IBS with constipation
#10383 - 06/01/03 07:17 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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Hi! I have just been diagnosed as having IBS with constipation. I have read Heather's book, but am frustrated because most of it, and the messages here, have to do with IBS with diarrhea. What assistance is there for a person with the other problem?
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I have IBS C and I have found that increasing my fiber intake has been a tremendous help. THere is alot of support on here for people with C. Just type it into the search engine! Hope you feel better!
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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about???
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I've tried increasing my fiber, and that only makes things worse. It just makes me extremely bloated and gasey. I have gone to bed many a night feeling and looking like I'm six months pregnant!
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How have you tried increasing your fiber--was it soluble or insoluble? Soluble fiber supplements (such as Fibercon tablets, Benefiber powder, etc.) shouldn't leave you feeling worse if you're drinking enough water with them (at least 8 ounces per dose). Some people have trouble with psyllium, which is the ingredient in Metamucil, even though it's soluble; if that's the kind of fiber you began with, try one of the others I mentioned (I can't tolerate psyllium powder, but the Metamucil wafers are all right, and they taste good, too). Please don't give up on Heather's diet, it's certainly not just for those with IBS-D--the mechanisms behind the symptoms are the same, if that makes sense--just give it time.
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I have tried Metamucil and it makes me more bloated and gassy. I am afraid to try Fibercon tablets, Citrucel, or Benefil because I am afraid I will become dependent on them. I looked at them at the store today, but the ingredients are different from the Metamucil. It didn't say it was psyllium. Is it ok to use them every day? The doctor I saw recommended I try using milk of magnesium. I did and it gave me diarrhea!!!! Help! Any suggestions?
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Hi there - You cannot become dependent on soluble fiber supplements. They are NOT laxatives. There's info about this here: Soluble Fiber
The labels for the supplements fall under FDA regulations for laxatives, but that information is actually not applicable to soluble fiber. There's info about that here: Soluble Fiber Labeling
That post is about Equalactin but the information applies to all supplements.
The IBS diet is for both constipation and diarrhea, because it normalizes bowel function from either extreme. There's info about that here:
How can the same diet work for diarrhea AND constipation?
Welcome to the board!
- 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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Don't give up on the diet. I have been very ill with IBS-C along with other sructural problems in the colon and the though I ready Heather's book only 2 weeks ago I am already feeling much better. If you continue to have problems, post what you have consumed the previous day and someone on the post should be able to spot if there is a problem with the food you are or are not consuming.
Lisa
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Thanks so much for all of your responses! It is so nice to have someone to ask all of these questions to----and someone who understands what I'm going through. I have used the search feature and found lots of info on IBS-C. That has been a big help.
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Hey, I feel your pain! I too suffer with MAJOR constipation alternating with YUCKY diarrhea. I too, like you find that there's just not an over abundance of info on constipation, but this is a great place to find support and wonderful advice. The fiber thing just gasses me up too, but sometimes it's not as bad as others. I have to ask you if you notice any sort of patterns? In my case, I've noticed that about 2 weeks after my period, I can generally tolerate more fiber or different foods. But as soon as my period begins, I have to really be careful as to what I eat. Just wondering if anyone else does this? Well good luck!....... Megan
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Megan, do a board search for past topics on IBS flares during menstrual periods. This is VERY common and there have been some great posts with helpful info on this.
For the soluble fiber, try different varieties, and you'll likely find one that doesn't cause gas. There's Equalactin, Citrucel, Fibercon, Benefiber...give them each a shot and one will surely not cause problems for you. It's a really individual thing.
Best,
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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I am new here too, and also suffer from IBS-C (with boughts of D every 4 or 5 days - guess the body says "that's enough, get it out of here!!!!") I have followed Heather's recommendations for a 8 days now and have found it to work wonders.
At first I was very nervous about all the fiber. After my last bought of D (a full 8 days ago - yeah!), I was EXTREMELY worried about taking fiber supplements on such a squirrly belly, but I did it anyway and IT WORKED! It bulked things up and made me feel better.
As far as fiber supplements go, please don't give up on them. Metamucil almost did me in - cramps, belly aches, bloating - you name it. I am using "Citrucel Clear Mix" now. I feel a bit bloated afterwards, but no pain or cramps. Also, for the first time in literally 2 years - I go (without pain, cramps or urgency) every single morning. Stick with it, give it a try and trust it. Oh, one more important thing - make sure you drink enough water. I mean, TONS of it. You will feel like you are going to float away, but I found this to be really important for me.
Sorry if I sound overly excited, but I feel great for the first time in a long, long time and I hope what is working for me will work for you.
Hope this helps.
Gretchen
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I'm just thrilled for you. Thanks for sticking in there with the Citrucel - it can be really scary to try something new like that when you're already feeling so awful.
About the bloating....the odds are really, really good that as your body adjusts to the Citrucel it will stop bloating you altogether. In the meantime try drinking strong hot fennel tea, which can help a lot.
Best,
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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I have read about fennel tea for bloating and gas and I would like to try it, but I don't know where to buy it. Do I need to go to a health food store instead of the grocery store?
Also, glad to hear that the bloating from Citrucel will settle down. I just upped my dose from 1.5T twice a day to 2T twice daily and have been EXTREMELY bloated and gassy. I am TRUSTING that it's just my body's way of getting use to the extra tablespoonful of soluble fiber.
It's a weird thing, "trusting" food again, after food being the enemy for so long...
Thanks for your book and for sharing your experiences with us. I feel like I am waking up from a nightmare. 
Gretchen Cory
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You can get Fennel Tea at most health food stores....I have also used Licorice Tea and that seems to help. If you are still getting bloated from the Citrucel in a few days, maybe switch to Benefiber? It seems that many people here ( including me!) have had great results from it! Good luck!
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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about???
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I personally have never seen just plain fennel tea bags yet, but I've seen blends that have fennel in it. (like Celestial Seasonings Tummy Mint).
You can buy the seeds in bulk in spice shops or health food stores if you can find them. Sharon posted a place she was going to get some from before here.
Good luck!
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I use this Tummy Mint that Mags spoke of, it works well, I steep it for a really long time before drinking it so it gets good and strong. It works great for me! With the little ones I have a hard time making it to health food stores very often and have to err on the side of time/convenience, so these ready-made teabags from the grocery work better for me, though I've heard/read steeping your own fennel tea from the seeds is much stronger and I'm sure would have more benefit that way. Good luck!
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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Hi Gretchen
I live in Canada and I can get the Fennel Tea in a bag net wt 400g at Extra Foods I'm not sure if you have Extra Foods in the states or not. I found it in the Special Section of Foods from different Nationality's. It was only $2.69 a bag which is quite a bit cheaper than the health food stores. I hope this helps.
Georgette
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Thanks. I will see if my grocery store has the Tummy Mint tea. I don't think they do though. If not, it's off to the health food store.
tnchawk, if the bloating doesn't go away in a couple of days I will definately try Benefiber. I've gone from pain, bloating and cramps with Metamucil to bloating and gas with Citrucel. I will keep trying until I find the right one!
Gretchen
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I've noticed my grocery store chain that doesn't like to carry stuff that doesn't sell (ie no yolk spiral noodles and other things) has the Tummy Mint Tea with the rest of the teas. I was suprised to see it. I haven't bought it yet, but glad to know it's there for when I do.
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Laurie 
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Gretchen - Try this Celestial Seasonings Store Locator to find a place near you that sells Tummy Mint. It doesn't list all the stores that sell it, but the ones it does list should have it.
Hope this helps! 
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Mag I bought Fennel Tea a few days ago with tea bags. The brand is made by Alvita. I paid around $3.00 for 24 bags, and well worth the money. My stomach has been bothering for two weeks and it's the only thing that helps.
Barbara
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Thanks for this info! I did a search and just found it online, ordered several, again - convenience! Here's the site, figured with a little lower price per box I can handle paying shipping. http://www.enkueros.net/726016004251.html
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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Heather - I just got Fennel seeds from Whole Foods, grind them up and brew a pot of tea. Tastes pretty good. Do you have a Whole Foods in your area? Any heath food store / gourmet place should have it. Good luck!
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I went straight to that link and found a store only 10 miles away that carries Tummy Mint Tea. Thanks!
Gretchen
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I do love convenience! I have three children, and dragging them through a strange store to buy a box of tea isn't my idea of a good time! Glad to know there's a place to order the fennel tea from.
Thanks,
Gretchen
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