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metamucil miracle!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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jars05
Regular Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 297
Posted 7/26/2008 9:45 AM (GMT -7)
Man I'm one of those who are afraid of fiber. Last time I had Metamucil it gave me abdominal pain.
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32568
Posted 7/26/2008 9:47 AM (GMT -7)

 

Off to get some metamucil wafers too...Might as well splurge here...can't kill me now can it?

Not unless you're allergic to it or use too much as to cause a blockage.

Make sure you eat enough and drink enough fluids/water. 

For diarrhea, use a bit less water....

q 

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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 7/26/2008 9:50 AM (GMT -7)

Pooie1981 said...
Does Metamucil help with constipation or build up as well???

Fibre aids with either C or D.

:)

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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 7/26/2008 9:51 AM (GMT -7)

jars05 said...
Man I'm one of those who are afraid of fiber. Last time I had Metamucil it gave me abdominal pain.

As in bloating and gas pain?  This is completely normal, happens to healthy people too, it's just your system adjusting, always wise to start with the smallest amount and slowly increase if necessary and drink lot of water with it too.

:)

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seldom_seen
New Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 8
Posted 7/26/2008 11:05 AM (GMT -7)
One thing I failed to mention: The first day I took Metamucil, it was like the 4th of July in my colon -- endless gas and trips to the bathroom. But the next day things calmed down and then by about day four I was really feeling better.

The other welcome thing Metamucil has brought is an increased level of predictability to my bathroom schedule. If I take it right before bed, then I know that I am going to have some major action first thing in the morning. If I know roughly when I am going to go, then I can have a life instead of being quasi-paralyzed, waiting for the hammer to drop. I really don't mind going 3-5 times a day if I can predict when it will happen and have an acceptable level of urgency.
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32568
Posted 7/26/2008 3:21 PM (GMT -7)
S_S.....Remember to bring forth your experience with fibre supplements because that's the reasom we (who use it) suggest using fibre supplements with diarrhea during flares or otherwise. The fact that one can have a bit of "predictability" is a way of having some control.

Really...your way of explaining it seems to be what many would need to hear. Perfectly put.

If I haven't done so already, welcome to the forum.
quincy
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Pooie1981
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 274
Posted 8/4/2008 10:57 AM (GMT -7)
Hey all.. bought my big can of orange metamucil today. Was wondering how long it takes to take effect after the first dose? I am not going to have to run like heck to the bathroom or anything am I? I am taking it for constipation issues. Only going to try one teaspoon per day for now.

Any help appreciated!
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32568
Posted 8/4/2008 11:48 AM (GMT -7)
Did you get the sugar-free stuff?

For constipation, make sure you take a full glass of water afterward as well as taking the metamucil in a full glass of water.

No, you shouldn't be running to the bathroom unless you're sensitive to something in the product.

You will, however, probably have some gas and discomfort....normal.

Keep us posted.
q
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sweetmelody
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 650
Posted 8/4/2008 1:35 PM (GMT -7)
Okay... where do you find metamucil and stuff in the grocery stores so I don't get stressed out tryin to find em and have to run to the bathroom LOL
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Pooie1981
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 274
Posted 8/4/2008 3:55 PM (GMT -7)
Hey all... no, I got the regular rather than the sugar free. I was debating between the two and for taste-sake I took the orange flavor rather than the sugar free. Maybe will switch to sugar free the next time? What was it sweetened with anyway? Apertame doesn't agree with me.

I actually bought mine at the pharmacy. It was with all the other stomach type products.. like Gas-X and pepto and the tums, rolaids, etc. Really not hard to find since the bottles are so big and colorful ! LOL I am going to try it tomorrow after work. :)
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hana24
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2007
Posts : 354
Posted 8/4/2008 6:44 PM (GMT -7)
I'm scared of the sugar-free also because sometimes fake sugar stuff doesn't agree with me. I think metamucil works wonders also but I only take it a teaspoon twice a day. The directions say a tablespoon - maybe thats why some people have problems. I made my husband try it for a week because sometimes he gets C but it doesn't agree with him at all!!! His stomach gets extremely gassy. It is the only time I have ever seen him with stomach problems. I guess people are just different/
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sweetmelody
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 650
Posted 8/4/2008 6:59 PM (GMT -7)
Okay.. so I just went to my super target to get metamucil... but everything that i picked up said that it was for constipation... and I already have diahrea.... i don't want to have to go more... I don't understand how it can help D
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 8/4/2008 7:58 PM (GMT -7)
If you can get metamucil tabs, I strongly recommend you all go that route rather than taking the powder form that has a ton of stuff in it that may very well aggrivate your IBD...I do well taking Prodiem tabs, it's similar to metamucil and the prodiem has psyllium in it which is why it works so well.

:)
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32568
Posted 8/4/2008 9:32 PM (GMT -7)
Jenn...no don't get the sugar-free. There are coloring and other sweeteners in the flavoured ones, and Metamucil comes in capsule form plus wafers and I think chewable tabs. I'd pass on anything with artificial sweeteners in them.

pb4...are you meaning the capsules?

q
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Pooie1981
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 274
Posted 8/5/2008 3:01 AM (GMT -7)
I was looking at the capsules but dont you have to take alot more of them.. like almost 10 a day???
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WishfulMA
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 197
Posted 8/5/2008 6:47 AM (GMT -7)
Where are the wafers sold? I just went to Target and saw the "capsules" but it looks like you have to take a lot each day.
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Jjc2007
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 194
Posted 8/5/2008 7:27 AM (GMT -7)
Because in the dark ages when I was diagnosed, 1961, they insisted I avoid all fiber, I was afraid of a fiber supplement. But last year my GI recommended it and I was so desperate I tried. I take Metamucil daily along with Collace Stool softener and it has made a positive difference for me.
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burnabygirl
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 205
Posted 8/5/2008 8:21 PM (GMT -7)

Pooie1981 said...
I was looking at the capsules but dont you have to take alot more of them.. like almost 10 a day???

My G.I. doctor asked me to take 1 Metamucil capsule with breakfast every morning to bulk up my stools. I tried it and had no more diarrhea. One week later I started taking one capsule after dinner as well and now I have 2-3 BMs with formed stools every morning. Less urgency. I'm very happy with the results and I will continue taking 2 capsules everyday.
So I think you can start by taking one capsule everyday and see how it works.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 8/5/2008 10:36 PM (GMT -7)
The Prodiem I take are actual tabs (long, not round, in the shape of a caplet but not incased in anything)...you certainly do NOT have to take 10/day if you go the pill route...I started out taking one/day 4yrs ago and still take one/day...you only increase if necessary and slowly *meaning you must wait until any extra gas and bloat from taking them subsides, which will, as this is normal for anyone taking them, it's just your system adjusting*
Drinking plenty of water with the pills is extreamly important so it doesn't swell in the esophagus.

Do not be afraid to take the pill form, I find it the easiest and very affective...and likely cheaper then the waffers, but to each their own of course...still I would avoid powder form simply because of the additives in it.

:)
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Gargamel
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2006
Posts : 172
Posted 8/6/2008 3:24 AM (GMT -7)
Has anyone tried Apple Pectin as a fibre supplement?

I've read that it can heal colonic mucosa and can protect against colon cancer.

G
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Eva Lou
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 3444
Posted 8/6/2008 6:13 AM (GMT -7)
I'm going to check out the tabs/pills today- going grocery shopping, & 2 boxes of Metamucil wafers are pricey! I've been hasving them for brkfst with a piece of fruit though, & it makes a nice meal. Re. the quantity of the pills/tablets- the doses vary according to how one is using the supplements- if you are using them as a laxative, then yes, you can take up to 10 a day. To use them to promote regularity, as few as 1 a day works well. I'm still so pleased with the results- 2-3 formed bm's a morning. Usually....unless I splurge on cook-out food! then it's more like 4-5 formed bm's!

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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 8/6/2008 9:45 AM (GMT -7)
I know with Prodiem they make the bulk fibre supplement but they also make a laxative pill as well, so if other brands such as metamucil do the same, that you are purchasing the bulk fibre supplement and not the laxative type...the Prodiem has a very mild laxative in it just to ensure that you won't get bunged up, but I definitely take the bulk fibre supplement made by them and I doubt if I took as much as 10 a day it would cause a laxative effect.

Any bulk fibre therapy (supplements) will work as just that, so if you take an excedingly high amount like 10/day it would not likely bring on a laxative effect.

:)
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nc_bri
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 20
Posted 2/19/2009 4:47 AM (GMT -7)
Hey Eva Lou and PB-
just wanted to say thanks for your info, I started taking some of the wafers last week and it made a huge difference for me! So far I have less bm's (usually just one or so in the am, and they're dependable), they're very, and I mean very (!) formed, less urgency, and some less mucus. I've been taking two with dinner, and just started taking one with breakfast as well.
Like I posted on another thread I've been very gassy- not sure if that's from the pred taper I'm on or the Metamucil but I can deal with it ok til my system adjusts.

I think I'll try the acacia Heathers Tummy Fiber that I read about on here somewhere- has anyone tried it? I kind of hate to switch when the Metamucil seems to be helping, but after reading about it and emailing the company it sounds like it causes much less gas and is easy on our systems. I figure I can always go back to the wafers.
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Captain Colitis
New Member
Joined : Dec 2007
Posts : 1
Posted 2/19/2009 5:35 AM (GMT -7)
I've had ulcerative colitis for about 5 years now. I had 2 severe flare-ups where I had to be hospitalized within the space of one year, so I was desperate to find something that would keep me out of the hospital. I tried a lot of things, the most expensive being VSL#3, and nothing seemed to work well. Then one day my pharmacist mentioned that he went to a conference where everyone was saying VSL#3 and Metamucil were the things to try. So, I tried Metamucil, and what a difference! I only take VSL #3 about once a month now, and I take Source Naturals Psyllium powder (it's the cheapest I've found) 3 times a day. My symptoms are under control, and my bowel movements are normal. I'm also taking Pentasa and Imuran, so I can't be sure everything is attributable to the fibre, but it certainly has made things more comfortable. It's cheap, safe, and healthy. One other minor point is that I always seem to be slightly anemic, and psyllium fiber contains iron, so that's a bonus too.
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Discouraged
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 54
Posted 2/19/2009 6:09 AM (GMT -7)
I was wondering if any of you find that there is a better time of day to take the fiber?  My BM's are mostly mornings and it takes hours to "get it out of my system" before I can leave the house.  I'm okay with mornings, but would love for it to be less often and for a shorter period of time.

My mom has been telling me to try fiber for years and I kept thinking it would make things worse.  I am willing to try it now.  Thank you to all of you who have recommended it. 

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