Constipation, but can't handle SFS
#286974 - 10/18/06 06:29 PM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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Most people on the board, especially the Cs, seem to be on a SFS of some kind. Is it possible to get stable without one? I don't seem to be able to handle them. They seem to sit inside me and just cause gas and bloat....and I've tried all of them that I can think of.
This website really advocates taking an SFS...but are there any of you out there, especially the IBS-C folks, who feel okay and consider themselves better even though they don't or can't take an SFS?
I'm just afraid I'll never get better because I can't find an SFS that I tolerate. 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Did you try the Acacia? If you did, how long did you try it for?
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as i have mentioned before, thought the acacia did work very well for me i am no longer on it and doing fine. I would continue taking the natural calm and use the ground flax seeds that you were taking, th eother option is, have you tried fibersmart by renew life? it has triphala in it to help you go is made of flax and borage seed, has some l-glutamine to help tone of intestinal walls and even has fennel and a bit of probiotics in it. I would do the powder not the capsules, if this one hurts you too , then i would say forget the SFS and get it from food and keep up with the flax and NC. Also there is another fiber called glucomanan, it is hard to find though.
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I'm still trying to take it. I'm up to about 10 grams fiber.
How's the Acacia going for you, Gracie?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I should stop the Acacia? How much NC do you take? Fibersmart scares me because it has FOS. I think it's the only Fiber supplement I haven't tried, yet...
I really, really appreciate all the help...everyone!
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Jordy,
Are you drinking enough water and exercing? People with IBS C need to drink A LOT more water than 8 glasses a day and NEED a hard workout everday. I know it's hard to find the time but it's suppose to help tremendously.
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Instead of a SFS, I take FiberCon, which is an insoluble fiber supplement, which definitely helps me "go". It doesn't seem to give me any more bloating and gas either.
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Tierney
IBS-C
www.StandardProcess.com[/url] = the home of REAL supplements
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This is pretty interesting. FiberCon is polycarbophil (like Equalactin) and contains calcium and magnesium. There seems to be some disagreement on whether polycarbophil is soluble or not. Most sources refer to it as a soluble fiber, but a couple refer to it as swellable in water but not truly soluble. It's a form of methylcellulose which has been altered to be non-fermentable - that should mean it doesn't produce gas.
While I was digging around looking at this stuff, I also found some information that kind of surprised me. Some articles I found suggest that Soluble Fiber slows down transit time in the small intestine but actually speeds up transit time in the large intestine apparently as a result of fermentation. I'm out of my depth here - does anyone know if I've understood this correctly?
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Here is my take on what you have read.
Polycarbophil is derived from vegetable gums.
Gums are polysaccharides. They similar to sugars but composed of many sugar units making up large indigestible molecules. When placed in water they link too many water molecules increasing the viscosity (thickness) of the solution. They are indigestible in the stomach and small intestine but ferment (digested by bacterial) in the large bowel. I am not familiar with the fermentation processes for SF from different sources. I understand there can be different fermentation processes for different SFs.
SF does not swell in the sense of absorb water like IF may. And soluble in term soluble fibre does not mean "the SF dissolves in the water" like sugar dissolves in water. It means soluble in the sense that the molecules interacts with water to produce something called a colloidal dispersion. A similar thing happens when you use cornstarch to thicken a pudding.
Apparently, American Association of Cereal Chemists defines soluble fibre as "the edible parts of plants or similar carbohydrates resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine". Therefore by definition a SF is at least partially fermentable in the large bowel. Using a variety of enzymatic and chemical processes companies are modifying SFs to make them less fermentable in the bowel. I doubt there are any SFs that are completely unfermentable.
Transit times is an interesting topic. Short chain fatty acids, one of the byproducts of fermentation in the large bowel of SF. IF and sugars such as fructose, are colonic stimulants.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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So far so good. I only had a couple of days where I felt really gassy, but that could have also been because of t.o.m.
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What's the difference between the powder and caps?
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I drink herbal tea from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep.
I also walk 30-40 minutes everyday and do some stretches as well. What kind of exercise do you suggest?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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So, this is confirming that SFS do ferment and cause more gas? Very confused.  I know you don't take any.
I'm not as scientific as you....so could you break it down a little more?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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How much are you up to now? I hope it helps you!!! Are you still taking your flax?
I just don't understand why/how it can make me more C...or what I'm doing wrong. I think I'm more gassy and bloated just because I'm more C.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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One of the reasons it is recommended that you slowly increase you SFS is so that you body (large bowel) learns to accomodate the increase in fermentation. I suspect as you increase the dose the colony of bacteria increase in size to accomodate the increase in food provided by the SFS.
I don't know much about the various fermentation processes that take place in the large bowel. There are many different bacteria involved that is why many probiotics contain a cocktail of bacteria. I suspect that different SFS are fermented by different bacteria in different ways. It is probably a complex and poorly understood phenomena. Anyone else have more information?
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Thanks. I'm still confused though!  I seem to be getting more C as I increase the SFS. I have increased it slowly, as suggested.
Can I ask why you don't take one?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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That no other IBS-C people (Besides Miso who, as we all know, is exceptional)  has become stable without an SFS?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Question
#287267 - 10/20/06 03:28 PM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Have you tried the new formulation of Benefibre?
The old version used hydrolized guar gum for the SF. The new version uses wheat dextrin as the SF. I discussed it this message
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Thanks! I'm up to 1-1/4 teaspoons per day right now. I haven't needed to take flax yet because I've been eating more IF foods.
Since you're C are you getting enough IF in your diet?
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I'm on a semi low-carb diet that allows a little bread, lots of fruits and vegetables, and absolutely no sugar (only from fruits and yogurt, which I can tolerate). The insoluble fiber that comes from my food helps my digestion through the day. I've tried numerous SFS, but none of them worked. Now, I'm just on a IFS, which helps loads!
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Tierney
IBS-C
www.StandardProcess.com[/url] = the home of REAL supplements
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The word wheat scares me off. Why do you ask? Do you think it might be a good choice for me?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I think I am...but it's hard to know for sure...ya know? I still peel my fruits and don't eat whole grains except for spelt sometimes.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I don't know your dietary habits but if you eat things made from flour such as pasta and bread then I don't see why you won't try the new Benefibre. I called their hotline and they assure me it is gluten free. If you have any questions you might call them yourself.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I did use the acacia to help me get stable and it worked very well for me, i just feel that i no longer need it. But it was a big factor in getting rid of bloat and helping me eat more fruits and veggies without cramping and bloat
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no actual difference but i always feel like powder forms are better since they go down the same from the start. plus less swallowing involved.
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Sorry so late in responding to this. Trying to catch up after being out sick for a week!
10 grams of fiber sounds like a LOT! And you say you are having trouble tolerating it? As you increased your SFS, did you also remember to increase your IF? Remember that the whole point of the SFS is that it allows you to eat MORE IF, which is what helps you "go"...
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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Yep...
#295057 - 01/02/07 12:15 PM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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I have now been on Benefiber for a few months....and still having pain. Should I just give up on SFS? Why doesn't my body "like" them? I honestly do not know what to do for this C if I can't take an SFS. 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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If you aren't taking an SFS or eating soluble fiber foods?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Didn't the ground flax seeds work?
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I'm IBS - C. I used to take an SFS but I don't anymore. But I do drink two or three cups of fennel tea a week to keep the bloating at bay. I find it keeps the swelling down to a minimum (it's never all gone) and I've gotten used to the taste.
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Why aren't you using a SFS anymore? Didn't they agree with you?
You manage to be stable without one?
I do drink Fennel tea every day. It doesn't help with the C...like it did with you. Or did you mean it only helped with the bloat? Can your recommend a brand?
TIA! 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I thought I needed something that was soluble fiber.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Flax is 50% Soluble, and 50% Insoluble. Since you're very C, it might work well for you.
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