now & Then, I sure hope one of the suggestions helps. I have had to take something for a very long time. The dosages are not the same for everybody, but with a little experimenting, you should be able to hit on the right product and be able to stay pretty much on schedule.

Hope you get some relief,

Hugs, Nini