Fiber good or bad?

I have a pretty high fiber diet, eat all whole grains breads and pastas, brown rice, etc. lots of fruits and veggies. This is mostly because I am following a strict heart healthy diet because of my husband's family history of heart disease and he has high cholesterol (hereditary). I've been on a low fiber diet and eating things I never would because I am having a colonoscopy done on Friday. I will be doing clear liquids starting tomorrow and Thursday all day. My question is since I started this low fiber diet, I have had the same amount of frequency, but it has been harder to pass stool. Before I maybe went 10-15 times a day with watery to very small thin pieces, now they are harder to pass but still not firm, they are very sticky and messy, still blood and mucous in them too, but shorter fatter pieces than before. They are more painful and take longer to pass as well.

Is this normal side effect of lower fiber? I prefer the D than this sticky painful stuff.

Is a low fiber diet the norm for this disease or just for the colonoscopy week?

I was told by my NP (doctors recommendation) when flaring - bleeding, etc. to stay on a low residue, lowfat diet. I have been on it for a year - although, of course, not strict. I do not eat very high fiber which we have always known to be good for our heart, etc. Doctor mentioned that when in remission (laughing here) I should add fiber very slowly!
ElaineNY

Ideally you want both soluble and insoluble, and a balanced amount of each is best...Soluble fiber is "soluble" in water. When mixed with water it forms a gel-like substance and swells. Soluble fiber has many benefits, including moderating blood glucose levels and lowering cholesterol. The scientific names for soluble fibers include pectins, gums, mucilages, and some hemicelluloses. Good sources of soluble fiber include oats and oatmeal, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), barley, fruits and vegetables (especially oranges, apples and carrots).

Insoluble fiber does not absorb or dissolve in water. It passes through our digestive system in close to its original form. Insoluble fiber offers many benefits to intestinal health, including a reduction in the risk and occurrence of colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, and constipation. The scientific names for insoluble fibers include cellulose, lignins, and also some other hemicelluloses. Most of insoluble fibers come from the bran layers of cereal grains.

Some fibre daily is always better than no fibre at all.

:)