Question: I have had a change in my stool now for a few weeks on and off. Sometimes it is what shows up on the charts as #3 (normal but loose and rounded edges on separate pieces) and periodically it is pencil thin but goes back to soft but normal at other times. I have not had a colonoscopy for several years due to a problem with anesthesia and its potential impact on my glaucoma but did have the cologuard test which was negative and several stool tests for blood - also negative. I have a huge gallstone near the duct which periodically gives me a flareup with pain that subsides and there is no evidence that the gallbladder is diseased but I am afraid to take a laxative. The only medication I take is Diamox Sequels (500 mg) and several eye drops. I am 74 years old and have two types of glaucoma - closed angle since age 18 after an accident and open angle that just started. I had a bout of abdominal pain 3 days ago that lasted from 6pm Sunday to 5am Monday then went away. It was a little different than previous gallbladder attacks. Would taking Milk of Magnesia be okay?

The gallbladder (or whatever pain I had this time) is gone since Monday. I was asking about the Milk of Magnesia to help with my bowels. I don't seem to be going as much as I have in the past and seem constipated.