Back to nature

I tried a fiber supplement for several months. Sometimes it seemed to help and sometimes it seemed to make things worse. During a bad stretch, I finally stopped taking the fiber. Overall, I seem better off without it. Others certainly may have a different experience.

Metamucil (and other fiber supplements) did help the D some, but I almost felt like my body was allergic to it some way. I am back to more D, but I feel a little better physically. The same thing happened with Calcium (for me, I know many others have had very positive responses to it, and I do not want to disuade anyone from trying it)For now, I am trying my best not to use anything. Including tapering off (one at at time) any meds I have been on. I want to get back to just my normal body and see how I feel from there. Then I will try and reevaluate what might help, and what doesn't.

Regarding fiber: natural fiber, as in cereal doesn't seem to be a problem, but I've tried several times taking Metamucil, Fibercon. and Citrecel....the bloating and pain were horrible...and I still couldn't have a bowel movement...I drank gallons of water and tried giving it time, but to no avail. I'm staying away from fiber supplements for now...they seem to aggravate my situation. anyone else have the same problem.Holly------------------

I just read that Dr. Weil recommends carob powder to soothe the intestines. I, too, get irritated by fiber especially when I'm having problems. Mintaburst gum also helps me--the peppermint, I guess and it doesn't have artifical weetners. Dr. Weil also says to use pepermint oil capsules but haven't found any yet.BTW I found that I'm very sensitive to any products that contain canola oil. I am symptom free as long as I stay away from it. I did a study on it and found out it's made from rapeseed(no such thing as a canola plant--word comes from canadian oil and it's a genetically altered variety)which is pretty toxic so maybe there's enough of a residue to get me or there are chemicals left in the processing. I only use olive oil now and ask when we eat out.

yes- when I saw the first GI specialist about 10 years ago, he told me he could "cure" any IBS. He put me on a regimen of Konsyl..even sent me home with about 20 little packets and plastic shaker things. He told me to continueto use immpdium if needed, and also librax. The librax made me worse...absolutely, and I gave it 4 weeksbefore quitting that.I faithfully used Konsyl morning and night for months. I can honestly say it gave me no relief from D. And although I think it made my stool absorb fluid..they would come out stringy etc. many times...and actually just hang there so I had to pull them out (sorry to be so graphic, but this is my experience)I used the unflavored kind mixed in juice, anddrank a huge glass of water afterwards. Itjust didn't do anything for me, so I quit.(and I would still at times have D..unformedstools etc.)j