Long term Fybogel use

[Moss2008]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this group. I've been an IBS sufferer now for 5 years. A big part of my IBS is constipation and I tend to have bowel leakage which can be really stressful at times. I'm just wondering about something and hope someone here can help advise me.

I need to take Fyobgel quite a lot to help manage my symptoms and just wondered if it was safe to take Fybogel long term? I've been taking Fybogel almost daily for the last 6 months. Prior to this I've been taking all sorts of different products including Silicol Gel, Imodium and other laxatives but Fybogel seems to work quite well with me. Does anyone else need to take Fybogel on a daily basis like me? If so have you had any side effects taking it all of the time? The reason for asking is I have read lots of stuff online, quite contradictory at times about taking this long term.

Any help and advice on this would be great thanks 👍

[Jayjayvee]

I've been taking 2 separate doses of fubogel every day for over a year. No problems unless I forget to drink enough water, when it does bung me up. I'm ibsc. I usually drink 2 litres of liquid a day and fibogel really helps me. Don't take it near bed time, when the gut slows down overnight, and always take after a meal. It is usually the first thing doctors suggest.

[Moss2008 in reply to Jayjayvee]

Ah thanks for your reply. This is really helpful as I don't drink enough water a day which could be the cause of my pains. Will start drinking more water from now on with the Fybogel and see how I get on 👍

[xjrs]

myvmc.com/supplements/fybogel/

Bulking agents such as Fybogel are the only laxatives acceptable for long-term use.

[Moss2008 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for your reply. That's really good to know and feel better knowing this as was a bit anxious about whether taking this could have been doing more harm than good. The mistake I've been making is I don't drink enough fluids so will start doing this and hopefully see an improvement 👍

[gussmithy]

The bible that I use (The Bowel Book) explains why long term use of herbal laxatives is not good. Since I stopped taking Fybogel and reduced my fibre intake I rarely leak and constipation much improved BUT that approach may not work for everyone.

[David_H]

Hiya. I've been taking Fybogel (2 sachets a day) for a few weeks now for ibs. My gp and dietician have both said its OK to take it long term as part of your diet. Ideally if you can take enough daily fibre in foodstuffs that would be better

[SLINKYLOLL]

A dietician recommended 1 tbsp of flax/linseeds and 1 tbsp of chia seeds which I sprinkle on breakfast cereal. I no longer have to rely on Fybogel! She also said kiwi fruit are good for constipation, especially if you eat them with the skin on. Wash them first and then slice very thinly into rounds.