Q. I have relied on daily laxatives for more than 50 years. I am working at ways to stay healthy without taking laxatives, but it is a challenge if I want to have a regular bowel movement. What can you suggest to help me get over my laxative addiction?
A. You are not actually addicted to laxatives the way someone might be dependent upon strong pain relievers. After decades of regular use, however, your digestive tract may have become “lazy.” Stopping strong stimulant laxatives cold turkey could indeed lead to severe constipation for prolonged periods.
Gradual laxative withdrawal can be helpful in combination with additional fiber, fluids and stool softeners. We are sending you our Guides to Digestive Disorders and Constipation with 10 tips for overcoming this problem and recipes for power pudding and dynamite pumpkin-bran muffins.
Sugarless gum containing sorbitol or mannitol can often be helpful. Bulking agents such as psyllium, polycarbophil or methylcellulose are a much better choice than stimulant laxatives.
