Bathroom Dilema....

All of these suggestions are good and remember, you don't HAVE to go every day. I'm a nurse at a nrsg home, and, please, don't get obsessed with your bowels, because you should see what happens when you get older. Keep it simple, you know, drink more fluids, eat your fiber, but TRY to stay away from your laxatives and such, because you really can mess with your system. Eventually, after having taken these aids to "help" you go, you CAN'T go on your own. Most of my ladies who have the most trouble with their bowels are the ones who took laxatives and such for years, because they thought they weren't "normal" and some doctor told them that they HAD to go everyday.......You don't. So don't fret, and don't make it happen, either, unless you're doing it naturally.

Sorry for the ramble, but I see what they're going through, and, trust me, you DON'T want that. :frown:

Well - I've increased my fiber and water and I still am having a hard time and I am not having consistent bowel movements (maybe 1 every couple days). When I don't go, I don't lose - any suggestions of what to try?

SongBSweet did some great threads on this topic might wanna take a look at the archives:flowerforyou: One thing she mentioned each time she shared with those that brought it up was there really is no 'normal' amount of times to eliminate each day. Some go every couple days, some 5 times a day...you'll see more of what was shared on the thread. I don't recall everything that was said... Google will probably help you out perhaps check out WebMD.com

FC

One of songbyrdsweet's post's helped me to know that I am normal even though I only "go" once or twice a week.
If you are becoming constipated and cannot go then you're having a problem.
But for some of us normal is what it is. I drink alot of water and green tea. Get around 25-30gr. fiber out of food daily. I tried to use metamucil to add fiber but it did not change me.

I was going to start a topic like this last week, but I thought people would think I'm nuts! It's hard not to be concerned about it, especially when weigh in day is the next day!! Try taking Iron pills for Anemia! Sometimes I feel like I haven't had a crap in a month! I look 4 months pregnant, feel like I wanna puke cause there's a huge bowling ball sitting there,and look disgusting. I eat LOTS of fiber, (want to stay away from Laxitives), and drink LOTS of water and exercise daily. I find I want to eat more too then. What to do? I'm buying Metamucil or something. It ticks me off, cause my boys can take 1 bite of supper and run to the can and my husband is like clockwork.:grumble: I drink 3 cups of coffee a day, use sweetners, on and on. There...my vent for the day.

Just be careful if you already eat alot of fiber. The metamucil only made it worse for me:ohwell:

I may be really simple here.. but just eating salad greens and increasing fruits (e.g. apricots, berries, raisins, cherries, dried cherries or cranberries, etc.) are a great way to carry on naturally, and you'll be good to go.

Cheers!