I'm not familiar with flaxseed personally, but have heard others here recommend it. Colace is a stool softener, right? That shouldn't be harmful.
As to excercise, walk, walk, walk! That moves gas and everything else easier than anything! And water? I drink between 50-70 oz minimum. I keep an 18oz mug on my desk and empty it twice during work hours. I take my acacia in 8 oz of water 3x day, and try to swig 6-8oz at least two other times during the evening at home. Like I said, I had laid off the water and oh boy! did it make a difference!