Are you all on a high fiber diet?? Does a high fiber diet constipate anyone?? The reason I am asking is because as i have said, I have never been able to go on my own...always need my magnesium drink to help things along. Years ago, I remember trying Fiber supplements which made everything very hard and I could not go as a result. Back then I was also having alot of constipation issues and could not go without the use of enemas (this is before I found my Magnesium). I am going to attempt to change my diet drastically (slowly) and add the 25-35 grams of fiber I should be eating. Any suggestions on what to eat, any supplements (Benefiber) work for any of you? Could this cause me to get blocked up or do you all think it could possibly work for me?? Just curious to hear what you all do!
Thanks!

I was never constipated in my life, sorry that I can not be of any help. But since my fissure appeared I added even more fiber to make BMs fluffier. I am taking Metamucil (half glass before meal, and the rest immediately after the meal - works pretty well. Whenever you take fiber it is VERY important to drink big amount of water at the same time - otherwise it can't work.
Hope it helps

Fiber is so key so I don't want you to be afraid of it. You don't want to overdo it though. (I was eating 40 grams of fiber plus taking 20 fiber pills a day, for example).

I swear by All bran buds cereal with soy milk. It helps me move things along. I probably get 25 grams of fiber in one bowl just from that!

If you take a supplement it is good to find one that has both soluble/insoluble fiber. I also recommend probiotics like acidophilis. My favorite fiber/probiotics supplement is fibermucil which you can get from www.procapslabs.com or hsn.com.

when I was given lactulose from my doctor, I didn't know about drinking a lot of water with it, and that made me worse, but as soon as I drunk the water, it made me go 17 times in one day! That was hell! I think what works for some people doesn't for others. I can only tolerate a little MOM, for example,or I'm on the loo all night. Prune juice works wonders, but again I can only have a little or it has disastrous results.
At a rough guess, I suppose the more"un regular" you are(is that a word?!) the more supplements ect., you would need, but thats just an opinion, I could be well wrong! Flax oil and aloe vera is brilliant!

Increase the fiber gradually. My doctor told me. I have the All Bren buds every morning like Lecia. But drink lots of water that is a key when you are adding fiber.
Take Care,
Patty

Do you find that insoluble fiber is irritating to the fissure as opposed to soluble fiber? I know my Dr. does not want me to have anything with seeds or hard pieces in it as it can tear or irritate the fissure.

I have had problems with getting constipated from fiber. I remember when this hole thing began, my dr told me to take more fiber. I went out and bought some oatmeal and metamucil. BIG MISTAKE. My doodoo turned into large, rock hard chunks. So I stoppped taking fiber for a while. then I did soem reading which suggested that grain fibers can irritate the intestinal lining which in turn can constipate. The article also said that methylcellulose wouldn't do the same. so I tried the Cirtucel. I had marginal success. It seemed to make my stool a bit bulkier and a bit softer. That is when I started the MOM. 1 Tablespoon/night worked like a charm.

Then I had the surgery, which screwed everthing up again--I was on antibiotics for 3 mos and couldn't have a normal poo to save my life. After that, I didn't need the fiber for a while. when I did start supplementing again, I went for the citucel, again with marginal satisfaction--I found that I was best when I took my fiber pills with a stool softener.

Recently, though, I found that digestive advantage stuff and it works like fiber should. My stools aren't really more bulky, but they are softer and easy to pass. I really recommend it. It has no grain products in it and instead has a japanese yam fiber and the probiotics.

Hello,
I have found that fiber sure has worked very well for me. It mixes pretty clearly, especially in warmer liquids. It will still mix well in cold ones, you just have to stir it for longer. I add it to tea, soups, juice, tomato sauce (and pour over pasta) oatmeal and just about anything else.
As far as foods to eat go, I eat:
Arnold's double fiber bread (it isn't dry and horrible to eat, but its 5g per slice)
Fiber one granola bars (in chocolate and peanut butter, 9 g. per bar)
Quaker oatmeal squares cereal (5 g per bowl)
Real pineapple juice (i get mine from trader joe's, 3g per glass!)
wheat pasta (depending on the brand, you may get anywhere from 3-5g per serving)
Those are my major staples, but again, drinking enough water with this is essential, otherwise, it'll be like moving a boulder.
good luck!
kate

I have had no luck with fiber, it only seem to bind me up, i have drank ton's of
water, which did not help fiber with me only ;made the stool larger, which is not what i wanted.
i have been takeing mineral oil for the last 40 year's it has served me well. with no side effects.
marvin