Update time:
The main challenge I've had has been keeping my stool soft - consistently - from tip to end, but not be watery (as that stings). As I wrote in a previous update, alfalfa did the job (perfectly soft formed stools that were the right size) but I developed an allergic reaction to it.
Having tried so many things, I believe Magnesium is really the only thing that seems to work. I'm still playing around with the dosage to get the right consistency.
Talking to pharmacists + nurse
I decided to talk to a nurse (there's a heathline we can call anytime to talk) and see if she would give me any advice that could help my situation.
She didn't really tell me anything new. She recommended I take Colace, but I've read how inconsistent it was so I didn't want to bother wasting money on it.
Then I went to 3 pharmacists to see what solutions they could offer in regards to stool softeners that worked consistently.
All of them recommended Colace/docusate sodium, once again. All of them haven't heard of Kondremul, though it's not something I plan to take.
None of them recommended magnesium or chlorophyll. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
It kind of feels like I know more about how to soften stool than a nurse/doctor/pharmacist!
One student pharmacist did tell me that maybe I needed a prescription to decrease my gut motility... that should soften things up by speeding up the process. I'm hesitant to take something like that long-term but it's an option.
Vitamin C powder
I started taking vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid) with hopes of reaching a point where it would loosen my stool (I bought the powder as I wanted to be able to control my dosage, plus it's a bit easier to take more of).
2000mg didn't really do much. In fact, I think my stools may have gotten even a bit firmer (not sure, it could be other factors).
I suspect that vitamin C might have a detoxing effect, so when it released the toxins, it made my stool firmer. That seemed to be case also when I started taking more coconut oil.
So right now I'm still taking 1000mg daily, but won't be increasing the dosage.
For those who are interested in taking it - you don't want the calcium ascorbate version present in Ester-C and other brands, especially if you plan to take more than 2000mg. You'll rack up too much calcium.
Milk of Magnesia
I had issues with this earlier when it coated my throat for over a day. I've now found a way to get it to work: mix it in water and drink it down!
I've tested 1/2 tsp earlier - it didn't get rid of the hard tip, but it made the rest of my stool quite watery.
So I tested 1/4 tsp yesterday (in combination with mag citrate 150mg mid-afternoon, and 1tbsp of EVOO with all meals) - and my stool was easy but it's a bit loose/watery (this stings).
My ideal stool is one that is slimey, soft yet firm and evacuates completely.
The interesting thing is though, today's BM was just like stools I used to have when I had more of a tendency towards diarrhea than constipation.
I'm really grateful to have tried MOM! I'm hesitant to take it daily, but I think 1/4tsp isn't too bad.
Magnesium Citrate
I've now found that ideal amount of magnesium citrate to take per day.
3 x 150mg capsules (450mg total) was making things too watery. However 2 x 150mg capsules per day was NOT enough.
So I gather that I need around 400mg per day. I took Natural Calm earlier and noted in my journal that taking 2tsp per day (total of 405mg of magnesium) made my stools loose.
Maybe I can get the right consistency around 375mg-400mg. But that would mean I'd have to combine 2 different solutions.
I get side effects when I take Natural Calm (hives, and it makes my tongue swollen when I take too much), so my new solution is to combine magnesium citrate capsule (150mg) with MOM (1/4tsp).
Eventually I want to eliminate the magnesium citrate and just take the MOM.
I want to take as less things as possible! While I might be magnesium deficient, I get more tired when I take the magnesium citrate. Also if I take 3 per day it turned me into a zombie. I was so so so chill and couldn't be excited about anything.
Other stuff I may try
I still haven't tried Chlorophyll tablets/liquid. I read that it is also a natural stool softener. I also have a sample of green powder, that might do something.
There's also flaxseed oil that I've yet to try.
Ideally I just want to take oils + MOM + vitamin C + rutin.
That's all for now!