on IBS meds can you still use a laxative you're still constipated?

I have been taking zelnorm, hyoscyamine, fiber therapy, and phazyme for 4 days and am still constipated, probably because my doc had me eating the brat diet (bananas, rice, apple juice and toast). Of course I was constipated for about a week before I started the meds. I'm getting kind of scared and definitely very uncomfortable. Can I use some suppositories or chocolate exlax and not undo what the meds should be doing for me? Also does anyone know what is typically considered to be IBS or is it just the catch phrase used when no other cause is found?

HI Icr319 - sorry to hear you are having problems.  I am responding to your comment, 'is IBS a catch phrase?'  It is somewhat of a joke (well, not really a joke but for lack of a better word)around here that the docs give you an IBS diagnosis when they can't find anything else.  I had severe nausea for months, lost 25 pounds- got real thin- and was told, with no tests, that I had IBS and I needed to 'relax'.  That is one of the real bummers for me- everyone thinks that people with IBS are just stressed out and it's all emotional.  I just want to spit when people imply that.  I'm a 31 y/o woman who has years of mental health training and counseling (both giving and receiving). I think I know my body and my symptoms, thank you.  Anyway, I finally had an extensive workup and still, IBS it is.  I have D sometimes, C sometimes, severe abdominal pain at times and the good old nausea which is so uncomfortable at times, i think I might scream.  I know I sound very negative but really I feel positive (honestly)- I am taking steps to improve my emotional and  physical health and to feel better.  As far as your constipation question, canyonbabe's reponse was a good one.  It is hard to know when to do what sometimes.  You may want to try a fiber supplement daily- that tends to regulate most people- but again you should check with your PCP before commencing anything.  Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I was at the end of my rope so I took one chocolate exlax and spent yesterday sampling food I have not been able to eat for 2 weeks. Today finally some improvement but after being constipated for almost a week I thought I would have felt better by now. At least my gas problems have improved and I no longer have chest pain and bloating. I am totally convinced that if I do have IBS it must be stress related. Unfortunately the majority if my stress is from my job. The woman who had my job before me was taking anti anxiety meds every day and having panic attacks on a regular basis anyway. I guess the stress has manifested itself in me this way. Maybe that is an area I should be looking for relief in. Any suggestions?

I'm glad you have quit having gas; that seemed to be your biggest problem. Have you tried prune juice for regularity? The other mild thing you can take is aloe vera capsules. These are a natural laxative.

Some people on here have constipation so bad that they just have to take a laxative every day in order to function correctly. I think someone else was told they could use Ducolax long-term. If you find you need an OTC chemical laxative in order to stay regular, then check with your doctor about using it for a long time; you don't want to grow dependent on it and keep having to increase the amounts in order just to stay ahead of the constipation. Hopefully you won't need it everyday; I think the other lady on Ducolax said she only had to take it every two or three days because one dose would keep her working that long.

Probably why she was having so much trouble on it--it was for the opposite kind of poop!