I have been taking daily dosages of Konsyl for the past 5 years. I
find that I am often plagued by week-long bouts of constipation and a
friend theorized that I may have grown dependent on thek Konsyl and
thus negated it's effectiveness. If true, hov could I best taper off
of this product and encourage regularity?

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 03 Aug 2003 11:30 PDT

After research for your question I found that the prolonged use of
laxatives can cause laxative dependence, for bulk-forming laxatives
(like Konsyl) overuse or extended use may cause dependence for bowel
function. The use of stimulant laxatives has more severe consequences
(like permanent damage to colon, etc.), but the use of bulk-forming
laxatives can cause dependence but not permanent damage to bowels.

At Medline Laxative page you can read:
"The ''laxative habit''—Laxative products are overused by many people.
Such a practice often leads to dependence on the laxative action to
produce a bowel movement. In severe cases, overuse of some laxatives
has caused damage to the nerves, muscles, and tissues of the
intestines and bowel. If you have any questions about the use of
laxatives, check with your health care professional."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202319.html#SXX25

Konsyl is a brand name for the drug named PSYLLIUM.
At the PSYLLIUM page of MDAdvice.com you can read:
"Warnings & Precautions:
...Prolonged use: 
Don't take for more than 1 week unless under a doctor's supervision.
May cause laxative dependence..."

See also:
"Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid":
http://www.nursespdr.com/members/database/ndrhtml/psylliumhydrophilicmuciloid.html

"Herbal colon cleansing using psyllium":
http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification/herbal-colon-cleansing.htm


Regarding how to revert this, I recommend you to visit your doctor.

Hope this helps.

Please let me know if this is a satisfactory answer, so I can claim
the prize.
If not let me know to and I will continue researching.

I will wait your response.

Sincerely.
livioflores-ga

---

Clarification of Question by pelkeyrobyn-ga on 03 Aug 2003 12:05 PDT

The response from livioflores is helpful, informative and provides me
with the requisite background to pursue my quest for naturalised
regularity. Thanks.

Hi pelkeyrobyn!!


Thank you for replying my request; it is always a great thing to
provide to askers a solution to their questions. I will repost my
request as the answer below:

After research for your question I found that the prolonged use of
laxatives can cause laxative dependence, for bulk-forming laxatives
(like Konsyl) overuse or extended use may cause dependence for bowel
function. The use of stimulant laxatives has more severe consequences
(like permanent damage to colon, etc.), but the use of bulk-forming
laxatives can cause dependence but not permanent damage to bowels.
 
At Medline Laxative page you can read: 
"The ''laxative habit''—Laxative products are overused by many people.
Such a practice often leads to dependence on the laxative action to
produce a bowel movement. In severe cases, overuse of some laxatives
has caused damage to the nerves, muscles, and tissues of the
intestines and bowel. If you have any questions about the use of
laxatives, check with your health care professional."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202319.html#SXX25 
 
Konsyl is a brand name for the drug named PSYLLIUM. 
At the PSYLLIUM page of MDAdvice.com you can read: 
"Warnings & Precautions: 
...Prolonged use:  
Don't take for more than 1 week unless under a doctor's supervision.
May cause laxative dependence..."
 
See also: 
"Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid": 
http://www.nursespdr.com/members/database/ndrhtml/psylliumhydrophilicmuciloid.html
 
"Herbal colon cleansing using psyllium": 
http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification/herbal-colon-cleansing.htm

Added this articles:
- From Digestive Health:
"CONSTIPATION - SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ...":
http://www.digestivehealth.com/DHP_Patient_Education/Constipation.htm
 
- "University of Miami School of Medicine - Glossary - Constipation":
http://www.med.miami.edu/patients/glossary/art.asp?ArticleKey=331

 
Regarding how to revert this, I recommend you to visit your doctor.

Search strategy:
constipation
"laxative dependance" konsyl
 
Hope this helps. 

Best regards.
livioflores-ga

Try eating fruits such as ripe papaya or watermelon to ease your bowel movement.

Drink lots and lots of water.

tlspiegel