HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

BM's really slowing down after 3 months, metamucil?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/14/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Initially I had 15-20 bms a day after my TC for colon inertia, about 3 weeks ago I started taking 1 teaspoon of metamucil every evening.  With that small amount, I was having formed bms about 6-8 times a day.   It was wonderful!   Now I'm only going 2 or 3 times a day but it's no more each time than it was when I was going more often.

My question....is it better to take the metamucil when bm's slow down, or continue to take it.  I never could figure out how you use it for both constipation and diarrhea!!

Janie

Posted 6/14/2009 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Janie!  My experience with Metamucil is that when I had diarrhea (from IBS) I would take more Metamucil and less water.(it bulks you up)  The reverse when I am constipated...less Metamucil and more water  (gets things moving)...lots and lots of water!  Right now I am 3 month post ileostomy reversal surgery and find that I have to really watch that I don't get constipated.  Most people are the reverse in that they have to run to the bathroom with diarrhea, butt burn, etc...I was so lucky i didn't have any of that but was constipated instead..I was getting things to move along with prune juice.  Now what I use is ground flax seed.  Morning and evenings on my cereal..it tastes yummy and really keeps my bowels moving well........Cheryl

Posted 6/14/2009 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Cheryl,
Thanks for the advice! I was having horrible butt burn, and I couldn't wait for it to stop, but feeling so full isn't much fun either!! How many times a day do your normally go? I had colon inertia, so when I don't go for a long time, I start worrying about my small intestine, although it was tested and I was told it was ok.

I'll try the flax seed, thanks again!

Janie
Posted 6/14/2009 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I probably go about 5 to 6 times a day..really good bm's...I find that the flax seed is awesome.  If you try it, be sure to get the ground ones as they don't do you much good when they're whole.  I buy them whole and grind them in the blender.  Be sure to refrigerate after they are ground.  I know what you mean about panicking when you can't "go".  I had horrible constipation as well.  I could only have movement (sometimes) with TONS of laxatives.  It's awful!  Good luck with the flax seed!  I find it works better than Metamucil for getting things moving!!.....Cheryl

Posted 6/14/2009 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Cheryl,
How much flax seed do you put on your cereal? I don't want to overdose!! LOL

I was the same way, only had bm every 5 days or so after a ton of laxatives. I lived like that for over 25 years.

I just drank a little coffee this morning (I'm not a coffee drinker) after cereal and went a little. I still have to strain; I know I have pelvic floor dysfunction. I guess that's why. I didn't have to strain much at first; it's all so scary. My greatest fear is not being able to poop again! And now with no colon, it doesn't take long to feel full!!

Thanks again,
Janie
Posted 6/14/2009 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have pelvic floor dysfunction too!!!! I know what you mean when you say you can't strain.  I have had several surgeries to correct prolapses because of this, but they all let go.  That's another story...LOL... I usually put two HUGE ROUNDED teaspoons (not the measuring ones) on my cereal each morning and again each night.  If I am really constipated I will even put a couple of teaspoons in a glass of orange juice (it's delicious that way too) and drink that, along with some on my cereal at night.  It's so healthy for in so many different ways...you can google it and see!!  If I didn't use the flax seed I wouldn't be able to go at all.  I hope you have good results with it too!  It is also really good sprinkled on salads, in yogurt, etc...YUMMY!!......Cheryl
Posted 6/14/2009 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Cheryl,
I'm going to ask a really stupid question....is milled flax seed the same as ground flax seed? I bought milled today, couldn't find ground.

I haven't been as stopped up today, but I thought I'd take some tonight in a glass of juice...you're right, I read all about it and it sounds really helpful...wonder why doctors don't tell us about it? (At least mine?)

Thanks!
Posted 6/14/2009 11:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Janie...I think that milled flax seed is ground finer than than the ground but works the same.  There is a site that is very informative about this.  I hope I can post it here it is  flaxseedshop.com   I take it every day for regularity (it really keeps things moving..my hubby uses it daily as well)...and when I am backed up I just take more.  I pray this works for you as well!!.....it's amazing stuff and so healthy to take!!..Don't know why doctors don't mention it to us...but then they're not into preventative much are they??  Mostl just fixing things when they go wrong...lol......Cheryl

 

Posted 6/16/2009 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Cheryl,
I tried the flax seed this evening and will try again in the morning. I've been really backed up today; I'm on bactrim for a urinary tract infection and I'm hoping that's why. I've been miserable, going about 20 times, but just tiny amounts and my butt is raw. I still feel full. Only one more day of antibiotics then we'll see if that's why I'm having so much trouble. This just isn't fun. Hoping the fax seed works!!

Janie
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply