Psyllium Husk

[Pollyboo]

Hi everyone.I am just asking for a little help and advice please.

I have suffered with a loose tummy for 22yrs now. I have tried many things over the years and for the past 12 yrs have lived without a Gallbladder for which I take medication.

I have been reading about Psyllium Husk and that it helps with IBS both D/C, and was wondering what experiences others have had, if they havetaken this.

I have looked on the Internet and see that you can get powder or capsules. I am now in a dilemma if and what do I order.

The capsules seem the most convenient option as in ease and you can take them with you if you can manage to go away etc.

One company also incorporated a probiotic in the capsule, think it was a company called New Leaf.

Thank you for reading and look forward to your views on this, but I know we are all different.

I think that I will obviously leave any changes until the New Year, just hoping New Year ,onwards and upwards so they say.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, let's hope our tummies can be kind to us and let enjoy what we can.

Thank you once again, take care.

Pollyboo

[b1b1b1]

The capsules are OK, but you have to take a large number of them ie. 15 to get the same effect as you would get from the powder. The reason for this is that the capsules actually contain the powder, and not that much powder can fit in a capsule. I find the powder is easier most days, but the capsules are good if you are out. For the powder, you have to decide if you want it with real sugar, stevia, or no sweetener. The latter is not very good and I do not recommend it. I take 3 teaspoons in a cup of cold water plus one 150 mg. magnesium pill with water. (Not at the same time.). This is on the advice of my medical dietician and has been OK ed by my MD. I would check with your doctor before starting a new regimen.

[MistyDay]

Fibogel for me, leaves an unpleasant taste of artificial sugar aspartame. I hate the taste of aspatine . I fail to understand why artificial sweeteners and chemicals unsuitable for the lactose intolerant are added to medications for bowel problems.

[xjrs]

You may find the below information helpful:

ibsresearcher.com/constipat...

See Prunes vs Psyllium:

ibsresearcher.com/constipat...

[Gingers in reply to xjrs]

Hi. On reading your own story I realise you have a long loopy bowel like me. I also find colonoscopies extremely painful and couldn't understand how people can watch the procedure on a screen when I am in agony when I have it done. That being said I wonder if you have tried Ferrocalm propiotics. Some propiotics I've tried make my ibs worse. Perhaps I should try Allflorex.

[xjrs in reply to Gingers]

I haven't tried Ferrocalm . It is currently undergoing clinical trials:

ibsresearcher.com/promising...

So far Alflorex has worked really well for me, particularly in terms of the pain. I did start taking Linaclotide first which reduced the pain by 50% to 60% and Alflorex reduced it to zero (unless I am eating something I am still intolerant to). There is no harm in giving Alflorex a go, particularly since it has been scientifically studied for IBS. Some people have a bedding in period (which you need to get through first), usually a 3 month trial is recommended. For me, I had no side effects and I felt the pain benefits after 1 week, but everyone is different.

[Gingers in reply to xjrs]

OK thanks for replying, I will give it a go. I used to take Normacol which was prescribed for me by a consultant. I was fine with that but as it is discontinued I was put on fibogel. I still get constipated with it though and then find I go too much for a couple of days which is probably all the backed up faeces along with excruciating wind. I also find bananas bad for me. X

[ANB80]

I have been taking Psyllium Husk tablets for a few years now. I feel they have helped but everyone is different. So, just try them and see how you get on. If no improvement then just stop taking them. If they improve then continue.

[Jayjayvee]

I take psyllium husk powder twice a day in water. It is best taken after a meal. It is important to drink lots of water as well. I take it for ibs c but it is good for d as well, helping to firm up stools. Mine is on prescription. There are no side effects as long as you drink lots of fluids during the day.

[Bracondale]

Amazingly psyllium does help with C or D but should always be taken with plenty of water/fluids. I prefer powder/husk as you can adjust your dose more easily and you can always take a little with you in a small container when you go away (or buy just a small quantity of capsules when you've worked out your ideal dose). About twice as much husk is needed as powder. I personally would avoid a product with probiotics in it as it might not suit you and it'd be difficult to observe your response to psyllium alone. It's definitely worth looking at xjrs's site...I'm sure it will discuss what type of fibre psyllium is and how it'd fit into FODMAP categories if they are a problem for you.

[Misspomfrey]

I use the Organic Psyllium Husk Powder which is 99% purity, I don't take it with water but mixed into my bread which I bake in a bread machine. I use just a couple of teaspoons in each loaf and just add a little more water, it's really helps me. With IBS it's not just any one thing that makes a difference but a combination of things. I too have no Gallbladder for 45 years and don't take any medication. I have to watch fats diligently and any fats must be unsaturated so I use Olive Oil or Rapeseed Oil sparingly, never eat cakes or biscuits and I make my own seed crackers 😉

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Merry Christmas 🎄

[Pollyboo in reply to Misspomfrey]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I was just wondering where you buy your Psyllium powder.Yesterday I bought a bread machine, and was really interested in your thoughts on the bread.

I had a bread machine and made my own bread for a long tim, then seemed to have problems with the flour. I am so fed up with supermarket bread, and Yesterday I put my lunch in the bin. This then inspired me to give making my own another try.

As you say you are able to add other ingredients to your bread to help your tummy. I always used Canadian bread flour.

I always use Olive Oil, and find the garlic infused one very useful.

I must admit I do like the occasional piece of cake, but I do make my own so that I am in control of the ingredients.

Thank you once again and Merry Christmas to you.

Pollyboo

[Misspomfrey in reply to Pollyboo]

I use the NaturalBio Psyllium which is Vegan and it comes in 200g. It lasts for ages as I only use a couple of teaspoons in my bread.

I just get the Aldi Bread Flour, it seems ok and I've been using it for years. I can't eat brown bread so I stick with the white flour to be safe. Olive oil or Rapeseed I use in the bread and I add different seeds if I want a seedy loaf. My machine is a Panasonic and I've been using it constantly for over 7 years and it's never failed me. It just keeps going. If It does give up I'd buy another but you can bet your life it won't be as good, nothing ever is. 😒

[Pollyboo in reply to Misspomfrey]

Hi, the machine I ordered is also a Panasonic, the same as I had before as this one was the recommended make at the time.I have looked into the Psyllium and will order in the New Year, and start with my bread then.

As I suffer with a loose tummy I realise I have to be careful, but hope this can bulk things up a bit, gradually.

I do take a bile binder only 1 sachet daily as things were worse not better after my Gallbladder operation.

Take care

Pollyboo

[Misspomfrey in reply to Pollyboo]

Oh thats great, a Panasonic! Minds been really reliable. I also use ground Golden Flaxseed which also helps me. I put that in the bread too, a large teaspoon is enough, makes the bread nice too 😉

[Gingers in reply to Pollyboo]

Hi. I use fybogel which is psyllium husk in sachets. I get it on prescription and it is good for ibs c and d.

[Pollyboo in reply to Gingers]

Thank you, I was wondering about that as my GP mentioned this in passing, but didn't elaborate at the time,

[Gingers]

I've started using chia seeds now and I'm finding I don't need the fybogel as much