Bowel movements (you have been warned!)

go and see your GP investigate gynaecological (it may be a prolapse) and rectal /intestinal possible causes .

"I'm told I should raise my feet with a small stool" - in the context of our current discussion, the image now in my mind does not bear close examination!

Thanks to all for the best laugh I've had in a long time. Feeling a bit low today so it has been a real tonic. Certainly a serious matter as well so hope everyone gets their movements going. Not sure which is worse, the runs, constipation or it all getting stuck!

lucky I thought the same thing giggle . Mind you, Phoenix would to have to 'go' first in order to get one

Yes, exactly, I thought the same thing too lucky. Although I don't feel raising one's feet on a small stool of the bodily waste variety would have much effect, other than creating an unpleasant mess on the bathroom floor and the soles of one's slippers

A kiwi fruit a day has transformed my life in this area. Wish someone had told me about their properties many years ago!

Drink lots of water, eat more roughage, give yourself enough time. Coughing is good. If no change, go to Dr to reassure yourself it's not bowel cancer. My mum used to say she had incomplete bowel movements for years and I'm afraid it was bad news when she did see the dr.

Different things work for different people unfortunately, so you just have to do trial and error, trying some of the many tips above.

I've always been constipated since childhood and can easily go 10 days with "nothing doing". I've been investigated and there's nothing wrong.

Could it be stress or dietary intolerance? There is an excellent book called 'No more IBS' if you think it might be that. There is something called 'slow transit constipation", common in women.

It is possible to sit on the loo too long, 10 minutes max is recommended. You can also have too much fibre in your diet. Certainly not the bags of pure bran popular in the 70's to sprinkle on food.

GP tried me on all the usual, lactulose, fibogel, senna, then docusate which works but is quite strong. It made me feel a bit sick so I get Ortisan Fruits and Fibre cubes from the health food shop, or just the fruit version if I need a bit more. Don't know why it works when I seem to get all the component ingredients in my diet, but like I say every person seems to be different.

I would get it checked out, though

Have used Fybogel for some time and it is a fantastic help - got checked out by GP first of course. The best thing is this is NOT a drug, merely a vegetable husk which bulks up everything in the jolly old system and solves the dreaded problem of wasting your life in the loo. One small drink morning and evening - problem solved for ever.

All great fun and good advice ...............but .....GO SEE THE GP .........better get checked out then try all the advice

A funny but very useful thread, thanks [phoenix] for starting it off and hope you have something to show for it all at the end!

I have learnt things which IRL would probably not have heard or discussed at all.
Personally with all my allergies/intolerances I always have to have simple and natural whenever possible so I just take Psyllium husks from our local health food shop when necessary and always drink lots of water every day.

Cabbage. Pointed or Sweetheart Cabbage, sliced and cooked slow in butter. A few Fennel seeds and Yum, it works wonders.

Fybrogel didn't work for me, in fact it made it worse. Too much fibre blocks you up.

Mischief, did you mean gently fry the cabbage and butter? I would have gravy on it. It sounds delicious!

Try some good quality magnesium before bed time . . . about 2 X 250mg. . . not only does it help sleep it is brilliant for early morning evacuation! I'm fussy re the quality of supplements and my favourite brand is Nature's Plus Dyno-Mins Magnesium 250mg which are acid resistant. See how you get on . . .

Milky magnesium was good

After reading thesethreads I'm craving for a plate of vegetables (and gravy)

I'm just eating a tin of peas and carrots, cold. I think I may have wind lately but got my roughage and vitamins hopefully. They weren't very nice without gravy.

Feel a bit sick, now?

Rhubarb.....works like magic!

If you are taking co-codamol for pain, these cause severe constipation. Just saying.
Drink plenty of water and don't strain. It can cause piles.

Oh yes, codeine bungs you up (to put it more coarsely)

Magnesium is good as well if you get night cramps

Who needs tv when you gave this thread? Fantastic that we can have a laugh over something that it such a pain in the backside!

I have a rectocele these past 20 years. If passing a motion that is somewhat less reluctant than it should be I use a little bit of two finger pressure about an inch or two in front of the exit.