How long can you take laxatives?
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hey all, I've been taking the laxatives Laxido for almost 2 weeks now as well as using the rectogesic cream and it's been really helping me. I don't have any pain at all or blood anymore as the stools are really soft. I would like to stop the laxatives as I know it's not ideal to take them too long but I'm really scared it will get bad again if I stop. How long have you guys been using laxatives? What are the best natural alternatives? I already have a good fiber diet, drink plenty of water but it seems it's not enough so I need something to help. Thanks!
0 likes, 4 replies
andrew97847 celine52634
Edited
Hi Celine, if it is Laxido which is a stool softener then you should be fine. I have been on movicol for almost 5 months now. I take 2 per day and it advises you can use for long term use. If you have no pain or blood then thats great but fissures can take a long while to fully heal so I would keep taking the softener for at least another 8 weeks, just anecdotal advise of course.
I am only going on what Movicol says also I would check long term use for laxido too. Stool softeners are generally much better on the body so long term use for a few months should be fine, Movicol states long term studies of up to 2 years have shown its ok. These are of course all advice I have from Movicol and my Dr, so you should also make sure you get the proper advice/information. If you are pain free and blood free you are in dreamland so I would just keep making sure you eat, drink and do exactly what you have been doing to make sure it fully heals over the next month or two.
celine52634 andrew97847
Posted
Thank you for your advice! I think I will contact my Dr and ask what's best. As you said at the moment I am doing great but I know it takes a while to fully heal. This is my 3rd time using rectogesic, the 1st two times I got too confident after a few weeks when it seemed to be healed and got bad again so this time I will do anything as long as it takes haha
andrew97847 celine52634
Posted
Ha well you've learned then anyway. Yeah that's the thing even though you feel like its healed the tissue and wound is still fragile for a long while after so you have to keep being very careful. If I ever somehow go pain free for a week I will make sure that I keep doing exactly as I have done after reading experiences on here and like your own experience you mentioned. If you take it for the full 8 weeks this time and stick on the stool softeners hopefully you will be great after.
Back to your original question though from my own experience long term use is completely fine, stool softeners are a way gentler on the body than normal laxatives like Senokot for example, so use for a few months is generally nothing to worry about. I have had about a 4 month supply so far and ongoing prescription on advice from my doctor and surgeon so I am sure your Dr should say the same that they are fine to use for another 8 weeks or so. Good luck!
celine52634 andrew97847
Posted
My Dr said I can use it for 8 weeks,basically as long as the rectogesic treatment but that still laxatives should not be used for too long she said.. I'll take it for 8 weeks, hopefully by then I will be able to see the specialist.