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Posted 7/26/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

My husband has UC and is in a flare since April.  He is having BM's every 2 hours, day and night.  I started him on acacia fiber July 12 and he's now on 8 teaspoons a day which is about 13 grams of fiber.  No change yet.  He's also on Intestinew, Oregano, digestive enzymes, George's aloe and probiotics.  His diet is the basic candida, low carb diet, no sugar and no white flour, nothng raw.  The nutritionist said fungus is his problem.  We're getting frustrated with lack of progress.  Does it take awhile for the fiber to work?  I'll be increasing it slowly to a maximum of five tablespoons, hoping it works before then.  Any ideas, anyone?

Posted 7/26/2010 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello-

Sounds like you are doing a lot. When I was trying to rid myself of Candida the die off was too hard for my body and seem to increase my symptoms. Google "Candida die off" if you want to learn more. I realized I need to move more slowly as I have been told that my Colitis is related to Candida. I feel you all the way with the frustration from lack of progress. When you give up so much and see so little (or even worse) progress it is SO HARD and SAD!!! Diet is very important so stay on that. It was so impartant for me to try and kick this naturally but I realized I need help (I got bad!). Is he on any meds? Have you considered? Sometimes we have to pull out the big guns for some relief to give us a jump start. I hate meds but I had to do it :( But it has saved...It the UC wouldn't do me in I would have gone insane from the anguish.

Also, perhaps the fiber is too harsh for a damaged colon right now. Maybe you will see a difference in symptoms?
I hope things improve! This is a GREAT place for experience and answers.
Posted 7/26/2010 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, but is he on any medications? Your nutritionist cannot say what's causing his UC...fungus is not a cause for UC...it's a separate issue, or a misdiagnosis.q
Posted 7/26/2010 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know anything about that kind of fiber, but rough fiber can be harsh and make things worse.
SCD diet doesn't fit all perfectly have to adjust for individual with any of these diets. Something is having a bad effect on him, you need to find out what it is. food, drugs, or supplement. I feel bad for the guy he is going an awful lot.
Posted 7/26/2010 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to say I don't think fiber is going to take care of a 12 poops a day flare...
Posted 7/26/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
IMO, you have to go with the science when you can. Many supplements never really get studied properly in a scientific way because it costs a lot of money. That means that the possible beneficial effect is hard to quantify.

If I'm flaring that bad, the only thing that helps me is prednisone. I can't let that level of inflammation go too long or I end up in the hospital.

What does your G.I doc recommend?
Posted 7/26/2010 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I must say - I have a high regard for soluble fiber, I take Metamucil - and though it clumps my stools together and makes them more comfortable, it has never in 24 years resolved a flare. (I don't know a thing about acacia fiber.)
His flare sounds pretty bad. Many of us have found that a certain approach won't work for us, or may have worked once but doesn't work again - I hope you can be open to trying whatever it is that will help him.
Posted 7/26/2010 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
The fiber would make me worse, not better, if I was flaring!
And some of that other stuff might also be more irritating than helpful, too, and it would be difficult to tell which.
Stick with the probiotics and a low-fiber diet?
In my view, supplements are mostly a waste of money.

I'm not surprised a nutritionist would suggest fiber as the cure-all. All the ones I've been to, that's all they know.

Ask them about a low-fiber diet and their eyes glaze over.

Posted 7/27/2010 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
I think it is possible to have too much fiber. A damaged colon could have problems handling fiber, I know mine had/has issues and is VERY particular about what kind of fiber and the amount.

With that many BM's I'd say lay off the fiber for now or cut it way back.
The diet you are using is similar to SCD which healed me but they are pretty cautious about fiber, especially in the beginning.
Posted 7/27/2010 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new here and have just been reading the posts. I believe Fiber is what caused my flare up in the first place. I was diagnosed in June, but probably have had this a long time. I joined Sparkpeople where they really pushed fiber. I bought whole grain everything and got my fiber up to 28 - 30 grams a day. Once I did that consistently, then I started getting the bleeding etc. The only thing the fiber worked for me was to have bm. I am always one of those constipated people. Still am. I've been taking the generic of Murelax each day as well as 4 lialda and Align probiotic. The Murelax isn't really helping, but I've been told not to use a regular laxative with this. Is that true?

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 8/15/2010 7:43:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/27/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I think something is missing in this conversation. For IBDers there is a big difference between Soluble and Insoluble fiber. In my research before I started taking Pysllium Seed it appeared to me what helps is Soluble fiber. Insoluble Fiber can make matters worse especially if you are in a flare.
Posted 7/28/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
The acacia fiber is soluble fiber. It is used by many in place of psyllium; it's supposed to be easier to take since it's a powder that dissolves easily in water. After reading some of your posts, I have stopped the fiber completely and am decreasing the candida supplements. Unfortunately, when you have diarrhea, the die-off makes that symptom much worse. However, I am convinced that my husband is in a flare and we are seeing a doctor tomorrow.
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