Originally Posted by stargzr:
"normal" is different for everyone. However, I would say that if you are eating enough and only 'going' twice a week you might want to supplement your fiber. I use Metamucil (dr's orders) to regulate everything, if you will. I take one teaspoon with 8 ounces of water. It took a while to regulate everything, but now it's more regular than it was. :)

EDIT: Please don't take a laxative. If you take it, it'll flush everything out now, but not fix the "issue". Also, taking it too often can actually mess with your body's natural signals that tell you you need to "go".

This is the case with severe abuse- not with occasional constipation. Also, stool softeners are not laxatives.

However, I used miralax when I was having issues about a year ago and it did the trick. It didn't upset my stomach or anything.

Originally Posted by NightengaleShane:
Do you eat fruit often? Apples and bananas can get things moving. Drinking grape juice may help. So might drinking hot, black coffee. Energy drinks sometimes have the same effect, but it depends on the person.

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Funny you mentioned apples and bananas because my doc says they have the opposite effect. Genetically speaking I've always had problems with digestion and was told to cut out these 2 fruits specifically until I could get my system working well. I eat them now with no problem but tend to avoid them if I'm constipated.

Grapes on the other hand are great for constipation - I reach for a bowl ful immediately.

Apple juice and grapes will definitely help. Also, celery. I know it sounds weird, but celery works kind of like floss for your digestive track.
If this isn't a long occurring thing...like, more than a week or so, then it could be stress. Our bodies really react in strange ways when we're stressed out. I had a stool issue about a month ago. I was only going every couple of days, then I'd go a few times a day. When I finally started to relax, I noticed my body regulating itself. It's the same as a menstrual cycle. It goes all wacky, telling us that something isn't balanced in our system.

Hmmmm....I guess my normal is different from others! Twice a week is perfectly normal for me much of the time. Very, very rarely does a daily poo happen for me. Oh, except when I was eating Fiber One bars. Then I had the constant gassy "gurgly-bottom" poos.....not fun!

I've used gentle laxative teas. There is one that I get a natural food stores - can't remember the brand, but the name of the is "smooth move." Use it on occasion when needed. Ditto what everyone else said about water, fiber, bran cereral, fruit, etc. A lot of dairy or heavy food tends to plug me up - might be good to track what you eat and how it affect movement (or lack thereof) to see if there are foods which are either beneficial or problematic. I find a lot of dairy or heavy, fatty foods tend to cause constipation, or worsen it. Good luck!

A friend of mine who has similar issues was instructed by her Dr. to eat 1 peach and 1 plum everyday, skin and all.

It's really helped her.

For me, any kind of alcohol will get things moving. Of course that's not the best choice in the world.:dizzy: But it's rarely a problem for me.

For my sis, coffee or chocolate fires things up. But that's a food allergy thing in our family.

Might also want to try prune juice (some people like it warmed, others prefer cold) -- it helps to move things along, sometimes pretty quickly.

Other things that can help get the ol' digestive system moving are milk of magnesia or strong coffee. Some people also find that if they eat too many grapes, the bowels will start moving rather quickly. ;)

Do you eat too much salt? Too much salt while dieting can do this. Also, fiber one bars do nothing for me. Drink actual fiber from the pharmacy area. Also, your could try activia. You may need to talk to a doc to get a light diuretic.

If you're severely constipated, senna tea (you can find lots of brands with it) works just as well as a laxative. It takes about 6 hours to work, though, so plan ahead.

Originally Posted by Betony:
Might also want to try prune juice (some people like it warmed, others prefer cold) -- it helps to move things along, sometimes pretty quickly.

Other things that can help get the ol' digestive system moving are milk of magnesia or strong coffee. Some people also find that if they eat too many grapes, the bowels will start moving rather quickly. ;)

Great points Betony. Grapes, raisins, plums, prunes...My Grandmother swore by all of them! Magnesium is also terrific in getting things moving along. Milk of magnesia is a good way to get some, also Magnesium Sulfate, (Epsom Salts) taken orally works WONDERS. Women in general don't get enough magnesium in their diet, a good supplementation is well worth it. (It also helps with PMS.)

I've also read that everyone's 'normal' is different, so it could be that it's normal for one person to go 3 times a day or once every 3 days. IMO if you're not feeling uncomfortable, or having a difficult time going (it's painful) then this might just be your normal.

I was worried about the same thing and started taking fiber without much result. I stopped taking it and just paid attention to my body and realized that my normal isn't to go every day. However, I do take acidophilus every other day (it's a probiotic) and eat fiber bars once a day to ensure I'm getting the recommended amount of fiber in my diet. So far, so good. :)