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Erm, how often do you poo?

138 replies

Mrskbpw · 10/01/2012 12:27

I've never been regular (!) but recently have been keeping an eye on how often I go and it's averaging once every four or five days. Is this normal?! How often do you go?

I'm really struggling to lose weight at the moment and I wonder if this could be related. I feel like everything needs 'speeded up'. Any ideas of what I can do to help?

OP posts:
mercibucket · 13/01/2012 22:57

I only went every few days til I finally worked out I was hypothyroid, like 1 in 50 women are, and started on thyroid meds - immediate change! Can't say it was the bowel stuff that made me google it - I thought it was just normal - buT ir wasn't really (for me)

mercibucket · 13/01/2012 22:57

I only went every few days til I finally worked out I was hypothyroid, like 1 in 50 women are, and started on thyroid meds - immediate change! Can't say it was the bowel stuff that made me google it - I thought it was just normal - buT ir wasn't really (for me)

BayPolar · 13/01/2012 23:09

Another easy way to help regulate your thyroid is to apply topical iodine.
If it disappears quickly on your skin it means you are deficient in iodine, which is needed to keep your thyroid working well.

There is a reason why there are very few obese people in Japan -I think I've seen three overweight people here in two decades ;) - because not only is their food healthier than what is the norm for most in the West, but they consume a lot of iodine each day via kelp/seaweed in their miso soups and broths, foods which are naturally high in iodine.

It's fun applying topical iodine and seeing how fast it disappears. If it takes a while to disappear, it means that you have enough iodine in your system.

BayPolar · 13/01/2012 23:11

..but not that much fun.... :)
I do have other hobbies.

TapirBackRider · 14/01/2012 16:48

After every meal without fail, but I have had my gallbladder removed, and have hypothyroid issues.

almondfinger · 14/01/2012 17:28

About 15 mins after every meal is ideal. The poo should slide out, be well formed, mid brown and not smell particularly!

I would also suggest getting your thyroid tested. In the meantime, increase your fluid intake to 2L daily, not including caffeine. Eat soluble fibre, oats, whole grains, fruit and vegetables. You could soak linseeds in a glass of water over night and drink first thing, texturally it's a bit like frog spawn, but it will get you moving.

Do any of the pulses give you bloating or gas? It might be worth avoiding those that do for a while and see if there is an improvement.

The longer faeces sits in the colon the drier it gets as the body is reabsorbing water for a dehydrated body. As you can imagine it is also reabsorbing toxins that are not being properly evacuated. Then the stools become harder to pass, leading to constipation. Increase your fluids!

Someone mentioned not ignoring the urge to go which is very valid.

In my opinion a daily coffee enema is excessive. It's doing the work for the body, the colon needs to be able to work independently to work effectively on its own. The body is an amazing machine, given the right nutrients will maintain its own balance. I have done a week of coffee enemas as a cleanse but daily enemas is asking for a lazy colon long term.

Other things you could try:
Increased exercise.
A cup of hot water with the juice of quarter lemon first thing in the morning 10 mins before food.
A large glass or 2 of water before breakfast.
Take magnesium sulphate.

3 times a day is an ideal remember. If you feel healthy and have a daily poo then that's your normal. But having a poo every other day or longer is not normal.

birdsofshoreandsea · 14/01/2012 17:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bunbaker · 14/01/2012 17:44

"In my opinion a daily coffee enema is excessive. It's doing the work for the body, the colon needs to be able to work independently to work effectively on its own. The body is an amazing machine, given the right nutrients will maintain its own balance. I have done a week of coffee enemas as a cleanse but daily enemas is asking for a lazy colon long term. "

I agree, but you have put it better than I did.

Meglet · 14/01/2012 18:00

About 4 times a day, IBS - although the hospital are investigating.

Sometimes I feel fine and only do 1 a day, I have so much more time!

almondfinger · 14/01/2012 18:04

Thanks bunbaker :)

BayPolar · 14/01/2012 19:01

I have suffered zero side effects from doing a daily coffee enema, and I have been doing them since 2003.
If I don't do one, I have a healthy bowel movement regardless.
I have zero intestinal problems, no stomach problems, nuffin, nada to complain about healthwise.

I think that coffee enemas are still relatively 'new' in the grand scheme of things, so it's not easy to say 'you should do this' or 'you shouldn't do that' regarding them.

I have great health (touch wood), never get colds, headaches, never get nuffin' (touch wood) and do not think I have compromised the work my colon does naturally this past 9 years of colonic cleansing.

Hmm, time to have one now. Yiphee. I love them.

TheHumancatapult · 14/01/2012 19:04

similar to reen need simillar treatment for same reason to .Though have not been 54 days .

chickydoo · 14/01/2012 19:07

I envy all you sluggish of bowel. I go between 5 and 20 times a day. Total nightmare. Have IBS and various food intolerances. So far 17 times today. Am going out later so just had 4 Imodium to stop things up. Still I guess the only plus side is I never put on weight and my belly is flat as a pancake...( can't eat those, make me go lots....)

TheHumancatapult · 14/01/2012 19:11

chickydo

see ds2 i the other way with going and under gastro with weight and bowel issues

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 14/01/2012 19:15

once a day, 30 min after waking up. I have an occasional two-poo-saturday Grin

I think I remember you under a different name - you couldn't come up with anything solid [snigger] to back up your claims for coffee enemas then, either Grin

Glad you're keeping well though Smile

BayPolar · 14/01/2012 19:20

Pube

There's plenty of evidence out there but we see what we want to see.
99.9% of people have a default aversion to the concept of enemas.
Ergo, they put them down, instead of doing further reading for themselves.
I have read nothing negative about coffee enemas.
Ever.
On the contrary.
Even the person who posted a link that was supposed to damn them to hell, couldn't even get it right, and instead posted a link to some poncy herbal enema thing.

I hope you are well, too.
Health is the most important thing we have.
Which is why I take care of mine.

ArthurPewty · 14/01/2012 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 14/01/2012 19:26

There's plenty of evidence out there

please could you point me at it?

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 14/01/2012 19:26

guinness and peanuts works.

BayPolar · 14/01/2012 19:27

Whenever I come in to catch up with this thread and defend the work of ACER, it makes me want to poo.
Maybe this is the advice we should be giving those who find it hard to vacate their bowels.
Visit this thread.

BayPolar · 14/01/2012 19:28

Am I allowed to provide links on MN, Pubes?

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 14/01/2012 19:32

yes, please do!

almondfinger · 14/01/2012 19:34

Baypolar, me thinks thou does protest too much.

Good for you, that you can poo with or without your enemas. However, the body did not come with a little bucket and a pack of coffee grounds. With a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet. Believe it or not, it is able to poo all by itself!

I'm not putting down your enemas completely. They are used widely in naturopathic circles for some types of GI cancers and with results.

BayPolar · 14/01/2012 19:38

Make yourself a cup of coffee, and then whilst you sip it, disparage away.
:)

www.peak-health-now.com/coffee_enema_facts.html

www.naturalnews.com/022905.html

coffee-enemas.blogspot.com/

www.enemabag.com/coffee_enema.html

curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=28&db=5&C0=818

I really can't be bothered to list the other 150,000 links on the health benefits of coffee enemas so I hope you are fine with the above.

:)

Auntiestablishment · 14/01/2012 19:40

Lol, you mean the New Scientist summary of a review of multiple scientific studies? I'll link it again for you here in case you need to refresh your memory.

The review itself is here.

Another review that reached a similar conclusion (no evidence of effectiveness, evidence of harm) is here.

If you enjoy sticking coffee up your bum then don't let anyone stop you. But don't pretend for an instant that it's got any health benefits.