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Fiber supplements, what is best for Crohn's patients?

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Posted 6/19/2016 11:35 AM (GMT -5)
 I should know this already.  I use to take a fiber supplement years ago (Metamucil)  It was recommended for diarrhea associated with crohn's at the time,  don't know if it still is?  I ran into a problem when I developed a partial obstruction.   So, I put fiber aside and stayed on a low fiber diet since, even after surgery.  Now, I have a stricture in the surgical site, but I'm still able to move my bowels, sort of, diarrhea, and fragments since the surgery.  I think over the years, because there was never any  bulk in the intestine, I wasn't able to have a formed BM? I know I have to be careful because of the stricture, but wondering if a little bit of supplemental fiber would help to form and push things along and help with the diarrhea.    My problem is trying to make sense of the soluables and insoluable fibers?  I need some bulk in the bowel, and I need it to be a gentle formula without it having an irritating or laxative effect on me, I don' t need more diarrhea, I need help with the diarrhea.   Help me out guys. 
Posted 6/19/2016 12:40 PM (GMT -5)
Soluables as it sounds absorb water and dissolve to become a gel while insolubles are things like pulp that do not and tend to be rough so can both irritate inflamed tissue and get stuck in strictures. I was also advised to take Metamucil though I ended up switching to Whole Foods brand because I am not a fan of the artificial sweetener taste. It was more for constipation though my bm were soft, however that was before the stricture was discovered, now have to do low fiber until it is straightened out so I would ask your GI before you start anything though if anything just use a very small amount of soluble fiber and see how it goes. How bad is the stricture/ where is it? I felt like it helped but I did not use it everyday so that my system could handle it.Personally I don't think it bothered me with the stricture.
Posted 6/19/2016 1:18 PM (GMT -5)
So soluables you say? Can they expand the intestine a bit like an insoluble? I need some bulk in there, as sometimes it feel like my intestine is collapsed because of it, not enough going through? Do soluables help with diarrhea? The stricture is in the large, small bowel junction, but it doesn't cause pain, only discomfort and bloat when I eat too much or if I eat gassy foods?
Posted 6/19/2016 1:34 PM (GMT -5)
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve or change very much so basically can go through the digestive system in similar form that it started in so it adds bulk just with its presence. Soluble absorbs water and with the supplements, Basically they turn to something akin to jello and yes they help things bulk up and tend to do this very quickly -( instructions will say to mix with at least 8 ounces of water per serving of powder because it needs water to expand or else it will get stuck And cause choking. One time I mixed it I thought well with a little extra juice but even with that there was some extra that wasn't well mixed at the bottom. I made the mistake of drinking that as well and it bulked up in my throat and made me feel very uncomfortable for several hours.)
That is similar to where mine is. I don't have experience with taking while having diarrhea but considering that it Bulks up quickly and absorbs water, it should remove some of the extra water from the colon
Posted 6/19/2016 2:07 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you...can't hurt to try a little, all I have to lose is that the full container may end up sitting here if it doesn't work out? I should mention that after surgery, I also got bile induced diarrhea to contribute to an already runny situation, LoL. hopefully a fiber will help to absorb some of those bile acids as well. The Questran the doctor prescribed works but I get side effects from it so it can use it only once in a while.
Posted 6/19/2016 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
I hope it helps! Please let me know how it goes!
Posted 6/19/2016 3:29 PM (GMT -5)
eating foods like barley, oatmeal... (things that congeal when mixed with water) will help bulk up stool
make sure to increase fluid intake with icnreasing fiber so you dont get constipated/blockage
Posted 6/19/2016 4:57 PM (GMT -5)
Over the years I have experimented with several types of fiber, each time for about a week:
Metamucil and psyllium based products are a the top
Fiber Gummies (Chicory root) are good too
Citrucel (Methylcellulose based products) are good too.

For fiber products do not take supplements or vitamins, they get stuck to get gel inside and become ineffective. Take your supplements at a different time.

The most dramatic change for diarreah came not from fiber but from Cholestyramine powder, take before meals, it is gritty and you have to stir it well. Needs prescription and it is expensive but by far the best.
Posted 6/19/2016 8:12 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you Labrodorite, advice is helpful.

Dikid, I like oatmeal, but on some days it seems to have me running more. I buy the one that needs to be cooked 3 minutes. Perhaps it has too much fiber in it, not sure.



Fernando, I do have cholestryamine powde, it's easy and it is effective, but I hardly use it because I get side effects from it, heart palpitations. I use it when I'm desperate like when I need to go out, or have a doctor's appointment or just need a break from the diarrhea.
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