Laxative abuse: I am having a bad time... - Talk ED (eating d...

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Laxative abuse

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I am having a bad time abusing laxatives. I want to stop but I just keep going back to them. Has anyone any advice or experience in having stopped using them?

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yess profile image
yess

Hi there,

You ask for help from your GP and also talk to any one close to you, so they can give you support

Hi there :) You are not a failure, you recognize what you are doing to yourself is hurting you. Do what yess said and see your GP. Cut down your laxative use slowly (this will allow your body to get used to the new routine) I had to use laxatives for a while there (I was on painkillers and could not go) It was really hard to get off them, I tried too hard and fast and really caused more problems for myself. The problems were bloating to the point of crying, gripy pain all the time, my body felt like I had to go all the time but nothing happening when I went to the toilet. I drank heaps of water, that helped. You truly have to eat nutritious sloppy food, to give your digestive system a break, I opted for soup, I find pumpkin seed bread helped me. Unfortunately I did put on weight but beleive me your body does "right" itself. I actually like the way I look now, its nice to look like a woman ;) Good luck

Talk to your Dr. about it and they can give you advice, tips and medication if necessary to help stop using them. It can be very uncomfortable but well worth the effort!

Hi,

search for 'Beat' (UK ED charity), they've an advice doc on coming off lax which has sensible tips.

Scare tactics work for me when I'm tempted again, so here if you're interested: 10years ago I had a prolapse colon (when I strained to 'go' one day, my bowel started to come down out of my back passage)... years of lax abuse have rendered my colon lazy or whatever the med term would be.

I now HAVE to use various colon care products and meds just to get a bowel movement at all.

I admit I'm good at giving advice but not at taking it myself, so I admire anyone who's up for taking a few risks to do things differently, esp habits such as lax that can become so engrained.

Even if you slip along the way don't give up trying again.

Feel free to ask me further Qs :-)

Best.

Cochon

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