Either I'm Doing Something Wrong

[1Step@ATime]

...or I'm not doing enough of what I am currently doing. This is more than likely going to be a long post, so here goes.

About a month ago or so, I decided to do a fast. It was mostly water, with some juices. I noticed that even though I was drinking a lot of liquids, I wasn't going #2 much at all. After the fast, and once returning to eating, I noticed my #2 was still infrequent, but now it was yellow and foamy and maybe a little slimy. I thought the slime was excess mucus, but I didn't know what to attribute the rest to.

I did some googling, and I ended up here. I found a thread where a woman was talking about something similar, and it was recommended that she do a colon cleanse. So I did that, and a few days later the yellow foam had gone, but there is still the occasional mucus. Now I am finding that my abdominal area is crampy a lot, and when it's time to go to the bathroom, and any pushing is involved it HURTS...and I do mean my abdominal area is hurting. I'm sure I've gotten TMI on you already, but this is also affecting my sex life - I am getting the same cramping or pains then too. That leads me to believe there's a lot of gas, but it doesn't come often. When I go #2, it's not like it used to be - it IS brown and soft, which is good, but it is very thin.

Today I am doing another colon cleanse. Part of me thinks that I didn't do it long enough the first time. But I'm also wondering if I'm just not eating enough food to keep things moving. Usually I have lots of water, 1-2 apples a day, carrots, salads, broccoli slaw (just the broccoli, carrots, and cabbage), probably 2 avocados a week, a glass of juice, and as of yesterday, I decided to also add a banana, for more fiber. If I'm not eating enough, it'll be a little tough, because I don't find myself hungry that much. I've also started drinking a detox tea two days ago.

Any suggestions would be great. I'm just so sick of this constant irritation.

[RawHeaven]

You're not doing anything wrong in trying to improve your health, but please knock off the colon cleanses! :) I fast also, but you're giving your body too much of a shock based on what you've written. It's communicating to you it's painful and to consider taking a rest from cleansing. When I fast I do not use enemas nor do I do a colon cleanse afterwards. It is normal for you not to have bowel movements during a water fast partly because your digestive system has shut down. When I resume eating solid food again, the BMs resume naturally. The body is an amazing, intelligent machine. Fasting in itself cleanses your colon and overall digestive system depending on the duration.

Have you researched water fasting? Please be careful to read as much as possible before beginning another one. Here is some info you might find interesting & helpful: Dr Herbert Shelton, pioneer in fasting/natural health. http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020127shelton.III/020127.toc.htm

http://drbenkim.com/fasting.html

Also check out the fasting section on this forum. If you run searches there is a ton of information in there or you can post a question.

Eating raw foods also cleanses the colon. Certain fruits like pears and figs are amazing for example. Drinking green smoothies, upping the ante on your vegetables and fruits = Nature's colon cleanse. I highly recommend, seriously, please stop colon cleansing. Just eat raw foods and drink a green smoothie at least once or twice a day. Green smoothies are magical and work wonders with your colon. Please wait at least six weeks before you do another cleanse if you must. Your body needs to rest. What kind of colon cleanse are you doing anyway? If it's an unknown commercial product be careful with that....it shouldn't be painful. What you might consider doing is going for a professional colonic, just in case you haven't tried it or aren't aware of them. There are threads in Other Health that talk about colonics. But I would hold off on that again, it does sound like your body needs a break. :)

Take care and I hope you find your answers.

[1Step@ATime]

Here's some additional background info...the fast was only 3 days (I know it's recommended to do them longer, but I couldn't hack it). The first colon cleanse I did to get rid of that icky yellow, and I thought doing another would help in the lack of going. I've read that when you go it should not be thin at all, so I thought I didn't do a good enough job cleaning out. I think the crampiness is gas, but I'm not positive so you may be right (I am not a fan of colon cleanses, but I didn't know what else to try). But the cleanse itself didn't hurt - this started sometime after the cleanse, sorry if it was confusing.

The colon cleanse I have is Super Colon Cleanse (healthplusinc.com).

Maybe I am just being too impatient. With all the salads and fruits, I really didn't think I would need another cleanse, so maybe I don't. I'll just keep taking it slowly, and add in some green smoothies. I haven't been drinking those, so maybe that will be the extra boost I need.

Thanks!

[RawHeaven]

The colon cleanse I have is Super Colon Cleanse (healthplusinc.com).

Maybe I am just being too impatient. With all the salads and fruits, I really didn't think I would need another cleanse, so maybe I don't. I'll just keep taking it slowly, and add in some green smoothies. I haven't been drinking those, so maybe that will be the extra boost I need.

Thanks!

You're welcome!

I've never heard of that product, but maybe someone else has. I have only done juice & water fasts and the master cleanse. I'm not that familiar with the box cleanses.

Sounds like you've got your plan and I hope you feel better. You really don't need to do another cleanse I don't think. Well you know that already...I'm a parrot. :D Yes, the green smoothies I think will do the trick. I'm impatient myself at times, but patience goes along way with this transition. Be kind to your body and it will return the favor I guarantee you. Good luck and take care!

[1Step@ATime]

You're welcome!

I've never heard of that product, but maybe someone else has. I have only done juice & water fasts and the master cleanse. I'm not that familiar with the box cleanses.

Sounds like you've got your plan and I hope you feel better. You really don't need to do another cleanse I don't think. Well you know that already...I'm a parrot. :D Yes, the green smoothies I think will do the trick. I'm impatient myself at times, but patience goes along way with this transition. Be kind to your body and it will return the favor I guarantee you. Good luck and take care!

My sister has been telling me to do the Master Cleanse. So maybe I'll give that a shot when fall rolls around. I try to do cleanses and fasts by the season, so I think it could work to save fasting for spring, and Master Cleanse for fall, and feed myself right in between. I've been googling green smoothie recipes, so I hope I find something deeee-lish. I was thinking of trying a spinach and blueberry combo...hmm. Thank you again! :D

[lynnc72]

Have you tried the Ultimate Fast?

For me, it got rid of more mucoid plaque with less bloating and gas than the colon cleanse alone. Its a combination of the Master Cleanse with the Psyllium Bentonite.

My last ultimate fast lasted 4 days and my BMs afterward were incredible. I didn't do the SWF recommended for the MC, but used Senna tea instead.

This time around I think I'll do juice fast or MC lemonade along with PB shakes and daily colonics. I'm planning to start next week :eek:

[annavon]

You may want to consider a getting colonic done. I had some colon problems and the colonics really helped. I heard a talk at the Raw Spirit Fest by Dr. Jameth Sheridan and he recommends doing a colonic during a fast. He also recommends juice fasting rather than straight water. There is sometimes some waste trapped in the pockets in the colon that don't come out unless you do a colonic.

[1Step@ATime]

You may want to consider a getting colonic done. I had some colon problems and the colonics really helped. I heard a talk at the Raw Spirit Fest by Dr. Jameth Sheridan and he recommends doing a colonic during a fast. He also recommends juice fasting rather than straight water. There is sometimes some waste trapped in the pockets in the colon that don't come out unless you do a colonic.

That is why I was thinking of doing another cleanse - in case there was stuff in there that was missed. But doing a colonic seems less harsh on my system, so I think that is a good idea. I will give that a shot, and let you know. Thank you!

[RawHeaven]

My sister has been telling me to do the Master Cleanse. So maybe I'll give that a shot when fall rolls around. I try to do cleanses and fasts by the season, so I think it could work to save fasting for spring, and Master Cleanse for fall, and feed myself right in between. I've been googling green smoothie recipes, so I hope I find something deeee-lish. I was thinking of trying a spinach and blueberry combo...hmm. Thank you again! :D

I love the master cleanse! I don't do them so much anymore because my body is sensitive to the syrup and even agave now. But I did about 6 of them, the last couple for extended periods of time. Worked miracles. I think you will love it and it's easy to prepare.

[1Step@ATime]

Have you tried the Ultimate Fast?

For me, it got rid of more mucoid plaque with less bloating and gas than the colon cleanse alone. Its a combination of the Master Cleanse with the Psyllium Bentonite.

My last ultimate fast lasted 4 days and my BMs afterward were incredible. I didn't do the SWF recommended for the MC, but used Senna tea instead.

This time around I think I'll do juice fast or MC lemonade along with PB shakes and daily colonics. I'm planning to start next week :eek:

Please let me know how that goes. I think I'll do that MC or the UF when we get closer to fall. :D:cool: