For me, the best thing is to eat a bowl of Raisin Bran, or any cereal that has bran in it. I have found that my body responds much better to foods than to anything like Metamucil.

I eat oatmeal everyday, but for some reason, I think I'm the only person in the USA who doesn't eat breakfast cereals! I have never liked them even as a kid...but thanks for the idea, I might be able to make some "kripsy bars out of them, I'll eat them that way!

Colace.

I take a daily or every other day a stool softner and eat lots of fruits that I know kep me going....lioke for me its cantelope and watermelon and fruits like that also grapes work wonders lol...prunes and prune juice as well but not as tasty...Something high in fiber....good luck on keeping things moving
Morgaine

I use a stool softner.Pain meds have taken their toll on my stomach. Sometimes this is worse than the pain....(I am glad someone started this thread)

My dr rx'd Sorbitol 70 for me which is a stool softner. It works great and you don't become dependent on laxatives. Also I only have to take one teaspoon daily and I take it before bed. By morning I'm good to go LOL!

colace and benifiber. as well as prunes and occasionally dulculox. I am having problems as well right now, as my dr went and took away my fiber and colace. now I am plugged up

Not sure of the spelling but will try my best, Milk Of Magnesia(?)

I just eat alot of natural fiber, and drink alot of water.

Oh, BTW, if it gets too bad, you can always use a good old enema.

oatmeal, strong black coffee. Any number of the already mentioned things, or combo of them all.

I eat Raisin Bran, mostly, as well as oatmeal. When it gets too bad, I get Ducolax...a stimulant that helps get the job done.

Lots of fluids, try to stay away from too much calcium because it constipates, too. Lots of fiber. Try bran cereals. Metamucil is good, too. Exercise regularly, if you can.

Also be careful not to use laxatives too often or you will become dependent on them to go. I think I heard not more than once a week. It's the same thing with enemas.

I used a womans' "gentle laxative" last week which is supposed to work within 6-12 hours. You take one or two and your supposed to "go". Well, one just doesn't work for me so I decided to try two this time. I had stomach pain all night...all the next day...into the next night, well past 12 hours with NO "action!" I didn't get any relief until the next day and not much at that.
I've had bowel problems since High School, I go too much or I go too little.
I don't think we should be embarrassed to talk about this as e all "pooh" and as pain sufferers, we all have "pooh-pooh" problems! Hopefully this thread will help more than just Lil 'ol me!
Here's to a smooth mov'in day to all!

Have you tried oranges or orange juice? If you're not overweight chocolate is a laxative (told to me by a dietician..makes sense becos when I'm dieting and give up chocolate I do get constipated!)...if you do eat more high fibre food you have to increase your fluids or the fibre can make things worse.