Ive been severely constipated for 12 years and no one can figure out why. Been on lactulose for a while now worked at first now not so much, even upped the dose to 60ml and havent had a bowel movement in 5 days. Im so desperate for answers.
Why havent I had a bowel movent after increasing the dose of lactulose?
Question posted by Zamorama on 14 Dec 2015
Last updated on 9 September 2020 by Mbeira
3 Answers
Mbeira
9 Sep 2020
I had constipation for two decades and then had a lightbulb moment, ditched caffeine and haven't looked back (apart from a four day withdrawal headache) until I developed MS and now have a gut that takes over a week from one end to the other. I take Lactulose in the mornings but it can take a few days to work. If not, see a GP soon. I used to go once a day at the same time but now it's every two or three days instead but soft enough to not cause harm.
Can caffeine be your trouble? I have to avoid dark chocolate and milk chocolate unless it's a little bit a day, as it has theobromine in and that's caffeine's sister molecule.
Defector39
2 Jan 2016
I take also Lactulose 45 ml x 2 a day so a total of 90 ml and it was effective at first to have spontaneous bowel movement, but now it's only make my stools soft and sometimes liquid (but can't have a bowel movement without using glycerin suppositories).
Like you, I was at a lower dose when I start taking it in 2012. 15 ml was enough to work and with time I needed to increase the dose, so my guess is that it's lost is effectivity with time. So increase the dose is the only one solution.
Also, make sure to not mix the Lactulose with foods, I find out that if I mix it with some yogurt or any other kind of food, it will not work at all whatever the dose. Also, make sure to drink plenty of hot liquid like herbal tea after you take a dose of Lactulose, it will be more effective that way and will work faster also. Peppermint tea help a lot to make it work better.
Lactulose is not a stimulant laxative, it will only soft your stools, so if your constipation type is functionnal (pelvic floor dysfunction especially), it will not produce spontaneous bowel movement. That's why the Lactulose can be take forever since it's not habit forming and is not a stimulant laxative (you can't take Senakot type of laxative everyday).
Also, allow at least 48 hours after a dose adjustement. If the new dose don't work then call your doctor.
kaismama
14 Dec 2015
Do you see a gastro dr? I would call my dr and ask what to do now. We mixed applesauce, bran, and prune juice in equal parts and gave it to our patients every day, and we eliminated the use of laxatives. It can be kept in the frig. We would give from 1-2 tbsp every morning to those who had a problem with constipation.
Related topics
constipation - chronic, lactulose, dosage, bowel movement
Further information
- Lactulose uses and safety info
- Lactulose prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lactulose (detailed)
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