Psyllium Husk for IBS D: Can anyone tell me... - IBS Network

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Psyllium Husk for IBS D

JT1992 profile image
7 Replies

Can anyone tell me their experience of using Psyllium Husk for IBS D? The thought of adding extra fibre to D scares me, but because i am going numerous times over the day, it has been recommended that i try it to try and add bulk to the stools.

The recommended dose is 2 a day, but that sounds a lot?

Anyone's advice is much appreciated, thank you

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JT1992 profile image
JT1992
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7 Replies
b1b1b1 profile image
b1b1b1

I was advised to start with one teaspoon of Metamucil a day, immediately after a meal. If that is OK then to increase to two teaspoons a day and see what happens. You should, though, follow your doctor's advice. I am scared to try it as well.

711debbie profile image
711debbie

It's been quite awhile ago, but I remember psyllium (especially with inulin!) causing problems. I use ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon in my morning yogust). I think it's considered better for IBS patients.

Kiwirotc profile image
Kiwirotc

I’ve been on it for years now and wouldn’t be without it. Start off slow I started one does with my dinner on a night time then after about 2 weeks added the morning dose. It does add bulk and calmed my system down. I don’t feel the urge to go as often and when I do it’s more “normal” not perfect by any means but at least it’s a lot better. Only word of warning make sure you do drink a bit more water than normal nothing in excess but I’ve found if I don’t expect a lot of wind!!

grumpyold profile image
grumpyold

I was prescribed Fybogel, the orange flavoured sachets you mix with water, by my GP. I had one with breakfast and one with dinner. You do have to drink enough throughout the day.

I was better for a while but then I found they were making my bloating worse and my stomach was so round and hard, I looked 7 months pregnant. I had to stop using them.

GwenDee profile image
GwenDee

IBS-D to the point of two years housebound. Found low-fodmap; helped immensely. Though I was eating above the recommended intake of fiber (45 vs. about 30, which most people don't even get) I was irked at the gastro's nonchalant advice (not to me but in my chart notes!) to add fiber. I already had psyllium husks in a bag, not Metamucil, so I dumped a good 3/4 CUP into a huge pot of soup. That still comes out to one to two tablespoons (not teaspoons) per meal! Oops. Been drinking a decent amount of water.

First day, I went just a touch to -C (like 3.75 if the Bristol scale had that). Next day, yesterday, very much fine! In the future I will not add so much to my soup as it is really ... thick and stringy and grayish like guar gum, arrowroot, or other thickeners can get. It's not a pretty soup but we will see, and it tastes fine. So far it's sort of regulated me nicely. Really it's only about six extra grams of soluble fiber + 1 gram insoluble, but if you aren't ingesting 45g a day, it might be a lot!

winfong profile image
winfong

Would it make any sense to take an osmotic laxative?

A44f profile image
A44f

Has this worked for you?

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