I hardly ever poo

[ManCubsMama]

Just that really.

I hardly poo, once a week, twice if I am lucky.

I used to go most days, at least every other.

I eat lots of fruit and veg, admittedly my water intake could be improved.

Is this normal?

I do feel uncomfortable and sluggish and I suspect this is why.

That's not normal. Especially so as you say it's changed from what was a regular pattern.

I'd see my gp if I were you. To check there's not an underlying issue.

I would never discourage someone against going to the GP but they are going to tell you to drink more. So try that first. fresh squeezed OJ (or just with bits) and fizzy water is good.

I always just pooped once/twice per week. Ever since I was a toddler. I remember my parents making me sit on the toilet for ages so I would poop more. Doesn’t really bother me but I have noticed that since drinking apple cider vinegar, I’ve been pooping every second day which is odd for me.

Exercise may help. Could you eat a kiwi fruit every day?

For breakfast I eat the aforementioned and a nice juicy pear (both chopped and peeled) with All Bran, Actimel and Greek yogurt. Loads of tea. Touch wood, it seems to keep me regular.

It can be normal to poo that infrequently for some people, but it doesn't sound as though it's normal for you. Have there been any changes to your diet or lifestyle that you can think of that may have triggered it? Too much fibre can actually be a culprit, and certain medications can bung you up too.

I don't think you should see a GP just yet as you're still going once a week I suspect they'd tell you to increase your fluids. Obviously do go if you're really concerned but you can try things like castor oil, prunes, orange juice, flax seeds, or there are califig or milk of magnesia which you can buy in most chemists and they're quite gentle on your stomach, also lactoluce (sp) which you get otc.

I only looked about once a week. I don’t feel uncomfortable or sluggish and have always been like that though. As it’s a change it’s probably best to go to the doctor.

I was the same until I tried Veganuary...I was told that red meat can ferment in your gut...I even had a colonic to try to sort it! Cutting it out has meant that I go every day. Its amazing!
I haven't fully committed to being a vegan but I've continued to cut out meat and feel so much better for it.

If in doubt, get it checked out.

Any change in bowel habits should be investigated. There can be all sorts of reasons why people start to poo less, fluid intake, diet and lifestyle being the most common.

Do you eat roughage - nuts, cereals, brown rice etc? Low carb makes lots of people constipated as there's no bulk.

It might be worth doing a calculation of how much fibre you eat in a day.
aim for 25-30 gms and 2 litres fluids ( tea and coffee count.)

gourmetguide234.com/2019/01/20/fibre-in-the-body/

You also need daily exercise to get the bowel moving- at least 30 mins walking outside.

I do an hours walk most day, but I did used to be much more active when gyms where open and I wasn’t solely WFH.

Maybe it is not having enough fibre, I eat bran flakes and brown bread etc but not every day.

I was the same until I tried Veganuary...I was told that red meat can ferment in your gut...I even had a colonic to try to sort it

Strange, as when I’ve had colonoscopies for my Crohns Disease, it only takes 24hrs of light diet and a bowel prep day for my bowel to be squeaky clean. I eat meat most days.

Please don’t perpetuate stupid myths.

To the OP, you have had a significant change in bowel habit. Unless you can pinpoint a genuine possible reason, such as a major change in diet or much-reduced physical activity, it is something to go to the GP about.

Are you eating enough? You do need carbs to be regular.
Do consult your GP.
If you want to become regular again take a stimulant laxative - most preferable sodium picosulfate (it is gentle and does not have side effects like bloating, or stomach ache). Take it for a week starting with normal dose and then tapering it down after 3 days. That way you will have a complete clear out and your body will follow the rythm.

If you eat lots of fruit and veg then that should be your fibre.
How much exactly do you think you eat each day?

@DotBall

I was the same until I tried Veganuary...I was told that red meat can ferment in your gut...I even had a colonic to try to sort it

Strange, as when I’ve had colonoscopies for my Crohns Disease, it only takes 24hrs of light diet and a bowel prep day for my bowel to be squeaky clean. I eat meat most days.

Please don’t perpetuate stupid myths.

To the OP, you have had a significant change in bowel habit. Unless you can pinpoint a genuine possible reason, such as a major change in diet or much-reduced physical activity, it is something to go to the GP about.

Indeed: www.businessinsider.com/8-ridiculous-myths-about-eating-meat-2014-2?r=US&IR=T

Increasing fibre might help, OP, but be very sure to drink lots if you up your fibre, or it can have the opposite effect!