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I've read just about all the posts currently on this site regarding this topic but have a specific question that isn't addressed. By the way, this is such a wonderful site and got me started down the road to laxative dependence recovery.
Here's my situation: I've had problems with constipation most of my life. I've been using stimulant laxatives on and off for about 15 years. I've never needed to use them chronically until just that past two years or so. It's only been in the past year that I've not been able to have ANY bowel movements without them. I've had several GI exams over the years to determine whether or not there were "underlying" reasons for my constipation but all exams have come back normal.
About a week ago I decided that enough was enough and I needed to break this cycle before I did irreparable harm to my digestive system. I'd been taking two correctols and four senekots about once or twice a week on a regular basis. It had gotten to the point where that does didn't always work necessitating another dose. I made an appointment to see a GI specialist but, since I wanted to get started as soon as possible and I couldn't get in to see the doctor for another week, I decided to go to the web to see what I could find on overcoming laxative dependence and lo and behold, I found you. After perusing the site and reading everything that was pertinent to my situation, I immediately put your M/MO remedy into play with, I'm happy to say, some positive results. It's now been 10 days since I've taken any laxatives. I have had to use two enemas to help get things going (sorry to be so graphic) but I've also had four unassisted BMs. So, you're probably wondering what my question is.
Well, I saw the GI specialist today and his exam, including a rectal, turned up nothing abnormal. He did some blood work and wanted to do a barium enema and xray. I decided against that since I've been having a little luck with your rememdy. I explained to him that I'd been doing a Metamucil/Mineral Oil combo regimen with some results. He supported the Metamucil but felt that the mineral oil wasn't going to help me with the dependence part of my problem since he said it was, in itself, a laxative. He suggested Milk of Magnesia, instead. He also said that there was little chance that, after so many years of laxative use, I'd be able to get my colon to function "normally". So, I'm torn. I'm getting some results with your regimen but don't want to replace one laxative with another. (1)Do I stick with the MO or switch to the MOM? (2)Also, so long as I can continue to have "natual" bowel movements, is it really necessary to have any further, invasive exams done? (3)Can I expect a return of some normal function of my colon? If not, can I continue to use your regimen in some fashion for the rest of my life without further damaging my system?
I know I've been very lengthy with this post but I did want to be as specific as possible with regard to my situation. Thank you!
In Reply to: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by MLB on October 20, 2003 at 14:26:35:
Hi -
I'm sure you'll get lots of answers to your post, including one from Dr. Stoll. But, I want to tell you about my sister's experience with MO and Metamucil vs MOM. After she had a baby, she was constipated, and the doctor said to use MOM, which worked at that time (one time). Then, her child started withholding stool at l2 months. She was told to give her MOM, which did not improve the constipation.
I told her about Dr. Stoll's suggestion of using MO and Metamucil, and she tried it. She had great success with the combination, and her little girl did not become dependent and is now toilet-trained and not withholding at 3 years old. Of course, this does not mean that it will work for you. but, as Dr. Stoll says, you will not become dependent upon the Mineral Oil in the time it takes to regulate your bowels (even if this is six months). In my opinion, you should keep taking the MO and Metamucil, especially since you are having good results. Good luck!
In Reply to: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by MLB on October 20, 2003 at 14:26:35:
have you tried changing your diet to see if that is the
cause ?
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by Vince F on October 20, 2003 at 17:57:04:
Vince and Janet:
Thank you so much for your quick responses.
Janet: I'll wait to see if Dr. Stoll responds and see what he has to say but my "gut" instinct is to continue with the M/MO combo and hope that, with time, my system can re-regulate itself.
Vince: With regard to diet, I've tried it all...high fiber, bran, vegetarian (not vegan), more fruit - any and all I could think of or read about. I actually have a pretty good, balanced diet but have added more whole grains and high fiber in cereal and bread products. To tell you the truth, since I've started this Metamucil program, I'm so bloated and full that I can barely stand to eat regular meals but am doing what I can to maintain some semblance of a balanced diet while my digestive system tries to recover. I'm also suffering terrible acid reflux, but that's another issue.
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by MLB on October 20, 2003 at 19:23:51:
You might want to try the ginger juice protocol for the reflux and check out the article on How to be Healthy. There's tons of great information on this site that will help all the symptoms you've mentioned. Don't stop at just the archives on laxative dependence/constipation. Once you're on the road to serious wellness and feeling better, you will even thank your bowel symptoms for landing you here. It's a goldmine!
In Reply to: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by MLB on October 20, 2003 at 14:26:35:
Thanks, MLB, for my first real laugh of the day!
Your doc says that MO is a laxative (which it is not and he was taught that in medical school) and recommended MOM which IS a laxative (and he was taught THAT in medical school too)--and he got paid for that information!!!!!!!!?
As I have said so many times before: If the allopaths are going to insist upon their monopoly, they at least have an obligation to practice it competently! A GI "specialist" to boot!
You can expect it to take a year or so for your colon to realize that you are not going to stimulate it any more and re-establish anything like normal function. Persist!
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by Carol D. on October 20, 2003 at 22:14:17:
That last sentences resonated with me because that's exactly what happened in our case. My daughter's terrible bowel problem landed me on this board. We read the articles on health and used the metamucil and MO protocol -- and it got her going regularly again. Through the bulletin board we learned about her LGS and Dr. Stoll, Helping You and others gave us wonderful advice. So now that she's better I can honestly say that there was a positive aspect to the suffering we went through for so many years - we found this invaluable bulletin board and the wonderfully giving, unselfish person who created it.
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 21, 2003 at 07:34:03:
Good grief. You need to run away from that doc fast and then warn your friends.
You are already getting results. It will keep improving if you keep it up. MO lubricates the stool. Eventually, your colon will get back its tone.
Gee whiz!
Martha
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation posted by W on October 21, 2003 at 15:15:35:
Thanks, W!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 21, 2003 at 07:34:03:
I am now into day 13 of no laxative use. I've been following your M/MO regimen for 8 days with pretty good results in that I have been able to have bowel movements at least once every day. I've only had to use an enema twice. I'm suffering SEVERE reflux burning and am doing what I can to combat that - acid reducer meds and ginger tea. Here's my problem: I'm so bloated, I feel pregnant. Between all the Metamucil and V8 juice, I can barely stand to eat any REAL food. In fact, for the past 3 days, I've only managed cereal and a small salad each day. I can't manage dinner. I've gained 5 pounds, too. I'm just not getting "cleaned out". I'm so desperate, I've thought of taking a laxative just to get "cleansed". Obviously, I want to avoid that since that's what got me here in the first place. So, what can I do to get over this bloat? Any suggestions or do I just have to deal with it? I'm desperate!!!
In Reply to: Re: Laxative Dependence/Constipation (Archive.) posted by MLB on October 23, 2003 at 16:24:37:
Hi, MLB.
Change to a non-gas forming fiber. Ask your pharmacist what he has on the shelf.
Walt
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