I posted on this site in October regarding how well fiber supplements were working for my IBS/diarrhea and it seems the more time that passes, the better it gets. Remember, IBS does not occur overnight. I suffered gradually worse symptoms over a 5-year period until it got to the point where I dreaded leaving the house, not knowing when I'd have to make a mad dash for a bathroom. Those of us with the big "D" know you can't hold it in for more than a few minutes and the stress this causes only makes matters worse. When my doctor suggested fiber supplements, I thought, "Yeah, right. If only it were that simple." But I began taking two a day (not enough). I was worried it would make me constipated. I started taking 6 a day (the bottle says you can take 12) and after a few weeks, really started seeing a difference. I would still get the D, but not as often and not with as much pain and urgency. Little by little, the episodes were less and less frequent. I have been on the fiber for about 8 months now and, while I am still careful not to eat too much junky food, rarely have an extreme attack anymore. The worse I get is a very tolerable stomach cramp with the urge to go, but definitely something I could hold if I had to. I can't believe the difference it's made. Looking back on my diet these past years, I am convinced I hadn't been getting much fiber at all. I never ate fruits or vegetables and ate mostly processed food. I haven't really changed my diet too much, just added the fiber and it's made all the difference in the world. I've eaten hot fudge sundaes, KFC, pizza, etc. and nothing happens. And no constipation problems, just normal solid bowel movements.
Just thought you diarrhea sufferers might want to give it a try. But give it time. Don't expect dramatic results right away. It takes time for your system to reap the benefits of proper digestion. I hope this helps someone! I can honestly consider myself cured.

I started taking one teaspoon of Metamucil every morning two weeks ago. I have had IBS-D problems for over three years now. It comes and goes – two or three weeks I’m okay, two or three weeks I’m not. Since I have taken Metamucil I haven’t had diarrhea. My movements have mostly been once a day in the morning. A couple of days I have had to go in the afternoon as well, but they were solid. However I still have quite a bit of pain in my lower abdomen, particularly while I’m going to the bathroom. It usually subsides after I go. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the Metamucil or if it’s just coincidence. I have always figured that I could handle the pain, it’s the urgency and the worry of having an accident that bothers me the most. If the fibre gets rid of that, then I think I can start to live my life again.

I’m glad that it has worked so well for you. Sometimes we expect immediate results and give up when it doesn’t happen, so it’s encouraging to hear a story like yours.

God bless,
Georgette

Do you think it would work for constipation too? What are you taking?
leelee

Yes,itdoes work for constipation as well as diarrhea... In fact, its marketed as a natural laxative.. And you know what laxative means... Thats actually what scares the "D" patients away from fiber therapy. They fear it will make the situation worse. Fiber helps the intestines to function properly. Works well for both c and d, just remember to drink lots of water

YaY for you! You found the secret to irritable bowel control!!! I use it for C but, I know several people who use it for D. It's made such a difference in me that I shout it from the mountain top. YaY again. Good for you.

Don't forget the water!

Love,

Jamie

Yes, water is very important. Since mixing the powder can be pretty inconvenient, I prefer to take two caplets before each meal with a full glass of water. I use the generic version of Citrucel. I keep some in my purse and always have a bottle of water in my car. That way it's always readily available.
I, too, was worried that fiber would make diarrhea worse. After all, that's what we've heard for years -- fiber for constipation. But, it DOES do wonders for diarrhea. It takes time to see real results, but it can be life-changing.
Hang in there, everyone.

I'm no doctor, but since you've only had this problem for a month, it's probably not irritable bowel. Not sure what it could be but probably just some temporary constipation problem. The best thing would be to see a doctor about it if it's causing you problems. Fiber could help over time but you may need something stronger at first to "get you going." Good luck.

To make your intestines function properly a person needs to take 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily. The fiber needs to be divided between soluble and insoluble type fiber.
I have found I need about 7 or 8 grams of psyllium fiber to have regular BMs. I like and use the type from Wal Mart but you can get psyllium at many places even in Metamucil. You do need to follow the directions and drink enough water both with each dose and daily.

Since it is a natrual fiber -- it will cause gaswhen you first begin using it. But the gas will go away with continued use.
It use to be labeled a "Bowel Regulator" now it is labeled "natrual fiber laxative" but it is a water soluble bulking agent that works as well for diarrhea as it does for constipation.
The worse person I have ever know with explosive diarrhea was really helped with Metamucil --- 23 years ago.

Fiberchoice is a semisynthetic unsoluble type fiber but works for some people for constipation problems.

God Bless---Harry

Is psyllium as good as Citrucel??

What causes the pain to seize up in your lower abdomen? I've had a gallbladder removal and I'm not sure I've got IBS, but I notice usually after lunch, my stomach will start cramping and I will immediately have to BM. God forbid I'm not near a toilet. The 1st BM is usually soft but not runny, but 1 hour later and on my 4th bathroom trip it certainly is. I say this occurs between 4 to 5 days of the week and it pretty much dictates what I do during lunchtime. When I worked, I would spend 30 minutes in the bathroom (there was only one) and that was so embarrassing. I'd have clients come in sitting at my desk waiting for me. Thankfully I'm a stay at home mom to a toddler now. I will definately try the fiber, I've always thought it was for C instead of D!

Hey cococ--,
BMs like you are having is usually caused by your no gallbladder putting out too much bile that evenually results in very loose stools.
About 5% of people that have their Gallbladder removed have problems with their bowels. Some worse than others and the first BM is very loose to even diarrhea.

Your type of stools may just be helped with a fiber like psyllium. More explosive diarrhea is treated with a medication that absorbs the bile --- Questran.

The problem with some people that have their GB removed is fats are not absorbed properly because of too little bile and it not put out at the right time because of no gallbladder when you eat food that contains the good fat--- like Essential fatty acids, vitamins A & E.

Lipase a digestive enzyme produced by your pancreus also digests fats but many people have problems and never know.

Another thing stools that float usually have too much fat in them. It certainly OK to have them sometimes but like loose stools -- mean you are not absorbing or digesting something???

I wish you well---Harry

HRH:
I use Citrucel (generic version) rather than psyllium (Metamucil), only because I heard psyllium can cause gas at first, whereas methylcellulose (the ingredient in Citrucel) doesn't. I don't think it really matters as both are effective. Just make sure whatever you take is a SOLUBLE fiber.

My father-in-law has used Metamucil for about a year now because of diverticulosis. About two months ago the drugstore ran out and he bought generic. It gave him stomach pains and other problems. He had to stop using it and go back to Metamucil. I’m not saying that other brands aren’t any good – if you find something else that works for you, that’s great. But it’s good to know that even though one product doesn’t work, something else might do the trick.

So don’t give up on the fibre too quickly, everyone!

i was inspired by this post to give fiber yet another try.. I took it on tuesday nite and wednesday i had bad cramping and diarhea, and i dont' think it was due to anything I ate, then today i had very bad gas .. should i stick with it..did you get worsening of symptoms at first?.

Debi2--- sorry about that!!

Fiber like psyllium is brokendown by your digestion and will produce GAS big time. You really have to start off slow then allow your system to get use to it before you increase it the Dose. I use the Psyllium from Wal Mart-- the Equate brand and it works great.

With continued use the gas will go AWAY.

You just have to have fiber for your Intestines to work properly.

Debi2:
You didn't mention what type of fiber you took and how much. Psyllium (Metamucil) is known for causing gas at first. Your body will adjust eventually. However, you might want to try a different kind of fiber. I use the generic form of Citrucel, which is methylcellulose. It does not cause gas. I prefer the tablets. You can take up to 12 a day according to the label. I take 6 a day, 2 before each meal with a full glass of water. The water is a must. Ice water can sometimes cramp you up -- I use just slightly cooled water. There was no change for a while. It didn't get worse or better. It took a couple of weeks to see some positive results. But after a few months, things were much better and now (about 8 months later) my problem is almost not a problem anymore. And I was one of those people with unpredictable explosive "D." Sometimes I could pig out and nothing, sometimes I'd eat a soda cracker and have to rush to the bathroom. It was totally controlling my life. Now I feel it is really under control. I could probably even take more than the 6 tabs a day but I feel "If it's not broke, don't fix it." Maybe you could start with just two a day and work your way up to whatever it takes. Just give it time. I sincerely hope something will work for you because I know how awful that cramping can be. Good luck.

thanks for the reply I took 2 capsules of metamucil and had bad cramping for two days, now i can't say for sure it was the fiber but i have noticed that pattern in the past when i tried to take it. Maybe i'll try the kind you took and see what happens. i suppose it can hurt.