[littleyellowspider]

Okay first of all I'm sorry if this is TMI. It's sort of awkward to talk about but I'm slightly worried.

Recently I've been taking laxatives, I know they don't help me to actually lose weight but they make me feel better about eating. I don't think I "abuse" laxatives because I generally only take 2 or so a day. This morning I took 4 as well as a nano go (a herbal weight loss supplement) and got usual laxative results, Whenever I take a laxative when I don't really need one I have bad pain and it is overall just not a fun experience. Well today in addition to this there was a tiny amount of blood, a few little specks on the toilet paper, I had this once before while taking laxatives but just for a day and it went away once I stopped taking them. Being the very anxious person that I am, this worries me a great deal. Like to the point where I almost had a panic attack. (and now I m afraid to go to the bathroom)

I looked it up online and most of what I saw made it seem like it was nothing to worry about unless it goes on for a while, but I still feel anxious.
Anyone experienced this or have any thoughts?

[lynn P.]

I don't think you need to worry unless this continues or if you're an older person who could have bowel related problems. You could always visit your doctor to be sure. I'm sorry to preach but laxatives should only be used very occasionally for many reasons. The main one is - your body can become dependent on them - what I mean is, your intenstines will become lazy and not move properly on their own.

If a person uses them regularly you could end up vitamin/mineral deficient and your intenstines could become deprived of the normal friendly bacteria. Fiber supplements are fine but not the ones that have a stimulant in them - except very occasionally.

[Yoda]

I agree with Lynn.

[Perna]

I think you need to go to see your doctor. Laxative use, daily, no matter how "few" is not normal and can damage your insides. You need to work with an eating specialist/dietician to learn to eat properly. I would take the blood as a wake-up call you are playing with fire.

http://www.bulimia.com/client/client...ativeabuse.cfm

[silver_queen]

Yes you can bleed from abusing laxatives. I've experienced it myself and I agree that it is a scary experience. As far as I know it's caused by the membrane of the bowels being damaged because they're being stripped of their protective mucus because of the actions of the laxatives (which promote fast emptying of the small intestine). This is why the results are watery ... because the large intestine does not get the chance to do its job, which is to re-absorb the water. As you know, laxative misuse does not cause weight loss, only water loss (meaning you might be chronically dehydrated) but also, because the digested food is rushed through the small intestine, it too doesn't get to do its job - which is to absorb nutrients from food. This isn't good because the calories are absorbed from the stomach when the food is digested, but many of the vitamins and minerals will be emptying into your toilet bowl. Also ... though I haven't experienced it personally - extended laxative use can cause the bowel to become dependent on laxatives, meaning that when they are not used, the result can be constipation. Many laxatives have a stimulant effect - where they prematurely cause the normal rhythmic contraction of the intestine (this is what causes the cramps - the pain might be because it is exaggerated more than usual, not sure) but when the laxatives are stopped, the bowel is less able to function.

You do 'abuse' laxatives because abuse of anything is doing something which is not needed - in your cause you don't need laxatives to treat constipation, therefore it's abuse.

So you say you're an anxious person ... reducing and eventually cutting out laxatives should help you with your health worries ... you might still worry over the amount of calories you eat but at least you can be fairly certain that your bowel health is better ... lack of food, too, can cause constipation but like Lynn P suggests, a fibre supplement is suitable for that. There is a thing called psillium husk (sp) which is cal-free and you add it to water (or the like) and drink it ... it tastes disgusting (at least with water) but it is supposed to be full of fibre. You can find it in health food shops.

Hope this helps