I have been to way more colorectal specialists than is normal for my age- here's what they say about water intake for an adult to help avoid constipation. Divide your weight in lbs in half: that's the total amount of liquid you should be getting in a day in ounces. 2/3 of that total should be from water. I weigh 120, so 60 oz a day of liquid, 40 oz of which should be water. That is a LOT of water- but it sure helps with bowel issues.

If you're getting all of that water and still having issues, why not try Colace (stool softener)? That's my backup.

As for Miralax, I have no experience taking it, but my 3 YO has been taking it for the last year and a half. It's a lifesaver.

I couldn't take it even though my doctor told me too. I had to do citracel. It just worked better for me.

Adult female here. I took it daily for a few months for severe constipation. It worked well enough that I could cut down to 5 days/week. Then it didn't work well, so I stopped. Now I am pretty comfortable with things, but need to take a laxative (I use Dulcolax 1 or 2 pills) every so often if I feel backed up. My GE doc said this is fine.

My DD takes it almost daily.

DS is on it daily, has been for about 6 months. When we try to wean off it we have troubles - not because the miralax is habit forming (the gastro ped tells us) but because DS's underlying problem hasn't totally resolved yet. No, it isn't fun, but it beats the alternative.

I know they claim it is safe for daily use but I had a very hard time getting "off" it. I started taking it after the birth of my oldest bc pooping hurt soooo bad. I didn't kick the habit till after my third. I was afraid that I was dependent on it and I didn't want to think about what relaxing those muscles long term would mean. I had about 3 months of hard and irregular stools but now am back to normal!

Also, it could be a gluten sensitivity (non-celiac). My DD, now 6, had chronic constipation until we went gluten free. She has been regular ever since - two years now. If it's a child with the problem, then a liquid magnesium supplement (we use Blue Bonnet) or flax oil should work nicely.

OP, I'm not sure if it's you or for a kid. Consult with your pediatrician if it's for your kid. If for you, talk to your doctor, also up the amount of water you drink and fiber you eat.

We did it daily for 6 months with both kids during the "fear of pooping" phase and picky eating phase. They are potty trained, lightened up with the picky eating, and in grade school now. Not a single problem.

Try one teaspoon of psyllium husk daily instead. It's basically metamucil, but you can get it in the all natural unflavored version. Put it in your OJ. Been doing it for years.

it is non-habit forming. My ped recommended it for 6 months+ for our DS, he said until his colon shrinks back to normal size. Use it also checking iwth your doc) until you don't need it anymore.

Other things that helped us: no more bagels (or limited), it's basically a white bread ball bomb to your colon.
Limit white rice
Limit bananas
Lots of fruit and water
eat ore fiber cereal like shredded wheat (but watch out for sugar content)

We use it daily for DD. Have for about 2-3 years. She has a muscle disorder that effects all muscles in her body, including the intestines. Miralax is a lifesaver.

Many kids take it daily.

What have been your results? I am concerned about using it everyday.