Lactulose -Sqad are you there?

[smurfchops]

Is it OK to use Lactulose only when I am 'having problems' as it were, or should I use the whole bottle, two spoonfuls a day? I am OK sometimes, and don't want to use it when I don't feel I need to.

[mrs_overall]

lactulose is not a laxative - it is a stool softener

[Sqad]

smurfchops.....if I have it right, you are taking it for constipation, in which case I would suggest that you continue until your bowels are back to normal.
If this is not the case, then get back to me.

Laxative/stool softener.....samr thing.

[mrs_overall]

Mr O is a martyr to his bowels. His consultant advises him to take senna as a laxative and latctulose as a stool softener

[Sqad]

Mrs_O........errm! right.

[sara3]

don't use it every day if you don't need to. your bowel needs to learn to behave "normally" and it won't do that with constant use of laxatives.

[anneasquith]

mrs o, i saw your post a few days ago....are you now back to normal, must be a lot of straining going on in your house ? lol

[mrs_overall]

Sara - that is the same advice Mr O's consultant gave him

[mrs_overall]

anne - I think it is contagious lol

[anneasquith]

nothing like a good clear out. is there mrs o ?

[mrs_overall]

I know - it is a wonderful feeling!

[Sqad]

sara/mrs_0

We are all assuming that she is taking it for constipation in which case I would agree with you and that is why I asked smurfchops to get back to us to clarify that very point.

[mrs_overall]

Sqad - I didn't think smurfchops was taking it because he/she liked the taste!

[ethandron]

i was under the impression that some medication for constipation worked on the 'mechanics' of the bowels, and some were stool softners. and that it was the 'mechanical' ones which should be used sparingly to avoid the bowels becoming used to them and not doing their job properly.
could you enlighten me anyone?

[mrs_overall]

ethandron - that is exactly what Mr O's consultant says

[Scarlett]

I take this only when I have problems and then only for a few days until the problem has passed. It softens stools, but if you have a hard bit, you need something stronger, usually, to get rid of it. Lactulose is very gentle really, but even so, you should try and sort constipation through diet and lots of water, ideally.

[Sqad]

mrs_o

Very humorous................very.

If she was taken if for a liver disorder called Hepatic Encephalopathy, then she she not discontinue it, but if it was for constipation, then the laxative Lactulose should only be used when necessary as suggested by sara and your goodself.

[ljdksa]

I was also told by a doctor that lactulose was a softener and not a laxative. Am happy to be told if I'm wrong. Maybe he is saying the effect is similar so doesn't make much difference?

[mrs_overall]

Do I take it no one wants to hear about Mr O's manual evacuation when he is really bunged up solid?

[Sqad]

Ethandron...their mode of actions are different.....but they are all classed as LAXATIVES.

[anneasquith]

i believe lactulose is taken if you have a tendency to constipation it is advised to take it on a regular basis, unlike laxatives it does not cause the abdominal spasms some laxatives cause,