What causes watery stool after taking stool softener?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
It started three weeks ago. My stool was hard to push out, and only very little was coming out at a time since I changed my diet. Then my stool became very wet, soft, and easy to come out. Then I started Benefiber, which started making me constipated, so I stopped and started taking Miralax and stool softener. Now I have a very thin stool which is my concern—no other symptoms, no fever, nausea, etc. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
The thin and wet stools are secondary to the use of the MiraLAX (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) powder. This is a bulk laxative, meaning it absorbs lots of water within the intestine and causes liquid quality stools. You did not mention how much Miralax you have taken. Taking one sachet is relatively fine, but doubling the dose would cause diarrhea, as probably in your case. Your age is more than 50 years, which is an indication for a screening colonoscopy, which means to see inside your large bowel and confirm if there is nothing wrong. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you, doctor.
I took around one and a half doses of the Miralax powder and then continued on stool softener for two days. I searched on the internet, which showed me that it is a huge problem. It said that the colon has some trouble, which is why the stools are wet and thin. However, I understand it is not a severe problem without other symptoms, such as blood in stool, fever, etc. I have taken a few FIT tests (fecal immunochemical test) for blood, which were all negative. As you mentioned, the colonoscopy is being done because I am at the right age. But I know my stools have not been healthy for three weeks. This is making me nervous. Please advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it would help if you stopped taking stool softeners. Having some altered bowel for a smaller duration, like three weeks, is not a problem. This is a common thing to happen to anybody while considering the diet, water, and contaminated food we take these days. This can be a simple episode of acute viral gastroenteritis and nothing more than this. The stools form changes day to day in humans. This majorly depends upon the food and water we take. Taking a lot of fiber into the diet to make it soft and slightly thin, while taking protein-rich diets such as meat and low fiber make it hard and lumpy. I believe this will settle down once you come back to your original diet while avoiding excessive fiber. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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