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Q. No one knows I have this problem. I have been using the laxative bisacodyl every day for twenty years and have steadily increased the dosage.
I've stopped taking it for a few days at a time. Not surprisingly, nothing moves.
Are there any studies on this? Might I have done permanent damage to myself?
Is it better to cut back slowly or stop altogether and just see what happens?
I know it's not healthy for waste to back up in my body, so I'm worried about stopping AND I'm worried about continuing.
A. You clearly have developed a laxative habit. Bisacodyl is considered a “stimulant” laxative, which means it triggers intestinal contractions. This can lead to loss of crucial minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Cramping and diarrhea are other possible side effects, along with a “lazy” colon that will not function properly without laxatives.
A gradual phase-off under medical supervision may allow your body to reestablish a more natural rhythm. We are sending you our Guides to Constipation and Digestive Disorders for information on non-drug approaches such as dynamite pumpkin muffins and “Special Constipation Remedy” with bran, applesauce and prune juice.
I suffered from constipation since I was a kid. After completing a cleansing using Dr. Richard Schulze's products (www.herbdoc.com) I called and asked them if I could continue using formula #1 and they said yes take it as long as you need it.
One herbal capsule every night with dinner gave me very normal BMs within an hour of rising every morning. I took it for a little over two years and then my bowels became loose so I stopped it.
My BMs have remained normal for many years since then. I think the herbal remedy healed my GI system.
I take 40 mg prilosec daily as I have been diagnosed to have GERD by my GI. Have taken for 2 years.... How might I maintain my GI health with natural meds and wean off prilosec?
FBL: Formula #1 contains TWO stimulant laxatives. Not something I'd suggest for daily use.
Hello. Since menopause has worsened my constipation, I have frequently been taking a senna based laxative (two times a week for around a year, but these past two months I took it twice daily (as advised in the bottle) about three times.) As a result, my BM's are more infrequent now and pretty weak.
I recently discovered that senna laxatives are dangerous for your bowel because they are irritant and with frequent use, they eventually become addictive (they can damage bowel muscles and nerves.) I also read that severe cases of laxative addiction can end in a colostomy. I am so worried.
I immediately stopped taking the laxative and started a high fiber diet (vegetables, fresh and some dried, fruits, lots of water). Now I'm trying prune juice.
Could that help me recover?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO ADD FIBER SUCH AS CITRUCEL OR METAMUCIL. UNLIKE SENNA, IT IS SAFE TO USE DAILY AND YOU MAY NEED THE EXTRA HELP AS YOUR BODY READJUSTS.
I need HELP! I have stopped using the Senna products I abused for 5 years. I am now using 5 suppositories at once, sometimes 3 times in an hour to produce a bowel movement in addition to using Fiber Con, 4 capsules, 2 times a day. This is very frustrating. I am in menopause. I eat quite well and consume at least a gallon of water a day. I am very active. I pray you can help me to have a normal function of the bowel once more. thank you!!
My mom has been addicted to laxatives for 30yrs plus. Last year she had to be operated on because her anus had constricted to the point where not even a pencil had room, she was one step away from a blockage.
Not 4 months later she had to go back for the very same problem due to lack of post operative instructions. The only advice she was given this time is to take metamucil 3 times daily. great, now she complains that she has no bowel movement at all. I am so worried, what should she be doing? she is in her late 60's, average weight and has been active all her life as well as having a healthy diet. I tell her to be patient but she feels very uncomfortable not being able to 'go' daily.
is there a natural cure from laxative addiction? It has been 40 years. in my late 30 I went for medical treatment for this and was offered nothing. I had stopped using laxatives then and swelled up all over my entire body gained excessive weight and could not have a bowel movement. I went through the entire eating disorder program w/o taking any laxatives and was just told to eat. I did not get better and nothing changed. All they did was ridicule me for taking laxatives and accuse me of taking laxatives when I wasn't. Nobody seems to have an answer or a cure.
It seems to me that since the majority of the population has trouble with constipation albeit their diets are sensible and correct, can't doctors be a bit more empathetic to patients than they appear to be and most of all, try to find a solution that really works for their patient. Some OTC products are a waste of time and money and easier to prescribe than thoughtful evaluation.