Don’t want to be dependent on laxatives
Hi guys. Bit of a tricky one. I was diagnosed with IBS-C a few years back as a teen and it was relatively manageable. The last few months however have been AWFUL. Not going for almost a week and then I end up having to take laxatives.
However, I’ve realised now I can’t go at all without a laxative. I have no urge to go, no griping pains, I can’t even get anything to happen why I try to have a movement.
However if I don’t take a laxative I just won’t go at all and I end up in awful pain and can’t leave the toilet at work which is embarrassing.
Any tips or guidance? It’s making my life hell and I’m terrified I’ve made my bowel lazy since I have no urge anymore.
Hi
, I'm so sorry that you're struggling with this. Did you talk to your doctor about this? If yes, what did they day? Unfortunately, I can't give you any advice since I have the opposite issue due to my IBS-D. However, here are a couple of articles talking about laxatives and alternatives that might help: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/treatment/fiber-laxatives, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/constipation-food-tips, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/self-massage-for-constipation, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/vitamins-constipation, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/meals-constipation. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member) Best of luck with the articles - My situation with IBS has been with me for more than 50 years (now 84). I've done most all treatments available with little to no success and I now take (3) bisacodyl every 12 hours. If I take more I get a major stomach upsets. Like most, if i stop the routine I puff out like a balloon. My longest period without laxative has been 10 days.
I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with this for so long and that most treatments weren't effective. Are you feeling okay on your current dose of Bisacodyl? Karina (team member)
Sounds like your body is dependent on laxatives. In my opinion there is no easy fix. If you go to the doctor and complain about constipation they’re going to tell you to eat a lot of fiber, drink a lot of water, eat healthy, exercise, and frankly none of these things are quick fixes and there is a chance incorporating them, even religiously. won’t matter if you do in fact have IBS.
May I ask what it is you take, how much and how often? I have been in this situation more than once in the past, so please don’t feel like it’sHello MusicalM ... I've always had IBSC since birth ... largely due to being born allergic to milk protein. I'm 70 and doctors have tried this and that, I've eaten this and that which was supposed to help or heal. Bottom line I'm once again at a digestion crossroads and the new doc I have said in NO WAY should I be consuming any dairy whatsoever. Well I "know" he is right, but I've always thought that I'll have a glass of milk or some cottage cheese to make me go. I can no longer stand the constant pain, nausea, aching and all the other symptoms that goes with my issues and like you, I think of the musical song "hotel california" where they say you can checkout anytime you want but you can never leave. That is all the stuff gathered in my gut that is making me so ill. If you have any foods you are sensitive to or allergic like me and milk protein, not lactose... consider NOT eating any of that for about 3 weeks to see what happens. I can no longer tolerate wheat, corn, and now finally giving up all dairy .. and believe me those are in everything! It will be worth the test to see what happens. I've done this before and it helps my body calm down to what I would imagine is "normal" .. all the prunes in the world don't help. Giving up offending foods certainly does. Good luck to you. This is the path not easily traveled.
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this, that's so hard. My son was allergic to milk protein, soy, beef, wheat etc. when he was very little, and since I was breastfeeding, I also had to cut all of this out of my diet. There was basically nothing left for me to eat, it was so hard. I really hope that you'll start feeling better soon without the dairy. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
