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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 2/19/2007 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone take this and if so, has it helped?  Also, has anyone tried the new OTC IBS medication?

This weekend I had weird poo.  It was like strings coming out (thin), but when wiped mushy.  I guess it is better than hard stools.  I still had to strain some at times.  I had pressure down there also?

Posted 2/19/2007 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JHP I have been suffering the same type of thing. I have thin stools quite a lot and is very mushy but even though it is like this, I still have to strain. Its very strange. I havent heard of the new IBS medication. Fibre doesnt help me really but I think it does for some people. To be honest, I think my IBS is mainly stress/anxiety related. I used to think it mattered what I ate but sometimes I can eat something and have a flare and another time I can eat the same thing and be fine so I don't really concentrate on the food side of things now.
Posted 2/20/2007 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
JHP,
What OTC IBS meds are you referring to? I've seen Digestive Advantage (DA)... Is there another? Many of us on this board are on, or have been on, DA. I like it, it worked for me. I think it's pretty much just "good bacteria." Definitely something to try as it is easy to get and fairly cheap (compared to RX meds).
Posted 2/20/2007 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it is DA.  My fiance found it and wanted me to buy it, but it didn't really state what was in it or what exactly it is used for?  You stated it works well for you....could you explain?
Posted 2/20/2007 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JHP,
For me the DA helped with gas, bloating and keeping me regular. Before I used to not "go" for a few days, then when I did "go" it was D. The DA helped keep me regular (going daily) and so the D started to come fewer and far between. I also noticed that when I ate salads and veggies I was far less bloated than before.
It's all really trial and error... unless you're allergic to any of the ingredients I would say give it a shot, you have nothing to lose.
TIP: If you find the pills get those over the chewables. For whatever reason, I felt the pills did more for me.
Posted 2/20/2007 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I did a quick Google search on DA, and here are the listed ingredients:

Glucomannan (natural soluble fiber), Di-Calcium Phosphate,
Hypromellose, Ganeden Lactobacillus Cultures,
Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

Since DA appears to rely on soluble fiber and bascially yogurt cultures, you could probably achieve the same benefit through adding more fruit and veggies to your diet along with some yogurt.
Posted 2/20/2007 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
The only problem with that, Jen is that many of us just can't digest fruits and veggies. Those were the first things I was taken off of with milk and red meat. cooked veggies with no skins are OK, processed fruit OK but fresh fruit and veggies I am in distress for hours so DA works for me.
Posted 2/20/2007 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with you, Canyon! Raw fruits and veggies are very difficult for the gut to digest. When I eat veggies I usually over cook them until they're practically mushy. Even then, sometimes I take Beano with them.
DA works for me and I'm sticking to it. :-)
Posted 2/21/2007 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
ive wanted to try da as well. any side effects? apparently the chewable has sweetners, that is why it doesnt work as well. i think taking a pill would be a lot easier than adding all that extra food!
Posted 2/21/2007 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
No side effects for me. I think it's quite possible to get extra gas at first though. It is just like with any other probiotic or fiber supplement... your body might need to get used to it first. The fiber and good bacteria will change your gut flora (for the better), and in the process it will need to flush out all the "bad" stuff, which can cause gas.
Like you, scared, DA is much easier for me than upping my fruit and vegetable intake.
If I remember correctly I think Keri mentioned the chewable DA has a type of sugar alcohol in it, whereas the pill doesn't. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the pill at any store. I am only able to find and purchase them over the internet.
Posted 2/21/2007 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I really DO understand not being able to get fiber through eating - because I can't eat normally! I've had to maintain a primarily liquid diet for years. I just wasn't familiar enough with the original poster's condition, and only posted what I did for people who CAN eat roughage. I so miss my veggies! How ironic that I still grow them year-round, but can rarely eat them. At least my neighbors like 'em. :-) They were practically fighting over the potatoes I grew last year - totally different from those starchy old things you get at the grocery. Oooohhh... I'm killin' myself!
Posted 2/21/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with you! There are days I can handle veggies, but then other days that my guts hurt. I started out taking 1 pill a day, but Monday I was gassy and felt yuck. Yesterday I took a half and still a little gassy, but not as bad. I took mine today, but haven't noticed anything yet? The middle of my belly and to the left side is annoying to me. The only way I can explain it, is "soreness". I am not sure what it is, but because I worry about everything........what else is new?
Posted 2/22/2007 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Metamucil works for me..........
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