Helping to poop yes real issue

Try Smooth Move Tea! That works 4 me when i need it occasionally!

The notion that people need a "colon cleanse" is a fallacy. Your colon is as clean as it's supposed to be. These cleanse and detox things are called 'alternative medicine' because 'quackery' is too harsh. If you feel like you're not fully evacuated after a BM then try boosting your fiber and ABSOLUTELY drink more water. Water basically lubricates the pipes and keeps everything moving.

Another tool (if you have a taste for them) are prunes/dried plums. Either a glass of prune juice or a couple prunes/dried plums each day and that should keep everything copasetic. (just don't overdo it. Prunes and Prune Juice are natural laxatives and things could get .. explosive .. with too much)

Coffee and fish oil get me moving. I wonder what bulletproof coffee does?

Drink more fluids or try a stool softener.

Completely natural and recommended by my doctor; works amazing for me (constipation): 1 cup oat bran, one cup applesauce, 1/4 cup prune juice. Eat 1-2 tablespoons per day. Increase to 3-4 if needed after a week or so.

Hi OP,

I've been in your predicament and it went on for months, symptoms worsened, turned out I was -chronically- constipated by the end and in and out of hospital in agony.

This has now become a management issue for me, all about maintaining really good bowel health.

First of all, water and LOTS of it. I generally put away about 4 litres a day. That's not including the teas etc I also drink. I pee like a racehorse, but I know I am well hydrated. You've mentioned you're getting lots of dietary fibre, but it needs the water to work with, or you're just going to get worse.

To deal with your current back up- a few days on Lactulose or Movicol (it takes time to work, it's not a one day fix) will soften what you're currently carrying and your evacuations will become more effective. That horrible feeling like you're not done and still really have to go will gradually subside. You can reduce the dosage bit by bit to help your bowel settle back into a natural routine once you've cleared the current problem, phasing it out so you don't revert right back to square 1.

In terms of foods I eat to help regulate things now, I have a few go-to's that are guaranteed in my personal experience to get things going: figs, avocado, broccoli, bran crackers, chick peas, oat bran. I eat at least one of these things every day. I've also found eating oily fish such as mackerel or smoked salmon a couple of times a week have really helped with regularity.

I take a cod liver oil supplement once a day too, something my gran put me onto when I was unwell, and that helps grease things along as it were. Healthy oils/fats in general are necessary to help things moving. I'm sure anyone who's tried going fat free will attest to the pooping discomfort it causes!

Finally, a brisk walk in the morning finishes the chain of pre-poop events. Honestly, I could now set my watch by what time I go. I spent 25 years with bowel issues, being treated with various pills and potions (some of them very aggressive), but I've finally figured it out now and it's a multi-tonged approach. Be kind to your tummy!

mistypenningtongoin wrote: »

Magnesium citrate supplement and the occasional cup of Senna Tea.

Ya, I see senna as an ingredient in a lot of "cleanses" and "detox teas" - I guess the laxative effect of senna makes people think they are "cleansing"?

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-cm-slim-leaf-14-day-slimming-detox-tea-ultimate-garcinia-weight-loss-supplement

Magnesium at night, smooth move tea, or Dr. Schulze formula 1. Also, daily probiotic.

If I don't have a complete bowel movement by lunchtime I will start drinking tons of water, 3-4 bottles worth, and it almost always solves the issue within a few hours.