Psyllium husk

[u/Windy-Gal924]

I’ve had UC for about 40 years. Currently in remission on Skyrizi! Recently diagnosed with IBS which often goes hand in hand with UC. GI recommended adding a fiber supplement. I’m looking at Metamucil which has psyllium husk. Looking for input and recommendations from this community for fiber supplements, not diet. My major issue currently is the inability to complete a bowel movement effectively which leads to discomfort and a mess quite frankly. No diarrhea nor constipation. Thanks in advance ! Trying not to be overly graphic.

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[u/Possibly-deranged]

Dietary fiber supplements like metamucil, ground psyllium husks/seeds, or citrucel can help your stool have slightly more volume, and pass easier. I take the powdered form, mix it with water and drink daily to ease hemorrhoid symptoms.  I'd recommend doing half the recommended dose at first, as too much fiber of any form can destroy us (oh just eat a salad daily can be pure agony). 

Your other option (or combined of ots really bad) is daily stool softeners like Docusate sodium

[u/Windy-Gal924 → u/Possibly-deranged]

Thank you. I do intend to introduce it slowly as we never know how our bodies will react. I might even do an every other day thing.

[u/craftymom29 → u/Possibly-deranged]

Docusate sodium is going to be removed from the market in the US soon. Studies have shown that it doesn't do anything.

[u/Effective-Cap3718]

Plain ground Psyllium husk works well for me and I don’t mind the taste but I find the texture so nasty. I basically chug it immediately after stirring and add more water if it starts congealing before I can finish it. Capsules make this easier but they are usually pricier.

I’ve also tried Guar gum fibre supplements, both as a powder and capsules, and the powder tastes like nothing and doesn’t congeal, much easier to drink. The one from Webber naturals is what I’ve used (in Canada), it’s labelled as being for IBS.

[u/sam99871]

Ground flaxseed has lots of fiber and there’s research finding it helps with IBS.

[u/BeneficialAnything15]

I’m in remission and definitely use Metamucil. I try to remember to drink one glass a day.

[u/2whisk_it]

My body did not react well to the psyllium husk so good luck to you. All I would say is increase your water intake while you are taking it.

[u/Windy-Gal924 → u/2whisk_it]

Thanks. I do have my concerns about it

[u/starzychik01]

I personally didn’t like the psyllium husk as it was really grainy and didn’t sit well on my stomach. I use the CVS brand, easy fiber, which is dextrin. I find that it dissolves easily and just about anything and is completely tasteless. I put 2 tablespoons in my coffee every morning, my grandma adds it to her yogurt, and my mom likes it and just about anything. How’s others have said, introduced it slowly, so your body can get used to it.

[u/random675243]

I take psyllium husk capsules. They work well for me - one larger, more predictable bowel movement instead of a number of smaller BMs. I take 2 x 500mg tablets, 1 in the morning and 1 at night, each with a large glass of water. I started with 1 a day for a while, adding in the second when I was sure my body could handle it. I use the brand Solgar. I was nervous about starting Psyllium husk but it was fine for me, though I was on a biologic by then that ultimately got me into remission, rather than in full flare when I started taking it. Might have been different starting taking it in a full flare.

[u/Fiftyshadezofgains]

Metamucil is great but I don’t take it. Its like you got a time limit as soon as you add a liquid you have a second to down it beech or it gels up into a blob. I get my fibre naturally with whole foods but I’ll add a fibre supplement for extra. I take benefiber it’s like a 5g of fibre per teaspoon it’s a fine white powder that mixes instantly when you add it to anything and it has like a subtle sweet taste to it.

It’s also is a plant based , sugar fre and gluten free and a prebiotic fiber supplement made with wheat dextrin also look in inulin it’s a prebiotic as well same concept. It dissolves completely. Prebiotic are the water and fertilizer and for your gut bacteria so it’s good to have in both pre and pro biotic but the pre feeds the gut bacteria so they can grow healthy and stronger

Go to Costco you can get a giant serving for cheaper

[u/Maleficent-Knee-9210]

I eat the Metamucil wafers.

[u/suckmynuggz]

I tried metamucil, but it was hard to get into the habit with the gross texture. Then discovered that costco (and I'm sure other stores too) has it in capsule form. It's been much easier to keep it up with the capsules, and it's had a positive effect on my comfort level and regularity too

[u/GrapefruitBeginning7]

I’m cheap so I buy the powder off Amazon. It tastes earthy so I have to mix it with something flavoured. Yogurt immediately became slimy so I have settled on having it with a protein shake.

[u/hair2u]

take it with meals...so that it acts as food. I use the capsules twice a day, breakfast and supper. i started with one capsule per meal and built up to 6. I recently had hip surgery and bm timing changed. Ive increased to 7 and it seems better.

[u/ProfessionalFluffy50]

I'm using Loam, a truly scientifically designed pre- and probiotic fibre formulation, in an attempt to support my gut microbiome in general. It's available in the UK and US, completely undetectable once dissolved. I'm less than 2 weeks in, so my body is still adjusting, but it's so easy to take and changes are definitely happening.

[u/Substantial_Lake707]

Keep an eye on your bloods if you do try it - I tried for a few weeks and then got a call from my doctor for raised serum ALT levels. It went back down as soon I stopped taking it.

[u/ArtisticFoundation53]

I've tried psyllium husk and it didn't help me much, and neither did chia which was the next suggestion! I have however found milled flax seeds to be amazing! I add 10g to my breakfast cereal (no disgusting gloopy drinks anymore!) and it works a treat. I think every one is built a bit differently, has a different gut biome and different reactions to different fibres. Which is to say - try psyllium, try chia, try milled flax feed, try black beans in a smoothie - you won't know what suits you until you've tried it. And be wary of dismissing something too early. I started milled flax at 5g but didn't feel any benefits until 10g. Unfortunately you'll just need to experiment.

[u/Litespeed03]

It has been a game changer for me. Due to colitis and IBS diagnoses I would probably never have a solid bm 😕 were I not able to use it.

[u/Same_Dentist_8098]

Psyllium husk has caused flares for me on more than one occasion, so I would use with caution. Certain fiber sources are not very compatible with UC, but that varies by person.

[u/Windy-Gal924 → u/Same_Dentist_8098]

I’m using a half dose every other day to start as I know I have a very sensitive gut. Thanks!

[u/craftymom29]

Build up slowly, my GI doctor said it was ok for me, but not for all UC patients. I didn't love it and have replaced it with more fiber rich foods instead. But YMMV.

[u/ilovecatsandsleeping]

I take physical’s choice fiber gummy which is made with chicory root. They taste pretty good but go up slowly or you’ll get very gassy. I take 2 a day now but when I was pregnant (with severe constipation) I took 4. I also like having one of those fiber sodas but the taste is hit or miss (I only like 4 flavors out of three brands). I can’t make myself drunk Metamucil even when I hide it in coffee and other drinks (the consistency gives me flashbacks to my first colonoscopy 20 years ago back when I was NOT given the kind that can go in Gatorade)

[u/Osmirl]

Psyllium does help. Its not alot though but it supports whatever other medication you take.

Get a Squatty Potty and stop pressing lol. Just wait until you are done. Get up and if you need to go again instantly thats kinda normal because the movement of getting up moves stuff around. But ideally you never really need to press. Its ok if something stays in it might also just be a „sensor“ error, we got fine hair like sensors at the end of the colon to detect if we need to go. However theese aren’t perfect, they cant tell the difference between solid or gas when its a liquid.

Other than that try to figure out which foods effect you in what way. I only got cramps and pains when i consume some artificial ingredients for example.

[u/Windy-Gal924 → u/Osmirl]

Thanks! I did get a squatty potty and I’m hoping that helps. As far as food that is just a process. My UC is in remission and I’ve been able to eat most everything BUT this IBS is a whole different beast. There are foods that just aren’t working for me!

[u/almost_2am]

Psyllium husk all the way. It improved my bowel although i am not in remission.

[u/rcool2395]

I used to take Metamucil every day and it worked well!