Equalactin?
#21449 - 09/22/03 02:43 PM
|
|
|
|
busymom
Reged: 06/30/03
Posts: 90
Loc: Michigan
|
|
|
Today I received my enteric-coated Peppermint which I can't wait to try, and with it was a sample of Equalactin. Does anybody use this? Is it as helpful as Citrucel? Does it really equalize things if you're one who swings back and forth from diarrhea to constipation?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi - I'm sure you'll get comments from folks, but you can also search the board for past posts as Equalactin has been discussed a bit.
- H
--------------------
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!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks, Heather--I searched through many of the posts concerning Equalactin. Perhaps I should specifically state my specific health issue questions concerning Equalactin and then those can specifically be addressed. I am using the orange flavored Citrucel, which seems to be working well intestine-wise, but I have GERD. The huge amounts of fiber, water, and probably the citrus makes me have to lean way back and begins esophagus spasms due to my GERD. Other than the GERD factor I like Citrucel. Do all fiber supplements do this, or only powders you mix with liquids, or only orange-flavored citrus based? Will switching to a pill, or chewable type fiber like Equalactin or Fiber Choice eliminate the GERD problems I'm having with Citrucel? Also, my original question about whether Equalactin was particularly good for those who switch back and forth from C to D still remains. I didn't see this addressed specifically on any of the posts. If it does, is this true of all soluble fiber supplements anyway? Have those who have tried both FiberChoice and Equalactin found one or the other to produce better results?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Equalactin has the same active ingredients as fiber-con. I find fibercon to work better than citrucel but it is different for eveyone! If you have some samples, I say give it a try!
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi there - All soluble fiber supplements work equally well for d and c, or alternating. This is just what soluble fiber (the foods as well as supplements) does - it normalizes bowel function. As to which particular supplement will work best for you, that's going to be trial and error. Sorry I can't be specific - but every time I think one is better than another someone comes along and posts that they've had trouble, or prefer the opposite of what I'd thought was most tolerable. So you really do have to try a variety and see which works best for you.
For the GERD, I'd bet almost anything it's not the fiber but the citrus. Citric acid gives the orange flavor to most of the supplements, and that's a big trigger for acid reflux. Have you tried plain Citrucel (I think they make that) instead? Or better yet, Benefiber? Equalactin is chewable, so it does have citric acid in it. FiberCon would not. I'd really urge you to try some plain powders, and plain pills, and see what works for you in terms of not triggering the GERD. Once that's established, you'll just have to increase the dosage to the level that works best for you to control the c/d.
Keep asking if I still haven't answered you... 
- H
--------------------
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!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You know.. I've recently been experiencing a feeling of increased levels of stomach acid (hard to explain). Not to the point where it's coming up my esophogus, but I can feel the acid in my stomach. Sometimes it happens after I drink v8 so I know it's the citric acid from that.. but often it happens even if I haven't had anything with citric acid in it. But if I'm taking the orange Citricel (pill form), then that might explain all the stomach acid.
So now this leaves me with a problem. In Aug, my GI specialist told me to take Citrucel until my next appt (in 2 weeks) and not to switch around suppliments in order to give Citrucel a chance. I can't bring myself to swallow the powder mix, especially when it starts clumping. 
Guess I will keep taking the pills until my next GI appt in two weeks and ask her if I can switch.
--------------------
- Jennifer
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi,
I hope this helps. I don't have GERD, but my stomach does produce a lot of acid. I take the Citracel. I have my Mom buy the Value size bottle at Costco or Sam's club for me. I think these are the plain ones. White bottle, orange top. I take about 6 to 10 a day. I find the ony problem that I have with the acid reflux is if swallow the tablets funny, and it gets the reflux going.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I appreciate everyone's input. I am seeing a pattern to our lives with IBS--we are often guinea pigs. We find something that is helping, but may have a drawback, but then we have to experiment on ourselves (which is scarey), to see if something could be even better. Since the Citrucel is helping, but the citrus may be irritating the GERD, I will try plain Citrucel. I was wondering if tablets might help since I know that the current orange powder is irritating my GERD, but, in fact it looks like the best guess is that it is the citrus that is causing the irritation, not the form of delivery (pill or powder). Since Equalactin does have citrus, I probably shouldn't try it, but should go with FiberCon if I am wanting the convenience of tablets. If I'm remembering correctly, Fiber Con has the exact same form of soluble fiber as Equalactin, is that correct?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Yep, fibercon and equlaton have the same active ingredients. I buy my fibercon at Costco(its one of those membership wharehouses)I get 250 pills for like $8.99! Thats about half the price I see them at Wal mart, etc!
--------------------
Taking it one day at a time.....
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
