Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: questions about soluble fiber supplements

If you truly are convinced you don't have IBS you really need to pursue that being sure to get the tests done to rule out other conditions. As you say, though, following Heather's guidelines while you do that certainly won't hurt.

I'm a little confused about one thing. Psyllium is usually taken as a Soluble Fiber Supplement but it sounds like you're taking psyllium and also taking something else as your SFS. Correct?

I would avoid psyllium. Psyllium has both Soluble and Insoluble Fiber in it (probably in about a 2 to 1 ratio) and with diarrhea I prefer to avoid Insoluble Fiber in supplements.

My impression is that if I take an SFS without enough water it's kind of like mixing flour with not enough water - I get a dry gluey mess.

Methylcellulose is a Soluble Fiber Supplement found in Citrucel. I don't know if the small amount that would be a filler would do any good. Perhaps it was the cal/mag supplement itself that was helping. I don't know a lot about that topic but perhaps someone else can chime in.

Caltrate is a form of calcium carbonate so it should tend toward constipating you.

You don't specifically mention following Heather's diet guidelines. My experience was that supplements and even SFS didn't help that much until I started eating as Heather recommends.

HTH. Welcome to the Boards.

--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator