stool softners

julian q · 08-02-2003, 09:40 AM

Hi
Is it ok to take stool softners on an every other day bowel program. I was told to take them only if i was doing my bowels every day, is this true. What is the most common stool softner used? Are they safe to use long term?
Julian

SCI-Nurse · 08-02-2003, 10:30 AM

Stool softeners work best when you take them on a daily basis (usually 2-3 times daily). They work to keep too much water being absorbed from your stool, thereby keeping it soft. Unless you are using a combination product that includes a stimulant, they are perfectly safe to take long term on a daily basis.

The most commonly used stool sofener is DSS or ducosate sodium (most common brand name is Colace, but generics are just fine too). We recommend using the 250 mg. size, and taking from 1-3 doses daily adjusted to your individual needs.

Of course you must still drink plenty of fluids (at least 2.5 liters daily) and eat plenty of fiber (at least 30 gm. daily) for a good bowel program.

(KLD)

Liz321 · 08-03-2003, 10:13 AM

Everyone's body is different. I take it still softener, Colace, 1 to 2 the morning of my bowel program.

chick · 08-08-2003, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCI-Nurse:

Stool softeners work best when you take them on a daily basis (usually 2-3 times daily). They work to keep too much water being absorbed from your stool, thereby keeping it soft. Unless you are using a combination product that includes a stimulant, they are perfectly safe to take long term on a daily basis.

I stopped taking stool softeners years ago, and now do ok on every other day (I don't understand how some can skip entire weekend on a M/W/F program!!

) Anyway, some days my stool is rather hard and may take longer coming down (use supository) and will be starting magic bullet (hear water based and stimulates movement faster?) rather than the wax based bisicodyl(sp?), but I am wondering if using peri-colace on an as needed basis would be ok? You mentioned it not being a stimulant? Senna is a stimulant? And if I use BOTH on an as needed basis, what would be the effects? (I took both before and can't really recall the effects) I am thinking maybe even just senna to help move stool faster...and can this be taken as needed also. You also mentioned stimulants not being good to take on daily basis? Thx

chick · 08-08-2003, 07:48 AM

Liz, I think I took colace and/or senna the afternoon or night before my morning program. This was a while ago so I'm not remembering how well and quick these worked for me. You take them in morning of your program you do in the evening, so about 12 hours?? Do you feel it moving before this amount of time or is it just a stool softener so you aren't necessarily stimulating bowels to move stool down? (this for nurse too)

"Sh*t", the stuff we talk about!

TD · 08-13-2003, 03:13 PM

A couple of weeks ago I learned that the manufacturer of the Docusate 100 mg/Casanthranol 30 mg pills I have been taking for 8 years has decided to quit making them.

My SCI Nurse has suggested I get the Docusate 100 mg caps and the Casanthranol (Senna) 8.5 mg caps to compensate. Just what I wanted to do, take MORE pills!!

"And so it begins."

08-02-2003, 09:40 AM	#1
julian q Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 54	stool softners Hi Is it ok to take stool softners on an every other day bowel program. I was told to take them only if i was doing my bowels every day, is this true. What is the most common stool softner used? Are they safe to use long term? Julian

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08-02-2003, 10:30 AM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,367	Stool softeners work best when you take them on a daily basis (usually 2-3 times daily). They work to keep too much water being absorbed from your stool, thereby keeping it soft. Unless you are using a combination product that includes a stimulant, they are perfectly safe to take long term on a daily basis. The most commonly used stool sofener is DSS or ducosate sodium (most common brand name is Colace, but generics are just fine too). We recommend using the 250 mg. size, and taking from 1-3 doses daily adjusted to your individual needs. Of course you must still drink plenty of fluids (at least 2.5 liters daily) and eat plenty of fiber (at least 30 gm. daily) for a good bowel program. (KLD)

08-03-2003, 10:13 AM	#3
Liz321 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NY Posts: 5,582	Everyone's body is different. I take it still softener, Colace, 1 to 2 the morning of my bowel program.

08-08-2003, 07:48 AM	#5
chick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 6,685	Liz, I think I took colace and/or senna the afternoon or night before my morning program. This was a while ago so I'm not remembering how well and quick these worked for me. You take them in morning of your program you do in the evening, so about 12 hours?? Do you feel it moving before this amount of time or is it just a stool softener so you aren't necessarily stimulating bowels to move stool down? (this for nurse too) "Sh*t", the stuff we talk about!

08-13-2003, 03:13 PM	#6
TD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Posts: 649	A couple of weeks ago I learned that the manufacturer of the Docusate 100 mg/Casanthranol 30 mg pills I have been taking for 8 years has decided to quit making them. My SCI Nurse has suggested I get the Docusate 100 mg caps and the Casanthranol (Senna) 8.5 mg caps to compensate. Just what I wanted to do, take MORE pills!! "And so it begins."