Question:
Female, 18 years old, Deletion subtype
If my child becomes constipated, can we use Miralax to help it to flow better?
Nurse Lynn’s Response:
Constipation is very common in adults with PWS because of slower gut movement, low muscle tone, and limited activity. Managing it usually takes a mix of daily habits and medications. Eating a balanced diet with fiber from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help. Staying hydrated is key—low water intake can make constipation worse. Having a routine, like going to the bathroom at the same time each day (often after meals), and staying active with daily walks or light exercise, can also make a big difference.
Medications are often needed to keep bowel movements regular. One of the most common and safest options is polyethylene glycol, also called Miralax. It works by pulling water into the stool to make it softer and easier to pass. Many adults with PWS take Miralax daily or several times a week to prevent hard stools and painful constipation. Other medications can be used if Miralax isn’t enough, such as milk of magnesia, which also help draw water into the bowel. For more stubborn cases, stimulant medications like senna may be added to help the bowel muscles work better, but these should be used under a doctor’s guidance.
Keeping track of bowel movements in a simple log can help you notice changes early. Since people with PWS may not feel or report pain in the same way as others, it’s important to get medical help quickly if these symptoms happen. Regular check-ins with your doctor are also helpful, especially if you’re taking other medications that can slow the gut and make constipation worse.
Resources:
Evaluation of Individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome with GI Complaints
Do you have a non-emergency medical question for Nurse Lynn? Submit your question here:
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.