Advice needed on Flaxseed...Thanks!
#303633 - 03/30/07 04:04 PM
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GenieG
Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida
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After taking the Acacia fiber for just over 7 weeks(1 1/2 tsp twice a day) I had to to stop taking it for it gave me severe "C", eating IF foods did not even help, I also suffered with major bloating, gas. For years I have suffered from IBS-D, often after a bad flare I would be a little "C" but nothing to compare with this. Anyway, I am still battling it even though I am eating foods which should be helping. A friend suggested Flaxseed, she doesn't have IBS, evidently she has taken Flaxseed for many years and it helps keep her "regular" as she puts it! She uses the ground-up type, puts is on her cereals, in foods and even uses it when baking breads. After the Acacia experience, I am reluctant to try another new fiber, I have read up on Flaxseed and it seems to be beneficial in several ways. As I have become very skeptical, I would like to hear from those of you (especially those of you with "C")who are taking it or may have tried it, did it help, any adverse effects?
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How much and what kind of IF were you eating while taking the acacia? Were you eating other SF foods? Did you drink enough water? With any fibre supplement you have to make sure you drink at the very least 8 cups of water or herbal teas. If you don't drink enough, you get C. Did you consider reducing the amount of acacia you took instead of just stopping?
Flaxseeds is 50% SF, and 50% IF. Some people find that it's good, and others may not.
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Thanks "Gracie"
Yes,I did cut the Acacia back down to
1/3/4/1/2 tsp twice a day. Several years ago I had taken "Citrucel" but never had this problem, just hated drinking it. I am drinking water and herbal teas constantly, just makes my bladder work overtime, when I'm out I keep an eye out for bathrooms for a different reason than when I had "D"! When the "C" started I started eating more cooked veggies, especially green ones which I love anyway, spinach is my favorite, even had a small salad a few times,eating the extra IF made the gas and bloating worse but I realized I needed to eat it along with the SF, so I started taking Beano on the advice of others here, made me gag but helped, I also drank gallons of fennel tea. I even ate pineapple, papaya, bananas, peaches, grapes, not in huge amounts but gradually. For breakfast I would have Weetabix crumbled into my oatmeal, a little fruit, even prune juice with pulp, often a cup coffee too, helped some, I would have 1 or 2 small difficult to pass BM's, and throughout the day had the feeling that I needed to "go" but I couldn't. I took hot baths hoping to move things a long, plus it helped with the bloating and gas. I even ate London Broil one night when we attended a Function, drank champagne and wine, was sure that I'd be in the bathroom all night... but no! So I went to my Doctor this past Monday. She asked me what was I doing differently, I told her I was taking Acacia Fiber and following the IBS diet, she said to stop taking the fiber, start eating what used to be normal for me, after all, after having this IBS for over 30 years, (very severe "D" attacks but also long periods in between of being stable, able to eat and drink quite normally). I should know by now what works for me and what doesn't! I cook and bake healthy anyway, always have even when bringing up my 4 children. I never eat junk or fast foods, of course I do have weaknesses, dark chocolate, a glass of wine, especially with dinner, morning coffee, cheeses, love that Brie! I decided to follow her advice but the "C" is still with me, the gas and bloating has diminished a lot, thank goodness. Yes "Gracie" I know Flaxseed is SF and IF, as is Oatmeal and Weetabix and several other cereals so figured it can't be too drastic(don't want a "D" explosion either). I may have to take a stool softener my Doctor said, I've never taken one before so I'm trying to avoid it, hence the interest in Flaxseed, a more natural approach is better I feel. I have tried many of the recipes in Heather's book, I bake several of the breads 2 or three times a week (today I made Zucchini Bread - added a tbl of flaxseed), my husband enjoys the breads too and I love the fact that they are so healthy as are the entrees. I would really like to hear from others who may have tried Flaxseed, with all of the negative side-affects that prescribed medications often cause, I feel we just have to lean more towards natural remedies, "Zelnorm" is a good example!
I realize wanting to know about "Flaxseed" isn't as urgent as so many of the calls for Help on this Board, so thank you "Gracie" for replying!
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I've taken FibreSmart which is ground flaxseeds with probiotics, and FOS in it, and just regular ground flaxseeds. I've never had a problem with it, and I'm an A - sometimes D, sometimes C. If you take FibreSmart or ground flaxseeds and increase your dose gradually it shouldn't give you explosive D, or much problems. maybe a little more gas in the beginning. If you do a board search, you'll find that Flaxseed has been discussed before and you might find some valuble information on there.
On your list of things you've eaten, dairy and coffee are IBS triggers so I hope you're staying away from them as much as possible.
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Good Idea "Gracie", I'll do a search. I was so desperate this morning to have a decent BM, I drank 6oz of prune juice with my oatmeal with 1/2 tsp ground flaxseed in it. Wow, I have been to the bathroom 4 times since, not exctly "D" but not bulked up but at least I'm cleared out! I'll take your suggestion regarding the FibreSmart, I do like the fact that it contains probiotics too, I take "Culterelle" each morning. Yes, I do know that Coffee and Dairy are triggers and usually when I am in a "D" flare I don't have them, I haven't had any Dairy products for several months, I drink my coffee black and I've only been having the odd cup now and then since I have been "C". When I am stabilized I am able to indulge in most things, usually things that are triggers for me are berry fruits, watermelon, eggs, Sushi, Asian and Mexican foods, foods high in fat(always try to be very selective when ordering in a Restaurant). This latest "D" flare was caused by food poisoning - shrimp.
Thanks again for your help "Gracie"!
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