Colace - How Long

How long did you guys take the Colace? I don't want my body to get dependent on it but I don't want to have the same problems I was having earlier in the week.

I don't think you can get dependent on colace as opposed to regular laxatives.

I was caring for a bedbound relative on narcotics and they had him taking colace all the time. The Dr. said that the one week warning on the bottle is because they don't want people not seeing a dr for their condition since it could be something more serious than constipation.

I was taking 2 a day with a cap of Miralax, as well. I'm 9 days post-op and am now taking 1 Colace a day with a half a cap of Miralax. I will probably continue this until I'm pain med free...and going with ease. Pain meds are needed occasionally for the random cramping that creeps up, so I don't want any additional issues creeping up.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by lawgsa How long did you guys take the Colace? I don't want my body to get dependent on it but I don't want to have the same problems I was having earlier in the week.

I took it for probably 3 weeks.
Discontinued it around the time I quit the narcotics.

I haven't taken narcotics in 1.5 weeks or more (I'm 3.5 weeks post), but I take my colace religiously every night. My specific post op instructions, however, were 6 weeks of colace. They want zero straining during #2 while in my first 6 weeks.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by kbid I haven't taken narcotics in 1.5 weeks or more (I'm 3.5 weeks post), but I take my colace religiously every night. My specific post op instructions, however, were 6 weeks of colace. They want zero straining during #2 while in my first 6 weeks.

I agree with no straining! I figure it's working well and I don't want that to change! It definitely won't hurt a thing to continue the colace until released by the doctor, I'm onboard with that!

I aksed my dr just last week and he said 3 months then taper off cause he did not want me constipated and straining at all..

I had so much endo on my bowels that a bowel surgeon was called into assist. 9 days post-op and I have already cut back on my help in going. I truly think once the pain meds are not needed at all that I'll be back to my "regular" self, no straining required. A part of me is eager to see how much better I am but will not totally go off of everything until I'm sure. Even when I think I'm sure, I'll still go off of my help slowly...no need to press my luck.

I had to have my bowels "rearranged" so-to-speak, so after a week of jello, milk of magnesia at a low dose and colace were used with luck. I continued to use colace for about a week. I've had really good luck with LOTS of fluids, water, gatorade, decaf teas, etc and making myself toddle around for 10-15 min bursts several times a day. My appetite isn't all there, but I haven't had to strain. Seems like I almost don't know I have to go until it's there though? Any loss of feeling for you?

I quit taking colace when I didn't need the pain meds anymore(about 2.5 weeks post-op)