I am having difficulty passing bowel movements. Sometimes they are hard and painful. I spoke to my family physician concerning this problem and she recommended that I take Miralax. I see that the main ingredient is polyethelene glycol. That sounds like something you d find in anti-freeze. I m a bit cautious about taking this laxative. I heard that a magnesium supplement would help give me the relief I need, in a more natural way. have been taking a stool softener, Colace or Dulcoease at least once or twice a week. Do you think the magnesium or the Miralax is a better solution. I take a fiber supplement, and acidophollis probiotic 2x a day, drink at least a 1/2 gal. of water, besides coffee in morning and tea at night. I make sure I get plenty vegs.,and fruit in my diet, too. What should I do?