I only have a bowel movement every 1-2 weeks. Is this okay??

[MommyGoblin]

Sorry in advance if this is too gross or tmi for anybody.
Like the title says, I only have a bowel movement every week or other week. Sometimes three weeks max. I’ve always been like this ever since I was a kid. And it’s always been normal excrement. Recently however, my stool has become really hard and it’s one extremely long piece. Any ideas of what could be going on or how to fix it? I have a dr appointment but the soonest they could see me is next month.

It sounds like a stick of Brighton Rock.

I’d up your water intake; otherwise you are going to get to the point you have to snap it off.

I didn't go vegan for that reason 🤣, it was just a very nice and welcome bonus that I never thought would happen.

where does your food go

No idea.

I think keto can cause very infrequent and hard bowel movements.

Wow, have you weighed yourself before and after, that’s a lot of waste to be carrying about. Try a soluble fibre.

I started getting constipated about 10 years when perimenopause started. I eat veg and fruit. Eat chicken, salmon, bit of beef so not veggie. Drink the right stuff.
Porridge or shredded wheat for breakfast. Am active. Not overweight. It's more of a transit issue for me. My poops are never dry or hard.
I'm now lucky if I have a good poop once a week.

It's awful sometimes. Dr's not interested as no blood in my poop. Feel tired because of it.

I often wonder how people with IBS/IBD can go 10+ times a day. I mean what leaves their body? Do they eat loads of food?

The generally medically accepted normal range is between 3 times a day and once every 3 days, so you're way outside that. To be lasting 3 weeks between poos you must have a massively dilated rectum, which will therefore be crap at pushing. Seek help.

I’ve been going two or three times a day for as long as I can remember. Not to be TMI but pretty much at the same times as well. I’m Regular with a capital R. DP only goes like once every few days though, and we eat basically the same food (maybe I get a little more fiber but not that much more). I think it’s one of those things where people’s bodies are just different. If I was you I would only be concerned if there’s changes, which it kind of sounds like there are? See your doctor if you’re worried, better safe than sorry.

There was a section on poo on con or cure a few weeks ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002b8vr/dr-xands-con-or-cure-series-3-episode-7

I had a friend who would often not go for a month. Good diet and had tried every laxative. Finally in her 30s it was found she had a very sharp turn in her intestines- she was prescribed liquid paraffin to soften the stool so it could pass through easier and problem solved. Not sure if they still prescribe liquid paraffin though?

Its strange how it varies so much what is normal. I wonder why. I go on average once per day

Once a week on a Thursday! been like that for a few years now.

This is my situation. Diagnosed with Slow Transit constipation after a spinal injury. I've been hospitalised several times when my bowel impacted after 3 1/2 weeks - I'll spare the rest of the details as it's too gross. No amount of fibre or fluid will make a difference. I'm now on a prescribed anal irrigation system, 8 doses of laxido daily and various suppositories.
My life revolves around my bowels and.its just awful.

Definitely get referred to a gastroenterologist, in my experience this gets worse with age.

On a Thursday!!??

Yes, it's a bit weird, but that's when it happens.

I’m so sorry to hear this.

It sounds really miserable 😖. I hope it all improves somehow.

You’ll have to start calling it Turdsday.

That must be some time consuming, how do you leave the house? Do you wfh?

I guess she just uses workplace loo, cafes etc.

Yes. Totally normal for me

Time consuming? It only takes a couple of minutes!

Yep. My bowels are very unlucky that they love regular use! I'm glad I don't have IBS like my poor DH, or I'd never be off the toilet! 😳😆😂

Time consuming? It takes no longer than brushing your teeth and I manage that 2-3 times a day while holding down a job! 😂

Used to be able to get it over the counter from Boots - might still be able to. I only use it now and again and my bottle is ancient!

What do you mean? People in general use toilets at work, in cafes, etc.