Severe Constipation - Should I Take a Laxative? Risks?

[opopop]

Hi all. I've had IBS with constipation for five years, and am right now going through the worst constipation I have ever had. On Thursday (3 days ago) I went out and drank with some friends. I have done this many times since diagnosed with IBS - sometimes the day after drinking I am constipated, sometimes I am fine, it differs. But this time I have been GREATLY constipated since. I am wondering if it is advisable to use a laxative to flush it all out. Which laxative should I use? Are there any severe risks with taking laxatives? I am able to fart a bit, but it feels as if my stool is rock solid inside of me and is not going to come out.

Another question - I live in a city with a high level of steel production and pollution. If the tap water I am drinking is affected by this pollution could it be causing the constipation? My roommate has complained about the tap water here, saying it causes him constipation (he has a normal functioning digestive system), though his constipation could of course have been unrelated to the tap water. Please help! I am at my wit's end here and REALLY frustrated with my IBS.

[FurballsMom]

I've had IBS with constipation for most of my life now.  Recently, my GI told me to use Miralax every night before going to bed and Colace twice a day (although I can't use this since it's the same medication as Dulcolax, which I've developed an intolerance to) as well as the fiber, which would be the Metamucil in your case.  I started using chlorella (a type of algae and is available in tablets at health food stores) as a stool softener and it seems to be doing the job.  I use flaxseed meal instead of the psyllium fiber because I also have GERD, which is aggravated by psyllium fiber, and I can add it directly to food, instead of drinking it down with water, like Metamucil.  The GI said it doesn't matter which fiber is used, as long as I use a fiber, which I was doing all along anyway.

[opopop]

I forgot to make this clear earlier when I posted this thread: I already take Metamucil as a laxative to keep myself regular (though it seems to be less effective as time goes on). In my question I meant a laxative that acts quickly and clears out everything, like something one would take before a colonoscopy. And please...I am in pain here, and any help would be appreciated as I was turned away from the walk-in clinic today because it had filled up for the day.