i too have not been able to get to the intestinal formula number 2 stage either, i'll get to the point where im going 2x a day but its a strain on my bowels(they dont want to move 2x a day) so finally after going 2x my bowels become irritated or something and i'll become constipated the next day. so this does'nt work for me. what did work once was fasting 1 day while taking some pysllium. the following day my stool had dark round patches where the older stool was imbeded, try this and save your money,