Suggestions for "consolidating" 5-7 BMs into once a day
apologies for lengthy post:
After months of alternating between many days of constipation and then days with multiple loose stools every day, I think I'm getting closer to the "recipe" (read protocol) for regularity.
Following this protocol, I've had bowel movements every day for the past couple of weeks!! The only problem is that I'm having 5-6-7 movements from morning thru mid-afternoon.
What can I try to "consolidate" my BMs into once in the morning, each day or every other day or couple of days.
BTW, the "recipe" that I've ultimately arrived at is
--1/2 senna every evening or every other (coming down from several weeks ago very high doses to relieve the constipation),
--a short walk (15 min) first thing every morning
--6 prunes with 1c water after the walk
--continuing throughout the day with as much water as I can remember to drink (not my strong suit)
--doing my best to keep fiber intake up but especially with some edamame with dinner.
PS throughout this saga, my PCP and GI doc have suggested "experimenting with" miralax, metamucil, citrucel but they're not too specific about how I should experiment and since the situation right now is better than it's been in months and I sure don't want to go backward. Also, they don't seem too interested in talking about dietary changes but I'm happy to go that route.
with appreciation in advance for your thoughts.
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PSS This is the OP: forgot to mention that the consistency of my BMs over the last several weeks has been basically ok and it's the multiple frequency each day that I'm hoping to mitigate.
Glad you’ve had relief. I’m doing much better too! I’m happy with my progress. I used to hesitate to put much credence into the idea that diet would impact my constipation. (Please pardon the pun. Lol). My body was so stubborn. Eventually, daily Miralax was the only thing that worked at all and the results were not ideal.
I sometimes go a little too often as well. I just reduce my raw veggies and fruit. My formula that works for me is a large garden salad with greens, beets, cucumbers, blueberries, carrots, etc for lunch and an apple with a cup of fresh cherries for an evening snack, i’ve had amazing results lately! I am astonished. I had thought my body was no longer capable of BMs without drastic measures. Now, I know there is hope! I believe I’ll be ok.
So….. turns out I didn’t have the salad yesterday. I hope there is a happy medium area that I can find by tweaking the formula gradually. Good luck to you!