BMs and fiber increase. Am I doing something wrong?
#48315 - 03/05/04 01:27 PM
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Seahawk
Reged: 03/03/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Okay.
This is beginning to drive me crazy.
I do not know if I have done something wrong or not...
I recently [since Sunday] upped my fiber intake [+3g] by adding a soy fiber/protein drink [Balanced Total Nutrition].
I never change what I eat for dinner [Benefiber (1 tablespoon) + sliced banana + rice cereal + rice milk]; yet Wednesday morning [and every morning since...  ], I have had to go twice [first: REAL big, second: not D, just loose]. Since I changed to the Diet, I have always had to use the restroom only once before leaving the house. I would always have to use it again, normally around 4:00pm. In other words, quite regular... I also now do not need to use the restroom around 4:00pm. I know that this may sound trivial [as little as 2 BMs a day]; but it is the sudden alteration that has me really confused. I had gotten quite used to the routine, especially knowing that I would not need to use the restroom again for at least twelve hours.
Is it the fiber increase, or is it the soy drink?
Should I decrease my fiber intake?
Advice? Suggestions?
The anxiety is beginning to creep back into my head in the mornings...
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-Seahawk
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Are you adding too much at once? 3g. seems a lot to me.
Do you have any bloating? Gas?
I increased my acacia (albeit accidentally) too quickly and had a problem -- but it was mostly gas and bloating. It went away when I dropped back to my original dosage. I then SLOOOOWWWLY increased the fiber, and did just fine.
Do a search in here for fiber dosage recommendations. When I started on board here, I was taking in only 1/2g. fiber twice a day, and when I switched to the acacia, I had to start out with only a teaspoon twice a day. 3g. all at once really seems to me like an awful lot on your gut.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Are you getting enough insoluble fiber?? If not, that could be causing things to slow down.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks, Bev!
The soy drink is 3g all by itself.
Should I consider myself stable at less than 20g a day? It was my understanding that we should try to get more of our fiber from foods, not from soluble fiber supplements... 
On a more positive note:
I switched to the Jarro-Dophilus last night. You were right! No pain! I am debating about taking one in the morning and one at bedtime.
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-Seahawk
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Actually, from my perspective [good mornings to bad mornings], it is causing things to speed up... 
I think I understand what you mean, though.
I do not eat very much insoluble fiber currently. 'Course, I did not eat very much before.
I am really confused. I do not like HAVING to go before I leave for work. Before I upped my intake, I did not have to...
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-Seahawk
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I agree with Bev, 3 grams is an awful lot to increase at a time! Is there any way you could get Fiber Con tablets or another fiber supplement that contains less fiber per dose and start by adding that in smaller amounts, maybe 1/2 to 1 gram at a time? Then once you get up to 3 you could just add an extra shake. I know when I up my intake too quickly I get VERY gassy and uncomfortable! 
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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I am certainly beginning to think that it was too much too soon...
I really wanted to add something else besides more soluble fiber supplement. 'Course, leave it to me to mess up a good thing... 
I was probably already stable until I amp'd up the fiber.
Would that seemingly minimal increase cause me to have more BMs? I thought that the idea of adding fiber was to control BMs.
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-Seahawk
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Seahawk, have you gotten Heather's book yet? I can't remember your initial post. I think maybe you don't have the concept of the fiber down pat yet? Fiber Supplements
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I think you are right...
When I was first diagnosed [back in January], I started eating soluble fiber foods right away. I had some gas/bloating for a while, but then it seemed to subside. I was eating, so that was the most important thing. When I discovered Benefiber, I started using it at the recommended dosage. I assumed that my body would adjust. It did for the most part...
I do have both of Heather's books, though. I guess I should read through the whole book... 
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-Seahawk
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Would I make myself worse [i.e. more D]?
Thoughts?
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-Seahawk
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