Just wondering what other people think about these drugs to help toilet activities? The much cheaper generic one Laxido has two E numbers in it. E950 and E1520. I have a suspicious mind and always try to avoid food with E numbers in as much as I can, especially in something I take regularly. I will be pleased to hear your comments.
Movicol v generic Laxido et al: Just wondering what... - PMRGCAuk
Movicol v generic Laxido et al
Written by
prunus
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
26 Replies
•
Hello. They are both Macrogol laxatives. Salt and potassium content are similar. Looks like Movicol is flavoured with more natural things which may be why it’s more expensive?
PMRproAmbassador
E numbers aren't always bad - vit C, turmeric, saffron and paprika all are assigned E numbers as are oxygen, vit B1 and bicarbonate of soda! E950 is an artificial sweetner and E1520 is used as a preservative - both things you might want in a medication you have to swallow!
theconversation.com/explain...
However, my question would be - do you really need them? It is perfectly normal not to "go" every day and regular use of laxatives actually makes the problem worse as you may become dependent on them. I would suggest speaking to your GP about it if it is a problem. And personally - if more liquids and fibre in my diet don't help, I tend to reach for something called lactulose, a sugar that attracts water into the stool and makes it easier to pass. It is very gentle - providing you use it as they say! Don't be tempted to take more thinking it will work better - the result can be quite explosive.
beta.nhs.uk/medicines/lactu...
Did not know that E numbers were not always bad. I do have a digestion which is limited in the fat it can take. I'm experimenting at the moment and have found one level teaspoon of Movicol in a glass of water works wonders. I get five out of a sachet. Do you think I'd be better with lactulose? My husband takes that.
Digressing you sent me going downstairs for my German dictionary - did not know schmalz. I find reh too strong a taste for me. My son enjoys it when he goes to Scotland.
Have you snow there yet?
There is a bit of white stuff on the tops of the mountains - it snowed right down here the other morning, totally unforecast! But the wind direction has turned again and the soggy realtively warm stuff from the Mediterranean is winning the fight against the chilly air from Russia! The ski season is meant to start next weekend so they started making snow as soon as it was cold the other day - but it is above freezing all the way up the mountain now. Who knows - the snow seems to wait until January these days, most arrives in March by which time we can't be bothered!!!
By March people are thinking of Spring. After tomorrow our temperatures are going to be up to 13/14 degrees C. for the rest of the week.
Last year I was diagnosed with IBS-C and have added the following 'helpful' foods to my otherwise low carb diet; slice of papaya (paw-paw) every now and then (say 3 times a week, you can overdo their digestive effect) they are also packed with minerals, vitamins and digestive enzymes; 3 or 4 prunes per day just after meals (good for bones, too), I get organic soft prunes from local health shop, delicious; a tablespoonful of organic ground flaxseed sprinkled on yogurt; and lots of water (2lt per day). If absolutely necessary I take a Senna tablet at night and if all else fails half a sachet of Laxido (maybe once every 3 months). I hope that's some help, I try and avoid yet more medicines when food can play a big part in digestive troubles, One thing I've found is that having a couple of days of only clear soups and fluids gives your gut a rest and sometimes has the desired result!
Many thanks for your tips. However, although not a big eater I do like my food and my husband is one of those with hollow legs and never seems to put on weight.
Earlier this year my doctor recommended I try the FODMAPs diet (initially discovered in Australia). I’ve learned that people with IBS have significant improvement on it. My hospital dietician suggested Patsy Catsos and I find her most recent book so simple to follow.
I don’t have IBS but I’m using it to try to identify food sensitivities. I’m feeling so much better on this diet that I have been able to reduce my prednisone way more easily....a fabulous and unexpected bonus!
I really must look at the FODMAP info, reportedly it does seem to be effective with IBS. I'll look up Patsy Catsos, too, thanks for this So glad you've found something that suits you, long may it continue!
Most people consider food additives and E numbers as something
bad. However, a substance that has been given an E number has been carefully considered and then approved for use. In fact many E number additives are of natural origin. In the EU there are 47 E number additives that are permitted to be used in organic food.
I have this health issue , I try to maintain movement as much as I can from diet and exercises and massage in the area.
The specialist prescribed movicol and fybrogel back in 2012 which I didn't know until I got my records this year , the GP was giving me laxido instead because it is cheaper.
Apart from the E numbers it may be cheaper because if you have a medically diagnosed issue of slow motility and constipation laxido isn't always effective can take more sachets than the movicol. ( A total false economy really!)
PMRpro has it spot on again , lactolose solution which you can buy at the chemist is cheap and far more effective , take it before going to bed and it should work by morning.
More natural solutions are actual dried figs , if you take turmeric in supplements doubling your dose can loosen things.
Eat light small meals with no gluten , yeast, cheese or sugar while you have an issue, they will increase the inflammation and can feed bad stuff that is in your gut and cause wind or a build up of bad bacteria.
Eating more fibre can help unless you are having IBS symptoms or have not been for a long time , then it can be quite painful as you wait for it to work as it causes alot of gas which can become very painful if there is a blockage. After everything is clear , try and get more vegetable fibre like cabbage and sweetcorn in your diet.
Increase your water intake , either in mineral water or warm drinks of green tea.
Having a warm bath before bed and then laying on the bed putting some pressure on your abdomen with the ball of your hand ( with some oil or moisturiser) massage your stomach in anticlockwise circles from your navel expand the circles out until you are reaching the area just below your ribcage and just above your hips , in and out for about ten minutes helps to get movement back.
Then when you go to sleep , if it's comfortable , lie on your right hand side with your knees up ( foetal style). Put something warm on your back like a hot water bottle or wheat bag.
Finally , and I know this sounds mad but it works , I was told in the hand out after my hysterectomy , to say the word IDGE out loud repeatedly , emphasize the ID , while on the toilet.
This was to get the muscles moving pushing pressure down after the surgery , but it helps with constipation and after things like colonoscopy too.
I do it now before hitting the drugs and until the issue stops and it does help.
Much appreciate your thorough reply. My problems include having three prolapses:- disc (bad accident) , womb and bladder. For the last two I have a pessary. So I am very grateful for any help and advice I can get.
I agree with you the cost was why the Dr substituted laxido for movicol. However I have concerns that laxido is not quite so kind on the stomach. Have you any thoughts on this?
Yes what would we do without PMRPro?
From my experience Laxido does not feel like it is kind on the stomach or oesophagus.
This is made worse by the fact that if you do have an issue that takes days to remove you can end up needing alot of it.
It ends up making you feel like a barrel with a chemical substance sloshing about and a nasty taste like bleach in your mouth.
If your issue has more to do with motility and dryness, which from your medical issues it might , lactolose is definitely the way to go. It helps ease the blockage by causing softness and lubrication. Other things that help from the chemist are ducoease and senokot. Both can be taken at night as well so you can sleep if there is discomfort while the problem resolves.
With our condition it can be harder to daily exercise in a way that helps bowel movement , but swimming helps .
Drinking lots is really important too . Eating softer , non binding foods while you have problems is also important. No eggs , red meat or bananas either.
With your medical issues if you keep having problems has your GP referred you for physiotherapy , my friend was referred for womb issues causing prolapse. She goes once a month . You get special muscle exercises specific to strengthen the area . If it hasn't been offered to you , you could ask about it .
Take care and I hope you feel better soon . I know it's painful enough without getting the added back and hip pain from this issue .
Did the physiotherapy a couple of years ago and try to keep up the exercises but....
could do better. Drink the water and try to keep up the exercise. It's only in the last few weeks I've taken to a small amount a day and it really does help.
Well, I don't know whether IDGE or the resultant belly laugh is responsible but it works!
Have you tried the " IDGE" effect since reading it then belly laughed the poop away?
Or are you just get a really funny picture in your head of what would happen?
I know it sounds mad , and I must admit the look on my face first time was probably like a very very skeptical Mr. Spock , but I was proved wrong to raise my eye brows , unbelievably it helps ( or at least reduces the pain) .
Goes under stuff I never knew I would have to learn as a female adult!
I couldn't resist trying this after your post, so this morning a vehement IDGE first, laughed straight away not least because I had a sudden mental picture of lots of us all doing the same thing ... Laughter on the Loo is definitely an excellent start to the day 
Did it work though?
I started trying to try and mix it up trying to think of all the words with IDGE in them , pIDGE on , wIDGE on ( suprising how many birds have laxative related names) , sandwIDGE ( yes I know stretching it there!) but that did start me sniggering and that became slightly counter productive .
Must say , it also aroused some funny looks from members of my family who had walked past the toilet door when I did it , so I am a bit quieter now.
But hey, if it works it's worth it!
Have a great day
I take laxido having been given it in hospital at the start of my GCA diagnosis, needed then particularly because of three days of being on morphine. When I saw a Urologist because of bladder problems he said v. happy patients taking laxido as it doesn't hang around in the body and pretty non-absorbent.
Laxido is really fast acting for most people, in fact it can make your system to the other way , and is often given instead of movicol to empty your system at home when you have a lower examination like colonoscopy.
But for some issues , and some of us it doesn't work. I was told to take two at once then more again after a couple of hours if it didn't work because I needed a clear system . In certain situations and people it can have very explosive effects too.
Glad it works for you though. Take care.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
GENERIC VERSUS NON GENERIC
differenciate. So, I was wondering if I should try to get non generic and what has been people’ s...
V. Disappointed. Rumi. Appointment cancelled.
first Doctor thought as I did unstable angina.
Much later on in hospital a more experienced...
V Pillow - great investment
got to be the best present he ever bought me especially since it was under £20. I take it everywhere
Fibromyalgia v GCA/PMR
confirmed the raised markers. Examination and other checks gave no cause for concern. They...
Coated v uncoated absorbtion time
Virus v prednisilone. 
Covid antibodies v Prednisolone
