Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

There is definitely a difference for me from using Heather's Tummy Fiber to using Benefiber, although I don't know if I would say either is definitively better.

Heather's brand was giving me a lot more sense of urgency after I would use it. Often drinking water with a dose (1.5 teaspoons) of Heather's fiber would quickly send me to the bathroom. I also seemed to have more bowel movements per day with her brand (5-7) ranging from formed to very loose.

The Benefiber might have reduced the amount of gas a bit but not completely. And I don't get as much of the urgency feeling after using it. My total number of bowel movements might have gone done to 4-5 a day but I haven't been using it long enough to have any conclusive data.

My stomach did get a bit more upset than usual yesterday after lunch and I almost worried about having a colon spasm. So I will keep using the Benefiber to see if this gets worse and whether or not Heather's brand was helping prevent spasms better for me.

I am still extremely uncertain if I am using too much or too little fiber (both my supplements and in my diet). I am using four separate doses of 2 teaspoons per dose of Benefiber per day.

I also started using the Peppermint Capsules (Heather's Tummy Tammers) again and feel they are indeed helping prevent gas for me. I am struggling to decide when I can use these because while I know you are not supposed to drink a lot of water with them and take them on an empty stomach this is quite difficult for me because I try to drink lots of water throughout the day as well as constantly snack.

Can anyone offer better guidelines on using the Peppermint Capsules? If I just had a 10 ounce glass of water how long before I can wait to take a Peppermint Capsule? And how long after eating a small snack (say some sourdough bread and pretzels) before I can take one?

Lastly, and maybe I should just post a new topic for this, I am greatly concerned with my weight loss. I am 22 years old, male, 6' 4" and only weigh 150 lbs. I was in the upper 170s before I had IBS. I would love to get back to at least 170. I feel very underweight and no matter how much food I seem to consume I cannot gain a pound.

I would love some feedback on any of these issues if anyone has insight. I tried scheduling an appointment with my doctor but I will have to wait until April and I highly doubt it will yield much information.

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