Eating Disorders Support Group

Ali,
To answer your above question, yes Miralax works. The treatment center I went to actually used it as a maintenance. We all had a glass or two a day, depending, but everyone pretty much had it. It gets things moving and no cramping or any bulking effects like metamucil or any of that grainy stuff. It dissolves completely and has very little flavor if any. In juice you wont notice, water maybe a little noticeable but nothing bad at all.
I would ask your doc what they think of it and let them make the decision. I think most Dr's would be happy to see you on something like Miralax in an attempt to get off the laxies and back in recovery. Good Luck!

Thanks, Laynie. I'll ask my doc if I can take it, which is kind of funny b/c he hasn't exactly blessed my usage of the laxies yet I take them anyway. :) But I want to stop and am willing to give it a try.

Just to clarify, Miralax is over the counter. I'm not discouraging you from asking your doc, but just wanted to you know you can buy it at any store. I have had both my dietitian and doctors recommend it. It doesn't work like a stimulant, and everything LaynieK said is true. The only down side is that it takes awhile. It can take anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days to kick in, but its goal is to regulate your body so it's not going to work like these dangerous, quick acting laxatives.

If it wasn't so much money, I'd use it all the time.

Juls is correct, it is now available over the counter but you will pay a pretty penny for it. My Dr will prescribe it so my medical insurance will pick it up so I only have to pay a few dollars for it and the supply I get through prescription is a lot more then the over the counter bottle. If they can dem it medically neccessary then it will get covered. Yes it can be slow acting but as juls said, it gets your body to act normally, without stimulant effects. And by having to mix it in at least 8 oz of liquid, it gets you to take in the ever so important extra liquid we all need(or at least I need as I am bad about water intake)

Hi Cathy,

I want to hear success stories too. I'm 44 yrs. old and have been taking laxatives since the age of 18. I don't think I can just stop. They have been my friends for so long that I am too scared too and I know I need to stop before I have to wear one of those colostomy bag things. I'm too scared.

Ok, not that most of the world will want to read about this, but it sounds like we're going to need a laxative withdrawal week or something on here. To give each other support. Getting off these evil things sounds hard.

lol Ali!!!
I remember my first time in treatment before they switched to Miralax we did the metamucil thing and it was nasty. I was withdrawing from the laxatives and nothing was moving. Of course eating three meals a day at that point and went 9 days without movement. SO I gave the nurses this long dramatic speech about how long it had been and asked them to do the math that I had 27 meals stacked up inside of me LOL
Its not a fun process and can be triggering and scarey but it can be done!!!
Its worth it, especially when you can look back and find the humor in it and laugh at yourself. I still giggle thinking about my little drama princess routine LOL

So, Ive had a meal and stopped the laxatives like the dietitian said to do and I still haven't gone. So, this morning I took half the amount I normally take to see if that would help. I do have something similar to Miralax that I could take when I start eating regularly again. It's just that right now, I am severely restricting and hoping that some therapy can help me change the way I think about food. I've been threatened with IP if I keep losing weight at the rate that I am.

Anyhow, thanks for all the responses and support.

I had to wait a long time to reply I'm sorry. I actually had to hunt for your post. I guess I didn't want to admit that I relate. But I do. I was hired as a flight attendant when I was only 19 years old. Our weigh ins were monthly and my "friends" gave me advice on how to stay skinny. To take out earrings, tampon, take diuretics, laxatives, have no water after 9pm, and to remove underwire bra. This old stuff makes me want to cry. For the young me who didn't deserve this, and for the new member who doesn't deserve this, and it hurts my heart. I think that's all I have. I 'm sorry but I knew I'd cry adding my comment so through tears please know that you aren't alone.

awwww, hugs, Peanutzz. :) I'm sorry it hurt you to let us know that you relate, but thank you. I've done all that stuff, too (other than the tampon) when I weigh myself, and could even add a few more. It sucks, and you're right, we don't deserve this.

Cathy, it sounds like you're fighting , keep up the hard work. I admire your strength.

Ali