Any advice on Lactulose

[Kevin_1]

Liz suffers the usual difficulty in moving her bowels because she spends so much time sitting.

She started Lactulose at 15ml a couple of moths ago and it worked well.

Is now been upped to 15ml twice a day and she is still doing well.

Bigger dose once a day?

Any experience nor advice gratefully received.

Thanks

[Dizz58]

Mum's on movicol between 20 to 40ml in the evening. They told me to give it twice a day but I found this made her loose. Movicol and lactulose are both stool softeners that work by taking water from the body to the bowel so make sure you up fluid intake to compensate....dehydrated =constipated. I adjust Mum's dose daily depending on how the bowel performed the day before. If possible and if feasible add as many fresh vegetables and fruit as you can.

[NannaB]

If it's working I'd keep dose as it is but keep the fluid intake up. I have to give C a big dose about every 4 days if 15mls twice a day doesn't work. This works eventually but usually with enormous difficult to clean up results. Not nice for either of us!

X

[Amilazy]

Hi Kevin

According to my pharmacist son, Lactulose is a stool softening medication, similar to Laxido. Both work on taking water from other parts of the body to soften the stool, so fluid intake is essential to be maintained or slightly increased. This generally eases constipation by making easier to pass but does not encourage bowel movement if stopped.

If the bowels have stopped or compaction taken place what is required is a bowel stimulant similar to Senna. Liquid Senna is good in limited doses but care needed not becoming dependant also can cause catheter blockage. We were prescribed Docusate which combines stool softener and bowel stimulant which works well.

M's regime is daily one sachet Laxido if no movement after 3 days increase to 2 if still no movement by day 5 maintain Laxido but add Docusate liquid, this works for M. Nursing home have changed routine to introduce Docusate at day 3 instead of increase Laxido this seems fine for M's regularity no enema since Feb. Prior to Docusate M would have an enema at least once a month and general discomfort for a couple of days a week.

Best thing is to discuss with GP and DN.

Good luck and best wishes Tim

[Satt2015]

Hi Kevin

I'm afraid this subject is still the bane of our lives!!

We have stopped all laxido, lactulose , Senekot and docusate for a week now and the runny poo is still coming!!

We do need to re start some of it but I'm not feeling it yet!

We done so many clear up jobs on dad and it's awful for him hence laying off it for now

I personally think you have to try different things n doses yourself because as heady as quite rightly said the medical profession are useless on this subject!!

I'm sure you'll get loads of helpful answers x

[Kevin_1]

Thank you folks.

These replies are very helpful.

We will stick to our guns and make sure there is a good fluid intake for now.

The other ideas will go into my notes as the next step.

Thank you.

[Sugardart]

Polyethylene Glocol used as prescribed worked well for my mother. The dosage can be adjusted if needed.

[Kevin_1]

Hi Sugardart

Thanks, I hadn't heard of that one. I've just looked it up. It seems to be good. I will discus it as an option at the next GP appt. if we run into more difficulty with Lactuslose.

Thanks