My update-psyllium seed powder

I apologize if people get annoyed with another thread about psyllium, but I wanted to update on this, since I have been trying it.

I started with just 1/2t. in the morning, but didn't notice much change. So then I upped it to 1t in the morning (mid meals-btwn breakfast and lunch). Then I got busy and forgot to pack it with me to take along with my errands and such, so I went a few days without. In the end, it helped me to figure out how much impact it was having.

Anyway, at first, I had TERRIBLE gas-I mean, it was just wrong, lol. But it has definitely helped. I have less blood and just better BM altogether when I am strict about taking it. When I stopped taking it, I noticed more blood, more mucus, and increased frequency. Started back up again (no other changes) and things got better again.

I intend to add another teaspoon post dinner and before bed, but I am slow on these things-I always introduce things at a snail's pace. And I tried it in water, and in OJ, but have settled on chocolate milk as my method of taking it. I wasn't sure if that would go over well because my acupuncturist said she thought I should avoid sugar and dairy (as well as gluten), but it doesn't seem to bother my system to take it in the milk, and it is much easier to take.

But it has definitely been a positive thing thus far, so I wanted to pass that along!

Tap, that is awesome!!! You have spurred me on to start with the two teaspoonfuls-but I think I will first start by doing one twice a day for a bit and then move up. I don't want to overload my system too much to start, given the gas I had with it at first!

I am thrilled it is working so well for you!!! That is fabulous news!

I like the updates. I'm glad hear it has been successful!

Songlady and tryingtoheal, I bought mine online-I got it at bulkherbstore.com.

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Psyllium-Seed-Powder

There might be cheaper online retailers, but I called EVERYONE in my area (I live near Annapolis, MD, so I live in a heavily populated area, but not a major city), and no one had the seed powder.

I would try it anytime. I have been fairly controlled since starting the Humira trial, but when I started, I was in a mini flare-and it has helped me. I wouldnt wait for a flare to calm down. It does cause some gas (at least it did for me, much like starting a new probiotic has), but that died down quickly and didn't cause any addition problems, aside from my hubby being a bit turned off by my presence, lol, and being a bit uncomfortable with gas and bloating for a couple of days. It may not work for everyone, I don't know, but I don't think it can hurt, and it is worth a try!

It is a bit gritty, and I don't like the taste, but honestly, I look forward to my chocolate milk drink everyday now-I have missed drinking chocolate milk all these years!

I initially bought 2 pounds from www.bulkherbstore.com/PSP?s=psyllium of which I have about 1/2 a pound left. It seems that I'm using about 1 pound a month.

I ordered up a year's supply (12 pounds) a little over a week ago from www.starwest-botanicals.com/product/2-psyllium-seed-powder.html which was much cheaper and shipping was free. Fortunately, I have a freezer in which to store it.

I started taking it during the worst of my flare and increased the dose to the two teaspoon level when things did not improve and as I noted earlier the flare dramatically improved at that point. My only unwanted side effect was an increase in gas initially. I also noticed that I got extra thirsty about an hour after having the psyllium seed powder which was easily addressed with a glass of water.

Here is the clinical study that I tracked down before starting the psyllium seed powder (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10022641). Obviously, it did not help everyone but it seemed to do as well as mesalamine.

For some reason my flare did not respond to the prednisone like previous flares. My abdomen was in significant discomfort when I first started taking the prednisone and the discomfort went away in about two days but it never controlled the bleeding and mucus. In the past the bleeding and mucus would vanish within two days of starting the prednisone and it was like a magic potion.

In mid-November, when I had my last exam with my GI he wanted me to have blood tests for preparation for taking immunosuppressive drugs and start my treatment down that course of action. I don't want to go there. I think my immune system is working perfectly fine and it's doing its best to defend my body but whatever is in my colon is able to survive the attack. In my case I think I have a spore based bacteria that comes out to play about every six months since I flare every February/March and September/October. I don't think that the Asacol I'm taking is of any use. If its purpose is to keep me in remission then is sucks at it. The only reason that I keep taking it is because there are indications that it reduces the chances for cancer and my luck will probably be that it is only is applicable in those patients that maintain remission but I continue to take it.

I started to use the mesalamine enemas after the psyllium seed power had brought my flare down to just four stools a day. I don't think that my body likes the enemas because I get the same sensation a day after using one that I get just prior to a flare kicking up. I get this bubbly sensation throughout my rectum and lower colon. This produces lots of gas for the next couple of days. I have my next GI exam in early January (with a younger and hopefully more creative GI) and I will discuss the enema sensations with him at that time. In the mean time I will continue to take them twice a week just in case the gas production is related to using a new medicine.

Although the psyllium seed powder did a fantastic job getting me out of my flare, I won't be satisfied until I make it past February/March without flaring. Now I just need to wait and see.

LookingFortheCure, the three months just before my latest flare, I swear that my digestive system was working the best ever in my life and I was hopeful that I finally had this disease in check but that abruptly changed on September 24th when I started bleeding again. For me nothing had changed prior to its arrival. I was eating the same, I was exercising the same, and my stress level (or lack thereof) was the same. It just showed up as it typically does every fall. Hopefully you have better luck.

I wanted to try this before buying a lot in bulk so I went to my local health food store and found Psyllium seed powder in capsule form. Same stuff, I think? They only had one brand's of this though they had multiple brands/sizes of psyllium husk powder. Apparently the husk powder is more popular than the seed powder.

I am going to start slow at 1-2 capsules and see how it goes.

Post Edited (tryingtoheal) : 12/19/2009 7:48:44 PM (GMT-7)

I've been taking fibre supplements everyday for the last 6 yrs on the recommendation of my GI...it's always best to start with a small amount because fibre (including supplement form) can cause increase gas and bloating, which is normal and happens to healthy people as well. Once your system adjusts then you can slowly increase your amount if necessary. It's a good idea to drink plenty of water with it as well. The excess bloating and gas will disappear eventually, it varies from person to person as to how long it'll take your system to adjust.

Since my system adjusted (took mine 3 months) I've been able to tolerate fibreous foods better, no more gas or bloating when I eat popcorn, fruits and veggies (cooked or not).

:)

Angievirsep93 said...
Wow, thats absolutely amazing.. Is it possible to buy this psyllium seed powder at Wholefoods? If yes, does anyone know the brand name?

I found some at my local health food/vitamin store. The brand I purchased was "Solaray". There were two different brands of psyillium seed powder capsules that seemed essentially the same. I wanted to try it before I bought a large amount like is offered at the link above. Now that I know it makes this much of a difference for me, I will order in larger quantity. I must say though, the capsules are convenient. No mixing necessary.

I am still shocked by how well this has worked for me. I am still only taking 1/2t, once per day (2 capsules) and don't seem to need anymore at the moment.

Typically psyllium seed powder contains husk as well, unless it specifically says no husk. For example, the Solaray capsules mentioned by someone have psyllium husk in them as well.

The husk is the outer layer of the seed. The husk offers mucilaginous properties that help bind the stool (often leading to fewer BMs) and the inner seed contains butyrate which helps heal the lining of the colon.

I just ordered some of the seed powder! I've been taking 2 heaping teaspoons of Metamucil a day for more than 20 years..... So I'm thinking about how to introduce this. Maybe I should cut back one spoon of the Metamucil and replace it with the seed powder for starters.....?

Any updates from anyone on their use of psyllium seed powder???

Do you still use it and is it helping??

Thanks

I just called the health food store near me and they said they only carry pysillium husk powder...

Krissy- I had to order mine on-line.

I am waiting for it to arrive.