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Posted 10/22/2009 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I weened myself off of prednisone for 3 months and finally, I am completely off.  Unfortunately, I am now having more BM and it is much looser.  Occasional blood as well.  For background info, I take 9 colazals/day, 3 imuran/day, and a nightly canasa. 

My question is, to control the several loose BM a day, would a fiber pill benefit me?  If so, what kind/brand?  I looked today and they seemed to suggest the fiber pills would work more as a laxative than firming up my stools.  Any suggestions?

Posted 10/22/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Metamucil capsules work well for me. You could consider taking probiotics as well...
Posted 10/22/2009 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I take Metamucil powder. Yes, it's advertised as a laxative because I guess if people are constipated it gets things moving, but for me it works as a bulking agent to give the stools more form.
Posted 10/22/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all.  Just thought about getting a fiber product but did not want to buy anything that would possibly increase my BM's...

Posted 10/22/2009 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I use one called Prodiem fibre bulking therapy with a mild laxative, it's similar to metamucil, you don't want to get constipated which is why they put a mild laxative in it and it does not cause D or contribute to D, it's a small enough amount to keep you from getting backed-up is all.

You want to start with the smallest amount (1 pill) and drink plenty of water with it, pill form is better cuz it doesn't contain a bunch of sweetners and other junky stuff which can actually exacerbate IBD symptoms.  And only increase if necessary and after your system has adjusted to it (bloating and gas is normal while adjusting to it).


:)

Posted 10/23/2009 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm cheap so I buy golden flax seed in bulk from the grocery store, grind it in a coffee grinder, and then mix it with my morning yogurt. It does an excellent job for me in producing a stool that expels comfortably.
Posted 10/23/2009 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
So I called my Gastro Dr. to see what he thought of the fiber pills.  He recommended instead of taking fiber pills to take an imodium everyday.  Anyone have thoughts on this?

Posted 10/23/2009 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
what was his reason for you not taking the fibre pills?

I think if you take them with your meals, it would be better...but that's what I do.

How much water do you drink daily?

Do you consume any drinks or products that have artificial sweeteners in them?

I'd still try the fibre instead of using the imodium....except if you're needing it for an event or something like that.

As well...he could have upped the rectal meds.

quincy
Posted 10/23/2009 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
My GI was the one that told me to take fibre supplements, no doc has ever recommended I take imodium, likely because imodium isn't meant to be used long term where as fibre pills can be and much safer than imodium...imodium is like a temporary bandaide but fibre supplements can actually aid with stool consistancy in a safe way.

I'd be cautious about that advice from your GI.


:)
Posted 10/23/2009 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Fiber normalizes the bowels, so it can help with both constipation and loose stools. For loose stools, it helps bulk 'em up. I take Citrucel and psyllium capsules - along with eating a diet with plenty of fruits and veggies.
Posted 10/23/2009 6:45 PM (GMT 0)

I spoke with his nurse.  She said, "he recommends you take an immodium everyday instead of a fiber pill."  No reason was given.  That doesn't make any sense though unless my dr. believes fiber pills have no use in firming up my stool, which I am sure you all would disagree with.

I try to drink 8 cups a day, but lately probably only 4-5 and I'm 6'4 210lbs.

I drink a couple cokes a week, but do have morning coffee with sugar, not artificial sweeteners.

I am going with a fiber pill regardless of my dr.  What fiber pill do you guys recommend?

quincy said...
what was his reason for you not taking the fibre pills?

I think if you take them with your meals, it would be better...but that's what I do.

How much water do you drink daily?

Do you consume any drinks or products that have artificial sweeteners in them?

I'd still try the fibre instead of using the imodium....except if you're needing it for an event or something like that.

As well...he could have upped the rectal meds.

quincy

Posted 10/23/2009 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
My GI had recommended against immodium years ago and had recommended I take Metamucil.... which is what I do. I can certainly understand someone taking immodium upon occasion.... but that seems to be to be in a different category than the process the fiber does.

I swear by psyllium husk.
Posted 10/23/2009 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I take 3 cirtacel every morning and 3 more at night. Seems to help "firm" things up.
Posted 10/23/2009 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I can't believe your doctor didn't recommend the fiber pill or metamucil.  Both of these definately help to bulk up the stool and make them easier to pass.  You should also start taking a good probiotic.  Both of these supplements are beneficial.

 

Posted 10/24/2009 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
You could consider to take the capsules....metamucil capsules is what I use, and I recently purchased the superStore brand.

Start slow and I would suggest you take them with meals...

Fibre helps as princesa said...to normalise the rhythm of the colon...plus it "exercises" it rather than allowing it to be lazy, as could happen from too much imodium (if you don't need it).

I'm not saying to NOT take it at all...I'm suggesting to try the fibre for various reasons in which the imodium cannot do.

NOW...some cannot tolerate fibre supplements, but there are a few different ones out there...trial and more trial.

I started out with Metamucil smooth (not the sugar=free kind)....it worked well.

quincy
Posted 10/24/2009 9:38 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,i have been taking physillium husks now for a couple of weeks & have had amazing results,no blood,mucus or even pain & am only going to the loo once/twice in the morning of which is well formed instead of the 10/20 times i was going before. I recommend that you give it a go

Long may it continue,

leyton

Posted 10/24/2009 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Ring of Fire74 tell me how you use Physillium Husk in one day ? thnx
Posted 10/24/2009 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Adeel.
Im from England,i got them on from from a shop called Holland & Barrett and i obviously read up on them before getting any,they only cost about £4 for 200 tablets which are quite bulky....It says you can take 6 a day but i only take 2,1 in the late morning & the other late afternoon but not with food or with other meds,i would of taken more but as i saw results almost straight away then i stayed with just the 2,they really do bulk things up.
I also take acidophilus which is a probiotic once a day in the morn.
I had a bad flare since may and to be honest i have tried a lot of stuff,steroids worked but not as good as i had hoped,so i started the husk and like i said it has really improved things.....
Touchwood i have no symptons at all at the mo,i hope i havent spoken to soon though..
Posted 10/24/2009 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
ring of fire74 thnx i'll try this soon but this time i have only husk powder which i use with one glass of water and add one spoon of husk water in it .
Posted 10/24/2009 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
You had any joy with that adeel?
Posted 11/4/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Update:

So I started Metamucil on October 27th and I have noticed a difference in my BM's, mostly the lack thereof.  I haven't had a BM since Sunday night, the 1st.  I experienced very little discomfort and very little cramping.  Instead of the constant feeling of going to the bathroom I feel nothing in that region.  It's kind of weird.  I probably will not feel totally secure until I actually do go to the restroom.  My concern is that when I do eventually go it will be several BM's over and over.

Should I be concerned about my lack of BM's?  My body feels good right now...

Different subject: My weight loss is concerning me.  I was diagnosed in 2002 at 220 lbs on a 6'4 frame.  I weighed 199 lbs this morning.  Granted, I did stop taking prednisone about 6 weeks ago but I wish I would quit losing weight.  Should I be concerned?

Posted 11/4/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, that never happend to me...are you drinking plenty of water daily? It's essential that you do and with your fibre caps too...fibre doesn't generally cause constipation (it's known to aid with D and C) but with supplements and eitherway you should be drinking a good amount of water daily which also helps the bowels function properly.

The weight thing can be hard to control, with IBD many people find when it comes to trying to mainitain their weight it's quite a rollercoaster ride.

:)
Posted 11/4/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks pb4...

Well, I did not want to wait any longer on a BM so I had chili dogs for lunch.  Problem already solved. :)

Posted 11/4/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
HA HA smalc25, I was also gonna suggest prunes but looks like you've remedied it with chili dogs for lunch LOL!

:)
Posted 11/4/2009 9:23 PM (GMT 0)

SAM - stick with the fiber pills.  It honestly took me 2 weeks to the day to really get the full benefit. 

Also, I did have a few days like what you are describing where I didn't go at all and it was very odd considering what we've all been through.  I think I did end up going 2, 3 or 4 times that day but they were all normal and not watery so that was good.  I sometimes still go 1-3 days without a movement and I'm starting to wonder if that's what was the norm way back when I had a normal bowel!! 

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