bathroom issues. how often are laxatives okay?

brideinpanic
brideinpanic Posts: 3
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
hi everyone,

i've always had bowel issues.. in college, i would literally have a bowel movement about once every 1.5 weeks. (crazy, i know!) i eat loads of fiber but it's still unsuccessful. all my doctor has said is to take more fiber and i do, but i almost feel like it clogs me up more!

i eat healthy, i drink loads of water, and i feel like i do all the right things.

i've turned to all natural vegetable laxatives a few times a week. i don't want to get "lazy bowel syndrome" but it's the only way waste will exit.

now finally to my questions: can i take laxatives on a daily basis? have you had a similar experience? what works for you?

thanks!
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Replies

  • ratkaj
    ratkaj Posts: 166 Member
    I have the same issue, I talked with my Dr and he suggested not using medication and my body will "relearn". So far it has been getting better slowly but it's been 65-66 days of this... crap (not literally) HAHA!

    Good luck!
  • kevbrinks
    kevbrinks Posts: 42 Member
    I am not a doctor, and I am not advising that you run to a health store and purchase this before you consult a doctor.

    I know a few people that use Psyllium husks to...er..."improve" their bowel function, which usually runs amock when taking protein and other supplements. I think it's soluble so they can throw them in their protein/supplement shakes.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyllium_seed_husks
  • baby81girl2003
    baby81girl2003 Posts: 79 Member
    Consult a specialist.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    Are you on medication?
    Have you maybe considered you may have an intolerence to something youre eating, or a form of IBS? Some people find wheat fibre actually clogs them up more. Other people find it really helpful

    I think id try and look at those things before deciding to go on long term laxatives.
    Some people do have a lazy bowel, and some people do need laxatives daily, but there would always be the risk of becoming dependant, but then again, if you dont go without them anyway, what difference does it make?
  • FemininGuns
    FemininGuns Posts: 605 Member
    VERY similar situation for me... Then I discovered Metamucil (Sugar Free) orange flavor. I take one tbsp in the morning after breakfast and one before bedtime... I've been regular since January and feel FREE!!! My nutritionist prescribed this for me as I have a high protein lower carb nutrition plan and this has done wonders for me. Try it out... But be aware that you might feel bloated the first 3 days you start taking it (I hadn't gone to the washroom for 4 days when I started taking it and felt super bloated) after that it's smooth sailing!!!
  • coderchris
    coderchris Posts: 79 Member
    I have had bathroom issues in the past too. What kind of fiber are you taking? I was taking psylliuim fiber and it really did not help. I am using Benefiber 3 times a day now. I mix it in my coffee and milk. When I find myself having a harder time than usual I will use miralax . I eat fiber one cereal almost every morning, sometimes when I want something sweet I will eat a fiber one 90 cal bar. Keep up the water it helps.

    Have you tried eating foods rich in magnesium, I have heard that helps.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    Laxatives are too harsh. As already mentioned, you can take psylium husk or something that has that in it. Super Dieter's Tea helps bowel function and is not harsh. It can be found at Walmart or Vitamin Shoppe. I would also recommend Acidolphilus tablets.
  • purple_punk
    purple_punk Posts: 174 Member
    hia,
    Im looking forward to the response on this too cos i eat healthy and drink lots of water lots of fruits but i have bowel movements once or twice a week (if im lucky) :( i think its part of the reason im overweight lol cos my partner goes about 3 times a day and he never puts on weight! i've been taking herbal laxative tea for about a week now it helps (kinda) but then i get cramps :(
  • GooBeGone
    GooBeGone Posts: 439 Member
    sounds like u have irritable bowel syndrome-constipation (ibs-c). there r some ppl on the website that have that. i've read a couple of their posts & some take miralax 2 help with the symptoms.

    also i would talk 2 a diff dr. they should b able 2 do more or even suggest more 4 u. if that dr isn't helpin u then keep goin 2 diff dr's until u find 1 that will.

    here is the link 2 the other ibs-c and ibs-d.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/109418-any-other-ibs-sufferers?hl=ibs-c

    i hope u feel better soon :flowerforyou:
  • jlcghs27408
    jlcghs27408 Posts: 37 Member
    I recommend taking a couple Colace (the cheap Walmart version is just as good) daily for general, um, maintenance. In an emergency (maybe once every other month), I would think that a laxative would be fine. Also, drinking coffee daily sometimes helps regularity.

    No expert, just some advice.
  • tltincher
    tltincher Posts: 107 Member
    Hot lemon water! I have the same issues and I have been drinking this every morning for over a week and have regulated my bowels to everyday!! Squeeze about 1 T of fresh lemon into about 6-8 oz of hot water every morning. You can use more lemon if you like. Give it a little time to work and I'm sure you'll see results!

    Funny because I'm drinking a glass right now!!
  • sjcply
    sjcply Posts: 817 Member
    taking laxatives daily is very bad for you! You body will not be able to go on your own without them. I would go back and talk to you DR specifically about this issue. Check out Miralax, it is supposed to be safe and is not like a chemical laxitive.
  • andreadawn1012
    andreadawn1012 Posts: 52 Member
    I have the same problem due to nerve damage while having my son. My sister is an M.D. so I talked to her about it and she told me to start taking Miralax because it's a fiber/laxative supplement without it being a harsh stimulant. She said taking it every day wouldn't hurt at all and I can honestly say it has helped (so has drinking coffee). So I actually have a BM everyday as opposed to every 2 weeks or so.

    I figure I might as well ask her for her professional advice since I don't have the time or $ to make an office visit.
  • rnroadrunner
    rnroadrunner Posts: 402 Member
    you need to see a Gastroenterologist. a specialist concerning the gastrointestinal tract ie. lips to *kitten*.
  • amcmillan730
    amcmillan730 Posts: 591 Member
    what's the difference between upping fiber with foods - veggies, fiberone bars, etc.... and taking metamucil, benefiber, etc?
  • amcmillan730
    amcmillan730 Posts: 591 Member
    what's the difference between upping fiber with foods - veggies, fiberone bars, etc.... and taking metamucil, benefiber, etc?
  • morinmom
    morinmom Posts: 17
    i have this same problem it first started when i was in high school i ended up in the hospital a few times and apperently there is nothing wrong with me i am to young to have bowel problems but i sometimes go two - two and half weeks without a bm however now that i am working out i dont really have as bad as a problem that is used to are you keeping your body moving? and remember laxives can make the problem worse in the long run so just becareful
  • tbranch3634
    tbranch3634 Posts: 32
    i too have had some troubles. I take Casa Sangrada it is an herbal supplement you can get it at
    GNC
  • rizorw
    rizorw Posts: 67 Member
    I have had similar issues. The healthier I eat the worse it seem to get.
    I take laxatives about once or twice a week and I don't like it either.

    I am waiting to hear if anyone has good advice that could maybe help me as well.

    Thanks for posting this "not so fun" topic.
  • Rubie81
    Rubie81 Posts: 720 Member
    Sounds a lot like my situation. I mentioned it to be Dr. and he sort of brushed it off. Mine also seems to have become more problematic with the diet. I think it's time for me to pay a visit to a specialist.
  • kevbrinks
    kevbrinks Posts: 42 Member
    Please keep in mind that the average bowel movements for humans is in the range of 3 times per day to once every 3 days. It's a huge span, and everything in that range can be considered "healthy". Your gut bacteria play a huge role in your personal nutrition and is considered by many experts to be the "lost organ" because the affect of your gut flora is equal to that of a virtual organ.
  • mpatternmaker
    mpatternmaker Posts: 20 Member
    I was having this problem also, I went to specialist & she suggested her "favorite" thing was miralax. It is gentle, & non-habit forming, meaning your body will adjust well without it. I started off taking it every evening but that was way too much. I now take it every other day and feel much better. There are generic forms of it, wal-mart & target have their own so you don't need to pay the name brand price.
    Good luck!
  • loganaw
    loganaw Posts: 62 Member
    ive been having the SAME problem. at first, i thought it was because i ate so little and barely got any fiber. but then, i started eating NOTHING BUT foods high in fiber and nothing has helped. i've taken laxatives pretty much every other day for the past two months. i even take a fiber supplement and still no luck. there are days when i'm up to 30grams of fiber a day...and not a thing happens. it really does suck.
  • kendallan
    kendallan Posts: 79 Member
    hydrocolonic . . .well help and they are relaxing and you feel so much better after wards. i wojuld fnd one in your area. this is how i find my and even though ive done it rest i will incorporate in my life forever...

    http://www.i-act.org/IACTSearch.HTM
  • kent4j
    kent4j Posts: 391 Member
    I take a couple of stool softeners (colace) not a laxative every night before I go to bed. I asked my Dr about it and he said it was ok. It doesn't make me go every day but most. I also eat tons of fiber and drink loads of water. This has been a lifelong problem for me and a big joke in my family.
  • miranda75
    miranda75 Posts: 14 Member
    Bump
  • VickieMW
    VickieMW Posts: 285 Member
    Wow you got a lot of great advise! I use Physillium Husks. I only use 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water per day (breakfast). You have to be careful not to take to much because it will have you runing to the bathroom. This is a very natural fiber and work fast!

    I do think that you need to take care of yourself - love yourself enough to go see a specialist. Best of luck! :bigsmile:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Miralax.

    It can be bought over the counter but force your doctor to write you a script. OTC is expensive. The massive bottle with a script is relatively cheap. I get the big bottle for my daughter. Lasts about 3 months and my copay is a mere $10.

    My daughter has experienced chronic bowel issues since birth. The worst was seeing her in pain, often crying while on the potty. It's heartbreaking! I experienced the same thing as you -- a bm every week or two -- until almost 18. It was MISERABLE.

    My pediatrician put my daughter on Miralax. It's a odorless, tasteless powder. Blends right in to any drink or can even be sprinkled on food (mixed into applesauce, whatever). I expressed concerns about giving it to her daily. She -- a PEDIATRICIAN - said that studies had been done and found no negative repercussions from daily use of Miralax.

    Talk to you doc. Research a bit yourself. You need help. Too much fiber can clog you, too little fiber can clog you. If you use Miralax now, you can get yourself 'clean', so to speak, and then try diet elimination until you can pinpoint what foods bind you.

    GOOD LUCK SWEETIE!!! I remember the torture and pain and my heart goes out to you.
  • jae6704
    jae6704 Posts: 458 Member
    Bump for layer
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Ah-ha. I see a few other recommendations for Miralax.

    If you wanted to try more natural ways, I'd still suggest Miralax first, simply to clean you out NOW. Take a day this weekend and FLUSH your body out. My pediatrician told me to give my daughter twice the regular dose size three times daily (over a weekend) in order to flush her system out. It worked. After flushing your system, you could try all natural remedies. I only recommend this because of my experience with my daughter.
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