Is this a side effect of Lax-A-Day?

Question

I have always had problems with constipation, sometimes I can only have a bowel movement once a week and when it has been that way for several weeks I can have a period of diarrhea. So the doctor prescribed me lax a day. I've been taking it for a week now and I started on Monday. So until Friday no bowel movements and no desire. But on Friday I feel the urge so I go but I find that it is similar to diarrhea but it is in very small quantities like the usual two scoops but softer and then I still feel the urge but unable to continue. Saturday the exact same thing happened. Sunday I don't feel like it all day, everything is fine, I take a bath and all of a sudden I feel a very strong desire so I go and it's very liquid and then I start to have stomach aches. So I'm wondering if this is normal. And do you think maybe I should decrease the dose. Thank you for your help.

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello Madam,There is a phenomenon that is similar to the symptoms you describe that may not be normal. It is called fecal impaction and it happens to be a mass of stool caught in the intestine that blocks the more formed stool to allow only liquid to pass. This condition often requires the intervention of a doctor. If you have been eating for several days and not having a bowel movement, a fecal impaction is theoretically possible. I would ask you to talk to your pharmacist, or better yet your doctor, today to see if you are at risk of having a fecal impaction. The situation may not be normal.