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Question About Fiber Pills

ShortStuff2309

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ShortStuff2309 Apprentice
ShortStuff2309
Posted

Hello,

I have noticed a lot of people saying that they went from having diarrhea to being constipated after going gluten-free. I have been dealing with this now, as well. I was going to get some of the fiber pills, like Citrucel or Benefiber, but I was reading the instructions on them at Walmart yesterday and it says to take 2-8 pills a day. Before I go getting any, I was wondering how many some of you take every day to keep this problem under control? Thanks.

~Rebecca

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lbsteenwyk Explorer
lbsteenwyk
Posted

Always start with the smallest recommended dose and see how that affects you. Remember to drink the recommended about of fluid with the fiber pills.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

You will need to experiment really. Fiber varies from person to person. Personally, the pills never worked for me, I had to take the actual psyillum powder itself in juice. But the pills might work for you. I would start with 2 at breakfast, 2 a lunch, with a full glass of water at each dose. I try and stay away from taking psyillum or fiber supplements before going to bed. I think it is better working on your system while you are awake. Try this for a few days, if you don't notice anything, try 6 a day. If you are up to that much, or 8 a day and don't notice anything, then I'd try the powder. Magnesium also helps get things moving as well, but start slow with that. I can help regulate myself with foods too--like beans. In case you want to try something else too--here is the mix that has worked best for me...and I have tried it all I think ! This is gluten-free too-I cked with the manufacturer. Good luck!

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nettiebeads Apprentice
nettiebeads
Posted
Hello,

I have noticed a lot of people saying that they went from having diarrhea to being constipated after going gluten-free. I have been dealing with this now, as well. I was going to get some of the fiber pills, like Citrucel or Benefiber, but I was reading the instructions on them at Walmart yesterday and it says to take 2-8 pills a day. Before I go getting any, I was wondering how many some of you take every day to keep this problem under control? Thanks.

~Rebecca

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I love this forum, I'm finding out so many things after all these years.. I thought my constipation was related to my hysterectomy, but then I find out other people here have that problem. My gastroenterologist suggested Citrucel since that's what he uses and I use that now, occasionally. When I need it, I start out with two in the morning with water and then see what happens. If no luck, the next day I'll take two in the morning and two when I come home from work. That usually does it for me. But my problem is simply water - I don't drink enough plain water and drink tea and cokes - which don't help with hydration. I try to keep my roughage up with salads. Dried apricots help me too along with excersize to help keep things "moving" right.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

magnesium can also help relieve constipation. (too much calcium can cause it, so a balance between the two is important for regularity *and* bone density! :-) )

JLK Rookie
JLK
Posted

I have suffered with this problem all of my life but it has been much worse the past few years. I "solved" the problem with a two pronged approach :blink: I use 2 1/2 tablespoons of whole flax seeds soaked overnight (at least 6-8 hrs) in pineapple juice, which I drink first thing in the am [yes, it looks gross, but just tastes like juice! Have to keep stirring it to keep the seeds evenly dispersed and don't chew!]. The pineapple juice contains bromelian which helps digest protein and mucus, an extra benefit in my book.

Then I supplement with Magnesium as Jenvan suggested. 800-1200mg at night (taken separately from any calcium). Helps relax me for sleep too, and beneficial for muscule and nervous tissue repair...like our digestive tracts! While it does take a couple days for this to relieve the constipation, if you do it everyday, you can maintain easy, regular eliminations. I can now forget for a day or two and still have everything regular, but part of this I'm sure is due to eliminating the gluten (most of it anyway--still hunting down hidden sources).

Judi

ShortStuff2309 Apprentice
ShortStuff2309
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I bought some of the citrucel pills and took 2 this morning, so we'll see. Thanks!

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      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
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      Contact them.
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