Getting Discouraged
#48674 - 03/08/04 08:02 AM
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Roz
Reged: 02/29/04
Posts: 35
Loc: New York
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Hi again:
My husband has been faithfully following "the diet" for the past 2 weeks and is up to 3 grams of metamucil ( working his way up to the suggested 12-15 gram dosage) He is still getting frequent D attacks. About how long does it take to stabilize? Thanks for your input.
Roz
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For Roz' Hubby
#48706 - 03/08/04 09:43 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Roz, what else is hubby doing to stabilize? Is he taking any meds? I'm also a D, and I take Donnatal when I have an attack of D (combined with cramps). When it's just D without cramps, I take Lomotil. Has he taken any Immodium? That will help with the D (but not the cramps).
What about bananas? I've heard they can "bind you" -- as can cheese. Does he like soy cheese? What about a nice soy cheese pizza?
I haven't had D in quite awhile; I've been regular for sometime now, thankfully. The last attack I had was all cramps -- no D -- and my Hyoscyamine worked just fine.
Hubby's been on the program only 2 weeks? That's not very long, Roz. Has he increased the fiber too quickly? I had a problem with the acacia when I switched from Citrucel because I was increasing it too quickly (mostly accidentally). Did he start at 3 grams? Perhaps he might try dropping back a little on the dosage and SLOWWWWWLY increase it.
Hope we get to met hubby here in the boards sometime.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi Bev,
Hubby does take immodium when he has to and also has donnatal. We are trying to stabilize using diet and fiber supplements rather than depend on the meds and their adverse side effects. No, he didn't start at 3 grams, but rather has built up to that over the past few weeks which we will continue to do when we receive the acacia I ordered.
Yes, he has been eating bananas, banana bread and only the safe foods Heather mentions in her book.
Hubby is not much of a communicator when it comes to discussing his problems, so I guess it will have to be me trying to get answers for him.  I guess we will keep on trying...thanks for your input.
Roz
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Hi - I would switch your husband off the Metamucil to another soluble fiber supplement. Psyllium (what's in Metamucil) actually has some insoluble fiber in it, and it's also really likely to cause gas and bloating, and for some folks even diarrhea. Plus the citric acid can cause problems, and there are varieties that have artificial sweeteners in them too.
See if you can find plain Citrucel or Benefiber instead, or try the Acacia. Three grams per day isn't really much of a dose, so I don't think he's even getting enough of the supplement to really help him yet - my guess is the other things in the Metamucil are making him worse.
- Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Thanks Heather! Hubby was taking the metamucil "capsules" so I don't see any citric acid or artificial sugar listed as an ingredient although I know it can cause gas and bloating. I did order the acacia and will start using that as soon as we receive it. I was also looking for a good fiber supplement in a capsule form ..too bad acacia isn't marketed in that form as well.
Your book has been of tremendous help in providing information and in planning safe recipes.
We'll keep plugging along 
Roz
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