Docusate v macrogol?

[janke]

Please can anyone explain to me the difference between Docusate and macrogol?

I have obstructive defecation syndrome (anismus) and have been taking macrogol (Movicol) for some time but this was making the motions too loose to push out effectively. My consultant has now switched me to Docusate as he seemed to think this would soften the motions without making them too "wet" - but reading the leaflet in the packet it sounds to me that Docusate works in the same way at macrogol - ie by drawing water into the motions

[Gardenlover2020]

Docusate is a stool softener , but Macrogol is an osmotic laxative , like you say both drawing water into the stool to soften it . Google says ‘Docusate also stimulates the muscles that line your gut , helping poo to move poo along to your anus ‘

It may be worth a try to see if it helps , I hope it does 🤞

[janke]

As an update - after 3 days on Docusate my inability to pass a motion effectively has got much worse so I am going back to Macrogol (Movicol). I have also discovered that in some places Docusate has been withdrawn as research has shown it to be ineffective for treating constipation - it works no better than a placebo. Despite this many hospitals continue to hand it out "to prevent constipation" in patients!