Hi AtlantaBlue,
Sorry about you problems.
Some people have trigger foods that give them diarrhea as well as constipation. You need to find out what they are by keeping a daily log of what you eat and drink and try to relate it to the ---passing through problem.
I am a big believer in taking a water soluble fiber like Metamucil daily but I use Equate from Wal Mart-- it's cheaper and there is more psyllium in it per dose than Metamucil---It also is not as fine but courser.
It is reallly a stool bulking agent but it is now labeled "natrual fiber laxitive". Everyone needs 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily but only get about 13 grams. It needs to be balanced between soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber make your stools more formed and tubular sharped. Also regular witout straining. If you start taking psyllium it will produce gas but it will go away with continued use. So, start off slo---w
Bloating is usually caused by not have the friendly bacteria balanced. Probiotic supplements can help rebalance the intestinal bacteria.
I like and use PB-8 by Nutrition Now, Pearls by Enzymatic Therapy, L.Reuteri by Naturue's Sunshine. You can buy these all online at good discounts.
You can also eat yogurt and drink Kefir. I like Stonefield Farm yogurt best-- it contains 4 addition cultures and is organic. It is the only yogurt sold in the USA that has L.reuteri --- an excellent active culture. You can read about it on [url]www.reuteri.com[/url]
I wish you well---Harry