SFS?
#204643 - 08/11/05 01:03 PM
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MichelleB
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Ottawa, ON
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I was wondering...is Metamucil a commonly used SFS?
I have a glass a day.
What difference is there between the Acacia and other SFS?
Thanks!
8-)
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Re: SFS?
#204649 - 08/11/05 01:14 PM
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Shell Marr
Reged: 08/04/03
Posts: 14959
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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Here is a WONDERFUL section on SFS!! 
http://www.helpforibs.com/supplements/sol_fiber1.asp
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Re: SFS?
#204660 - 08/11/05 01:37 PM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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I didn't read the link shellMar was so kind to provide you so forgive me if I rehash what it says!! But, basically, its a personal prefference. Some people seem to do better with certain SFS than with others. Physillum seems to be the least tolerated as it produces the most gas. Acacia also has a pre-biotic in it which I don't believe any of the other SFS do. The pre-biotic, over time, will help retore the guts natural flora. I found metamucil to be very gritty and couldn't choke it down. Citrucel worked ok but I've been using the acacia for sometime!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: SFS?
#204669 - 08/11/05 02:20 PM
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Snorkie
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 1999
Loc: Northern Illinois, USA
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And I use Benefiber powder. It's guar gum, I believe. I have never tried acacia since Benefiber worked pretty well.
I also keep Fibercon capsules or Equalactin in my purse to take when I'm out or at work.
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...this was pulled up. I read it, but I needed to re-read it.  I'm looking for so many answers right now. I'm doing the eats for 'when I can't seem to eat anything' and I'm still having issues. Maybe it is the SFS. One more week though, I have to give it that. Then I think I'll try the acacia.
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yep, it's me,
Rebecca
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Re: SFS?
#204828 - 08/12/05 05:32 AM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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I am an A and I had a hideous reaction of violent D to 1/8th tsp of acacia but am doing well on psyllium (plain...not metamucil) with no added gas...infact...I have less gas!variety is the spice of life eh? :-) good luck
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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Re: SFS?
#204832 - 08/12/05 06:19 AM
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crew
Reged: 06/24/05
Posts: 170
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How bad is the taste with acacia? I take benefiber, and even though it says there is no taste, I can taste it a mile away. I mix it in with whatever I can (oatmeal, smoothies) .. but on days that I dont have anything to mix it with, I just skip it  . I'm not even at my full dose yet .. so that really grosses me out and makes me worry how awful its going to taste. How good/bad is acacia? Is it a powder .. and does it thicken a lot?
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I don't think it likes me. I am having a BM now, every other day (loose one in the morning, then little "pieces" throughout the day), but the cramps, bloat, gas, and pain have increased! I didn't think that was possible. I feel "rumbly", unsettled, and not wanting to eat. The day after I have the BM I don't go at all.
I started at 1/4 tsp at night for one week, now at 1/2 tsp a day for week two (total of 11 days now).
Do you think I should give it more time? I don't feel good, but like the BM effect. Am I going too fast? How long is long enough to know it isn't worth it and how do I choose between having a loose BM every other day but always feeling cramps and awful, and being constipated? 
It may also be that I'm reducing Zelnorm and also eating some gluten foods like Spelt, Oatmeal, and wheat free cereal...but I was eating these foods before the psyllium and not having this reaction. But again, maybe the gluten is just kicking in?
I forgot, I'm also still taking 1 tsp of slippery elm in the morning, Along with 1 T of flaxmeal in Oatmeal.
Any suggestions? Dalia or anyone?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
Edited by Augie (08/12/05 01:02 PM)
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--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Acacia taste
#204852 - 08/12/05 06:58 AM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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I can't taste acacia at all and I think I'm fairly sensitive to icky tastes. I take my first dose in applesauce and the rest in water. It doesn't thicken at all, but it does make the water a little cloudy sometimes and if you shake it up, you get a little head of foam on your glass. This is for a big dose: 7 teaspoons in 24 ounces of water. My DH takes 1 teaspoon in 12 ounces of water and I can't tell the difference between that and a regular glass of water.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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I can't taste it either but if I mix it just in water in seems a little bit "off" to me so I mix it with juice and don't even know its there!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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citrucel
#204900 - 08/12/05 08:45 AM
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rlhilliard
Reged: 08/05/05
Posts: 126
Loc: Racine, WI
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--------------------
yep, it's me,
Rebecca
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I'm going to try it again if the psyllium doesn't stop causing me such cramps and problems. But like you, I think I'll give it one more week, maybe!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I know....it is all too much to take on.....I just wish there was a pill that I could take and it would be cured!...I had an upset tummy today and spent sometime in the washroom!....argh!...I didn't eat anything different yesterday...(other than the handful of rice crispies out of the pot)....I took a buscopan and heated up my trusty bean bag.....I am feeling better....I am only taking one dosage of metamucil a day. I don't feel bloated but I do have gas. I feel overwhelmed with all the suggestions..papaya enzymes, peppermint capsules, Acacia, peppermint tea, metamucil, .....
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I hear ya!
#204934 - 08/12/05 09:58 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Isn't this all too much to figure out...not only the foods, but also all the supplements. I think I have tried 5 different probiotics, flax oil and primrose oil capsules, digestive enzymes, triphala, 5 or 6 different SFS, peppermint oil capsules, fennel teas, gas x, slippery elm, turmeric, valerian, magnesium, calcium....and of course Zelnorm. It is all just too much and so frustrating. I envy the folks who can pick the first SFS, start the diet, and feel better. Period!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Me too!
#204966 - 08/12/05 10:54 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Hi Beth, Psyllium is a known gas producer, it's only going to
contribute to your gas, boalting and cramps. I just use acacia
and citrucel. I too have that phenomemon of a loose BM or BM's
in the morning and bits and pieces throughout the aft. and
evening. In my case, I think it's due to the Miralax, and I
always find that I have to strain on every BM due to these
soft sludgey stools and it's just killing me<sigh>. My
spasms are also contributing to the straining. I've tried
Robinul Forte and Levsin and they didn't stop the spasms
at all. Now I'm on Bentyl, it seems a bit better so far.
I see you mentioned Triphala, which Dr. Andrew Weil swears
by. I've gone through two bottles and have seen no results.
I was curious, do you have any trouble eating on the days
you don't go? Constipation really does suck! Good Luck
with yours! -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I'm getting confused on what I might be wrong with what I'm eating. I doubt I'd do this but one person started from scratch...literally. Ate one thing for a few days or a week (can't remember which) then added one thing in at a time. Seems drastic. 
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yep, it's me,
Rebecca
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Re: Me too!
#204991 - 08/12/05 11:31 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Do you still take the Miralax? How long have you been on it and does it help or hurt you more?
I only started the psyllium because so many C people reported such good luck with it producing BMs (which it has helped) and by taking it at night, they said the bloating was only when they slept. So, thought I'd try it. My pain and cramps are all day though...but I'm not even sure if it's from the psyllium or from the other factors I listed above..addition of gluten, reduction of zelnorm...
Why do you take 2 different types of SFS? Do you take powder form of citrucel? How much total SF do you take and what time of day? Are you sure yours isn't hurting you? Have you tried others?
I don't strain on the days I do go..I need to go right then! The spasms are horrid. I took bentyl a while back, but I think antispasmodics just constipate us C folks more.
Dr. Weil is the reason I started taking the Triphala  I love that man! But, I'm not sure it helps me any...I've been taking them since January maybe. two in am and two in pm. and I think they are 1000 mg each. I'm just afraid to stop, just in case...
And yes, I have tremendous trouble eating on the days I don't go. I feel full, bloated, sore, and nauseous even sometimes. I force myself to eat because I am already underweight...and some people believe that you must keep eating in order to push the food out. Do you keep eating normal amounts of food when you are constipated real bad? I think it is even harder, though, to eat when I feel cramps, gurgling, unsettled, and yucky.
Yes, Constipation does suck! If you find anything that helps, please let me know! And good luck to us all!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Wow .. I think you guys just made a buyer out of me. I was getting kind of bummed out b/c my oatmeal, and applesauce (and anything else I put my SFS into) were kinda getting ruined.  I was not looking forward to life full of icky breakfasts and teas!! Thanks!
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Re: Acacia taste
#205015 - 08/12/05 01:11 PM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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I find acacia does best in applesauce if I spoon out the sauce into a bowl, sprinkle on the acacia, then let it sit for 5-15 minutes. The acacia stirs in with no trouble. If I get in a hurry, the acacia will lump a little, which doesn't bother me - I can't taste it and the texture is about the same as the applesauce anyhow.
I do highly recommend acacia - I've tried repeatedly for years to get myself to take a fiber supplement and this is the only one I've ever stuck with. (You could probably pave a major street with all the fiber supplements I've thrown away.  )
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Re: Me too!
#205164 - 08/13/05 06:47 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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I stopped the Miralax about 4 days ago. I'm not sure that
it really helps because my stools are always like sludge
and hard to push out. No particular reason for taking two
SFS's. I take three heaping tsp's of acacia and one dose
of citrucel at lunch time. I had tried Metamucil, but found
it way too gassy. The spasms are what causes my constipation, that's what my GI doc says. It makes me have
to strain all the time which doesn't seem right to me. I
also always have major pain in my sigmoid colon. I usually
go every day, more on some days than others, but the days
I go very little, I do have trouble eating and feel terrible, and generally get nothing done. I'm still taking
Triphala for the same reason you are. Oh, I do eat less
on days that I don't go very much, and do have cramps and
gurgling. Two months ago, I used to not have to strain
nearly as much. I'm beginning to think something else
is going very wrong and my GI doc is not picking up on it.
It doesn't seem that anybody else with C has to strain
a lot. Thanks for cueing me in. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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you're taking about 13.25 grams of SF from your SFS every day:
3 heaping teaspoons of acacia = about 11.25 grams
(3*2.5 for the teaspoon + 3*1.25 for the heap)
1 Tablespoon of Citrucel = 2 grams
Have you considered upping your SFS dose to get more SF?
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Sand, Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I just haven't because Heather said to do it very slowly, but I think
I have been slow enough and it's time for an increase.
Right now, my diet is
Breakfast: a bowl of Scottish oatmeal with three tablespoons
of applesauce in it, and the acacia in it
Snack: piece of cinnamon zuc bread
Lunch: banana, apple or pear,soy yogurt, and an oatmeal
cookie, along with citrucel and acacia
Snack: baked chips of some sort
Dinner: example, last night I had a baked potato, half a
cup of peas, and a 5 gram SF tortilla with baby port
mushrooms and zuc's in it.
Dessert snack: Soy Delicious 'ice cream', typically the
Creamy Vanilla flavor which has 5 g's of SF per serving
Do you the increase in SFS will help with my straining
problem? I'm a bit concerned that it might be a tumor
pressing into my sigmoid colon. Although, I had a cat
scan back in January that was negative. Thanks for the
suggestion. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I do strain on the days I don't go much...it's only been the past few weeks (since I've been trying psyllium) that I've had the "got to go now" experience. And once I do go, later in the day I may get little pieces and that is accompanied by straining.
On days I don't go lots, I strain all the time to get a few pieces out. I cramp up too all the time, which might be why I'm having C problems as well. I think we have this in common. I didn't mean to suggest I didn't...maybe yesterday I was having a day when I wasn't straining so much, so I didn't emphasize it as much in my reply! Today, well, a different story so far.
So, your still taking the Triphala because your scared to stop "just in case" too! I hope we are not just throwing money away. But because Dr. Weil, as well as all the info I have read by other sources, suggest it is safe and non habit forming, I keep taking it.
I'm not trying to take business away from Heather, but maybe Acacia is not the right SFS for you. It does contain calcium which can be constipating for some. And some C folks report it caused them more C and problems. But maybe you were even worse without it?
Have you tried magnesium or flax meal for the C....or peppermint oil capsules for the cramps, since that is a big problem for you?
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'm not sure what to do?
Thanks to anyone!
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Well, I think it's worth a try. I'm IBS-D but before I really got my SFS level up I would have that "not done" feeling and feel like I had to really work to get my gut cleared out. (Sorry, TMI.) So when I visualize straining, I think of Heather's "tube filled with gel" explanation of what enough SF does for your gut as a solution. (I know things may be different for C people, so take this with a grain of salt.) Anyhow, Heather says C's may need up to 30 grams of SF, so I think an increase would be worth a try. I just kept going up on my SFS level until I felt good.
I don't know what to say about the possibility of a tumor. I assume you've had a colonoscopy in addition to your CAT scan. If you're really convinced that's what it is, maybe try a different doctor?
BTW, your diet sounds great (I'm assuming your oatmeal cookie is IBS safe). I wish I ate that well.
Take care.
--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Sand, Yes, I've had two colonoscopies. The first one was done
back in Jan. by a Vascular surgeon, which my GI doc didn't
trust. So he just did one on me this past June 22nd. I would
think if there was a tumor pressing in to the sigmoid colon,
he should've seen it. I really grilled on my sigmoid colon
after the procedure, and he said he saw nothing unusual. I
think he's a good doctor. The GI doc I saw down at North-
western Univ. in Chicago turned out to know him, and
vouched for him. However, my main problem has been that
the stool doesn't seem to want to pass from the sigmoid
into the rectum, and I haven't heard of anyone else that has had that problem. My GI doc here says that it's prob-
ably due to the spasms, but lots of others have spasms
and they don't have this problem.
Also, I do always have that 'not done' feeling too. Though sometimes after I fart a lot it does subside
subtancially. Oh, the cookie is store bought and contains
eggs, which I presume are whole eggs, but Heather told me
that it wouldn't be that bad of a cheat. I hope. Thanks
again for your help! -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Well, it sounds like your doctors know what they're doing. I don't know what to suggest other than trying more SFS. It seems like it couldn't hurt and it might help.
If Heather says the oatmeal cookie is OK, then enjoy!
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Beth, Ah, thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that all other C's had no straining at all.
I hadn't thought about acacia being the wrong SFS.Meanwhile
I just ordered another pound of it this morning<laugh>. I
have been drinking Silk soy milks for quite awhile and
they have a bunch of calcium in them. I don't think the
calcium is the problem. As I was telling Sand, my consti-
pation problem is the stool not wanting to pass from the
sigmoid into the rectum, which my GI doc said is due to
the sigmoid spasming. If it would just stop, I would be
golden. I don't know if it's due to diet or stress or
both. I do know that the fact that it's been happening
has been really bugging me, which probably sets it off.
It's a vicious cycle<sigh>. I still haven't tried the
hypno as Linz suggested. It sounds rather plausible.
I often wonder if I were able to totally forget that I
had IBS, that it would go away. Well, it's a nice thought
anyway<laugh>. I do have mag citrate supplement pills
that I haven't tried. Never tried the flax meal.I do use
Heather's peppermint pills, but they often dissolve in
my stomach, so I don't know if that ruins their effect.
I'm on Prevacid too, I should tell my GI doc I need a
stronger acid suppressor.
I have Dr.Weil's book, my Dad sent me it, he's a
really big fan of him. Thus far I've tried Triphala,
Zinc Picolinate(for BPH), and the breathing exercises,
they seem to help a little.
Right now, I'm going to up my SFS and see how that
goes. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I can't advise too much on the psyllium, being a D it made me a whole lot worse. However it is possible that the gluten is just starting to kick in. It can take a while and seeing as you haven't actually been eating "wheat" it could take a bit longer. With the slippery elm it's most beneficial if you take a teaspoon 3 times a day about 15-20mins before you eat. Oh and don't take any other meds an hour before taking it or an hour after as it can affect the absorbtion (sp?) of those meds. HTH at least a little bit. ((HUGS)))
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Amy
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I am too full to eat my meal. That's why I've been takign it after my breakfast. Plus, I need to take most of my meds with food. I'm not sure how to incorporate it into my diet now, Amy.
I'm totally confuse about the gluten factor since I was stupid and decided to add psyllium into the puzzle probably a little too early??
I don't know what I'm doing. I suppose I could stop the psyllium again, but after taking it for 2 weeks, I would hate to give up my tolerance build up...especially since I am decreasing the Zelnorm, which, I am determined to get off of! I have gone from 12 mg a day to 3mg! Now, just need to go to 1.5 and then none! I am having better BMs without it...but again, could be the gluten is slowly building up, even though I am still wheat free and not going gung ho on the gluten, as you mentioned. Should I go back to GF or go total gluten eating, wheat and all, to see how I feel? UGH, I need my doctor to act like a doctor and not just tell me to do and to take whatever I want to!  Good for nothing doctor!
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hi Beth, What is the low down on gluten and slippery elm?
What exactly are they supposed to do for you and what kinds
should one get? -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Beth: What I do if I have to take other meds with food is take the slippery elm about an hour before eating. Technically it works best 20 mins before eating but I figure I need my other meds as well so it's still helping. I can't really advise you on the diet, psyllium really hates me. I think maybe you've attempted too much at one time so you can't be sure on what is affecting you. You possibly should have stayed GF and started the psyllium on it's own or vice versa. I do this to myself all the time then have no idea what's causing the problem. Maybe go back to eating GF for a while and see how you go just on the psyllium then if that's okay then add back the gluten that way you'll know if the psyllium is the one causing the extra pain and stuff. You'll need to give it at at least 6 weeks though for the gluten to work it's way back out of your system. HTH some.
BobK: Slippery Elm is a supplement from the HFS. It comes in both tablets and powder. The powder is better though it tastes pretty bad. It coats the lining of your stomach, bulks up stools (a little like SFS does although it is not an SFS and one should also be used if possible) and aids in digestion. You generally take a teaspoon in water 3 times a day 20mins before meals.
Gluten is not something to generally worry about. It is the binding factor found in wheat, barley, oats and rye and can be a difficult diet to follow. If you have not tested positive for gluten intolerance it should be fine. If you are however feeling worse on the diet as I did try cutting it out and see if you feel any better. Most people who follow this diet have Coeliac Disease which can cause the same problems as IBS but it's more serious as it does damage the body. For more info ask your GP or google coeliac disease and it will bring up heaps of info. HTH.
--------------------
Amy
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Thanks for answering Bob's questions!
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Thanks Beth I'll email you back soon!
--------------------
Amy
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Re: SFS?
#205473 - 08/14/05 07:22 PM
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Honey_bun
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 131
Loc: Canada!
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I have been taking Medemucil (sp?) caplets for about a month now. My Doctor told me to start at 2 a day for a week in the evening and then gradually go to 3 a day for the next week..and then jump to 5 (like the bottle says). However 5 was to many because i started to feel really nauseous and sick to my stomach. I am now taking 3 a day, in the evening, around 9 or so. So far everythings ok, however my bm's arent regular..so maybe a little longer and things will sort itself out
Melissa
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Hi Amy, Thanks very much! I have tested negative for Celiac,
but I have heard that one may be gluten sensitive but not
have Celiac, just in case I haven't been eating that much whole wheat stuff. I suppose GF means gluten free? I'm going
to see if I can get some of this slippery elm powder. Thanks
again. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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...as whole wheat products are still wheat (and therefore gluten) and are just high in IF which is why they need to be treated with care but can be good for C.
And yes, you can be gluten sensitive w/out having Celiac which is an IBD.
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--------------------
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Linz, I didn't mean to infer that whole wheat products are
gluten free, I was just asking what GF meant as a separate
question. I shouldn't have written it that way. I still may
be confused though, I have been under the impression that
whole wheat products are less safe than just plain wheat
products. I try to avoid whole wheat products, but I do use
white flour which I think is wheat based, and I think the
tortillas I eat are wheat based. I bought some pretzels
yesterday that are wheat based, I couldn't find any that
weren't, but I haven't eaten any yet. That's about all
my wheat intake. Is there a test for just having gluten
sensitivity, or do you just find out from experience?
Thanks. -Bob
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with a blood test. Your doctor should do this for you since Gluten Intolerance is more common than originally thought.
There are 3 blood tests they can do to test you for gluten sensitivity...and this does include regular "white" wheat found in white breads, pretzels, and tortillas, as well as whole wheat.
NOTE: you must be eating these wheat products before you get testing in order for the tests to be accurate. If you remove wheat or gluten from your diet before the blood test, it will be invalid.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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So, on the one hand it's working because you're going every other day, right? That's great, Beth! One victory for you!
I would say stick with the pyillium for another two weeks at your current dose. It's only been 11 days right? It seems that your body is probably still adjusting to it so I wouldn't increase it significantly. The fact that you're going means it's working, the fact that you have gas and bloating may only mean that you're still in that adjustment phase. Instead of taking 1/2 tsp at night, could you take 1/4 tsp in the morn and 1/4 at night? Perhaps this will make it easier? I'm sure you're drinking plenty of water with it!
Have you tried drinking peppermint tea in the morning and then with each meal? This would help the "rumbly" feeling. Then try drinking fennel AFTER a meal in order to help with the bloating and gas.
The 1 T flaxseed in oatmeal along with the Metamucil might be too much. I never know with flaxseed. I'm D, but when I was first stable I took flaxseed (also 1 T in my oatmeal)and then started to have looser stools or what I called "little bits." Then after increasing that dose I had a bad D attack and learned the hard way that flaxseed isn't really recommended for D. HOWEVER, it's supposed to be good for Cs right? Did you work your way up to 1 T? Maybe you could try using only half.
Don't make too many changes at once, though, or you won't know what was bothering you.
I hope I was of some help since I'm not a C person. But I kind of have to figure out stuff like this for myself too. I think I need a wall of nothing but charts and calendars and a wipeboard with many different colored pens in order to keep track of what I'm eating, what works, what doesn't.
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Hi Beth, I just checked with my GI doc, I had them done and
they were negative. Linz was right, I am confused<laugh>.By
the way, I uped my SFS dose as per Sand's suggestion, and
took 400mg of Mag.Citrate as per your suggestion,and the
BM's haven't been as bad today. Thanks Again! -Bob
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Hi Honey_bun,
Just to let you know, the Metamucil capsules don't contain very much soluble fiber at all - I stopped taking them because I had to take SO MANY a day. 1 capsule contains 1/2 g of SF. So you're taking only 3 a day - you're only get 1.5g - and Heather recommends you work up to 12-15g a day (though if you are a C you may need even more).
Just thought I'd let you know in case you weren't aware - if you're feeling sick to your stomach from them you may need to try another SFS because 1.5g a day is not really enough at all (unless you're planning on working up quite a bit). It's a lot easier to get the required amt of SF from the powders in my opinion, because you don't have to take a million pills (you'd have to take 24 pills a day to get 12g of SF from Metamucil) - but if you don't mind that, the pills work too!
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Sorry it takes me so long to answer (in Australia so MAJOR time difference!). Yep the capsules are fine, I think you take 2 3 times a day before meals (or whatever the dosage is on the jar). They don't work quite as well as the powder but I've been taking them for a while and still found them very helpful. Good luck with them and let me know how they go for you
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Amy
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I really don't want to split up the Psyllium into separate doses because I want to get all the bloating while I'm at home, and ready for bed instead of starting my day off with it. Does that make sense? Maybe I'll wait until the weekend and try it to see if makes any difference.
I did build up to the 1 T of flax. I started with 1/2 T and then went to 1 T.
I did try increasing the psyllium another 1/4 tsp tonight...It's the start of my 3rd week. I did it before I saw your post! Too late now. I am feeling some C tonight so I decided to increase it. I can always go back down if it's too bad.
I forget it you are taking an SFS?
I did try peppermint tea a while ago, but it gave me a tummy ache. Maybe I'll try it again though. And I do drink fennel after my meals. I think Heather's brand would probably be more potent though.
I just don't know if I should go back to eating GF while I do the psyllium or if I should stop the psyllium while I try eating gluten. Thanks for telling me that I am probably still just adjusting to it. I wasn't sure if it was time to give it up yet or just how long it usually takes to adjust before knowing it's time to stop.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I myself took Metamucil for about 5 months then switched to citrucel which I have been on for over a year- but yesterday I went back to te Metamucil because the Citrucel was causing me to have very "grainy" stool which became very hard to clean.. Sorry TMI....
I got great resuls with Metamucil and Citrucel.. Both caused bloating though. But it was a small price to pay to know I would have a BM the next day.
Hope this helps!!!
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Quote:
I really don't want to split up the Psyllium into separate doses because I want to get all the bloating while I'm at home, and ready for bed instead of starting my day off with it. Does that make sense? Yes, it does! Maybe I'll wait until the weekend and try it to see if makes any difference. Good idea.
I did build up to the 1 T of flax. I started with 1/2 T and then went to 1 T. Does flax make people bloated?
I did try increasing the psyllium another 1/4 tsp tonight...It's the start of my 3rd week. I did it before I saw your post! Too late now. I am feeling some C tonight so I decided to increase it. I can always go back down if it's too bad. Yep, that's a good plan. Well, let us know tomorrow whether increasing the dose helped!
I forget it you are taking an SFS? I started with Benefiber in December, but the past month or two I haven't been taking it very regularly. I'm trying to start it up again.
I did try peppermint tea a while ago, but it gave me a tummy ache. Oh, do you have GERD or acid reflux? Maybe I'll try it again though. Okay, but only if you want to. How many times did you try it before? You could also take chamomile (a good tip from Linz: use two tea bags instead of one). And I do drink fennel after my meals. Excellent! I think Heather's brand would probably be more potent though.
I just don't know if I should go back to eating GF while I do the psyllium or if I should stop the psyllium while I try eating gluten. Do you have celiac disease? Thanks for telling me that I am probably still just adjusting to it. I wasn't sure if it was time to give it up yet or just how long it usually takes to adjust before knowing it's time to stop. From what I've heard others say, at least a week to adjust to each change. For me, I think it takes more like two weeks. Talk to you later!
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Wow...i totally didnt even think about how much fiber i was actually getting. This is insane! 1.5 g! Okay..now that i know i should increase it some! i would need to take a lot of pills! maybe i should switch to the powder..or get another brand! lol thanks so much!
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Another SFS
#205760 - 08/15/05 09:04 PM
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Safari567
Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 51
Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada
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I came across this one by chance before I was diagnosed this spring, and it made a huge difference in my symptoms, to the point where I almost felt bad about going to the GI doc because I finally felt good for the first time in a few years.
It is called Slim Styles PGX http://www.slimstyles.com It is meant to be used as a meal replacement drink to lose weight. My mom swears by it but I never lasted long on it between the cost and the flavour. It works wonders though if you need to be cleaned out!
It also comes in capsule form which is more convenient than the drink. Each scoop is 2.5g of fiber, and they recommend 4 scoops a day. I felt fairly good on just two scoops. It absorbs up to 600 times it weight in water and continues to thicken and expand in the stomach and intestine for a few hours after ingestion. It definitely took care of the C! I think it would also be good for those days when everything bothers you, because it is filling, nutritious and completely safe. I have a little bit left, I will try it the next time I'm having a bad tummy day!
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Are you sure it's safe? Please post them if you have them.
Is it safe to take if you are trying to gain weight, but just want to use it as a SFS?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'm not sure if flax meal makes me bloat because I'm bloated all the time anyhow. Haven't noticed any difference with or without it. Remember, I'm cluesless with what my triggers/problem foods are, even after 8 or 9 months now!
Not sure if I have GERD. I had the peppermint tea 3 or 4 times and thought it caused me a tummy ache, but it could have been coincidence. I am trying the capsules now so we'll see how those work. Do you think the capsules would be better for problem tummies than the tea?
I don't have celiac, but I did test positive for high gluten antibodies. After being on the GF diet for 20 months, I went from severe D to severe C. Other than that, I didn't feel any less bloat or pain...so I have recently started to reintroduce some gluten into my diet in the form of spelt, oats, barley...still not wheat though, just to see if anything improves. I don't know if this is smart or stupid! But I would rather be D than C...just my opinion. And so far, I haven't gone back to the severe D, so maybe I just need to avoid wheat? Which is still mostly everything that's GF anyhow!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Sorry, I don't have the original container anymore. It's purpose is for weight loss, but if you are taking in enough calories you should gain. I think one serving of this (2 scoops) is over 200 calories, if I remember correctly. You can mix it with soy milk instead of water, that would increase it's calorie content and probably make it taste a little better. If you do try it, do not try the mango flavour! Vanilla, mocha and strawberry were okay if you weren't drinking it all the time. Hope this helps!
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I have gotten good results with the Metamucil cookies. They taste way better than the sludge in a glass, and they don;t make the gas and bloat worse for me. I started with a quarter-dose (half of a cookie) and worked my way up without a problem. They come in apple and cinammon.
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