Hi guys...

I have sort of an interesting question for anyone with experience starting a Fiber supplement.

I started introducing Citrucel into my diet for the past couple of days. I take it first thing in the morning. It seems within 5-10 minutes of taking it, I have a BM. (I rarely even go in the morning prior to starting this).

My question is, could this be the fiber working that fast or is this a fluke?

Thanks
A

Hi andy. I don't think that the dose you take in the a.m. is actually stimulating a BM that soon, but the act of drinking it, may be stimulating your bowels to move because the previous day's fiber is in your lower intestine and ready to come out? Just an idea.

Are your stools formed or diarrhea? The only reason I ask is that if you're having diarrhea 30 minutes after your fiber intake, it could be gall bladder dysfunction. However, many people (including myself) will have daily BMs at about the same time every day, right after waking up and drinking or eating something. The initial act of eating/drinking after sleeping all night seems to just "jump start" everything.

Katie G

Hi Katie,

Thanks for your response.

I have not had any diarrhea. I rarely ever get Diarrhea in general anyway. I am more a IBS-pain predominant sufferer, but am closer to IBS-C. I almost NEVER get the urge to have a BM, unless there is pain. This includes in the morning AND after meals. I have to pick a time usually and just go in and sit on the toilet and wait to go. I can usually always go when I do this, but like I said, most times, if I didnt go in and sit down, I dont think I would get the urge.

So like I mentioned before, since I have started the fiber, I actually have the urge to go, and its within 5-10 minutes? Odd, right?

Also, I chose Citrucel b/c I read Metamucil can cause excess gas...and LORD KNOWS I dont need that!!!! But since I have taken the Citrucel, I also have felt an increase in gas pains. Is this normal? Its not like I am taking large doses either. I am starting off below the minimum. I also have increased bloating (if that is even possible. LOL).

Any insight or experience from anyone would be wonderful. Thanks.

A

Hi again Andy. Yes, any kind of increased fiber can cause gas - just hang in there, it should improve (or decrease) over time as your body adjusts. Sounds like the fiber has really helped your bowels regulate and should be continued for life for good bowel health.

Good health to you,
Katie G

Katie (or anyone else who may have any advice)

I have continued the Citucel for the past 5 days. Like I said, Initially I seemed to see an improvement (except for the increased bloating and gas pains). And I have continued to have a BM immediately after taking it in the morning.

However the last 2 days, I have not felt well again, and then this morning, immediately after my Citrucel, I had diarrhea. Now this is uncommon for me, as I rarely get diarrhea in general. (I am a IBS-Pain pred).

I dont know what to do. Should I stop the fiber? I am so confused and worried and depressed.

Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks

Hey Andy. Sorry you're under the weather. Welcome to IBS - where the symptoms change just when you think you've got it all figured out.

If your bowels clear up and return to "normal" in a day or 2, then don't worry - it's probably just something that didn't agree with you. However, if the "D" continues, see your doctor. A change in bowel habits may warrant medical attention.

Keep us posted,
Katie G

Katie,

I only had the D once this morning after the Citrucel and that was at 7 am. I really dont think it is a "change in bowel habits", I really think somehow it is linked to the increase in fiber, since that is when the increased gas and bloating also started. Then this morning, 5-10 min after I drank it, BAM, abdominal cramps, a normal stool followed by diarrhea. The movement relieved the cramps, but now I am just left with a sort of uneasy feeling in the gut.

Is it possble that this is just my body adjusting to the increase in the fiber? Do you think I should stop the fiber? I dont understand, because I was feeling better for the first few days. Actually, it has still helped with some of the pain, but that is now overshadowed by the increased bloating, gas and now this diarrhea.

Any insight from anyone would really help me. I am so frustrated, worried and confused. I just want to feel better.

Hi Andy. Don't give up on the fiber - it's necessary for good bowel health. I'm not sure why you're getting diarrhea now, but I know with my IBS-D, fiber + calcium didn't really help form my stools. I never got relief until I added Colestid, but that's because I had bile salt diarrhea develop after my gall bladder was removed. Maybe try increasing the fiber to twice a day?

I hope Harry responds to your post - he's usually got real good advice.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Katie G

A,
I read all posts on the bowel boards so I am familiar with your problems!!
It can be frustrating as you know.

As you may know Citrucel is a water soluble fiber supplement (methylcellose) and is a semisynthetic fiber that does not breakdown or undergo bacterial fermentation. This results in less gas and flatulence. I have never used it for any length of time. I think your reaction is not normal--- it sorta acting like a trigger food--- you intake it and you have a BM.

I like to use a natural fiber --- I think our diet has too much additives and synthetic stuff in it already. I like and use psyllium husk (Equate) from Wal Mart--- orange flavored -- sugar free. It does breakdown by intestinal bacteria and does produce gas but with continued use ---it goes away. Just drink enough water with it as the instructions say. Both Citrucel and psyllium are safe to take daily and are bowel regulators.

If you are getting much bloating after eating-- your intestinal bacteria is probably not in balance. You have to get the friendly bacteria back in balance. I suggest you eat a good brand of yogurt 3 or 4 times daily. My favorite is Stonyfield Farm --it has 6 live active cultures in it. Most others only have 1 or 2 cultures. There are some other good ones on the market but usually you have to get them at a health food store. Un-friendly bacteria (yeast) thrives on sugary foods so if your're eating or drinking much sugars or simple carbs like cereals and breads, juices, sodas --- cut back alot. This staves the yeast.

I also take a probiotic supplement daily--- PB-8, Primadophilus --Reuteri, Primal Defense, Flora Source and iSource are good. I'm sure there are others. These are just what I have used in the last several years.

I wish you well---Harry

Harry,

I am so glad you posted. Thank you. I know you are very knowledgeable with this stuff.

Ok, so I did not take the Citrucel this morning for the first time and guess what, I Had NO bowel movement, cramping pain or urge. I think I still have some residual gas pain and bloating from the days I have been taking it, but this morning was the first morning since I had started the Citrucel that I didnt have the BM, urge, pain, and ofocurse yesterday's diarrhea.

I am almost positive the fiber is what caused the diarrhea. It had to be. Diarrhea is not an IBS main symptom for me (I only get it about 2-3x a year), but I think all the gass from the fiber came out as loose stools after a couple of days of increased gas.

I am at a loss as to why the fiber would react that way in me. Now I am second guessing all my doctors as to maybe there is something else wrong with me (since I have read the fiber helps ALL IBS'ers). What do you think? I cant find anything on the web about any disease or disorder that could cause adverse effects like that with fiber or what that could indicate.

I just went out to the health food store and bought some probiotics ( a mix of acidoph and reuteri). I will begin taking them and see if they help. I just dont know what to do about the fiber.

Basically what I think part of my IBS problem is is that a loop of my left side sigmoid colon is sluggish and stool seems to stop up in there. (I can often times feel it in there, swollen, and its tender to press because the bowel is distended.). I think thats where alot of my pain and bloating comes in, and my typical lack of urge for a BM, and cramping. Oddly, in the days I was taking the fiber, that tenderness and lump was not really even palpable, which leads me to believe that the fiber was clearing everything out of my colon. However, why it was acting in overtime and severely I have no idea.

Harry thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I am really depressed right now and really just want to be proactive about my health. I made an appointment with New Gastro doctor #4 for next week. LOL. Someone had got to know something.

Heres to a pain free day
A

Harry,

One more thing I wanted to mention too which I found interesting. Typically, if I do get diarrhea for any reason, because of my IBS, what immediately happens afterwards is I become constipated. Its almost like the bowels are like, "woah, what just happened.lets stop moving cuz that was not what we do." So yesterday after the diarrhea in the AM after the fiber, the rest of the day (and now today too) I feel that constipated heaviness. Weird.

At some point, I will do what I normally have to do to have a BM, which is just pick a time, go ing and sit there and make myself go. (This assures me I go everyday and I try and do it at the same time, even though I rarely have an urge.)

I am usually always having a feeling like I am "aware " of my bowels (heaviness, bloated, dull ache) but rarely have an urge to move them.

Ok just wanted to add that
Thanks

A,

Read your posts--- you know--- your gastrointestinal system has got to have fiber for it to function properly. Both soluble as well as insoluble fiber is needed-- 20 to 30 grams daily. That is just the way our GI system works.

I suggest you start very ---very slow with psyllium ---like a 1/4 of a dose daily-- until your system gets use to it. --- Citrucel-- You have got to be having an unusual reaction to it. We are all different but you got to find a way to have normal BMs ???

Trapped gas in the colon causes pain.
Lacking calcium, magnesium or potassium in your diet can also cause spasms.

The Nature's Way type of probiotic you bought with L. reuteri is one of the best. They are enteric coat--- take on an empty stomach and keep in the fridge. The L. reuteri don't need it but the others do.

I am a firm believer that Good Health Begins in the GI Tract. You have to be pro-active.

Harry

Harry,

I will head to Walmart and try the Psyllium. Is there a difference between psyllium and Psyllium husk?

I think I do get a decent amount of fiber in general, as my diet is pretty good. I eat alot of veggies and fruit, rice, pasta, grains, etc..and I dont eat any red meat at all.

Do you think what I have could still be IBS even though I had this weird reaction with the fiber? Everyone says Fiber works for IBS'ers. Like I said, I cant find anything else that would indicate this type of reaction. I am a bit concerned maybe I have some rare disease.

Thanks again for the insight and help. It is really appreciated.

[This message has been edited by andyM (edited 05-03-2003).]

A,
I think the psyllium seeds are all ground up so you get soluble as well as insoluble natural fiber.

I have done alot of reading about IBS and I also have it according to several of my Doctors.

I really think there is a organic basis for true IBS. But, alot of people and doctors confuse many things that aggravate or provoke IBS symptoms with what really causes IBS.
Just like stress, anxiety and depression can cause some aggrivating symptoms of disturbed BMs but these are factors not causes.

Eating or taking something like Citrucel or any food or drink that you're intolerant to is an odd symptom not a cause. I really don't like taking man made stuff as a sort of bowel regulator. I would think it works for some but not for all. My wife can't drink coffee--- before she finishes a half of cup it triggers diarrhea ---every time. She likes it as well as alot of other people but it just can't be part of her life.

There are some foods that give me abdomenal cramps big time--- avacados and honeydew melons ---both will bring tears to my eyes because of the pain about 12 hours later.

The jury is still out on the real cause or causes of IBS for us all--- I think we're all so different our Vital Force(Star Wars) or whatever is very different so our symptom factors are sometimes unusual and can sorta make you wonder.

People's immune systems are also different. We all don't get the flu or colds but thousands do every year and everybody doesn't have the same symptoms--- many suffer alot.

God bless---Harry

A,
I don't know if I was very clear with my last post???

I think many people are branded with IBS --that donot really have IBS at all. They just have some GI symptoms. People that take a round of a harsh antibiotics can readily develop IBS like symptoms. Also, some people with parisites develop IBS like symptoms. Later on they find out it's really not True IBS as defined by the Rome Criteria. I just think there is much confusion as to what is really IBS.

I listed the symptoms of IBS as defined by the Rome Criteria on a post in the Topic about What IBS'er Should Read.
Look it over---Harry




[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 05-05-2003).]

Hi Harry

I am pretty familiar with the "branding of IBS", as well as the Rome criteria. This is something I have been researching for many years now...and why I continue to see new doctors when I feel like I have reached a wall with a current one.

I have seen many doctors, all who have diagnosed me with IBS. This is not to say they couldn't be wrong...I often think they are. But who knows.

I have spoke with some nationally regarded Specialists regarding the Rome Criteria. I dont know if you have the most recently changed version, I didnt look, but it has been modified. There is a lot being done to fit the "IBS-Pain predominant" sufferers in to the criteria, so basically if you dont have diarrhea or constipation, you can still get an IBS diagnosis. Recent research suggests the motility problems that often point to IBS can manifest itself as solely pain and cramping...without necessarily the change in BM consistency. However, they did add 'change in consistency OR frequency'...because research indicates that Pain-predominant IBS'ers do often have more or less BM's with "episodes."

I will be honest with you and say if I dont have IBS, I have NO idea what I have. I have asked a zillion people, specialists, etc...and noone ever has any alternates for me. And I dont even know where to go from here on finding an alternate diagnosis, or even what is left to try to feel better. ( I have more pain predominant symptoms, with no consistency or detectable triggers).

Thanks
A