Lazy bowel syndrome

Sorry for your troubles. Natural Vitality Calm magnesium powder does the trick for me. I have to be careful though. I use only a scant teaspoon at night stirred into a hot cup of camomile tea. It fizzes so pour slowly if you decide to try it. I got it from Amazon.

You may find the folllwing article useful:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780201/

Unfortunately I’m VERY allergic to citric acid and that’s the first ingredient.

This might not apply to you, and I'm not a medical person, so please keep that in mind when reading this. But I'll tell you what is helpful to me. And it might be helpful to you, since (like me) you have problems with medicines. I seem to have an area just under my stomach and to the left where things get stuck. I have found that the following helps: I lie on my left side and just slightly rotate my waist to the right so that it opens up the area where things are stuck. After a moment I feel and hear gurgling, and things start moving. If things get stuck farther down, I take the heel of my hand and gently push downward (toward my lower abdomen) on the upward edge of the problem area, and that seems to get things moving again. This relates to my specific problem, but a massage therapist suggested it to me and it has really helped. Maybe you can figure out where things bog down for you. And a massage therapist may be able to give you good advice.

I'm also allergic to citric acid; also am either allergic to or intolerant of sodium in any form which rules out stool softener and milk of magnesia. The latest thing I've been trying is Miralax (polyethelene glycol); I only take 1/4 the recommended amount once a day and it helps. Any more than 1/4, it just increases gas. It takes about 20 hours for it to work, though.

Good luck to you.

Have u tried Colon Cleanse sold on Amazon? I take it but add a capsule of Magnesium Oxide also sold on Amazon. If that’s not enough to stimulate a BM, add 2 Ducolax tablets. Let us know how those wk for you. Good, normal digestion function wishes and prayers for you.

I'm sure this is a complicated issue, but probably, if you're consuming chia seeds and flax meal, already, make sure you are drinking a *lot* of water and moving around as much as fiber: "fluid, fiber, and fitness." Up your H2O, find a way to move as much as possible, and note the suggestion below re: a massage therapist. Possibly, a visit to a PT would help—if you have trouble moving, s/he could help you do that (you'd need a doctor's order, which at your age, would not be difficult to get). There's always the Senacot solution occasionally (ask your doctor). If you don't have a GI specialist, have your PC find one for you.

The colon cleanse has citric acid (I'm allergic); and Dulcolax (and every other stool softener I've tried) has either sodium, food coloring (I'm allergic), and artificial sweeteners (mannitol, sorbital, etc.), all of which just increase gas but don't stimulate bowel movement. Oh, and magnesium causes gas also.

don't know if any of these would help, but if you are't allergic to some you might give it a try.

The Hazard of Stimulant Laxative Teas
If you have a lazy bowel, you should AVOID long-term use of stimulant laxative teas containing herbs like Senna, Cascara, Rhubarb, or Buckthorn.While highly effective for a one-time issue, using them for more than a few days can create a bowel dependency.These herbs force the colon muscles to contract artificially. Over time, your colon loses its natural muscle tone, severely worsening lazy bowel syndrome

Safe, Non-Habit-Forming Teas for Lazy BowelTo rehabilitate a sluggish gut without creating a dependency, focus on hydrating, muscle-relaxing, or bile-stimulating teas:Peppermint Tea: Contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect that relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, helping food move through more smoothly.Ginger Tea: Acts as a natural prokinetic. It accelerates gastric emptying, strengthens the intestinal tract, and speeds up sluggish digestion.Dandelion Root Tea: Stimulates the liver to produce bile, which acts as a mild, natural lubricant and digestive aid to stimulate bowel movements without harsh cramping.Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants, drinking green tea daily can help improve general digestive function and stimulate the digestive tract naturally.Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root Tea: These are mucilaginous herbs. They coat the lining of the gut with a slippery layer, adding soothing hydration to dry, hard stools.Best Practices for ReliefPrioritize Hydration: The simple act of drinking warm fluid lubricates the intestines and activates the gastrocolic reflex, prompting bowel motility.Timing: Drink your chosen herbal tea first thing in the morning or about 30 minutes after a meal to capitalize on your body's natural digestive rhythms.To help me suggest the best approach, could you share:How long you have been experiencing a sluggish bowel?Whether you are currently taking any OTC laxatives or supplements?Any other symptoms you have, like severe bloating or abdominal pain?14 sitesWhich Teas Can Be Used for Constipation Relief? - HealthlineMay 5, 2026 — Key Takeaways * Certain herbal teas, including senna, cascara, dandelion, peppermint, and green tea, may help relieve constipation...HealthlineWhy Long-Term Senna Use Causes Lazy Bowel Syndrome - UbieMay 21, 2026 — Common Senna Tea Colon Cleanse Side Effects When used incorrectly or too long, senna tea colon cleanse side effects can include: A...ubiehealth.comWhat Tea Is Good For IBS Symptoms? - HealthMatchJun 2, 2022 — Chamomile tea ... It's a healthy tea made from dried chamomile flowers, a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The tea has...HealthMatch

I know that nobody wants to hear this. Moving! Get yourself moving, even if it's just a little bicycle thingie that you use while seated. Also, I find that Chair Yoga has kept my tummy moving. (A brisk walk outside is fabulous for many reasons, but many of us can't manage that.) Movement and fluids are the first requirements IMHO.