SFS necessary for stability?
#152510 - 02/21/05 02:20 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I know a lot has been posted about the benefits of SFS for both C and D. But do some of you honestly believe that they may cause more problems than the benefits they may or may not provide.
I take citrucel for C and find limited relief, but lots of gas and bloating. I have tried FiberChoice, benefiber, fibercon, equalactin, citrucel caplets,... All have either caused cramps or didn't do anything.
I went onto Remedy.com for IBS and the fiber supplements didn't score very high from the IBS folks as being helpful for IBS and many reported that they were more hurtful. I have also read articles reporting that SFS only effective for about 50% of people with IBS.
Any comments? What is an IBS-C person to do? I eat insolubles, I've tried Zelnorm. I don't know what else is left. 
Thanks, I know everyone is probably tired of the SFS question, but confusion remains!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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This may not be of much help to you, Augie, 'cause I'm a D person, never EVER had any C.
I tried all the SFS, all of 'em. Frankly, I had a problem with them: excessive gas, bloating, and extremely urgent D at the most inopportune times, several of them being very close calls! I had many very embarrassing encounters out in public -- not a pretty picture.
As soon as I quit the SFS, I returned to "normal." But, again, I'm a D, so I didn't need any "encouragement" in that department. The SFS just made the D much worse -- urgently worse, if you get my drift! 
You need to try them very slowly. You mentioned a lot of them except for Heather's Acacia. Why not give it a try? Again, ya gotta do it SLOWWWWLY.
I should comment on Equalactin: it's phenomenal stuff. I never go anywhere without it! Truly, it works like no other. Whenever I go out to eat, I take an Equalactin beforehand -- especially when I have my beloved cup of coffee -- and it works each and every time (unless I have too much coffee). If I feel rumbling in my tummy, I immediately take an Equalactin, and before I'm a mile down the road, the rumbling is gone.
Don't give up. Try them all, until you find one that DOES work for you. Check out Heather's Acacia.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I'm C and I take a total of 9 citrucel caplets per day and water... you have to have water. I don't have any extra gas or cramps with them. But I also exercise regularly and that really helps as well.
I've told Shane several time....."SFS is my friend!!  "
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Bev, can I butt in here??? Does the Equalatin have to be started slowwwwly too or is that something like say a "Lactaid" that you can take whenever you need it?
I'm currently on a prescription (Bentyl)and would like to stop taking it if I can take a "natural" remedy. The only thing that scares me a bit is the calcium in it. I did a search on Equalactin and saw it contains calcium. I had a calcified kidney stone a few years back and am SCARED to death of getting another but if this is something you can take say perdiem, then I might give it a try.
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~~~Lisa~~~
Edited by LittleLisa (02/21/05 05:12 PM)
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Equalactin
#152753 - 02/22/05 08:24 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I think this is too expensive as a maintainance SFS. I have tried it and think it may help D more than C because it contains calcium which tends to constipate.
Thanks for your input Bev. You are lucky you don't have to mess around with finding an SFS and dosage level. It's a major aggravation in my life. I don't know if I should keep searching or just give up! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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It depends I guess. For me, my SFS (Metamucil) is necessary for my stability. Lately I keep missing doses cause I'm working a lot(keep forgetting to bring it to work!), and I notice my IBS is worse. I've had trouble with Citrocel, Acacia, and Benefiber.
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IBS-C
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LittleLisa
#152797 - 02/22/05 09:25 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi Lisa,
I don't take Equalactin all the time; it's far too expensive, and I don't need it every day. It's not my "main SFS" (I don't take a "main SFS" anymore).
One Equalactin tablet is very little SF, so taking only one would be considered "slowly." I take it as a med, not as an SFS. Whenever I feel cramps coming on, I immediately chew a tablet, and the cramps go away right away. If they don't, then I turn to my heavy meds (Donnatal).
I take a lot of calcium every day (1,200mg.) and have done so for the past 30 years, at the doc's orders. If I didn't, I'd be sure to have osteoporosis. It's a serious issue for old broads like me. If there's calcium in Equalactin, yippee!!
Lisa, if you're looking for a SFS to take every day, and you want a "natural" remedy, you can't ask for anything more natural than Heather's Acacia. It's inexpensive, has no taste, and works well. Okay, it didn't work very well for me, but that's because I'm an extreme "D" person, and most definitely did not need any more "encouragement" in that department!
Good luck,
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi Beth!
I've only tried Benefiber and Acacia, and neither seemed to help me. The Acacia made me retain water for some reason, and the Benefiber, after time, made my C worse. I've since then started taking Mirilax and have increased my insolubles ten fold. I'm afraid to try taking an SFS again, as my C has finally gotten to be manageable. I think for myself, soluble fiber is still a must, but rather in the form of food instead of a supplement. Honestly, the thing that showed the most difference for me, was my increase in insolubles.
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~ Rachel (IBS-C)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!!
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I guess everyone is different but I can't imagine going without my acacia now. I'm C & started taking it about a month ago. I'm up to 9 grams a day & I really think it's made a difference. I did have a little extra gas & bloating when I first started but now I'm fine & find that I have a BM almost every day & the bloating has gone down dramatically. I also walk 3 miles a day & have about 64 oz of water every day. I add insolubles when I find I'm really stable.
Hope that helps.
Meryl
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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