When to Take Miralax with Transverse Colostomy

Hello, I had a transverse colostomy 9 days ago. An ostomy nurse (but no doctor) told me to take Miralax daily. This caused my output to be watery and I had leaks every 3-4 hours even after using a system that has not leaked since I discontinued Miralax. Which begs the question, when would I take Miralax with a transverse colostomy?

When you want to leak, duh. 😁 Actually, I know some get told to take that stuff when you first get re-routed to keep everything coming out easier as you heal. But one needs to be careful to not take too much and have issues like you are having.

Hello, my ostomy nurse also told me to take Miralax daily, but I didn't because it gave me the runs (normally had thicker output). I figured my colorectal surgeon would tell me if I needed to. I asked, and he said to only take it if I didn't have any output for a few days. I've had my reversal surgery now, but Miralax every day was not for me! Maybe ask your doctor?

Thank you so much for the reply! Happy to hear you had reversal surgery. How did it go?

I take Laxido daily. I am guessing it's a similar alternative.

It went great! No issues, I was out of the hospital in 2 days and my bathroom habits were right back on track! Of course, there was some pain as my wounds healed... but nothing like I experienced when I first got my emergency surgery and ostomy. But I had gone into that very sick with peritonitis and sepsis, and that was an open surgery - so of course the reversal was easier. I have absolutely no regrets. Thank you for asking!

I have a colostomy. When I left the hospital, I was told to take Miralax every day, so I did... until I didn't. I used it consistently for 6 months, then I went on a short vacation and one day I forgot to use it. Nothing changed - for good or ill. I intentionally didn't take it the next day... no change. I haven't used it since - going on three months. My output is thick but soft.

Good for you. The less medication anyone can take, the better.