Bowel damage from laxatives - Bowel Disorders Message Board

stprdi · 04-16-2004, 10:56 PM

I've always had a slow bowel and it seems to be very reactive. Doc figures I have IBS of some sort. I go through months of it working terrific and then it just stops......"dead". Literally. It feels like it's dead. For the past month the only way I can go is by taking Prodiem Plus (it has the senokot in it). I usually use it nightly and I go really well. No cramps but great results. I do feel so much better as well. I find that if I miss one day I'm very uncomfortable as well as bloated. What I"m worried about is damaging my bowel. You read so much about laxative abuse. Anyone have any idea on this.

kellie2 · 04-17-2004, 10:55 PM

No laxative should be used on a daily basis. What it will end up doing is making your bowel even slower than it already is as it will come to depend on the laxative to have any bowel movement, so the muscles will stop contracting like they should and then your bowel won't work at all. You really don't want to go there. Have you tried things like Metamucil? That's not a laxative and can be used on a daily basis. Changing your diet too can help. You really don't want to keep using the laxative because yes, it will eventually cause you some problems that will be much worse than what you already have.