How do they change BM’s? I know they bulk stuff up and supposedly make clean up easier, but do they make it “easier” to go / act a bit like a laxative etc?
I take polyethylene glycol which is generic Metamucil to combat constipation from the opioid pain meds I take. It is supposed to maintain moisture in your stool and doesn’t seem to have the urgency issues often associated with other laxatives. I also try to supplement my diet with as much fiber as is practical which makes for a peanut butter fecal consistency. It seems to be a very predictable and mild aid to fight constipation and it’s caused me no discomfort since my gastroenterologist first prescribed it several years ago. Hope that helps you.
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I’m sorry but I said that polyethylene glycol was the generic equivalent of Metamucil and I should’ve said that it’s the equivalent of Miralax.
Metamucil (psyllium husk) will help us poop with huge BM’s. For example, I eat regular food with plenty of fiber. Cereal (like Total or Cheerios)and brown rice. Tons of that stuff. I always do lots of walking. Activities. (I love to golf and some running.) With the Metamucil, I have a very big BM. At least 2 BM’s a day. I always use a double huge drink of the Metamucil at morning and at night. When I feel like “fiber loading”, I’ll have every 3 or 4 hours for it. Yea, it can be a bit too much but it dose helps for those big ones.. Really. When I’m “fiber loading”, I’ll have a very big pooping every 5 to 6 hours. I’ve had an enormous BM that I don’t push at all. I just let the poo go slow and easy, let it go with no strain at all. I’m always surprised at how big the poo is. I really like it to be semi-firm to semi-soft. No runny at all. The bigger semi-firm, the better. Try it. Really. Let us know.
I use metamucil as a bulking agent when i have a flare-up the only downfall for me is the increased volume
Does it act a bit like a laxative, in the sense that it “makes” you want to go? Gives you the urge etc.
Is it easier to pass BM’s?
It is easier to let go and the volume is insane,make sure you are wearing a good diaper if you plan on doing that!
i tought i was having big bowel movement before i started taking metamucil and now holy!!!
As I said, psyllium husk (like Metamucil) will increase volume. As for urge, it’s just natural BM’s. Yea, it does get me regular but it doesn’t get me too loose. Normally with good fiber, vegies, and bulk foods, you will have multi poo’s. Maybe 2 a day. Sometimes up to 3 or more when “fiber loading”. I wouldn’t call it a laxative. You’ll have a normal urge. For me, after a few days of “fiber loading”, I’ll have some huge poo’s. I just hold back as long I can. When I get too uncomfortable, I try to be perfectly relaxed. Close my eye and breath easy. Then I slowly put on a suppository. Sometimes it becomes just too much but I’m pretty good at being super-relaxed. No pushes at all. No strains. I like to sit back and raise my knees up. Then I just let it go. Slow pooping is the best. After a couple seconds, I’ll feel the big surge and then poop slide’s up around my privates. Enormous poo. Metamucil is the way to go.
I recommend just plain psyllium husk. Not Metamucil. Metamucil has a ton of other not fiber ingredients, artificial sweeteners, colors anti-caking agents. You’re literally paying for junk you don’t want rather than the fiber you do want. I order just plain psyllium husk powder in a bag. Or if you prefer, there’s capsules.
I guess anyone can just use plain psyllium husk. I use the walmart “equate” sugar-free daily fiber. 100% natural psyllium husk. Multi-health daily fiber supplement. It’s cheap better than Metamucil. It’s easy to use. Maybe it has some artificial sweeteners etc. Big deal. I’ve been using them for decades. I always have a couple big BM’s everyday. Wearing diapers are great weather your incontinent or not. It isn’t really a laxative. It doesn’t make you urge, it just has easy and slow poo. Try it.
I have never tried any form of psyllium husk powder or Metamucil but this thread has gotten me really interested! How long would it take for it to kick in and become regular?
About 24hr. I take like 3 or 4 500mg capsules with every meal and 16oz of water. Psyllium absorbs water like crazy. So if you don’t drink enough water it will actually have the opposite effect in my experience. It’ll back things up and make it harder to go. Drink plenty of water and it won’t be a problem.