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Psyllium husk/seed powder

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/14/2016 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Currently in a flare, with loose motions. Need to bulk them up but don't want to aggravate my condition as is. Any useful advice on what to get and if I should start now?
Posted 1/14/2016 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've only used psyllium husk....for about 10ish years.

Yes, start now.

q
Posted 1/14/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Metamucil Caps - brilliant.
Posted 1/14/2016 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried both - for me the psyllium seed powder is infinitely superior.
Posted 1/15/2016 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I mix about a 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of slippery elm to a warm glass of water than mix with psyllium. I find in a flare situation the slippery elm soothes and coats so that psyllium can do its job of regulating without it irritating the intestinal walls.
Posted 1/15/2016 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
Can psyllium help you? There's only one way to findout try it, often a smaller dose is best for a few days before maxing it out. Psyllium husk/seed powder will bulk and firm up a stool. Generally a good thing, as it might slightly improve bm count and consistency. Fiber adds thickness to stool and is abrasive, inflammation in the lining of the intestine narrows the inside diameter which becomes raw and bleeding (not something you want a large, abrasive stool against). So, how badly are you flaring becomes a relevant question? If it's only mild, say firm stools are now just a little mushy/semi formed then psyllium might help you. If you're flaring badly, having a high fiber intake may be uncomfortable, generally not recommended.

Whether to get husk or seed powder? The purists will say get crushed seeds, order it online in bulk. Metamucil or it's generic equivalent (I've used topcare fiber) will also work well and it's available in any grocery or pharmacy.
Posted 1/15/2016 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
I am so surprised that so many experienced folks failed here to give you right advice. I am a regular user of Psyllium SEED powder and it does help. Husk powder is more abrasive and it gives me trouble. I use Psyllium seed powder from Starwest Botanicals. Mountain Rose Herbs is also good but their shipping charges do not sit well with me. Starwest is available on Amazon.

Since you are in flare, I would not suggest you to use psyllium, as even though seed powder is finer than husk powder, still its abrasive and will irritate your inflamed tissue even further. Did you try Bentyl or Lomotil? You need to slow down intestines and it will automatically help you withdraw water from the gut, and you get solid BMs. This is my modus operendi. Works every time. 20mg Bentyl 3X a day and my day returns to normal. There are some unfortunate folks where this strategy has failed (search the board), but worth a shot.

Once you are in remission, you can consider Seed powder. Not only it helps to bulk up the stool but also helps butyrate in the gut. You may want to consider using activated charcoal along with Psyllium seed powder. Its for detoxification purpose. I won't be able explain you how I 'feel' with and without charcoal, but will try. For some odd reason, I tend to feel depressed/hopeless/lack of interest in anything kind of thing out of blue moon. Recently it has been at least once a week occurrence. If I use psyllium+charcoal mix, the feeling disappears within hours. Something in the gut is making me feel like that and I can't figure that out but getting rid of it works.
Posted 1/15/2016 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Well bleeding is very minimal, nothing excessive (just on tissue paper. No pain, not much mucus, just regular and frequent bowel motions and usually as soon as it hits the water in the toilet the stool disperses forming a cloudy water.
Posted 1/15/2016 1:00 PM (GMT 0)

John Murray said...
I've tried both - for me the psyllium seed powder is infinitely superior.


deltaforce said...
I am so surprised that so many experienced folks failed here to give you right advice. I am a regular user of Psyllium SEED powder and it does help.

I agree. According to research published in NIH PubMed it is plantago ovata seeds (aka powdered psyllium seed) that is just as effective as the mesalamines for IBD. No mention of psyllium husk although it also firms up stools.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25830661
”curcumin was superior to placebo in maintaining remission; boswellia serrata gum resin and plantago ovata seeds were as effective as mesalazine”
Posted 1/15/2016 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys for your advice. There are some UCers that use seed psyllium even through a flare? Just want to return my bowel motions back to normal. Currently, I'm on day 14 of predfoam use, with 3x/day mesalazine suppositories. My condition is distal, so maybe I need to stick it out and be patient?
Posted 1/15/2016 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I use the metamucil during flares. Take it with food.

q
Posted 1/16/2016 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Another thought would be to try acacia fiber. A naturopathic Dr told me it's much easier on the gut and doesn't irritate it like psyllium does. I don't have my colon anymore so fiber is not helpful for me now but sure wished I had known about this other fiber all the years I took pysillium. Google it. Just putting one more idea out there for you to consider.... Hope something helps.
Posted 1/16/2016 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your advice. I've ordered some metamucil from Amazon, due to come some time in Feb. But I may try to get hold of this acacia.
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