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Metamucil for Colitis?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/14/2009 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Was wondering if anyone heard of using metamucil for colitis? My friends doctor told her that metamucil really helps someone with the combination of IBS and colitis. I was thinking it would make the colitis worse. Any ideas? Thanks.
Posted 7/14/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have found metamucil to be extremely beneficial.

It bulks up BMs, and I find that as a result there are fewer BMs and less irritation. Also, metamucil smooth seems to be easier for me to digest than regular psyllium husk supplements, that can be rougher.
Posted 7/14/2009 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
I tried both the capsules and the wafers and didnt noticed much of a difference.

Posted 7/15/2009 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
 

I just started it Monday but so far I feel like there's been an improvement.  I did start with a half dose (so 1/2 tsp once a day) and plan to slowly work up from there.  I tried the capsules in the past at the recommended dose and ended up with a lot of gas so hopefully slowing working up to a full dose will help. 

Posted 7/15/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
It flares me- a definite no go for me. I find boiled or steamed spinach is a great bulker upper for stool formation however that serves the same purpose without (to me) the irritating qualities of the fiber husks.
Posted 7/15/2009 9:39 PM (GMT 0)

Howright said...
 

I just started it Monday but so far I feel like there's been an improvement.  I did start with a half dose (so 1/2 tsp once a day) and plan to slowly work up from there.  I tried the capsules in the past at the recommended dose and ended up with a lot of gas so hopefully slowing working up to a full dose will help. 

Keep us posted...i have been debating trying it for the benefits, and weighing the fears of it making me flare worse. Right now I don't take any fibre supplements. Not sure if that's right or not.
Posted 7/15/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
My GI recommended I take fibre supplements daily and indefinitely (whild I was flaring with 30+ BM's/day including blood), it's certainly helped tons (it's been going on 6 yrs since I started and I plan to continue as suggested by my GI), many on here also use firbre supplements with success...everyone reacts differently, it can take longer for some before they notice improvements and it's also individual with how much is needed daily for each person so everyone has to play around to find how much and which kinds offers most benefits.

:)
Posted 7/16/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I can't take it either. I live on the toilet after just 1 tablet.
Posted 8/13/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I've taken 2 doses of Metamucil every day for the past 23 years. The Doc's reasoning was that it would bulk up the stool so I'd never be tempted to strain. When I have to go off it a few days before a scoping, I feel the difference - the stools are uncomfortable to pass (even if they're loose.)
Posted 8/13/2009 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
I use Metamucil daily (the powder form) upon the advice of my GI and it has helped me a lot.
Posted 8/13/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
 

I've been using it for about a month now and I'm happy to report back that it has really helped.  I was probably a week or so away from a full-on flare and it really helped my system (stools, gas, etc) get back into a normal pattern.  

I did start slowly with just one small dose a day and worked my way up.  Last time I attempted Citrucel the gas was unbearable but I haven't experienced gas at all with Metamucil because I started slowly.  I also started with the liquid - which I didn't mind but ended up switching to the capsules just for convenience sake.   

smilewinkgrin  

Posted 8/16/2009 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
I started 2 small doses of Metamucil this week.
And at first I had my belly working a lot, making noises, gas... I didn't really what to expect! But I took both doses in pure orange juice (so I can have at least one fruit a day) and at the same time.
So far so good. I have one BM when I wake up and a second one after breakfast. My stools are starting to have a better form and overall I feel better.
However I find that everyone is really different when it comes to diet. Your body is supposed to tell you what he wants or not... The sad news is that you have to try things to see what works for you. The good news is that if you find what works for you, you feel better.
So like everybody I would start with small doses. And I would give it a try at least a week or two to have a good idea.
They are so much options to bulk your stools and make you feel better. Its up to try and see.
Metamucil works for me now, probiotics gave me the worst nightmare of my life.
Good luck and keep posting!
Posted 8/16/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
With fibre supplements you definitely have to give them a fair chance because it varies for each person how long it'll take to see results, I didn't see results until well after 2 weeks, closer to 2 months actually.

Always remember to drink plenty of water with your fibre supplements and definitely start with a small amount only increasing gradually if necessary, I still only take one pill/day and it's been 5 yrs now.


:)
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