I am tempted to take laxatives every day - possible TMI

[lackingimagination]

I have been following a weight loss diet which has really affected my bowel movements. Basically I just don't go - at all - until I take a laxative! First time it happened a whole week went by until I realised

I thought after the first time it would make everything go back to normal, but no, it happened again. And again, it didn't return back to normal. So, for the last 4 days, I have taken a laxative every night. I feel a million times better for it and would happily carry on doing this! However the packet says do not use for longer than 5 days at a time.

So what can I sensibly do - or take - to help keep myself regular? Unfortunately the diet I am following doesn't allow for much fibre intake. Is there a product I can take daily to help? Perhaps something natural

Lots and lots of water and prune juice every day. Movicol might help too. Stop the laxatives though.

My friend recommended me this tea you can buy on eBay, apparantly it's ok for long term use as its not a bowel stimulant like senna etc. It really works, I only take it once a week maybe and then I'm ok rest of the time. Let me know if you want the name of it

I second fibogel if more fluids doesn't do it. Also I find a strong coffee will often get things moving.

Proper laxatives will just make the bowel lazy (so I've been told) and compound the problem in the long term.

I was once told by a bowel surgeon that high fibre diets are only good if you drink plenty(2+ litres per day) then the fibre bulks out the bowel & softens it so easier to pass. Think of it like blotting paper!

If you don't have enough fluid it will just sit there in hard lumps (sorry )

Try increasing the fibre in your diet. I love All Bran Crunch, but I only have it every other day as it makes my stools quite soft. Also, wholemeal & granary bread. I always think strawberries and grapes help as well.

Yy wrt drinking water, very important.

What diet are you doing? This seems awfully extreme

Is there any danger in taking linseed daily? As in I know there can be with laxatives, but is regular linseed a problem.

When I was pregnant i took psyllium husk capsules and previously Ortis Ortisan cubes both available at Holland and Barrart.

Twas, only danger to your plumbing I think

Well they say laxatives can make the muscle lazy, just wondering if linseed has actual long term effects or dangers like laxatives do! Obviously staying regular is good!

Laxatives work in a different way iirc, linseed is natural and doesn't stimulate the bowel.

Magnesium is a natural laxative - i take magnesium citrate from holland & barrett

soak linseed in a pint of boiling water - leave to soak then drink off the water - and the seeds if you can stomach them -

phyillum husks - you can buy them like a power and add water again leave to soak and it turns into a jelly - works a treat...

Laxatives work by stimulating the bowel to contract (peristalsis). Linseed/water/fibre/other natural solutions create the right conditions in the bowel so that peristalsis happens spontaneously.

Wow I must be very weak willed, I couldn't stomach some of these suggestions!

I'm doing the Dukan diet.

spirulina tablets work for me.