About 5 weeks ago I started taking physillium husk to help with cholesterol issues. I have hemerrhoids and fissures and have taken it a few years ago without problems. I only had a tablespoon a day with water for about 4 days, then noticed a slight burning in my upper stomach when I ate, thought the physillium may have caused it, and discontinued it. I then had a gurgly tummy for a few days, then knew I was pushing it when I ate way too many pistachio nuts a few days later for a few days in a row. Thought they might aggravate hemmerrhoids, but instead they constipated me REALLY bad...worst ever, seriously distended and painful. Seemed back to normal about a week later, but ongoing gurgling & painful tummy and some diarrhea since.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had problems like this with physillium or whether it might be something completely different causing it and its coincidental that I took psyllium just before the upset started? I do have a number of food intolerances, but they don't usually upset my stomach for this long afterwards.
Thanks,
Naomi
There are various grades of psyllium husk. Some are coarser than others, and some people do better with the finer stuff.
Then again, it's possible to be allergic to psyllium, and to have symptoms like you had. Sometimes people use a product in the past without trouble, but later on develop an allergy to it.
Fiber takes time for the body to adjust to. Starting out with a tablespoon per day may have been too much for you (assuming it wasn't an allergic reaction). Also, a tablespoon of psyllium is TOO MUCH to take at one time, of the pure husk. If you're talking about a sugared-up Metamucil type psyllium, one can take more, but the pure husk, one needs to take care. Too much psyllium at one time, without enough liquid, could cause intestinal obstruction.
It IS possible to take a tablespoon of psyllium per day, if one builds up to it slowly, and takes it in divided doses with plenty of water throughout the day. For example, 1 teaspoon of psyllium is about the maximum amount to take at one time, and that should be take dissolved in a large glass of water.
Time will tell whether the psyllium or not was totally to blame. If you stay off it & continue to have symptoms, it could be something else. May I ask what your current known food intolerances are? Sometimes these can change over time ...
Thank you for your reply.
It was pure psylium husk I took, not metamucil etc. A few years ago I was taking 2 tablespoons a day without problems. When I started it this time, I started with about a half tablespoon & worked my way up to a full tablespoon.
My food intolerances are numerous! I also have food allergies. Easier to tell you what I can eat that what I can't eat! Basically I'm on a chem free/low chem diet and have had to eliminate most salicylates & amines.
I agree that I can develop new intolerances, and I'm suspicious that the psylium is the cause, but scared it could be something more serious. I've now not had psylium for over a month, but I'm still very gassy.
My stupid gp refused to give me referral to gastro, saying I needed to see psychologist!!! I think its her that needs the psych, ignoring patients with gastro distress for a month!
I went ahead and made appt with colo-rectal surgeon but can't see him til the 29 August...I saw him years ago about my hemerrhoids. But I'm wondering if I should be seeing a gastroenterologist instead??
Have you heard of people getting these sorts of reactions to psyllium?
I"m really worried...both my parents passed away last year & I just want some peace, and can't seem to get it!
Thanks again,
Naomi
People can & do get intolerance/allergy reactions to psyllium, BUT they rarely last 5 weeks after stopping the psyllium! I missed that in your first post.
Food intolerances like dairy, soy, and gluten can cause all sorts of digestive mischief. There are many others as well, less common ...
I've only seen gastros, not colo-rectal surgeons, so I'm not sure, but am thinking that they are more oriented to surgical corrections of gut problems.
I agree that an intolerance reaction should not last this long...in fact there was about a week in between that I felt pretty normal. I'm thinking there's a chance that it inflamed me so bad, and hasn't quite settled, so I"m still experiencing discomfort? I'm seeing a new gp this afternoon and will ask about the gastro/colo-rectal question. I liked the colo-rectal guy as he was not an alarmist, did not pressure me into surgery, and did a sigmoidoscopy on me each time without sedation etc. I'm sick of seeing specialists that don't properly examine me, but prefer to take the easy way out by sending me for invasive tests. I've had numerous serious drug reactions in the past and I try not to take chances with drugs etc.
Thanks again,
Naomi
Naomi,
There are other soluble fiber supplements that are available -- Citrucel that does not breakdown by digestion like psllium does and results in less gas than psyllium. Benefiber is guar gum and Fiber Choice is Inulin(chicory root). Also, Oat Bran available in a cereal and capsules forms.
I have used psyllium for 23 years with no problems.
Thank you Harry. I used it for months in 2002 with no problems. I cannot eat oats anymore (started to have problems with them last year with abdominal swelling etc after) so maybe it's related to that???
Thanks again,
Naomi
Naomi,
There are other soluble fiber supplements that are available -- Citrucel that does not breakdown by digestion like psllium does and results in less gas than psyllium. Benefiber is guar gum and Fiber Choice is Inulin(chicory root). Also, Oat Bran available in a cereal and capsules forms.
I have used psyllium for 23 years with no problems.
Regarding Psyllium Allergy,i Began Taking It After Being Diagnosed With Colitis And Proctitis , And It Was Great For Regularity. After About 2 Months , I Began To Feel Very Allergic. Went To Family Doctor Who Did Bloodwork. Eosophil And Neutrophil Count Were Way Out Of Balnce. My Allergist Said To Stop Psyllium, And Have Blood Tested Again In Two Weeks. I Did, And Levels Were Normal. This Stuff Was Great, But My Whole System Was Inflamed And Never Knew It. CITRICIL WORKS FOR ME NOW.
