Getting off Exlax

[Anonymous]

Please help if you have ever had to do this. Our 12 year old was put on Exlax by his gastroenterologist over a year ago because of an unusual situation of extreme constipation. This unusual situation has passed. It is now time to get off the drug but of course DS's body is habituated by now to having it. We have successfully reduced the Exlax daily dose from 2 squares to 3/4 square. This took three months to achieve. It is extraordinarily hard to go below 3/4 square. Any ideas? The gastroenterologist is not all that bothered by our son having to stay on the drug. We aren't getting much help from him other than "increase his fruits and veggies". DS already eats a high fiber and very good diet. What else can we do to successfully get him off this drug?

[Anonymous]

At 12 and if the alternative is staying on ex-lax, I'd see how a small cup of coffee in the morning affects things. Even decaf, in my experience, has some effect - it's clearly not just the caffeine that's involved. And a morning trigger is good for creating a regular daily routine.

[Anonymous]

Add what we refer to as "the poopin' fruits." Prunes, pears, peaches, plums, etc. Basically, look for fruits that have high levels of sorbitol. You can also find products that have sorbitol as a sugar alternative.

Unlike Ex-Lax, which is a stimulant laxative, sorbitol (like Miralax) is a hyperosmotic agent. It draws water into the colon to keep stools soft and produce a BM. You could also try Miralax, which is not habit-forming.

[Anonymous]

i have a 5 year old who has been on ExLax for two years due to an impacted colon. He takes 2.5 squares nightly. The fact that you cut the dose by more than half in 3 months is a great sign. But honestly? Based on my experience, 3/4 of a dose of ExLax a day is really not something to be worried about at this point. Do you not trust your ped GI or something?

[Anonymous]

Immediate pp here. You run the risk of a relapse/constipation/impaction if you get him off ExLax too early. You need the weigh the consequences of risking relapse against taking a minor dose of ExLax. In my case, I would never ever put my kid at risk of another impaction ever again, so at this point my only choice is ExLax (miralax was awful and mismanagement of his dose caused the impaction). I have made my piece with it but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have a 5 year old who has been on ExLax for two years due to an impacted colon. He takes 2.5 squares nightly. The fact that you cut the dose by more than half in 3 months is a great sign. But honestly? Based on my experience, 3/4 of a dose of ExLax a day is really not something to be worried about at this point. Do you not trust your ped GI or something?

The OP is smart to want to avoid meds and to allow the body to do what should and can come naturally.

[Anonymous]

Magnesium is a natural alternative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have a 5 year old who has been on ExLax for two years due to an impacted colon. He takes 2.5 squares nightly. The fact that you cut the dose by more than half in 3 months is a great sign. But honestly? Based on my experience, 3/4 of a dose of ExLax a day is really not something to be worried about at this point. Do you not trust your ped GI or something?

The OP is smart to want to avoid meds and to allow the body to do what should and can come naturally.

The word "should" does not apply here. Either the body does or does not do its job. Have you ever had an impacted colon? Do you know what happens to your body when that happens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have a 5 year old who has been on ExLax for two years due to an impacted colon. He takes 2.5 squares nightly. The fact that you cut the dose by more than half in 3 months is a great sign. But honestly? Based on my experience, 3/4 of a dose of ExLax a day is really not something to be worried about at this point. Do you not trust your ped GI or something?

The OP is smart to want to avoid meds and to allow the body to do what should and can come naturally.

The word "should" does not apply here. Either the body does or does not do its job. Have you ever had an impacted colon? Do you know what happens to your body when that happens?

NP. Do not apply your child's experience to the OP's. Her child did not have an impacted colon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have a 5 year old who has been on ExLax for two years due to an impacted colon. He takes 2.5 squares nightly. The fact that you cut the dose by more than half in 3 months is a great sign. But honestly? Based on my experience, 3/4 of a dose of ExLax a day is really not something to be worried about at this point. Do you not trust your ped GI or something?

The OP is smart to want to avoid meds and to allow the body to do what should and can come naturally.

The word "should" does not apply here. Either the body does or does not do its job. Have you ever had an impacted colon? Do you know what happens to your body when that happens?

NP. Do not apply your child's experience to the OP's. Her child did not have an impacted colon.

Often times extreme and or ongoing constipation results in an impacted colon. That is what op is risking by coming off ExLax too prematurely.

[Anonymous]

OP here : I appreciate every response. Thank you third taking the time to write. To the poster whose child had the impacted colon, this wasn't our situation and it is not a risk. DS's situation has resolved (I can't get into details) but he has been left habituated to Exlax. Please keep the responses coming!

[Anonymous]

What about a fiber supplement as a temporary aid to help wean him off?
Also, is he on any probiotics?

Ask your dr if either of those would help.

[Anonymous]

Do you have suggestions for fiber supplements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here : I appreciate every response. Thank you third taking the time to write. To the poster whose child had the impacted colon, this wasn't our situation and it is not a risk. DS's situation has resolved (I can't get into details) but he has been left habituated to Exlax. Please keep the responses coming!

Unless you want to tell us what the issue is we can't really give you advice. How many grams of fiber does he get a day? Does he supplement magnesium?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have suggestions for fiber supplements?

Mission carb-smart tortillas have like 14g of fiber. I make a wrap for lunch everyday, but you could also do a breakfast burrito, quesadillas, or pbj in one. Barilla has a higher fiber pasta that is good for traditional hot pastas as well as pasta salad. Quest bars give you 17g fiber plus about 20g protein.

There's also fiber gummies (only 4g fiber and expensive).