Thanks. This is potentially good news. The amount of PEG, MiraLax's active ingredient, I absorb is either high or my kidneys don't like it. When I have to dose daily for more than 3-4 days, it's a toss up between dying from constipation or kidney pain. Double dosing MiraLax hasn't been possible for many years for the same reason.
Many if not most CFers suffer from IBS anyway so it's not like prescribing for an unapproved ailment. I have run the gamut of GI drugs from paregoric and bismuth, (eeyuk!), through a museum of potions that mainly caused the cycle of diarrhea and constipating it was meant to remedy. Several people, myself included have been described as Poopologists. In my case I have been treated for over 50 years and have learned from interacting with doctors on self management of my dysfunctional gut. I've watched dozens of prescription drugs for IBS, IBD, Crone's, GERD, gastritis, ulcers, hyperacidity and such go from prescription to OTC. I know just about everything that a person can do to help with regular and healthy bowel movements. From reserving one or multiple times to sit and encourage a BM to adequate, balanced hydration, knowing and applying the list of good bowel habits found in any good home medical guide is adequate for majority of people with mild to moderate/serious problems.
Being a self described authority on achieving toilet Nirvana, I'm by no means a master of my own gut. In CF, there is no such thing as a stable gut. As soon as I have a nice pliant stool and it appears that I have fixed my problem with regular, healthy stools, something changes and I am backed up with dry hard clay. For some, normal is abnormal and they have induced the condition. The gut can act like an alien presence using mind control to make you crave foods you don't need or are healthy.
I just checked my stock of medicine samples and I have 20+/- Linzess. I am going to call my doctor and get his opinion and most likely be trying them. My overly detailed analysis of the potential GI problems suffered by CFers is my way of thanking you for sharing your information and underscoring the importance of a solution in the arsenal. Right now I am desperate for a solution, this could be it.
Great Contribution, thank you,
LL