aprevo15

Ever since I started cycling, I haven't been able to take care of business in the bathroom well. I would even go 3 days without a trip to the restroom to take care of the big business. I tried eating a lot of fibers but it doesn't seem to help much. Are there some substance I can take to help with this problem?

Does anyone else have this problem?

ericm979

Coffee. It's a GI tract irritant. Even decaf works.

You may be dehydrated.

CbadRider

Regular exercise helps keep me regular. I also eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.

Has your diet changed much since you started cycling? I wouldn't think that exercise alone would cause this problem.

aprevo15

I am drinking decent amount of water during the day. Only thing that changed in my diet after I started cycling is a lot of cliff bars.

RonH

Eating too many energy bars will clog up anyone's plumbing. Try taking bananas, pbj, and fig bars on your rides. And drink lots of water.

electrik

psyillium, metamucil. Three days is too long, do you have pain or extremely large movements?

10 Wheels

Wake Up in the morning.

Drink a full glass of water, then 2 cups of coffee.

CbadRider

I think Ron is right. +1 for fig newtons, or dried fruit & nuts (homemade trail mix) instead of just Clif bars. You could even take homemade oatmeal cookies with nuts.

beezaur

Oatmeal or similar grains? Generally speaking those will promote softer stool in larger quantities. Not sure if instant would be the same, but most people get more regularity with quick oats.

electrik

This thread reminds me of a funny story of camping and eating MRE packs.... lol

Everybody loves toilet humour

Machka 

Drink more. Eat more fruit and veg.

And why would anyone want to eat a lot of cliff bars??

chandltp

Miralax. Although any sudden change like you're describing should be discussed with a doctor if modifying your diet doesn't help.

estabro

Oatmeal + espresso = poop

OP- if you are really have 3 days between BM's, there is something seriously wrong with your diet.

DataJunkie

I have regularity issues and have been on Miralax for years.
However, my doctor had me try everything else first. If changing your diet does not improve the issue you should see your doctor. It can get to a point where you develop hemorrhoid or fissures due to how difficult it is to get a movement in. You do not want that to happen.

pdlamb

Beans. And water.

Seriously, keep a log of how much you drink. Really. Write it down. Shoot for about 2 quarts per day in addition to whatever you drink with meals. On days when you ride, add enough to make up for the sweat (for me, in this heat, that's 1-2 quarts/hour of cycling).

Lose the Clilf bars. Replace with fig bars, figs, oranges, apples, and the like.

aprevo15

I don't like to go to doctors. They scare me and I feel like I got charged a lot of $$$$$ for stuff I already know. I am gonna stop eating cliff bars. I really like cliff bars and I was using it as meal replacement but I gotta stop. Now I am getting worried. I thought it was more of a mental thing but I am beginning to see this can get serious.

2 quarts is a lot. LOL. I will try that though. I am ready to try anything at this point.

idoru2005

Fresh (real) coconut water and coconut 'flesh'. When I say "real", I mean get a young coconut and crack it open with a machete or a Chinese butcher knife. You can chop the top off enough to make a small opening for a straw. Then when you are done drinking the water, crack the whole shell in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. This combo will get you moving. BTW, I refuse to drink canned coconut water when I can get the real thing just as easily.

CbadRider

Do you sit at a desk at work? If so, fill your water bottle and just take a drink every 10 minutes or so. You can easily go through 2 bottles in an 8-hour work day.

aprevo15

I love coconut water. I will try this.

Yeah desk job. I got a 16 ounce cup with me and i am gonna drink all day.

DataJunkie

That is why you go to them when you can't figure it out.
In my case I figured out a few months ago that I was protein deficient. Apparently that can cause irregularity and I am slowly starting to decrease my Miralax doses to see what happens.
Miralax can be found as a generic just about everywhere and is very gentle. It does take a couple days to work.

OldsCOOL

The word of the day, "Mexican".

And yes, drink the water.

aprevo15

Will drinking too much coffee also cause this? I have been drinking a lot of coffee lately. At least 3 large cups per day. With milk and splenda.

DataJunkie

Maybe if you have issues with caffeine or milk.

meanwhile

You might try re-booting your intestinal tract by eating some living yoghurt. Doing so every week or more is a good idea anyway. For short term relief: prunes.

And, obviously, fibre and good hydration are important too.

OldsCOOL

Caffeine is a natural diuretic which can complicate dehydration through increased urination. Drink more water during and just after meals for the next few days and see if that helps.