Posted by D(i)L(bert) on October 25, 2003 at 14:59 [64.12.96.170]
In Reply to: Re: Too well potty trained? posted by Davey on October 23, 2003 at 19:06
I think PerDiem/Perdium is a psyllium product.
My experience with psyllium is that it is the most comfortable pooping, on account of the poop being really slippery. I think the recipe is just a little bit on the high side of what's on the label directions.
Laxatives, in general, can cause dependency. Your gut adjusts to the speed it needs to run at, in spite of any drugs. Fiber laxatives are much milder than the usual chemicals (Milk of Magnesia, Ex-Lax (phenolpthalein), senna, etc) and more closely resemble the effects of eating a lot of raw fruits and vegetables. Take all fiber laxatives with plenty of water. I think if you took a lot (roughly ten times the dose on the label and not used to it) you might find yourself feeling awfully full -- maybe a large lump of the stuff might swell up and block something. But you should be able to look it up somewhere. Maybe you'll get diarrhea (used to happen to me after drinking a half-gallon of unfiltered apple juice in an afternoon, until I got used to it). But I think a small overdose compared to the recommended package dose is probably safe for most folks. Just keep hydrated, possibly think about gatorade or other sports drink to replace the lost salt.
Anyway, if your gut gets blocked (has happened to myself and my GF's ex), say due to dehydration, you will have a bad bellyache in a specific spot and not want to eat or drink anything, even water. (just like for appendicitis). This is the point at which you need to get to the emergency room.
Don't forget to eat your veggies and fruits!
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