How long after using laxatives can you be "normal" again?

Question

trying to talk my friend out of it. if taking laxatives for 4 days straight then stopping, how long till you're normal again?

they were a store brand i think, like a womens laxative.

what is that --> glycerin suppository

Answer 1

You need to do bowel retraining. You cannot just stop taking laxatives and expect to be able to normal without retraining your bowels. She will need to use a fiber supplement daily or twice daily and increase her fiber and liquid intake. Advise her to sit on the toilet for 5 minutes every day after breakfast whether she has a BM or not. If after 3 days she has not had a BM then she should use a glycerin suppository. Depending on how long she abused laxatives this can take months to get her back on track or maybe longer depending on how much damage she has done to her rectal muscles.

Answer 2

Actually using a strong chemical laxative like Exlax is not recommended for more than 1 time per couple of weeks.
If your friend is having constant problems with having regular bowel movements, they should take either Fibre Sure or Metamucil type (one is made from chicory, the other is made from Psyllium husks).
After going a bout with a 4 day laxative binge, it will take a week or so before they are 'normal' again. Depends on their normal function to begin with.
Sounds like they need more fiber in their diet or use a daily fiber supplement.

Answer 3

I am not sure. But i know that if you take them a lot your body will depend on them, and cause you not to be able to "go" on your own. If you must take laxatives, try Milk of Mag or Fiber kinds, they are better for you.

Answer 4

i would say give it 24 hrs

Answer 5

about 15 years.......yeah retrain yr bowels ...." here boy "...." sit " and .... " cor that was a load off my mind ...."....