Hi @buddysmom07. Am I right that this is your first contact with us? If so, we're glad to have you with us. I'll give you a sense of my recent digestive travails in the hope that you'll recognize some of the same concerns that you have in your personal situation. I've just completed three weeks of chaotic (but not severe) digestive problems that started with unexpected constipation that continued for a week. Then, just as suddenly, my temperature dropped into a safe a normal range for the first time in years. That being the case, my primary care physician and I added Miralax and Dulcolax to my diet, and after two days, the surprise was diarrhea. With that now under control (no more laxatives please) we're just waiting for my 30-foot-long digestive tract to rehabilitate itself so we can see what's normal now. Two things are essential -- daily exercise (a half-hour workout in our gym room) and plenty of water to overcome dehydration. We also think it's wise to avoid ice cream and other dairy products (other than a spoonful of yogurt with breakfast) which might be causing lactose intolerance; in addition, we have cut back on fruit that may be causing fructose intolerance. Maybe, I say, not "for sure." Keep us posted on your own situation so we can be tipped off on what would be helpful to you. Martin

Yes, increase your fluid intake. Although we are instructed to try to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day, as a constipated person you should be drinking more. Your colon deals with fluids in your body to help stool move through. Even though most of us have peristalsis to move the stool some have less than others. Fluid provides a slippery path for the stool to flow.