Laxative dependence....need advice please.?!
Question: Laxative dependence!.!.!.!.need advice please!.!?
To give you some background, about 10 years ago I was having problems health wise and a chiropractor recommended I get a high colonic!. Well, I got one!.!.!.actually 4 in 2 months!. I felt so good and it relieved most of my aliments!. I also learned at this time that going to the "bathroom" only 1x a week (if I was lucky) was not normal!. I had so many problems "going", and the colonic relieved that sluggish feeling!. Over time whenever I didn't go more than 2x a week, I would take a herbal laxative and it would relieve my symptoms and I felt better!. Well!.!.!.!.now I can't go without taking them and the worst part is they don't really work anymore:( It's horrible!. I did go to a doctor and got a colonospy!. My colon was clean as a whistle, but I was diagnosed with IBS!. I'm careful what I eat!.!.!.balanced diet!. I drink water!. I know I should exercise more, but I'm wondering for taking those laxatives over the years, if I stop taking them all together, is it possible to have a normal functiong bowel!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Yes, it is possible but it will take your intestines time to adjust!. Increase fiber in your diet, a supplement would not be a good start due to the fact it may cause constipation, instead choose more fruits and vegetables, apples, prunes, grapes, raisins, berries, spinach, kale, whole grains like oatmeal and whole whole wheat or multigrain bread and bran fiber, All Bran cereal, Kashi cereals, etc!. Make sure you are getting enough water!. Flaxseed or Fish oil can be beneficial!. Magnesium, 400 to 800 mg daily as needed!. If diarrhea develops, reduce dose!. Take with food!.
Prune, eat three or four prunes or drink half a cup of juice every morning!. You can use it on a daily basis!.
When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, do not surpress the urge!. It will take the body some time to readjust, so be prepared and don't expect immediate results like a bowel movement everyday in the beginning!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Prune, eat three or four prunes or drink half a cup of juice every morning!. You can use it on a daily basis!.
When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, do not surpress the urge!. It will take the body some time to readjust, so be prepared and don't expect immediate results like a bowel movement everyday in the beginning!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Over time, your bowels really can get dependent on laxatives!. It IS possible to regain some function, but if you really do have IBS, you may still have trouble regulating yourself from time to time!. This is actually a serious problem, and you really should talk to your doctor about the best bowel regime and ways to taper off the laxatives!. In the meantime, I would make sure you're getting plenty of fiber and consider stool softeners, milk of mag, or miralax first before any harsh stimulant like senna or bisacodyl!.Www@Answer-Health@Com