What can you do to ‘bulk’ up poop?

[rustydog]

I’m at a loss as to what to do.

I have lots of grumbly, popping and rumble noises in my bowel area and tummy on and off throughout the day and it’s worse in the evening as I am very gassy.

I go once a day in the morning but it’s not nice or satisfying. Usually a no 5 on the Bristol stool chart, small, soft, raggy pieces.

I’ve tried added gentle fibre like oats and bulkier foods like rice but it doesn’t make any difference.

My gp gave me Fybogel but I don’t want to take it as it has aspartame in it and that really doesn’t agree with me.

Does anyone have any other suggestions how I can achieve my goal of getting a normal poop ( in my mind that’s a sausage!!)

[Kate8433]

Hey I can defo relate to your symptoms. Does it feel like you’re cooking popcorn in you stomach sometimes? So weird isn’t it

[Rubynoodles37 in reply to Kate8433]

That's exactly how it feels especially when I lay in bed, popcorn going off here and there!

[MeredithW]

You could try adding a little ground linseed/flaxseed to your oats? That sometimes helps me (but not too much!!!).

[Rubynoodles37 in reply to MeredithW]

I have got a pack of ground flax seeds but always a bit apprehensive about taking it. Perhaps start with a sprinkling and work up?

[MeredithW in reply to Rubynoodles37]

I never tend to have more than a dessert spoon full - but I'd definitely start with a sprinkle and work up from there 😊

[A_IBS]

It may be a case of cutting something out rather than adding. Perhaps cutting down on fruit? It contains a lot of sugar, is easily fermented and maybe contains fodmaps.

[Rubynoodles37]

I feel I've cut most things out, I've never eaten much fruit but perhaps I should tweak it a bit more?! It's a constant case of trial and error 🤔

[Lulububs]

Hey rustydog

I have ibs c so i get ur problem , mine was more once every 3 days and it was a unsatisfying number one , like i was firing rabbit poops lol!

So i started taking magnesium vitamins , 2 times a day and i now go everyday and i a perfect poop!!

It amazing how satisfying a good dump is lol...

Also i take a peppermint oil cap 2 times a day for the grumbles it just air and wind in stomach. It stops it straight away. Also a good probiotic

[rustydog in reply to Lulububs]

Am thinking of taking a probiotic just not sure which one, it’s a minefield out there! Totally get you on the satisfaction of a good dump, it’s my goal in life 😃

[Lulububs in reply to rustydog]

I get all mine in holland and barrett. A healthy gut is my goal in life ha.

Bioglan gut flora( probiotic)

Peppermint oil cap

Magnesium tablets

All from the above shop i think they got buy one get one for penny as well at mo.

Been healthy pooping ever since i take these they are my best buy

[Rubynoodles37 in reply to Lulububs]

Haha! A trip to H&B it is then

[Sammy987 in reply to Rubynoodles37]

I take bioglan to xx

[Lulububs in reply to Rubynoodles37]

I spend all my life in holland and barratt ha ha

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

I have not seen you post in a while..hoping you are okay. Are you still taking magnesium? I think you said magnesium citrate? Not sure how much you said you take..is the Rhubarb still helping?

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Hey Eliana

Yes im fine thanku hope ur wellx

Back to work after xmas been busy busy busy....

Yes i do take the magnesium and the rbubarb not both at same time though as if i did i think id never get of toilet...

I take one for week and then change just so stomach doesnt get used to it.

I did have a bad flare , first one in about 18 months all down to brussel sprouts!

I shouldnt have eaten them but couldnt resist ( i love them) and seriously was doubled over with pain. Felt like i was being stabbed in colon for 9 hours!

So annoyed with myself as i have been so good at not eating stuff i know does this to me

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Can I ask what what type of magnesium..capsules or powder and strengh?

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Magnesium citrate tablets ... 400mg a day. Lots of water with it

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Do you space these apart? Or just take two capsules at once? So..at 160mg per capsule..I would take three capsules then..all at once or once a day? Someone said 600-800mg for constipation..but this seems like an awful lot..thanks..x

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

I have ones that are 400mg a tablet so i just take one before bed with half pint water and by time i get up il need a 💩. U can take more , it a case of trying it out till u find ur amount that helps u....

Some people if there on alot of medication need more help, i am not on anything else so this amount is fine for me.

I dont get upset stomach it just help me go very day.

Same with the rhubarb complex when im not using the mag i use these and i use them In exactly same way one before bed. With water.

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Okay..I thought I had to take it in the morning to have a bowel movement every day, but will try the night before per your suggestion. I'll start slow at first to see if my system cal tolerate it..I just don't want to be on toilet all day like I am with the Senna..

[Skylark2]

An alternative to Fybogel is Psyllium husk which you can get from a health food shop - I think H&B sell it as Lepicol. Start with a level teaspoon in a glass of water to see what effect it has.

[Eliana5 in reply to Skylark2]

I found it makes stools too bulky and if you have a weak pelvic floor..the weight of bulky stool has to travel..up..up..up..the colon..causing possible impaction due to the bulk. Then all this "bulk" has to Be pushed out of an anal canal no larger than a quarter creating possible fissures, tears, and hemmorhoids..