Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please HELP

Discuss changes in diet that have helped you manage your fissure, or any supplements or medications/creams that have been effective.

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Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please HELP

Postby Vault_Dweller » 30 Dec 2013, 14:17

Hello All,

So this is my 10th day of my recurring AF, by now I'm for sure in the chronic stages.

I need advice on which kind of fiber supplement to take, it seems like there's a bunch out there, and I bet they work in different ways for everyone else...

So far I have tried;

-Purified Psyllium Husk - makes my stools bulky, large, they come out fast but it feels like it's causing trauma every time I have a BM.

-Citrucel - stools are large, not as bulky, i feel like i have to strain a little and they tend to come out slowly.

-Metamucil - Doesn't do a very good job on me, I just don't like it...bulky and I feel almost as constipated as if I don't use anything.

I have heard about Benefiber, and Miralax. I read the directions on the MIralax bottle and it says not to use for more than 7 days straight...is this accurate? can I? or should I not?

I need to soften more my stools, or this fissure will never heal. The pain is unbearable, as I'm writing this, I feel like I rather be dead than suffer from this :-(
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby JHH » 03 Jan 2014, 16:04

IMHO, miralax/movicol is the best stoolsoftner out there. If thats not tolerated you can try lactulose.
Both can be used longterm without making the bowel lazy.

Best of luck!
- Fissure developed in Jan '13
- Started rectogesic in Feb '13 and diltiazem Apr '13.
- Got botox Jun '13
- Healed by Okt '13, although I still had some irritation for about a year.
- New fissure April '22, healed June 2022
- New fissure 24. December 2023
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby Vault_Dweller » 06 Jan 2014, 10:14

Thank you JHH!

I am using Miralax twice a day, and Benefiber before or after each meal and so far it seems like it's been working. Along with the Sitz Baths and Nitro ointment I stopped bleeding/pain in a week! I'm still doing my LIS the first or second week of February with the hopes of never to relapse again. My CRS is extremely good and famous here in Cleveland, OH.

Cheers!
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby Hatetopoop » 23 Jan 2014, 15:59

Hi, I use the generic Fiber capsule they sell at the drugstores with psyllium husk. They have it at most department and wholesale stores as well. I think that is the same ingredient in Benefiber? Check the label. Some people say it bulks them up too much but it works great for me. Miralax gives me the runs so not for me. Different things works for different people I suppose.
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby pattcook » 16 Mar 2014, 16:46

i have been doing very well now for several months after I made several changes in my life. Here is what worked for me- # 1 and I can,t stress this, Miralax. Softens stools and keeps you very reguar. Take the dosage you need to work for you. If you find things are too lose lighten up on the dose until its right. I checked with both my family MD and the specialist and both agreed that long term use is safe. You will never find relief until your stool is soft and Miralax works. #2 Change diet to include more fruits and veggies and chicken and fish. More fiber. Cut out the typical Meat, bread and potato diet. #3 I found metamucil to make for harder bowel movements. I use benefiber to augment the Miralax and its easy to use. I also take those gummy bear type fiber supplements morning and evening. #4 Get some exercise. Take a walk. Drink a lot of water as the Miralax and Benefiber both require it. Try and stay away from alcohol. I,ve lost 30 lbs since I made these changes. This is not a short term deal but a life style change. Its imperitive to change what got you into this predicament in the first place and for many of us it was a diet that caused hard stool and forcing a bowel movement. Hope this helps.- J
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby Still hoping » 21 Apr 2014, 16:49

You may need to experiment to see what works for you. Metamucil made my stools too bulky and I had to push more. I take a little bit of citrucel 1/2 tsp, if I take more, I have to push more.

What really helped me was taking miralax. I had a fissure for ten months before I started it. I had been concerned about dependency. But then i got so desperate not to have surgery that I gave it a try. Miralax works so well for me! I wish I had taken it when I first got the fissure. I wish I had known about it years ago, when I had constipation issues when traveling. One capful makes bowel movements so easy. Apparently people can be on this for years without any issues.

Keeping trying different suggestions and hopefully you'll find a combination that works for you.
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Re: Which kind of Fiber Supplement? I'm confused - Please H

Postby Deleted User 3869 » 11 Oct 2014, 18:34

Miralax isn't a fiber substitute! It works by drawing water into your colon, and as one GI explained to me, it encapsulates the waste so you expel it easier. Metamucil is fiber, and in order to have a good diet, everyone needs 30 grams of fiber in their diet per day. What Metamucil, Citrucel, and Benefiber make it easy to do is get that 30 grams of fiber via a drink.
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