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colace
Colace (docusate sodium) is a stool softener, which helps water to mix with the waste food and produce a softer, bulkier stool. It is used to treat constipation. It can also be used where hard stool are causing pain, for example when a patient suffers from hemorrhoids or another anal or rectal condition. Colace comes in pill form.
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REVIEWS OF COLACE
Review by Amanda 
Right after I had surgery for a gynecological problem I was given Colace, but I felt it didn't work. I later learned that it takes a day or two to begin to work, so when my doctor recently prescribed it again for constipation, I was more patient. After about three days I am having very regular, painless bowel movements (just prior to this I was very irregular with tearing and bleeding when I finally went). However, like with so many medicines and supplements, I have now developed severe intestinal gas and bloating. I'm not sure if it's the Colace, but it's really the only unusual thing I've been taking.
Review by Dee 
I have suffered from IBS for about 12 years now. It goes back and forth from diarrhea to constipation. Since I gave birth to my son two years ago it has been almost 100% constipation, with certain foods high in fat (usually containing oil) that will trigger diarrhea.
I have tried Levsin, I have tried Zelnorm, but everything seems to be a temporary fix. I am bloated just about every minute of every day, despite swallowing Mylanta Gas constantly. Over-the-counter laxatives haven't helped much.
My doctor prescribed Colace, and it worked immediately - but the cramping in my stomach was terrible. So I had to weigh it out, be bloated and constipated or suffer through severe cramps in order to have relief. I choose relief. I dread the pain after taking Colace but anything is better than being bound up and in pain for a week straight and then straining to have a bowel movement to the point the I start bleeding.
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Review by Mary
I have had IBS for 20 years. At first the docs just told me to eat a lot of high fiber foods. That worked well for awhile, then the symptoms switched to diarrhea. I was able to tolerate all of this for several years and then I went to a new gastro and he put me on Levsin. Again this was great for a couple of years, but then the constipation was severe.
I went to another gastro who put me on Zelnorm. Again this worked for one year, then more problems. I have always had the bloating and cramping, but now another symptom developed, severe back pain. I had to delete bananas from my diet completely and when I lowered my sugar intake things got somewhat better. However, I started having bowel movements at very irregular times and they were very painful. Cramping and bloating always.
About six months ago I decided to try and find something that would be a happy medium. The Colace is what my doctor gave me when I was pregnant, so I took two every day no matter what the symptoms. Once the bowel movements became regular and normal I backed it down to one per day. That is where I currently am.
For probably 95% of the time I keep everything in check. I have several health issues that mask the IBS symptoms, so I am forever grateful when I can have some control.
Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried Colace? Please contact Sophie to send in your review.