This topic is about someone who has been dealing with bowel issues for six months, including constipation, painful bowel movements, and occasional diarrhea. Despite using laxatives, these symptoms persist. The person has tried drinking more water and has ruled out an intestinal blockage, as their previous experience with a blockage was different. However, their doctors are currently focused on other health concerns and seem unconcerned about these bowel changes, leaving the person unsure about what to do next.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Increasing your daily water intake significantly can help relieve constipation and make stools softer, which might ease the painful passage of stool.
2. Be aware that drinking more water may lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom or the need to empty your pouch more often. This can be particularly challenging for those who have both an ileostomy or colostomy and a urostomy.