Frequent BMs and alternating constipation/diarrhea - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Helen45477 · 06-12-2008, 03:23 PM

I am pretty sure i have IBS. In the morning i have 2-3 BMs before/after breakfast and then starting in the late afternoon/evening, i feel constipated, though i just had a couple BMs in the morning! If i ever try to relieve the constipation, all i get out is a few small pieces, sometimes quite hard, and sometimes very loose. And even after all this, i still feel constipated! Most of my BMs are very loose, though not watery, and manytimes also very narrow. I also suffer from a lot of gas, though lately this has been getting better. For the past three months, i had terrible gas after i ate. However for the past 2 weeks, the gas has gotten better but i have been starting to feel the symptoms listed above. How can i cure this and are there any foods that can help me just have 1 BM a day?

Harry · 06-13-2008, 11:16 PM

I think you are not intaking enough soluble fiber. Soluble fiber absorbs fluids and bulks up your stool. But you also need to drink enough fluids daily.

Too much insoluble fiber causes loose stools!!

Helen45477 · 06-14-2008, 08:38 AM

Thanks Harry! Hopefully the soluble fiber will help

I just have one more question. When i tried to figure out which foods had soluble fiber, some websites told me that all fruits and vegetables are Insoluble fiber. However, others said that fruits such as peaches and apples are actually Soluble.

Which websites are correct? and what other soluble fiber foods are there?

Harry · 06-14-2008, 09:35 AM

Helen,
This is my is what I think is correct and it certainly is not complete about all foods and supplements.

Insoluble fiber is fiber that does not absorb fluids. All fruit contains juice to some extent but the fiber that they contain does not absorb water. So, I think all fruits along with all veggies are insoluble type fiber. Also, the outer husk on all grains and beans ---except green beans are insoluble. and also nuts and seeds.

Soluble fiber is fiber that absorbs water like the inner part of grains and beans. And, all the root veggies like potatoes including sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips and chickory root (Inulin).

Most fiber supplements are water soluble like Metamucil (psyllium), Citrucel, Benefiber (guar gum) and FiberChoice(Inulin). The natrual fiber supplements ferment by digestion and will causing gas until your system get use to that fiber. Citrucel (methylcellulose) is not a natrual fiber. Also, FiberCon is considered a synthetic fiber that does ferment and it acts like an insoluble fiber.

All meats, seafoods and dairy products contain no fiber -- Inulin is added to some dairy products like yogurt for fiber content.

A person needs a combination of both types of fiber for normal BMs-- 25 to 35 grams. Hard stools indicate that you are not drinking enough water daily.

I hope this gets you started to solve your BM problems.

God Bless---Harry

Helen45477 · 06-18-2008, 11:57 AM

Thank you so much Harry!

The soluble fiber has worked wonders! Now i rarely ever feel constipated in the night and don't need to have extra BM's later in the day!

However, i am still quite gassy in the night and have to have a BM before breakfast and a BM afterwards.

I am fine with the BM before breakfast, but if i am going somewhere with friends to breakfast, i don't want to have to rush to the resteraunt's restroom right after.

Are there any ways to make it so i only have to go to the restroom once in the morning??

Thank you again,

Helen