I get a lot of wind and with a fair amount of straining I might go 15% of what I would consider a normal bowel movement. I don't know if I am taking it at the wrong time of day or what but I need help.
I have been taking two tablespoons of lactulose a day for 10 days and I'm not having any results?
Question posted by V- Anne on 23 May 2015
Last updated on 27 April 2017 by themctier
3 Answers
themctier
27 April 2017
I suggest that you get in touch with your physician. After reading dosage information provided here at drugs.com, it looks dosages can be titrated (as long as you don't start having diarrhea).
HOWEVER, as I said, you need to coordinate this with your doctor so that both of you are in agreement with a dosage change. He/she also needs to know in case you end up hospitalized (for any reason) and unable to give the medical personnel medication information. The doctor will have a current medication list and dosage schedule to provide the hospital in case no one in your family is available to provide it.
kaismama
23 May 2015
Do you drink plenty of fluids? You need it with fiber. If you can try a short walk daily. You can try mixing bran, prune juice and applesauce, equal parts, Put it in your frig and eat some every day. Start with 2 tbsp. It tastes pretty good and is suprisingly effective.
CareyAnna
23 May 2015
You didn't mention anything about your diet and lifestyle, so I think if you are only at 15% after 10 days- there are things you can do to help it along
V- Anne
23 May 2015
Hello CareyAnna, Yes, you are right. I have been working for a couple years now on a better diet. I've been pretty successful at getting a lot of fruit down, apples, grapes, oranges, and I eat greek yogurt and nuts, I recently bought some triscuits, trying to be better about salads but not so good yet on that. I still think I'm getting a fair amount of fiber. I take a lot of medicine but quite a wide variety. I have fibromyalgia, high blood pressure among other things so my activit is pretty limited. What are your thoughts?
CareyAnna
23 May 2015
Activity is definitely important!! Try gentle exercise. Take a short walk each day. Gradually increase your walking time until you are walking for at least 20 minutes.
Make sure you drink enough fluids. Most adults should try to drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water or noncaffeinated beverages each day. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Be sure to Include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Have a bran muffin or bran cereal for breakfast, and try eating a piece of fruit for a mid-afternoon snack.
Schedule time each day for a bowel movement (after breakfast, for example). Establishing a daily routine may help. Take your time. Do not be in a hurry.
Also, try to Support your feet with a small step stool [about 6 in. (15 cm)] when you sit on the toilet. This will help flex your hips and place your pelvis in a more normal "squatting" position for having a bowel movement.
You can Try a rectal glycerin suppository. Follow the directions on the label. Do not use more often than recommended on the label.
Here's a little bit about constipation and laxatives to give you an idea of the physiology: Osmotic laxatives (such as Fleet Phospho-Soda, Milk of Magnesia, or Miralax) and nonabsorbable sugars (such as lactulose or sorbitol) hold fluids in the intestine. They also draw fluids into the intestine from other tissue and blood vessels. This extra fluid in the intestines makes the stool softer and easier to pass. That's why it is so important to Drink plenty of water when you use this type of laxative!!
If after 14 days you still feel it's not working, talk to your doctor. He should be okay with Adding some processed or synthetic fiber—such as Citrucel, Metamucil, or Perdiem—to your diet each day. Or ask about a stool softener, such as Colace, if your stools are very hard.
Let me know how it's going. Good Luck to you And I hope this helps!
V- Anne
23 May 2015
CareyAnna, Thank you for your last post. Those are excellent ideas and thank you explaining me how the lactulose works. I will give it my best and let you know how it all works out.
Related topics
constipation - acute, constipation - chronic, lactulose, 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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