Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I had the same fears as you, and refused to even try a fiber supplement for years and years because taking fiber seemed so illogical. I have to say it has done the exact opposite of what I thought it would do, it has made my bowel movements a normal consistency and very regular (predicatble, even). I take just plain old psyllium from the health food store (I think Metamucil is psyllium, but processed), although many of the posts I read here say that it causes alot of gas pain for some people. I started out VERY SLOWLY (1/4 tsp twice a day) and have worked up to 2 tsp three times a day. I've experienced some gas when increasing the dosage, but now that I am used to it if I have a few cups of lemon balm tea a day I have almost no gas at all. It took two months for me to increase the dosage to what I am taking now.
Why does it work? Somehow the presence of more bulk prevents the bowel from spasming, thus eliminating D. (There's a description here: http://www.helpforibs.com/supplements/sol_fiber1.asp). I don't fully understand, but I am living proof that it does work. Give it a try and see what happens! Good Luck!

Laura

Edited by Heather (02/25/04 07:56 PM)

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