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Posted 2/24/2009 12:16 AM (GMT -5)
Certainly. But it works rather slowly, according to my own experience.
When I was diagnosed with UP in 2006, I had used Salofalk enema nightly for 6 months before my GI doctor felt I could taper. I didn't bleed much, though. My main issue was urgency.

And now I'm using Salofalk enema nightly. I have been using it for 3 months since I tapered off Entocort enema last November. I still have urgency and occasional blood. I may need it for another 3 months.

Are you on Salofalk enema as well?
Posted 2/24/2009 9:52 AM (GMT -5)

Weird...I posted on this last night and it didn't get added to the count...it still shows Burnaby Girl as the last post, #25. 

I guess we'll see if this makes it post #27 or 26.

Posted 2/24/2009 10:44 AM (GMT -5)

OK, looks like things got straightened out with respect to the posts..I saw Burnaby Girl was the last post early this am but I could not see your post till now.

I am presently on Cortifoam, had stopped for a few days and appears I am paying the price because the bleeding, etc. seems to be back with a vengeance. 

Seeing my GI later today so I have "many" questions

Posted 2/24/2009 3:05 PM (GMT -5)
for sure you need to take more than one metamucil capsule -- I am pretty sure they recommend 6-8 capsules to increase 1 teaspoon (the usual dose) of the powder

anyway, I have been on the metamucil for 2 weeks, and the first week I didnt notice too much. my stools were thicker (they had been basically water the weeks before) but the frequency and urgency was the same.
this week (14 days later) I am feeling so good. I have had formed stools for the last 4 days (I havent had a formed stool that looks like a log/snake in years) and I have also only had one stool per day for the last 4 days also.
it may be the metamucil or it may be the humira - I dont care

I have a colonoscopy in April, so hopefully the inside matches the symptoms.
Posted 2/24/2009 3:07 PM (GMT -5)
sorry, i meant 6-8 capsules EQUALS 1 teaspoon
Posted 2/24/2009 4:01 PM (GMT -5)
Wow that sounds like a dream! Did you start with the full amount right off the hop? That sounds pretty "explosive"
Posted 2/24/2009 7:24 PM (GMT -5)
So today is officially 1 week since I have been on the capsules (1 day).  I feel pretty good (crossing fingers)...i'm only going 2-3 times a day.  The first couple days was rough, I had horrible abdominal pains and was actually going to the bathroom more then when I wasnt on the capsules. 

Today, both of my BM's were relatively formed, still not solid but definitley getting a lot better then last week.  I feel good and when i had to go today at work it wasnt a bm where I had to run to the bathroom, in fact the only reason I went is becuase i was walking in to an important long meeting. 

Soooo, we'll see!

Posted 3/1/2009 10:38 AM (GMT -5)

Hey pb4,

I've been on the Metamucil capsules for around 2 weeks now and have not seen much change in the formation of my stools.  Do you recommend that now is a good time (2 weeks) to up my dosage to 2 capsules a day to see if my stools will then be formed?

Posted 3/1/2009 11:17 AM (GMT -5)
If the normal dose is 6-8 capsules, so I don't think 1 is going to do anything. I think you should definitely increase it.
Posted 3/1/2009 2:22 PM (GMT -5)
So long as you feel that your system has adjusted to the current amount you're taking then no reason not to add another pill/day...always best to take these things slow.

:)
Posted 3/1/2009 2:39 PM (GMT -5)
Sounds good, do you recommend to take 1 in the morning and 1 at night?

Also, do you take yours with your meds, I've heard that you have to take the fiber capsules 2 hours before or after you take your meds.  If i do that, it would make it kind of hard to the fiber capsules because I take 2 Asacol tablets in the morning, after lunch and before I go to bed. 

Posted 3/1/2009 4:57 PM (GMT -5)
You could try it that way or you could take them all at once...I think with the asacol you should try and take them 2 hours apart, so it may be eaiser if you do take the fibre supps in one dose each day.

I don't take oral RX, I'm either allergic or non-responsive, I use only natural anti-inflammatories.

Good luck, I hope you soon notice improvements.

:)
Posted 3/2/2009 9:56 AM (GMT -5)
The fiber supplements have helped me, but I still have the gas problems..I usually take 2 wafers at night, and maybe one in the morning. I don't have gas in the morning, but at about noon (I can almost set my watch by it!) I'll start with gas, and it lasts all afternoon, and then subsides in the evening. I'm not sure if this is the fiber or not, or from tapering on the Pred but it comes around almost every day- any thoughts?
I have one big bm in the morning, and that's about it. Not really any urgency or mucous at all anymore, which is great!
Posted 3/2/2009 7:45 PM (GMT -5)
nc_bri,

when did you start taking the metamucil wafers?  Also, are you on any meds?

Posted 3/2/2009 8:24 PM (GMT -5)
I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now. I'm currently on 10 mg. prednisone(tapering), 150 mg. imuran( been on it about a month), and colocort enemas every other night or so. I also take fish oil, probiotics (vsl#3, natures way reuteri and culturelle), bee propolis, and turmeric. The wafers chnaged things within a couple of days for me, as far as bulking things up and making bms more regular. I just don't know what to do with the gas problem. I'd like to stop it for a couple of days to see if that changes, but I hate to stop taking the fiber because I like how it improved my symptoms.
Before I started taking the wafers I was feeling pretty good because I've been on the pred for almost 2 months. Before that I had a flare right before the holidays, and the pred pulled me out like it always does. The metamucil made things more regular though, and improved things all around.
Posted 3/2/2009 8:52 PM (GMT -5)
Have you thought about using the capsules rather then the wafers?  I dont know if that would make a difference but its just a thought.
Posted 3/3/2009 6:29 AM (GMT -5)
I ordered the Acacia powder (Heathers Tummy Fiber), so when that gets here I'll give that a go. According to her website psyllium can cause mucho gas in some people, especially those with IBD/IBS, while acacia actually decreases it. So, I'll see if that helps. Is fiber helping you Shadam?
Posted 3/3/2009 8:11 PM (GMT -5)
Is fiber helping me?

I think so, I definitley wanted to take pb4's advice on starting with a low dosage so only started with 1 capsule the first 2 weeks (2 weeks ago).  I didnt see much formation in my stools so I highered my dosage to 2 capsules a day which I started yesterday.  Yesterday I only had 1 BM and today I only had 2 (in the morning). 

I'm hoping the increase in capsules helps my formation and number of bm's a day!!

Posted 3/3/2009 11:34 PM (GMT -5)
When you find the right dose that works for you, be sure to stick with it (and don't be tempted to take more than necessary) also, taking fibre supplements will likely be an indefinite thing, that's what my GI told me, to take it daily and indefinitely.

Glad your finally noticing some improvements at least with your frequency Shadam.

:)
Posted 3/15/2009 4:41 PM (GMT -5)
My mom bought me a natural herbs and supplement book that I read the other day.  It had a section on Metamucil which stated that 1 capsule only had .52g of Psylium Husk.  It also stated that the wafers had 3.4g of Psylium Husk in a dose (2 wafers).  Seeing that the capsules haven't done anything at all for me (except frustrate me more) since I started on them almost a month ago, I figured I would go ahead and purchase the wafers to see if they work. 

I know that the wafers have artificial flavoring in them but I figured I would try them anyway becasue most that take them say that they are very good and affective.

So yesterday was the first day that I took them and I kid you not, I feel a million times better today.  I've only gone to the bathroom once (this morning) and it was solid for the first time since December!! By they way, they actually taste pretty good.

I hope they continue to work!

Posted 3/15/2009 4:56 PM (GMT -5)
Hey, whatever works, quite a few other people found quick results with the wafers as well, just be sure you're taking a good probiotic daily and indefinitely too so it can help combat the sugar (which leads to bacterial overgrowth) in the wafers and in other foods you eat.

I hope they continue to work for you as well!!

:)
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